India and the European Union have signed a landmark free trade agreement after nearly 18 years of stop-start negotiations, in what European leaders are calling the “mother of all trade deals.” The timing is critical. India is currently facing steep 50 per cent tariffs on key exports to the United States, while Europe is under fresh tariff threats from President Donald Trump amid disputes involving Greenland and wider security concerns. Who benefits from the trade deal the most? Here is all you need to know.
28 January,2026 12:48 AM IST
India and the European Union are on the verge of sealing a landmark Free Trade Agreement, marking a historic shift in global trade dynamics. However, the deal has triggered sharp criticism from the United States, with Trump aide Bessent accusing the EU of double standards. In a recent interview with ABC News, Bessent claimed that the US has made larger sacrifices than Europe in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, pointing to 25% tariffs on India for Russian oil purchases while Europe negotiates a major trade deal with India. WATCH
27 January,2026 11:01 PM IST
A leaked audio recording is now at the center of growing uncertainty around the India-US trade negotiations. In the latest Axios report, Senator Ted Cruz is said to have named senior White House officials as the key roadblocks in the stalled India-US trade deal, describing a “battle” over the agreement during private donor calls. The report comes at a time when negotiations have gained urgency following fresh US tariffs tied to India-Russia oil trade, with total duties on India reportedly rising to 50%. The leak suggests deeper political resistance within the administration, even as both sides continue bilateral talks after months of negotiation. WATCH
27 January,2026 10:52 PM IST
Republic Day 2026 began with a poignant moment of national remembrance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute at the National War Memorial in Delhi. The solemn ceremony marked the official opening of the Republic Day proceedings, with a wreath laid in honour of India’s fallen soldiers and a heartfelt moment of silence dedicated to the martyrs who sacrificed everything for the nation. The Prime Minister was welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh upon his arrival, and the tribute included a two-minute silence followed by the “Rouse” and the Salami Shastra command, a deeply emotional start to the nation’s grand celebration. This year’s Republic Day carries a powerful theme: “150 Years of Vande Mataram”, celebrating India’s patriotic spirit and its journey of freedom. WATCH
27 January,2026 10:50 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
