Make merry, regardless.

"2025 was the year of trade deals, and India just aced it. When US President Donald Trump said no to win-win trade deals, imposing coercive tariffs on India," "New Delhi moved swiftly to conclude trade agreements with New Zealand, Oman and the United Kingdom," showing "firmness with major powers applying pressure, and flexibility with partners willing to engage on mutually respectful terms." ET. "When Donald Trump returned to the White House on January 20, expectations in India were cautiously high." "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's early visit to Washington on Feb 12 was read as a signal," and "Discussions on a bilateral trade deal followed and talks on doubling trade to $500 billion by 2030 briefly revived optimism." ET. Mr Modi was put up at "Blair House, also known as the President's Guest House." "Blair House actually comprises four contiguous buildings, forming a complex of 70,000 square feet (6,500 square meters) - larger than the White House itself - including 119 opulently decorated rooms dedicated to welcoming foreign leaders." NDTV. Alas, the bonhomie was not to last. Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India, including a punitive 25%. "The tariffs - among the highest in the world - include a 25% penalty for transactions with Russia that are a key source of funds for its war in Ukraine." "The tariff setback has sent the Indian government into a firefighting mode." BBC. On 22 April, terrorists shot 26 men at Pahalgam in Kashmir, one of whom was Christian, one was a Muslim pony ride operator and the rest were Hindu men, 20 of whom who were humiliated by being forced to reveal whether they were circumcised or not. wikipedia. Following this atrocity, India launched operation Sindoor on 8,9 and 10 May, destroying terrorist bases within Pakistan. pib.gov.in. Sindoor is vermilion applied to the head by married Hindu women, hence Operation Sindoor was meant as punishment for wiping it off. During the Monsoon session of Parliament, Mr Modi "hailed Operation Sindoor as a 'Vijay Utsav' (victory celebration) for the nation. While India has claimed that Pakistan begged for peace following Operation Sindoor, Trump claims to have stopped a war between India and Pakistan for the 60th time and thus saving 10 million lives. TNIE. Both Mr Modi and Trump are adamant in claiming credit for stopping the conflict and so, in September, Mr Modi canceled his speech at the United Nation General Assembly and sent our External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. ET. He also skipped the ASEAN summit in October to avoid Trump who attended. ISAS. Today is 25th December. "They said there'll be snow for Christmas, They said there'll be peace on earth," sang Greg Lake. Snow may have melted due to global warming and peace seems far away. Make merry nevertheless. Merry Christmas.