Business
Pakistan’s Trump outreach sparks India ire as US ties take unexpected turn: Financial Times
Pakistan’s recent charm offensive towards United States President Donald Trump has unsettled New Delhi, the Financial Times (FT) reported, detailing how Islamabad’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir’s warm reception in Washington contrasts sharply with India’s cooling ties with the White House.
According to the report, Munir travelled to Florida last weekend for the retirement ceremony of US Central Command chief General Michael Kurilla, marking his second cordial encounter with top American military officials this summer.
In June, Munir held a two-hour private lunch with Trump in Washington, just weeks after Pakistan and India engaged in their deadliest military confrontation in decades.
Such treatment is unusual for a foreign military leader, the newspaper noted, especially given Trump’s earlier criticism of Pakistan as offering “nothing but lies and deceit” to Washington. Yet the relationship appears to be enjoying what analysts described as an “unexpected resurgence” under the Republican president.
The FT said India was left “seething” by Munir’s White House welcome, as Trump’s administration offered Islamabad comparatively lighter trade tariffs — 19% compared to a punitive 50% on New Delhi — and promised a deal to develop Pakistan’s “massive oil reserves”.
The shift in tone is credited to a targeted Pakistani strategy involving counterterrorism cooperation, business outreach to Trump associates, and deals in energy, critical minerals and cryptocurrency.
Pakistani officials believe urgency was required to repair ties with the US president and his allies, some of whom had previously backed sanctions against Munir over the jailing of former prime minister Imran Khan.
An early breakthrough came in March when Pakistan’s intelligence services handed over an Islamic State Khorasan operative accused of orchestrating a 2021 Kabul bombing that killed 180 people, including 13 US soldiers.
Trump publicly praised the move in his State of the Union address, using the occasion to also criticise India over tariffs.
The report also highlighted Pakistan’s embrace of “crypto diplomacy”, including an agreement between a Trump-backed cryptocurrency venture and Pakistan’s crypto council in April. Since then, Minister for Crypto and Blockchain Bilal bin Saqib has engaged in trade talks with Washington while promoting Pakistan’s digital asset potential to figures close to the US president.
Munir’s conduct during the May conflict with India also bolstered Islamabad’s credibility with Trump, according to Pakistani officials. They said the army chief balanced “strength and restraint” by downing several Indian jets without escalating further, with the US and Gulf states mediating a ceasefire.
“Trump needs success stories to proclaim and Pakistan is happy to give them to him,” said Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistan ambassador to the US now at the Hudson Institute, a think-tank in Washington.
By contrast, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly rejected any suggestion of US mediation, asserting that the agreement with Pakistan came through existing bilateral military channels.
The FT noted that Pakistan is presenting itself to Washington as a back channel to rivals Iran and China, reminiscent of its role in US diplomacy in the 1970s that facilitated Richard Nixon’s opening of US relations with China.
While Islamabad has criticised some American military actions, like strikes against Iran, it has also cast itself as a mediator between the US and its foes.
In late July, Munir flew to Beijing, where he toured the headquarters of the People’s Liberation Army and reassured China’s foreign minister Wang Yi over the safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan.
“Pakistan is a rare country that is friends with China, Iran, the Gulf states, to a lesser extent, Russia, and now, again, the US,” said Marvin Weinbaum, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington. “The US sees Munir as someone who can play a useful strategic role, and the Pakistanis keep their lines open to everyone but know to pull back when one relationship is clashing with another.”
For India, the burgeoning Trump–Pakistan relationship has proved an irritant, particularly given its failure to avert steep tariffs despite its larger economy. Indian officials expressed frustration at what they see as Washington rewarding a military-ruled neighbour for striking quick business deals.
Analysts cautioned, however, that Trump’s goodwill could prove volatile. According to the FT, Pakistan’s natural resource wealth remains largely unproven, its economy depends on a $7 billion IMF bailout, and recognition of Israel — a possible US expectation — would be politically difficult in Islamabad.
Haqqani told the newspaper that Trump is “playing the Pakistan card” to gain leverage over India. Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi warned that while the outreach has yielded short-term gains, Islamabad must protect “both its interests and its dignity” in the unpredictable relationship.
Restaurant group Various Eateries is poised for a significant expansion, announcing plans to rebrand as the Coppa Collective and venture into the pub sector. The company, known for its Coppa Club and Noci venues, confirmed the name change alongside a deal to acquire a portfolio of pubs with rooms from Grosvenor Pubs and Inns.
The acquisition of four initial sites is expected to be finalised on or around 23 March, with an additional agreement for a potential fifth location. The pubs joining the new collective are Wild Thyme & Honey in the Cotswolds, The Hare & Hounds in Berkshire, The Stag on the River in Surrey, and The Wellington Arms in Hampshire.
Furthermore, terms have been secured for the potential acquisition of The Queen’s Head, also situated in Surrey.
This venue is subject to an “asset of community value” process, meaning it can only be sold after the relevant statutory notification and moratorium period has expired, which could take up to six weeks.
The group, which was founded by Punch Pubs founder Hugh Osmond, will pay £11.25 million for the initial four pubs once the deal completes.
Various Eateries will create a third brand within its portfolio, called The Linwood Collection, after completing the deal.
The hospitality group currently runs 20 sites, including restaurant, club house and hotel venues.
The deal comes a month after the business said it was considering merger and acquisition opportunities in a bid to drive growth.
Mark Loughborough, chief executive of Various Eateries, said: “Linwood marks an important step in the evolution of the group.
“We are bringing into the business a small collection of premium pubs with rooms that have earned their reputations the right way, through great hospitality, careful attention to detail and a real sense of place.
“This is also a format we know well and rate highly in the current market.
“Premium pubs with rooms combine food and drink with accommodation and a broader, destination-led appeal.”
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The layoffs account for 3-4% of Flipkart’s workforce, which is higher than the company’s practice of letting go of 1-2% of employees in the lowest performance bracket every year.
Flipkart Layoffs 2026.
Flipkart Layoffs 2026: Flipkart, the Walmart-owned e-commerce giant, has reportedly asked around 400-500 employees to exit the company this year following its annual performance review process. According to a report by The Economic Times, the layoffs account for roughly 3-4% of Flipkart’s workforce, which is higher than the company’s usual practice of letting go of 1-2% of employees in the lowest performance bracket every year.
Why Has Flipkart Laid Off Employees?
Responding to queries, Flipkart said the move is part of its routine evaluation process. “Flipkart conducts regular performance reviews aligned with clearly defined expectations. As part of this process, a small percentage of employees may transition from the organisation. We are supporting affected employees with transition support,” the company said, according to Mint.
Layoffs Across Teams, Hiring Continues For Senior Roles
The job cuts have reportedly impacted employees across multiple departments and job levels. At the same time, the company continues to recruit senior executives as it prepares for a potential initial public offering (IPO).
According to a report by ANI, Flipkart has recently strengthened its leadership team with several senior appointments.
These include Somnath Das as vice-president (supply chain), Digbijay Mishra as vice-president (corporate communications), Vipin Kapooria as vice-president (business finance), Yogita Shanbhag as vice-president (human resources), and Amer Hussain as vice-president (supply chain for its grocery and quick-commerce businesses).
Flipkart Preparing For India IPO
In December 2025, Flipkart received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal to shift its legal domicile from Singapore to India, a key step ahead of a potential domestic listing.
The restructuring involved merging eight Singapore-based entities into Flipkart Internet Pvt Ltd, simplifying the group’s holding structure across businesses such as fashion, health and logistics.
Loss Widens Despite Revenue Growth
Financial data shows that Flipkart continues to expand its business, although losses have widened.
According to data from Tofler, Flipkart India reported a consolidated loss of Rs 5,189 crore in FY25, compared with Rs 4,248.3 crore in FY24.
However, revenue from operations rose 17.3% to Rs 82,787.3 crore, up from Rs 70,541.9 crore a year earlier.
Total expenses also increased 17.4% to Rs 88,121.4 crore, largely due to higher stock-in-trade purchases, which climbed to Rs 87,737.8 crore, compared with Rs 74,271.2 crore in the previous financial year.
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March 07, 2026, 14:51 IST
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Global businesses are feeling the impact of the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, as rising energy prices and disrupted trade routes create uncertainty across markets.
Oil and Energy Prices Surge
The conflict has triggered a sharp rise in global oil and gas prices. Brent crude prices have climbed close to $90 per barrel, raising concerns among businesses and policymakers about inflation and higher operating costs.
Industry leaders warn that prolonged price increases could affect nearly every sector of the global economy.
Higher fuel costs are already pushing up prices for transportation, manufacturing, and consumer goods.
Trade Routes Under Pressure
Shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20% of global oil supplies, have slowed significantly as tensions escalate.
Air travel routes across the Gulf have also been disrupted, creating delays for cargo shipments and international flights.
Industries Facing Supply Disruptions
Several industries are beginning to feel the effects:
Aluminium production has been disrupted as shipments through the Gulf face restrictions.
Helium supplies, crucial for semiconductor manufacturing, could also be affected.
Chemical and energy-intensive industries in Europe are already reducing production due to rising gas prices.
The Gulf region accounts for roughly 8% of global aluminium production, making any supply disruption a major concern for global manufacturing.
Businesses Prepare for Economic Impact
Major companies are now hedging energy costs and reviewing supply chains to manage the uncertainty.
Analysts warn that if oil prices reach $100 per barrel, global economic growth could slow significantly.
Some financial institutions estimate global growth could drop by 0.4 percentage points if the conflict persists.
Risk of Another Energy Crisis
Experts say the situation highlights how vulnerable global markets remain to geopolitical shocks.
Business leaders warn that energy volatility, supply chain disruption, and rising inflation could lead to a new global economic slowdown if the conflict continues for an extended period.
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