India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
India and the US are nearing a framework trade deal. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal stated that further formal discussions may not be needed. Negotiations with the European Union on a free trade agreement have entered a difficult phase. India and the EU are working to resolve differences, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. India and the US on the cusp of clinching a framework trade deal and both sides may not require further rounds of formal discussions, commerce secretary Raje
New Delhi [India], July 8 (ANI): The cost of home-cooked meals eased in June as compared to the same month last year, driven by a sharp correction in vegetable prices, according to the Crisil Intelligence report. In the monthly report titled 'Roti Rice Rate', the average cost of a vegetarian thali (Plate) declined by 8 per cent year-on-year (YoY), while the cost of a non-vegetarian thali was down nearly 6 per cent. The decline in vegetarian thali prices was primarily attributed to a significant drop in key vegetable prices, which had spiked the previous year due to adverse weather and crop d ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): India must stay firm and avoid trading away its core sectors, especially agriculture, despite increasing pressure from the United States under President Donald Trump administration, according to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The report warned that entering into a trade agreement under duress could lead to irreversible consequences, particularly when such deals may not survive a change in the US political landscape. India should stay the course and avoid trading away core sectors like agriculture. A hasty deal under pressure could h ...Read More >
KOZHIKODE: A woman from Palakkad who recently tested positive for Nipah virus, remains in critical condition at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital. She is currently receiving critical care in the hospital's specialised Nipah isolation unit. The patient was initially admitted to a private medical facility in Perinthalmanna. However, late on Saturday night, due to a significant deterioration in her health, she was transferred to the Kozhikode Medical College. Her symptoms, consistent with a severe viral infection, first appeared on July 1, prompting her to seek medical attention. ...Read More >
New Delhi: In order to sort out issues involved in the 'disagreements' between India and the United States over duties for auto components, steel, pharma and farm goods, among others, the Indian team is expected to further visit Washington soon for trade talks. A delegation of senior officials has been assigned for this crucial visit. Though the visit dates have not yet been finalised, the team is likely to join the US team in a week or two, an official source said on Thursday. India is among the few other countries that are still negotiating a trade deal with Washington to clinch a 'favourab ...Read More >
New Delhi: An Indian commerce ministry team has reached Washington for another round of talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), which will begin on Monday, an official said. Chief negotiator of India and special secretary in the department of commerce Rajesh Agrawal will join the team on Wednesday. The four-day talks will end on Thursday. India's deputy chief negotiator for the proposed BTA has reached Washington for the talks on the first phase of the BTA, the official said. The visit assumes significance as both sides have to iron out issues in sectors, like agriculture an ...Read More >
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia and Canada on Monday signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that aims to strengthen economic ties between the two G20 members, three years after negotiations began. The agreement will take effect in 2026 and was signed in Jakarta by trade ministers of both countries. Indonesia's trade minister, Budi Santoso, said Indonesia appreciated Canada's support for its plan to prioritise its critical minerals sector, which was vital for its sustainable growth. "Together, we advance sustainable critical mineral management, supporting Indonesia's net ...Read More >
New Delhi: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday met farmers in Punjab and reviewed crops and production. Addressing a gathering, Chouhan said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision is Viksit Bharat, and we are working tirelessly with that goal in mind. Our mission is to build a glorious, prosperous and powerful India. Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. In the fourth quarter of last financial year, the country achieved a growth rate of 7.5 per cent, with agriculture contributing to 5.4 per cent of it. Agriculture still accounts f ...Read More >
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Trade talks between Indian and U.S. officials have been extended into next week as both sides seek consensus on tariff cuts in the farming and auto sectors, aiming to finalise an interim deal before a July 9 deadline, Indian government sources said. A U.S. delegation led by senior officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) held two days of discussions in New Delhi with Indian trade officials headed by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, the sources said. "The two countries are actively engaged in focused discussions to facilitate greater mark ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's high-level official delegation, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, has returned from Washington after the trade talks with US officials without reaching a final agreement on the sensitive issue of trade in agricultural and dairy products that the US is pushing for. However, there is still a glimmer of hope that an interim bilateral trade agreement may be reached at the highest political level in the two countries before the July 9 deadline for the 26 per cent hike in US tariffs on Indian exports to kick in. The Indian team was in Washington for ...Read More >
Economic think tank GTRI (Global Trade Research Initiative) says India must recognise that it is not alone in facing US pressure India should avoid rushing into a trade deal with the US that compromises core sectors like agriculture, experts on Sunday said, cautioning that Washington is not sparing even its key partners like the EU. The US has shot off letters to 24 countries and the European Union (EU) imposing tariffs that are as high as 50 per cent on Brazil. On its key trading partners like the EU and Mexico, 30 per cent duties have been proposed from August 1. Economic think tank GTRI ...Read More >
India and the US are in crucial trade talks. New Delhi is firm on its stance regarding market access in agriculture. This includes GM crops and dairy. India hopes for a deal before July 9. After July 9, reciprocal tariffs from the US will take effect. India will not compromise the interests of its farmers.The India-US trade pact talks are at a crucial stage with New Delhi sticking to the red line on the issue of market access in agriculture, genetically modified (GM) crops, and dairy, people privy to the development said. However, efforts are on to stitch the trade deal before July 9, when 26 ...Read More >
New Delhi: With just 48 hours left for 90-day pause on US reciprocal tariffs to end, the much-anticipated bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between India and the US has reached a critical stage. According to two officials in the Indian commerce ministry and one in Washington, the agreement is unlikely to be finalized without direct political intervention to resolve some of the remaining sticky issues. "It's down to the wire. Unless there's political direction, the deal may not go through in time," said the first of the two Indian representatives cited above. "If all goes well, the deal will b ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 10 (PTI) The rupee pared initial gains and settled for the day higher by 4 paise at 85.69 (provisional) against the US dollar on Thursday, supported by US-India trade deal optimism, even as domestic equity markets were closed in the negative territory. Forex traders said the Indian rupee ended the day in green against the US dollar amid firm expectations that India and the US will reach a deal soon. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened on a positive note at 85.62 against the US dollar, and traded in a range of 85.69 and 85.53 during the day. The local unit finally ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 27 (PTI) LT Foods, a leading player in the basmati and speciality rice segment, on Monday posted 4.75 per cent drop in consolidated net profit at Rs 145.38 crore on higher expenses. The company had logged a net profit of Rs 152.64 crore in the year-ago period. Total income rose to Rs 2,288.25 crore from Rs 1,949.68 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to a regulatory filing. Expenses rose to Rs 2,094.42 crore from Rs 1,757.67 crore. The Board reappointed Ashwani Kumar Arora and Surinder Kumar Arora as Managing Directors of the company, subject to ...Read More >
New Delhi, May 26 (PTI) Alcoholic beverage maker's body CIABC has urged the government to adopt a phased reduction in import duties on liquor products under the proposed India-EU free trade agreement (FTA), while calling for strong safeguards to prevent misuse of trade concessions under the pact. In a submission to the commerce ministry, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has proposed slashing the effective customs (or import) duty on bottled products like wines and spirits from the current 150 per cent to 100 per cent immediately and then down to a resting customs d ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): After a federal court of the United States struck down a reciprocal tariff announced by US President Donald Trump, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that India should proceed cautiously in its ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the US. A Manhattan-based federal court on May 28 struck down Trump's move to impose reciprocal tariffs on the trading partners of the US and ruled that he can't use emergency power to impose tariffs on foreign countries; it has to come from Congress. The order of the court determined that the tariffs, ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) India has hardened its position on issues related to agriculture as negotiations with the US team in Washington have entered a crucial stage, an official said on Monday. The official also said that the stay of the Indian team, headed by special secretary in the department of commerce Rajesh Agrawal, is expected to be extended further. The team is in Washington for negotiations on an interim trade agreement with the US. Both sides are rushing to close a deal ahead of the July 9 deadline for the full implementation of a 26 per cent reciprocal tariff which has been suspe ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India will enter into a trade agreement with the US only if its interests are protected and it is able to sustain a tariff advantage over its competitors, while prioritising the interests of farmers, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said Friday."India has never discussed any trade agreement or even a tranche of a trade agreement under any time pressure or under any duress. We have to take care of our national interests, we have to ensure that it's a fair deal which gives us a sustained preferential advantage over our competitors and if we get a good deal and we are able t ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said he had a productive meeting with Tzafrul Aziz, Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, during which he discussed the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). "Looking forward to fast-tracking discussions with ASEAN member states to ensure fair trade and balanced growth," Piyush Goyal said in a post on X. "We also held discussions on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between both countries," the minister further stated. Malaysia is India's perman ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 10: The rupee pared initial gains and settled for the day higher by 3 paise at 85.70 against the US dollar on Thursday, supported by US-India trade deal optimism, even as domestic equity markets were closed in the negative territory. Forex traders said the Indian rupee ended the day in green against the US dollar amid firm expectations that India and the US will reach a deal soon. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened on a positive note at 85.62 against the US dollar, and traded in a range of 85.70 and 85.53 during the day. The local unit finally settled for the day ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, June 5 (Reuters) - Indian and U.S. are holding high-level talks this week, aiming to finalise tariff cuts in sectors such as farm and automobiles as part of an interim deal, two government sources said, with an announcement likely later this month. A U.S. delegation led by senior officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) began closed-door, two-day discussions in New Delhi on Thursday with Indian trade officials headed by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal ...Read More >
India must ensure any trade deal with the U.S. is fair, not politically driven, and protects its farmers, digital ecosystem, and regulatory sovereignty, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said on Friday. With India's chief negotiator in Washington and a July 9 deadline approaching (marking the end of U.S. President Donald Trump's 90-day tariff suspension), a limited mini-deal appears likely.Any trade agreement with the US must not be politically driven or one-sided and India should protect its farmers, digital ecosystem, and policy space, economic think tank GTRI said on Friday. With ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 2 (ANI): India stock benchmarks continued to remain in the red after the latest rally, in what analysts attribute it as profit booking by investors. Besides, analysts opine uncertainties around extension in Trump reciprocal tariffs beyond July 9, and a India-US bilateral trade agreement weighed on the Indian stock indices this week. Today, the benchmark indices witnessed profit booking at higher levels, said Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities The Nifty ended 88 points lower, while the Sensex closed 288 points lower. Among sectors, Metal index o ...Read More >
New Delhi: The clock is ticking. Only a few days left before the July 9 deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. Hopes of a limited trade deal between India and the United States still linger. But the mood around the negotiating table feels anything but settled. The White House has publicly hinted that the deal is all but done. In New Delhi, officials have echoed a similar sentiment, calling the potential agreement "big, good and beautiful". Trump claimed it would open Indian markets to American goods. But behind closed doors, things remain tangled in tough back-and-forth. Key concerns h ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 3 (ANI): India stock benchmarks extended declines on Thursday, weighed down by continued profit booking, following last week's sharp rally. At the end of the trading session, Nifty was down 48.10 points or 0.19 per cent at 25,405.30 and the BSE's Sensex was down by 170.22 points or 0.20 per cent, reaching 83,239.47. Also Read | The Nutritional Impact of Refined Cooking Oil Is Significant. "The domestic equity market continued to consolidate as profit booking followed last week's sharp rally," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited. ...Read More >
India prioritizes mutual benefits and national interests over deadlines in trade agreements, according to Minister Piyush Goyal. He emphasized fairness and a win-win approach, especially with the US, amidst looming reciprocal tariffs. While negotiations continue with the US, EU, and other nations, India remains firm on securing favorable terms before finalizing any deals.Days ahead of the US' July 9 deadline for reciprocal tariffs, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said India ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) Secretary Durai Vaiko on Thursday regretted the incident at his party's event in Sathur on Wednesday, where MDMK cadres allegedly assaulted journalists. Durai Vaiko, the son of MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, stated that his party firmly believes that for democracy to thrive, freedom of the press must be upheld and protected. "Yesterday evening, a gathering of MDMK cadre from the Nellai Zone was held in Sattur. Over 3,000 people had gathered, filling the hall and leaving thousands seated outside. Vaiko began his speech at 8 pm. About an ho ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): India must stay firm and avoid trading away its core sectors, especially agriculture, despite increasing pressure from the United States under President Donald Trump's administration, according to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The report warned that entering into a trade agreement under duress could lead to 'irreversible consequences,' particularly when such deals may not survive a change in the US political landscape. 'India should stay the course and avoid trading away core sectors like agriculture. A hasty deal under pressure co ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 6: Indian and U.S. officials engaged in high-level trade negotiations here to arrive at an interim deal on tariff cuts, ahead of the July 9 deadline, have decided to extend their ongoing talks into next week, according to a senior official. India's negotiating team, headed by Additional Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, has held talks over two days with senior officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), who arrived in Delhi for weekend talks. "The two countries are actively engaged in focused discussions to facilitate greater market access, reduce tari ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) Indian team, headed by chief negotiator Rajesh Agarwal, has reached Washington for the next round of trade talks with his US counterparts, an official said on Thursday. The visit is important as both the countries are engaged in negotiations for an interim trade deal and are trying to finalise the pact before July 9, though there are challenges in areas like agriculture and dairy. "The Indian team is in Washington for two-day trade talks," the official said. Agrawal is special secretary in the department of commerce. The high tariffs, announced by the US on April 2, ...Read More >