December 12, 2025 – India Headlines

Story gist: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a phone call. They discussed trade, energy, and defense amid a push for a trade deal.

Bias summary: Left-leaning NDTV specifies discussion topics (trade, energy, defense) with formal titles, emphasizing substance. Center Times of India frames around ‘trade deal push’ using abbreviations for brevity, neutral tone. Right-leaning outlets absent, lacking potential emphasis on Trump achievements or US-first trade skepticism.

Story gist: Mexico approved tariffs on Asian imports, including goods from India. The tariffs target approximately $1 billion in Indian exports, particularly automobiles.

Bias summary: Left-leaning NDTV uses aggressive tone (‘slaps,’ ‘crosshairs’) to dramatize harm to $1B Indian exports. Center-leaning Reuters provides neutral, detailed reporting on tariff hike’s impact on car exports despite automaker lobbying. Right-leaning coverage absent, omitting perspectives on trade protectionism or Mexican economic benefits.

Story gist: India and the US concluded two-day trade talks in Delhi. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that if the US is happy, they should sign the trade deal.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, omitting coverage and any critical perspective on talks. Center outlet Moneycontrol emphasizes Goyal’s bold quote urging US to ‘sign on the dotted line,’ framing India assertively. Right-leaning India TV highlights talks’ conclusion and vows for ‘purposeful and positive engagements,’ stressing mutual optimism and success without Goyal’s provocative tone.

Story gist: Delhi court denied anticipatory bail to Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, owners linked to a Goa nightclub fire. The brothers were detained at Phuket immigration control centre in Thailand as India seeks their return.

Bias summary: Left-leaning NDTV emphasizes a new photo of the Luthra brothers at Thai immigration control, highlighting visual proof of detention. Center-leaning Times of India reports straightforwardly on their Phuket detention and India’s extradition request. Right-leaning outlets absent, leaving conservative perspectives unrepresented.

Story gist: A Delhi court granted Umar Khalid interim bail in the larger conspiracy case related to Delhi riots. The bail allows him to attend his sister’s wedding.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Hindu emphasize the humanitarian angle, framing the Delhi court bail grant positively as enabling family attendance at a wedding. Center outlets like Bar and Bench focus neutrally on procedural developments, noting conclusion of arguments in Khalid’s Supreme Court bail plea. Right-leaning outlets absent, omitting potential emphasis on security risks or Khalid’s alleged role in riots.