US may need wartime footing to counter China: Former Defence Secy

IANS | May 17, 2026 11:46 PM

Washington, May 17 (IANS) Former US Defence Secretary Robert Gates warned on Sunday that the United States may need to shift toward a wartime-style defence production model to counter China's growing military power and replenish critical weapons stockpiles depleted by conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.

US signals new trade framework with China

IANS | May 17, 2026 9:45 PM

Washington, May 17 (IANS) In the immediate aftermath of President Donald Trump’s historic trip to Beijing, the Trump administration on Sunday signalled a new phase in US-China trade and economic ties, outlining a more structured trade relationship with Beijing while maintaining tariffs and restrictions on sensitive sectors, in remarks closely watched by global markets and trading partners, including India.

Trump-Xi summit ends without breakthroughs: Experts

IANS | May 17, 2026 9:36 PM

Washington, May 17 (IANS) US President Donald Trump returned from a high-profile summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping facing growing questions over whether the closely watched meeting produced any major strategic breakthroughs between the world's two largest powers, according to experts.

'Look forward to strengthening India-Sweden friendship': PM Modi

IANS | May 17, 2026 7:00 PM

Gothenburg (Sweden), May 17 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed gratitude to his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson for receiving him at the airport and stated that he looks forward to strengthening friendship between the two nations.

India, UAE, Israel partnership can bring stability to West Asia: Report

IANS | May 17, 2026 5:42 PM

New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) The art of Indian diplomacy will be to keep the relationships with UAE, Isreal and Iran in conversation without pretending that they are identical, writes Sergio Restelli, a geopolitical expert, in The Times of Israel. He urged India to reassure the Gulf without closing the door to Iran and to deepen cooperation with Israel without losing room for manoeuvre in the Arab world.