What if it's all fake?

"US President Donald Trump yesterday threatened to 'very substantially' increase the 25% tariff on imports from India over continued purchases of Russian oil, maintaining his aggressive posture. This comes a day after New Delhi's strong response to comments by him in a similar vein in the past week or so." ET. In response, "India has sharply criticized the United States and the European Union, saying it is being unfairly singled out by them over its Russian oil purchases when they both trade extensively with Moscow despite the war in Ukraine." "The US, the statement said, continues to import Russian uranium hexafluoride for use in its nuclear power industry, palladium, fertilizers and chemicals." ET. Talk of the pot calling the kettle black wikipedia. This is utterly shameless. "The Center has not made any move to wean off Indian oil refiners from Russian crude, which comes at a steep discount compared to purchases from West Asia or US. It has not just helped domestic pump prices lower, but also benefited European countries, which have been major buyers of diesel and jet fuel from India." ET. Europe may be benefiting, but definitely not Indian citizens. The median price of petrol in the US including all taxes is $3.5 per US gallon (eia.gov). Taking 1 US gallon as 3.79 liters (wikipedia) and 1 USD at Rs 86.5 (xe.com), the price of petrol in the US works out to about Rs 80 per liter. Whereas, the price of petrol in India varies from  Rs 94.30 in Chandigarh to Rs 107.48 in Thiruvananthpuram. In Delhi, it is at Rs 94.77 per liter. Goodreturns. The enormous difference in the price of fuel in the US and India is because "according to the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell of the Ministry of Petroleum, Government of India, the central and state governments collected Rs 35 trillion from (taxes on) petrol-diesel in 5 years. Bhaskar. So, our industrious government is embezzling both Indian citizens and our old friend Russia at the same time. But what if Trump is actually trying to help a "very smart man" and his "great friend" Prime Minister Narendra Modi (NDTV)? In July, "Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark on stepping aside at the age of 75 has prompted opposition politicians to question its implications for PM Modi who, like Bhagwat, turns 75 this September." HT. Mr Modi would not at all want to retire from his enjoyable job, with all the luxury tourism (pmindia.gov.in). Trump said that "upcoming tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals could go as high as 250%." ET. "India is one of the largest suppliers of generic medicines to the US, exporting mostly low-complexity generics worth about $9 billion annually." TOI. Trump's threat sounds fake, because higher cost of medicines will hit sick people and people can forego new clothes or cars but cannot stop taking medicines. What if there is a sudden resolution at the last moment with India committing to buying Boeing planes, crude oil and some weapon systems from the US and Trump withdrawing most tariffs, followed by Mr Modi and Trump shaking hands in front of cameras at the Rose Garden in the White House? A triumphal return with IIT-IIM alumni, PhDs, MDs, tycoons prostrate on the ground, with tears in their eyes, begging Mr Modi to stay prime minister forever? A statue to the National Saviour. After all, there is already a stadium in Ahmedabad named after the great man. wikipedia. Mr Modi very reluctantly accepting to stay on forever as his beholden duty as a Divine Being, not of biological origin (The Wire), committed to leading India to 'Amrit Kaal' (Era of Elixir) (Invest India). What if Trump is actually helping Mr Modi? That would indeed be "the most unkindest cut of all". For a silent multitude.