Archive · 27 Sep 2025
MiG-21 Retirement, India-EU Ties, and Tariff Concerns
The Indian Air Force retired the MiG-21 fighter jets.
India and the EU are working towards closer ties and plan to discuss trade agreements at a summit in February 2026.
The Indian Rupee is weak against the U.S. dollar.
The US plans to implement new tariffs on certain imported branded pharmaceuticals.
India's reliance on SDT in WTO is being questioned, China has announced it won't seek SDT, and India should be ready for trade without these, while also managing economic conditions.
Ladakh is seeking statehood.
Indian Air Force retired the MiG-21 fighter jets.
The India-EU summit is scheduled for February 2026.
India's rupee is losing value against USD.
The US is implementing tariffs on specific branded pharmaceutical products from October 1, 2025.
China will no longer seek Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) in future WTO negotiations.
- Who
- Indian Air Force, India, EU, Trump administration
- What
- Retirement of MiG-21 jets, discussions on India-EU trade deal, and US imposing tariffs on certain pharmaceutical products.
- When
- September 2025 and upcoming February 2026 for the summit.
- Where
- India, EU, and the US
- Why
- MiG-21 retirement due to obsolescence, EU seeks to enhance trade ties with India, and the US implements tariffs based on trade and manufacturing location.
Support for Special and Differential Treatment (SDT)
Opposition to Special and Differential Treatment (SDT)
WTO Agricultural Subsidies
Support for Special and Differential Treatment (SDT)
India supports using subsidies, via Article 6.2 exemptions and the Public Distribution System (PDS), to support its agricultural sector and protect low-income farmers.
Opposition to Special and Differential Treatment (SDT)
Developed nations criticize India's agricultural subsidies, alleging they distort markets. They advocate for a reduction of these subsidies.
- MiG-21
- Indian Air Force bid farewell
- MiG-21 Squadron Strength
- Down to 29 squadrons
- India-EU Summit
- Scheduled for February 2026
- Bilateral Trade (2024)
- EUR 120 billion in goods
- Rupee Weakness
- Trading near all-time lows vs. USD
- Trump Tariffs
- 100% on branded pharma if not US manufactured
