US–India Sanctions Tension: The US House passed the Russia sanctions bill that could enable up to 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, putting India on alert; India’s MEA says it will safeguard energy security for its 1.4 billion people and work with industry to manage fallout. US–China Trade Talks: Ahead of Xi’s Washington visit, the US and China are discussing cutting or eliminating China’s tariffs on US LNG, alongside broader tariff cuts on about $30bn of goods. AI Near-Miss in US–China Ties: A faulty AI-generated intelligence report nearly triggered a US operation against a Chinese vessel in the Middle East, with officials later finding the claim “entirely false.” US–China Treasury Coordination: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent plans talks with China’s He Lifeng on AI, trade, and rare earths in New York ahead of the Trump–Xi summit. Regional Security & Diplomacy: Russia demanded Japan withdraw US Typhon missile systems deployed in Kyushu, warning of threats to regional stability. Humanitarian Support: Japan provided a $1m emergency grant via IFRC for water, sanitation and hygiene help in Nepal after flash floods. South China Sea Flashpoint: China Coast Guard ramming incidents involving Philippine vessels continue to inflame disputes over maritime control. India Growth Watch: Moody’s raised India’s FY27 growth forecast to 7% but flagged inflation risks from energy prices and El Niño-driven weather swings. Semiconductors in Focus: India pushed Semicon 2.0 ecosystem-building—aiming for major manufacturers, advanced packaging, and over 100,000 jobs—while SEMICON India 2026 highlighted new partnerships across the chip value chain. Nepal–India Disaster Aid: Nepal’s finance minister thanked India for “extraordinarily generous” flood relief and reconstruction support.