Trump announces trade deal with Pakistan to develop ‘massive oil reserves’
New York/Washington (PTI): US President Donald Trump has announced sealing a trade deal with Pakistan and said that Washington will work with Islamabad to develop what he described as the South Asian nation's "massive oil reserves".
It is not immediately clear what massive oil reserves in Pakistan Trump was referring to.
In a social media post, the US President also wondered if Pakistan could sell oil to India "some day".
“We have just concluded a deal with the country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive oil reserves," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday.
"We are in the process of choosing the oil company that will lead this partnership. Who knows, maybe they’ll be selling oil to India some day!” he added.
There was no immediate reaction from Pakistan on the trade deal with the US.
Pakistan currently imports oil from the Middle East to meet its energy demands, but there are reports about vast offshore deposits that are largely unexplored due to a lack of technical expertise and funds. The country has been trying to lure in investments to tap into these reserves.
The announcement came hours after Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on all goods coming from India, plus an additional penalty for purchases of Russian military equipment and energy.
In a social media post, Trump termed India's trade policies as "most strenuous and obnoxious".
"All things not good! India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25 percent, plus a penalty for the above, starting on August first," Trump said.
During the day, he spoke multiple times about the tariffs that India imposes and referred to India’s membership in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping, which he described as "anti-US".
Responding to a question on negotiations with India, Trump said Washington is talking to Delhi. "...We are going to see, we're negotiating with India right now,” he said, while calling India's tariff "one of the highest tariffs in the world".
Trump said the White House has been “very busy” working on trade deals, and he will be meeting with the South Korean trade delegation.
“Likewise, other Countries are making offers for a Tariff reduction. All of this will help reduce our Trade Deficit in a very major way. A full report will be released at the appropriate time,” he said.
India said it has “taken note" of Trump’s statement on bilateral trade and the Government is studying its implications.
“India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. We remain committed to that objective,” the statement said.
Trump has set the August 1 date for his tariffs to go into effect.
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Woman threatens to end life as police official refuses to accept love proposal, FIR registered
Bengaluru (PTI): A woman was booked on charges of obstructing a police inspector from discharging his official duties and threatening to commit suicide if he did not accept her love proposal, police said on Wednesday.
The 45-year-old inspector attached to the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station here alleged that the woman repeatedly harassed him, they said.
According to his complaint, the harassment began on October 30, when he started receiving calls from an unknown woman from multiple phone numbers.
During these calls, she allegedly spoke incoherently and claimed to have close links with several highly placed individuals, including the Chief Minister, Deputy CM, Home Minister and other political leaders.
Police said the woman sent photographs via WhatsApp purportedly showing herself with these dignitaries and claimed she could use their influence to compel the inspector to accept her proposal. She also allegedly threatened to use her contacts against him if he refused.
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The inspector said that he advised her to visit the police station and submit a written complaint if she had any grievance. However, she did not do so and instead continued to repeatedly call and send messages, which disturbed his official duties, the FIR said.
According to the FIR, on November 7, the woman allegedly visited his office and handed over an envelope containing some tablets along with handwritten letters. The letters contained emotionally charged and inappropriate content, and the woman claimed they were written using her blood, indicating obsessive behaviour.
Despite being clearly informed that the number she was contacting was an official departmental number meant for public service, she allegedly continued making unnecessary calls and messages, causing mental harassment and obstruction to his day-to-day duties, he alleged.
During the inquiry, police learnt that the woman had allegedly exhibited similar behaviour with other police and government officials in the past, it stated.
On December 12, she allegedly went to his police station and shouted and threatened to commit suicide and ruin the inspector's career if he did not respond to her proposal, prompting him to lodge a complaint.
"Based on the complaint, a case was registered against the woman under Sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) and 221 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station. The matter is under investigation," police said.
