The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international organization that brings together global leaders from government, business, and civil society to discuss major economic, political, and social challenges. Best known for its annual meeting in Davos, the forum focuses on shaping global, regional, and industry agendas through dialogue and collaboration.
In this news bulletin, Gaurav Sawant leads a discussion on the landmark India–EU Free Trade Agreement and its broader implications for global trade. Experts on the panel say the pact represents a strategic response to what they describe as the “weaponisation of trade” during the Donald Trump administration, and a step toward building more resilient and diversified economic partnerships.
The India–European Union Free Trade Agreement is being seen as a strategic counterweight to China’s manufacturing dominance and shifting US trade policies, panellists said in a special report analysing the landmark pact.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the landmark India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as negotiations reach a historic conclusion. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, visiting India for the summit, stated, 'There's still work to do, but we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement.' Described by many as the 'mother of all deals', the pact is expected to significantly boost Indian exports in textiles and garments while expanding opportunities for the IT and services sectors. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal described the agreement as balanced and forward-looking, noting its potential to reshape global trade flows. With a combined GDP of $23.4 trillion, the India-EU partnership represents a global heavyweight, accounting for nearly a third of world exports. The deal, set for a formal announcement today, aims to deepen economic integration and provide greater market access, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations between India and Europe.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw discusses India's aggressive technological and infrastructural transformation at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Highlighting the shift from IT services to AI solutions, Vaishnaw stated, "The entire IT industry is going to be the largest AI services provider to the world," noting a target to develop a 10-million-strong AI talent pipeline. He detailed India's semiconductor roadmap, aiming for 7nm chips by 2030 and 3nm by 2032, while confirming that commercial production at nine ATMP units will begin in 2026. On infrastructure, the Minister revealed that 99.6% of the railway network is now electrified, with 35,000 kilometres added over the last 11 years. Vaishnaw also addressed India's macroeconomic resilience, projecting 6% to 8% real growth, and emphasized the country's emerging role as a trusted global value chain partner in electronics and defence manufacturing.
On this Special Report from Davos, Harvard Professor and former IMF Deputy Managing Director Geeta Gopinath analyzes the 'Trumpian world order' and its disruptive impact on geoeconomics. Gopinath warns that 2026 will be a year of 'high levels of uncertainty and high levels of volatility' for global markets, including India. She notes that while India remains a fast-growing economy, US tariffs could 'knock off something about 0.7 percentage points from growth over a two-year period.' The discussion covers the sustainability of China's export-led model, the 'fragile' valuations in the AI sector despite its transformative potential, and the necessity for India to maintain macroeconomic stability through fiscal discipline. Gopinath also advocates for 'One Nation, One Election' to curb fiscal profligacy at the state level, urging the US administration to maintain alliances to ensure American economic benefit.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the viral sensation surrounding an AI-generated image of Donald Trump walking towards Greenland with a penguin. The image, shared by the White House with the caption 'Embrace the penguin,' has sparked widespread ridicule on social media due to the geographical inaccuracy of penguins in the Arctic. During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Donald Trump stated, 'But now what I'm asking for is a piece of ice, cold and poorly located, that can play a vital role in world peace and world protection.' The report highlights Trump's continued fascination with the island, framing it as a strategic necessity for global security. Additionally, the bulletin covers Trump's ongoing friction with Prime Minister Mark Carney over the 'Golden Dome' project and his warnings regarding China's influence. The segment explores how Trump uses a mix of humor, AI art, and aggressive diplomacy to keep Greenland at the centre of international political discourse.
This news report details an invitation from US President Donald Trump to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join the 'Board of Peace' for Gaza. The international body, established to oversee the reconstruction, governance, and demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, was reportedly formalized at the World Economic Forum. During the announcement, Donald Trump stated, 'Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do and we'll do it in conjunction with the United Nations'. The board requires permanent members to contribute 1 billion dollars toward a 67 billion dollar rebuilding fund. While leaders from nations like Canada and Russia have been invited, India is currently evaluating its position. The report highlights India's long-standing support for a two-state solution and its strategic neutrality as key reasons for the invitation. Although PM Modi previously welcomed the initial phases of the peace plan, the Indian government is yet to clarify if he will formally join the board.
On this report, the focus is on United States President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland. The White House recently shared an AI-generated image of a penguin carrying a US flag toward Greenland, leading to widespread trolling as penguins are not native to the Arctic region. During his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump stated, 'All we are asking for is a piece of ice, cold and poorly located, that can play a vital role in world peace and world protection.' The discussion highlights Trump's persistent 'Arctic dream' and his concerns regarding Russian and Chinese influence in the region. While Trump argues that US sovereignty over Greenland is essential for Western security, Russia and China have denied any interest in the territory. The programme examines the diplomatic tensions with NATO and Denmark as the Trump administration continues to push for the acquisition despite international criticism.
This news bulletin discusses a cryptic social media post from the White House featuring an AI-generated image of Donald Trump walking with a penguin. The post, captioned 'embrace the penguin', is interpreted as a signal of United States interest in Greenland and the Arctic region. During the broadcast, it was noted that 'President Trump and the White House essentially saying, look, we are going to be taking care of the Western Hemisphere.' The discussion highlights Trump's recent comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he suggested that military intervention might not be necessary to secure American interests in Greenland. The segment further explores the potential 'Greenland deal' which could allow the U.S. to build bases and mine critical minerals. Additionally, the report mentions a second image from the Department of War Rapid Response, possibly featuring Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, reinforcing the administration's focus on securing the Western Hemisphere and Arctic territories through new frameworks.
After leading a conversation on India's growth story at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, India Today Group Vice-Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief Kalli Purie joined an elite panel of global journalists to discuss the challenges facing journalism, from government interference to trust and the impact of artificial intelligence.
In this India Today special show from the World Economic Forum in Davos, top artificial intelligence innovators share their perspectives on the global AI race, AI's impact on the Indian economy and much more.
Deepak Pathak, CEO and co-founder of Skild AI, discusses the future of robotics and artificial intelligence at the World Economic Forum. Pathak explains that his company is focused on building the 'brain' for robots, a critical component that has been missing for decades, preventing machines from performing complex real-world tasks like opening doors. Addressing fears of job displacement, Pathak notes that while India currently has a labour surplus, many parts of the world like Japan and Korea face a shrinking workforce and desperately need automation. He highlights that Skild AI has already established an office in Bengaluru to tap into Indian talent. Pathak suggests that India has a unique opportunity to surpass other nations in robotics by leveraging its existing automotive and electronics manufacturing supply chains. He emphasizes that the goal is not to replace humans but to fill the growing gap of millions of unfilled jobs globally.
The top focus of this episode of To The Point is on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s 'dead economy' jibe.
This special report anchored by Akshita Nandagopal examines the political friction surrounding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the Indian economy. Gandhi characterizes the current fiscal state as a dead economy, citing the impact of 50% US tariffs on Indian textiles under the Trump administration. The program features a debate between BJP’s RP Singh and Congress spokesperson Anshul Avijit regarding infrastructure spending, private investment, and poverty alleviation. Insights from the World Economic Forum in Davos include perspectives from economists like Geeta Gopinath on India’s growth trajectory and data transparency. Additionally, the report features NASA astronaut Sunita Williams reflecting on her 27-year career, her bond with Kalpana Chawla’s family, and the future of lunar exploration. The broadcast also covers the impact of heavy snowfall in Jammu, Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, which has disrupted flights and road connectivity. This comprehensive coverage bridges domestic economic policy, international trade relations with the United States, scientific milestones, and the logistical challenges posed by winter weather in northern India.
This special report covers a volatile 'freaky Friday' in the Indian markets where the Nifty 50 slipped towards the 25,000 mark and the rupee hit a historic low of 91.95 against the US dollar. The program highlights a massive ₹1.5 lakh crore wipeout in Adani Group stocks following reports of US SEC summons. On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos 2026, global economists and Indian business leaders discussed the 'high levels of uncertainty and volatility' expected in the coming year. The report features insights from top bankers and IT leaders on the transformative power of AI and the challenges posed by global trade tariffs. Additionally, the show covers the political fallout in India, with Rahul Gandhi criticizing the government over a 'dead economy' and job losses linked to international tariff pressures. As Davos concludes, the focus shifts to the upcoming Union Budget 2026 and its potential impact on domestic recovery.
In an exclusive interaction with India Today at Davos, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar addressed the ongoing speculation regarding the state's leadership transition.
This Special Report, anchored by Nagarjun Dwarkanath, examines critical political developments across South India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kerala and Tamil Nadu to launch the NDA election campaign, criticizing the LDF, UDF, and Congress alliances. In Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister addressed a rally in Madurantakam, while Chief Minister M.K. Stalin introduced an assembly resolution opposing the G. Ramji Bill to protect the original MNREGA framework. The bulletin features an exclusive interview from the World Economic Forum in Davos with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who addressed leadership change speculation and a potential power-sharing formula with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Legal updates include the Karnataka High Court lifting the ban on bike taxis for aggregators like Ola and Uber. Regional reports cover internal rifts within the AMMK and Congress, the long-pending Rasimanal Dam project in Dharmapuri, and the legal pursuit of justice for Vachathi assault victims. This edition provides factual analysis of shifting alliances and legislative shifts defining the southern electoral landscape.
On this Special Report from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlines India's ambitious roadmap for technological and infrastructural self-reliance. Speaking to India Today, Vaishnaw stated, 'By 2030, we should be doing 7 nanometer chips. By 2032, we should be doing 3 nanometer chips.' He highlighted the rapid expansion of the semiconductor ecosystem, noting that commercial production at ATMP units will begin in 2026. Beyond electronics, the Minister detailed the massive overhaul of the Indian Railways, citing the addition of 35,000 kilometres of tracks and 99.6% electrification over the last 11 years. He emphasized that the transition to new-generation trains like Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat is driving sustainable growth with significantly lower carbon emissions. The discussion also features insights from global analysts on the 'India Moment' and the resilience of the Indian economy amidst global geopolitical shifts and the evolving 'Trumpian era' dynamics.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the high-stakes diplomatic engagement between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Following their hour-long meeting, Zelenskyy expressed optimism about an upcoming trilateral summit in the UAE involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine, stating, 'I think that trilateral meetings maybe will show each other variants' regarding unresolved territorial issues in eastern Ukraine. While Zelenskyy criticised European leaders for their perceived inaction and highlighted the disparity between the legal pursuit of Nicolas Maduro and Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump remained hopeful of a swift resolution. Trump asserted that a settlement is coming 'very soon,' noting that 'everyone wants the war to end.' The programme examines the shift in geopolitical dynamics during Trump’s second term and the potential for these first-of-their-kind trilateral negotiations to finally broker a peace deal after nearly four years of conflict.
On this Special Report, the focus is on US President Donald Trump’s latest statements regarding a framework deal for Greenland. Following discussions at Davos with NATO Chief Mark Rutte and European leaders, Trump has shifted his tone from potential military action to a collaborative security arrangement. Highlighting the strategic importance of the territory, Trump stated, 'And actually, NATO is going to be involved with us. We're going to be doing it in conjunction, parts of it in conjunction with NATO, which is really the way it should be.' The proposed deal centers on the construction of a 'Golden Dome,' a sophisticated missile shield designed to protect the Western Hemisphere from intercontinental ballistic missiles. Trump argues that securing Greenland is essential to counter the increasing interests of Russia and China in the region. While the specific economic and defense details of the deal remain under formulation, the President emphasized that the US would avoid unnecessary expenses while ensuring the security of both the United States and the European Union.
