In this special briefing, Union Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announce the successful conclusion of negotiations for the historic India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Piyush Goyal described the pact as 'game-changing and transformational in terms of the strategic partnership between the European Union and India,' noting it covers 25 per cent of global trade.
The agreement provides duty-free access for Indian labour-intensive sectors like textiles, gems, and chemicals, while opening Indian markets for European technology and precision engineering.
Foreign Secretary Misri highlighted the first-ever India-EU Security and Defence Partnership, which bolsters cooperation in maritime security, cyberspace, and counter-terrorism. The leaders also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on mobility to facilitate the movement of professionals and students. This 16th India-EU summit marks a milestone in bilateral relations, establishing a 'Towards 2030' roadmap for shared prosperity, innovation, and a resilient global supply chain.
Speaking to India Today Global, EU Vice President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas stressed the need to “build partnerships with those countries who believe in free trade,” underscoring the strategic message behind the newly concluded India–EU Free Trade Agreement.
This news report focuses on the massive winter storm currently sweeping across much of the United States of America. The severe weather conditions have led to significant disruptions in power supplies and air travel, prompting several states to declare emergencies. According to the report, 'Washington, D.C. was blanketed with over 20 centimeters of snow in nearly 20 hours of snowfall' as the region grapples with the intense winter system. The capital is expected to remain snowbound for an extended period as temperatures are projected to plunge to minus 10 degrees Celsius. The visuals highlight the scale of the snowfall and the resulting impact on infrastructure and daily life across the country. The bulletin emphasizes the severity of the plummeting temperatures and the ongoing challenges faced by residents in the affected regions as the storm continues to impact the United States.
In this special report on Newstrack, Marya Shakil moderates a fiery debate over the University Grants Commission’s proposed 2026 equity regulations. The guidelines, intended to address and reduce discrimination on campuses, have triggered protests in several parts of the country.
This edition of The News Today with Rajdeep Sardesai focuses on the landmark free trade agreement between India and the European Union. Finalised after nearly two decades of negotiations, the pact seeks to open up a combined market of two billion people by cutting import duties on key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and textiles.
