NEW DELHI: While the recent social media exchanges between PM Modi and President Donald Trump are being seen as signs of a possible recovery in India-US ties, Indian govt believes not enough attention has been paid to the “positive steps” in the relationship since Trump took charge.These measures, according to govt sources, have led to a strong momentum in cooperation across political, defence, strategic, economic, technological, and people-to-people domains.According to sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the next or sixth round of negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) is likely to commence soon.On the contentious issue of trade, on which India is facing 50% tariff for its purchase of oil from Russia, the announcement of Mission 500 to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 and finalisation of terms of reference for BTA negotiations announced in April are seen as constructive steps.Govt sources also sounded a word of caution about the “thaw” as they said India will wait to see how the trade negotiations turn out. The govt is also closely following reports that Trump, while backing trade negotiations with India, has asked the EU to impose 100% tariffs on India and China to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war.While both leaders have agreed to have a conversation soon, a bilateral meeting might be possible only next month in Malaysia on the margins of the Asean summit and East Asia summit, if Trump chooses to participate.According to Indian authorities, despite the differences over trade, bilateral cooperation has continued in areas like defence and security, energy security and technology. Officials point to the ongoing talks for the finalisation of a framework for the US-India Major Defense Partnership in the 21st Century and also negotiations underway for a Reciprocal Defense Procurement (RDP) Agreement.However, whether the Quad summit can take place in Nov will still depend on how soon the two countries can resolve their differences to reach a trade agreement. Trump may not want to visit India if that doesn’t happen. Despite the suspense over the summit, sources said, Quad has continued to work towards strengthening its agenda, including through the launch of Quad Critical Minerals Initiative.There’s focus now on upcoming Quad Initiatives like: Counter-terrorism workshops in Sept, Quad Ports of the Future Partnership Conference in Mumbai next month and also the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network Field Training Exercise (FTX) under Operation Christmas Drop (Dec 2025).On counterterrorism, extradition of Tahawwur Rana from the US to India, US designation of The Resistance Front as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and the facilitation of the return of FBI fugitive Cindy Rodriguez Singh to US by India are cited as examples of ongoing cooperation.“Both sides have reaffirmed their commitment to a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in trust, mutual respect, and common interests,” said a source on the condition of anonymity.

Prize draws such as Omaze and McDonald’s Monopoly are normalising gambling, particularly for children and young people, a charity has warned.

GambleAware said survey findings suggested a link between prize draws such as Omaze and McDonald’s Monopoly and gambling harm, with latest data suggesting that 27% of people who gamble are estimated to be experiencing a risk of problems from taking part in such games.

Prize draws are not currently regulated as a licensed form of gambling, but GambleAware said they had “many similarities” to certain types of gambling and people “may not understand the risks associated with them”.

The charity raised its concerns about prize draws as it released its fifth annual Treatment and Support Survey data, finding that demand for treatment and support for gambling problems has almost doubled since 2020.

The YouGov survey found that almost one in three adults (30%) who are experiencing a risk of problems from gambling want treatment, support or advice, compared with around one in five (17%) in 2020.

The data also shows an increase in the proportion of adults who are experiencing problem gambling, up from 2.4% in 2020 to 3.8% in 2024.

The number of people affected by family or friend’s gambling has increased from 6.5% in 2020 to 8.1% in 2024 – an estimated 4.3 million adults.

The charity said estimates based on the YouGov survey suggested that around two million children may be living in households with an adult experiencing problem gambling.

GambleAware chief executive Zoe Osmond said: “Gambling can be highly addictive, with devastating impacts on people’s lives, relationships and financial stability.

“While it is encouraging that more people have sought help, this rise may also point to a growing public health crisis.

“We are increasingly alarmed by how gambling is being normalised and how frequently people – especially young people – are exposed to gambling across Great Britain.

“To reverse this troubling trend, urgent preventative action is needed. This must include tougher regulation of gambling advertising to stop gambling being portrayed as ‘harmless fun’.

“There should also be mandatory health warnings on all gambling ads, stricter controls on digital and social media marketing, and a full ban on gambling promotion in stadiums and sports venues to protect children and young people from harm.”

The report, which also explored attitudes towards children’s exposure to gambling, found widespread support for more restrictions on gambling advertising, with 91% supporting a ban on gambling advertising on TV and video games and 90% supporting a ban on social media.

Kate Gosschalk, YouGov associate director, said: “We are pleased to share the findings from the latest annual Treatment and Support Survey, a substantial online survey of around 18,000 people in addition to interviews with those who gamble.

“The new data provides valuable insight about gambling harm, including an increase in the number of people seeking support or treatment over the past five years.”

An Omaze spokesman said: “Omaze takes consumer safeguarding very seriously. We voluntarily operate an automated monthly spending limit for all customers, and our teams proactively review customer spend patterns to identify whether a customer has multiple subscriptions or if they frequently get close to the cap. This allows us to identify and protect against any potential excessive spend.

“We operate in full compliance with all relevant UK regulations.

“As a part of our commitment to high standards, we are subject to strict requirements under the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) and abide by all of its rules in promoting our products.

“Omaze welcomes the Government’s latest research and plans on the prize draw sector. We are pleased to be working closely with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to develop a voluntary Code of Conduct for the industry, to ensure that Omaze’s high levels of consumer protections are matched across our industry.”

Pharmaceutical bosses have said research and development (R&D) in the UK sector risks “losing out to other countries” amid concerns over the investment environment.

The warning came as research indicated the UK has lost ground against other countries regarding investment in pharmaceuticals and life sciences.

A study from PwC and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) pointed towards weaker investment in recent years, with a particular fall in foreign funding.

The research indicated UK pharmaceutical investment has underperformed against global trends since 2018.

Latest figures showed that investment in R&D in the sector fell by nearly £100 million in 2023.

It also showed direct foreign investment into UK life science fell by 58% to £795 million from 2017 to 2023.

The data showed the UK ranked second for foreign investment in 2017 and 2021 compared with other countries, but fell to seventh by 2023.

ABPI chief executive Richard Torbett said the Government and industry need to work together to “remove existing barriers” in order to help the sector.

He said: “The UK has a world-class science base and the potential to lead globally in developing the next generation of medicines and vaccines.

“But without a more competitive environment for investment, we risk losing out to other countries making bold moves to attract internationally mobile investment.

“I believe UK has the potential to unlock billions in additional investment in early-stage R&D, ensure patients and the NHS can benefit from access to cutting-edge clinical trials and attract major capital investment in R&D and medicines manufacturing facilities – all of which directly support the government’s health and growth missions.”

AstraZeneca UK president Tom Keith-Roach said: “New and innovative medicines are essential to improving patient outcomes and have huge potential to boost British economic growth and support delivery of the NHS 10 year plan.

“The competitiveness framework underscores the importance of investing in the next generation of medicines and pulling them through to the patients who can benefit.”