Sehwag feels Kohli can break all records except Tendulkar's 200 Tests

On this Special Report, India Today Global’s Pranay Upadhyay provides details on the historic India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) set to be formally announced today. Following the 16th India-EU summit chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, this 'mother of all deals' concludes 18 years of negotiations that began in 2007. Pranay Upadhyay notes that as Ursula von der Leyen stated, 'Successful India makes the world's most stable, prosperous and secure.' The agreement involves over 2 billion people and nearly 25% of global GDP, aiming to slash tariff barriers on over 90% of traded goods. Key Indian sectors like textiles, gems, and leather are set to gain duty-free access, while India may reduce steep duties on European luxury cars from 110% to 40%. The deal signifies a strategic reset as both regions seek to diversify supply chains away from China and navigate global trade disruptions caused by US tariff policies.

On this special report, India Today examines the escalating diplomatic friction between Washington, Brussels, and New Delhi. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has lashed out at the European Union following the announcement of a major trade framework with India. Bessent stated, 'The Mrs.5 has made much bigger sacrifices than the Europeans have. We have put 25 percent tariffs on India for buying Russian oil.' He further claimed that by signing this deal, the European Union is effectively 'funding war against themselves' by purchasing refined Russian oil products through India. The transcript highlights the 'mother of all deals' between India and the EU, which notably excludes agriculture to protect domestic interests. While the US remains fuming over the perceived lack of cooperation in isolating Russia, analysts suggest this move by the EU might nudge the Trump administration to reconsider its own punitive 25 percent tariffs on India to avoid being left behind in the changing global trade order.

This special report examines the strategic shifts in India’s global diplomacy highlighted during the 77th Republic Day celebrations. It underscores the presence of European Union leaders as chief guests at the Kartavya Path parade, reflecting a strengthening partnership at a time of global trade uncertainty.  The upcoming India-EU free trade agreement is presented as a landmark deal that could unify a market of around 2 billion people and account for about a quarter of global GDP. The programme also highlights India’s growing defence capabilities through the domestic production of military hardware such as the Tejas aircraft and BrahMos missiles, illustrating the country’s evolution from a defence importer to an innovator. In addition to these developments, it touches on international events, including the recent fatal shooting of a US citizen by immigration enforcement agents in Minneapolis, which has sparked national controversy and calls for accountability. The report also notes a high-profile corruption probe into a senior Chinese military official, providing a broad overview of key geopolitical issues shaping the current global landscape.

In this special edition of To The Point, the programme spotlights the display of ‘Operation Sindoor’ at the Kartavya Path parade and the conferment of the Ashok Chakra on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla during the Republic Day celebrations. A debate between BJP leader Rakesh Sinha and Congress’s Vivek Tankha examines key political flashpoints, including the seating arrangement for Opposition leaders and claims that the Constitution is “under threat.” The discussion also takes up allegations of the ‘electionisation’ of the Padma Awards 2026. Data cited by Praveen Chakravarty shows that 37 per cent of the 131 Padma awardees — including prominent figures such as Mammootty and the late Dharmendra — hail from five states headed for assembly polls, including West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. While the Opposition labels the civilian honours as tools for electoral messaging, BJP leader Khushboo Sundar defends the awards as recognition for long-neglected contributors to society. Overall, the show presents a measured analysis of how the Constitution and national honours have emerged as central themes in India’s political discourse ahead of crucial state elections.