President Murmu granted assent to the Waqf Amendment Bill, making it law despite mounting legal challenges. By morning, Tejashwi Yadav vowed to "throw it in the dustbin," while JD(U) attempted damage control with its Muslim base.
PM Modi's Sri Lanka visit dominated coverage throughout the day. He received the prestigious Mitra Vibhushana award and signed seven agreements, including a landmark defense pact. President Dissanayake notably assured India that Sri Lankan territory would not be used against Indian security interests - a clear message to China. India and UAE agreed to jointly develop an energy hub in Sri Lanka, further countering Chinese influence.
The trade war escalated as Trump told Americans to "hang tough" through difficult times ahead while claiming China was "hit harder." Reports emerged of Trump negotiating potential tariff reductions with India before the April 10 deadline.