India adopted the GST in 2017, sweeping in more than a dozen domestic state taxes in a bid to unify the economy on the principle of "one nation, one tax, one market". It was hailed as the biggest tax reform since independence from Britain in 1947.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s top aide said ties with Beijing are on an “upward trend,” another signal that New Delhi may be recalibrating its foreign policy amid mounting tariff pressure from US President Donald Trump.

During his Friday speech, Modi also hinted India would continue its unilateral suspension of the Indus Water Treaty. The treaty, which India suspended after the April massacre, allows sharing of the Indus River that runs about 2,897 kilometers (1,800 miles) through South Asia and is a lifeline for both countries.

India and China are attempting a cautious reset in their strained relationship, but experts warn the road ahead will be marked by hard bargaining and unresolved tensions. Former diplomats and strategic affairs specialists told CNBC-TV18 that while trade flows and export relaxations offer short-term gains,

According to sources, Modi asserted, "Nehru partitioned the country once, and then again. Under the Indus Waters Treaty, 80 per cent of the water was given to Pakistan. Later, through his secretary, Nehru admitted his mistake, saying that it brought no benefit."

India would not accept any compromise when it comes to the interests of its farmers, cattle-rearers and fishermen, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday as the country wrestles with steep tariffs imposed by the US following breakdown of trade talks.

Farmers are a key political constituency in India and they violently protested against Modi's last big push to reform the sector, forcing him to repeal three farm laws in 2021 in what was a rare defeat for him.

The Indian prime minister has said his country "is ready" to react to President Donald Trump's additional 25 percent levy on goods entering the U.S.

Calling the interaction “a proud moment,” Modi later posted on X, “Had a great interaction with Shubhanshu Shukla. We discussed a wide range of subjects including his experiences in space, progress in science & technology as well as India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission. India is proud of his feat.”

During his interaction with PM Narendra Modi, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla said India has the "ability and position to be in a leadership role in a space station."

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday and looked forward to continued exchanges in the days to come.