CM Yogi greets people on Nat'l Flag Day
Yogi Adityanath
on Tuesday greeted people on the occasion of National Flag Day. In a post on X, he said, "From peaks of the Himalayas to waves of the Indian Ocean, from the valleys of Kashmir to the streams of Kanyakumari, the 'Tricolour' is a proud symbol of the soul, identity, integrity and unity of 140 crore Indians.
We all are fully committed and determined to protect its honour. Jai Hind!" The Constituent Assembly officially adopted the Tricolour on this day in 1947, just weeks before India's Independence from British rule.
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Indian Express
18 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Amid complaints of lack of cooperation by officials, UP CM Yogi Adityanath holds dialogue with MPs, MLAs
Amid complaints of lack of cooperation by officials on the ground, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday called a meeting with the MPs, MLAs and officials concerned from Kanpur, Chitrakoot and Jhansi divisions before giving approvals to development projects and schemes in their areas. The idea behind such a meeting, referred to as 'mandalwar samvad' (divisional dialogue), is to hold discussion with the public representatives before giving shape to projects and schemes in their constituencies, sources said. Similar division-level meetings will be held in the future, an official said. The move is being seen as an attempt by the Chief Minister to resolve purported differences between officials and public representatives at the grassroots level in the run-up to the upcoming panchayat elections and the 2027 Assembly polls in the state. In the meeting, which was held at the CM's official residence in Lucknow, projects worth Rs 4,901 crore were finalised for Jhansi division, projects worth Rs 3,875 crore for Chitrakoot division and about projects worth Rs 10,914 crore were okayed for six districts of Kanpur division, it is learnt. Officials said public representatives were given the opportunity to propose schemes and projects for their areas, on which discussion was held over their viability and other issues. The projects proposed by the MLAs included that of road connectivity, irrigation, logistical hubs and approach roads to religious places. 'During the meeting, the Chief Minister asked the officials to take the opinion of the public representatives before finalising the projects for their constituencies and areas. While he asked the public representatives to monitor the implementation of government schemes in their areas and ensure their proper implementation,' said a senior official. 'He took feedback from the MLAs and MPs about the ground situation, administrative coordination and public expectations in their constituencies,' he added. The Chief Minister also directed the officials to ensure that the names of local representatives are engraved on the foundation or inauguration stones of development projects, he said. In the past, many public representatives, including ministers, have raised concern over lack of cooperation by officials in the implementation of projects or resolution of public grievances in their constituencies. 'Officials were given instructions by the Chief Minister keeping in view the issues raised by the public representatives. It is a healthy exercise as we as public representatives approach officials with the public issues so that things change on the ground,' said an MLA, who attended the meeting on Sunday.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
India-UK trade deal: British firms get telecom, construction access; no local office needed in India
India-UK Trade Deal (AI image) The recently signed free trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom will allow British companies to deliver services like telecom and construction within India without the need to establish a base in the country. As per news agency PTI, these firms will receive national treatment, meaning they'll be treated at par with Indian service providers. The deal, officially called the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), was signed in London on Thursday. However, it may take up to a year to be fully implemented, as it awaits approval from the UK Parliament. The services chapter is considered a key part of the pact, given the strengths both countries hold in the sector. According to the commerce ministry, the UK has agreed to provide wide-ranging market access in 137 service sub-sectors, while India has reciprocated with commitments in 108. These cover areas such as accounting, auditing, financial services (with 74 per cent FDI cap), telecom (with 100 per cent FDI permitted), environmental services, and auxiliary air transport services. India currently enjoys a trade surplus of around $6.6 billion with the UK. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pirates Climb Aboard Cargo Ship - Watch What The Captain Did Next Tips and Tricks Undo Its services exports were valued at $19.8 billion, while imports stood at $13.2 billion. As per PTI, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said the agreement has safeguarded India's sensitive sectors like dairy, rice, and sugar. He said, 'Zero compromise and extensive benefits make it a phenomenal free trade agreement.' He also emphasised that the pact opens the door for India to engage more deeply with the developed world. Goyal noted that the FTA would be particularly helpful for labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, footwear, and gems and jewellery. Additionally, the deal includes a social security arrangement that will benefit Indian professionals on short-term contracts in the UK, allowing them to pay into India's provident fund instead of losing a chunk of their earnings to UK's national insurance contributions. He also clarified that legal services have been excluded from the scope of this agreement. Although the deal opens up India's automobile sector, Goyal said this had been done in an 'intelligent' manner to ensure India's interests are protected. He plans to hold consultations with various industries and travel to states to spread awareness about the benefits of the agreement. The India-UK trade deal, Goyal said, could set a benchmark for future free trade agreements, as it balances protection for local sectors with expanded access to high-quality foreign goods and services. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
UK FTA is a turning point in how India engages with West
The signing of the free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK last week was no ordinary moment — not just because 99% of Indian exports to the UK will now enter tariff-free, or because British luxury cars and Scotch whisky are about to get cheaper. The real story is India's evolving place in global trade — more assertive, more selective and no longer willing to play by someone else's rulebook. The immediate economic benefits are eye-catching. For British exporters, tariff cuts on whisky (down from 150% to 75% right away, and to 40% in a decade), high-end vehicles, cosmetics and dairy offer new access to India's swelling consumer base. For Indian exporters — particularly in textiles, jewellery, EVs, marine products and generics — the UK market is now wide open, with tariff advantages over rivals like China and Vietnam. The UK's access to Indian public procurement markets and its offer to exempt Indian professionals from social security payments sweeten the deal further. Also, Indian yoga teachers, chefs and tech workers will find short-term visas easier to secure— a meaningful breakthrough on the politically sensitive issue of mobility and immigration India's MSMEs are expected to be among the biggest winners. Industry analysts estimate a 30-40% rise in Indian exports to Britain in the next five years. That's not just numbers on paper — that's jobs on the ground, especially in states like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. But perhaps the most significant thing about this deal is what isn't in it — agriculture. India drew a red line, clearly flagging at the outset that it's non-negotiable, which the UK respected. Our government is fully aware of our responsibility to protect the rights of our farmers. Opening up Indian farming to global agribusiness is politically radioactive. The UK agreement avoids that minefield. This signals something larger: India is happy to do trade, but only on terms that don't destabilise our broader economic progress. This new pragmatism — open on industry, cautious on food — could now become the blueprint for other negotiations, particularly with the ongoing one with the US. Hours after the India-UK deal was inked, eyes turned to the US. Trade talks with the US have been ongoing for some months. On Thursday, India's ministry of external affairs confirmed that both sides are working on the 'first tranche' of a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). Behind the scenes, pressure is mounting. After reimposing 10% reciprocal tariffs on global exports in April 2025, the US specifically slapped a 26% tariff on Indian goods, though a pause was granted till August 1. That ticking clock now adds urgency to the ongoing BTA talks. Here's the sticking point: The US wants access to India's agriculture and digital markets. India, meanwhile, wants tariff rollbacks, supply chain integration and protection for its strategic sectors. The Union government is clear: India will negotiate hard and the US should not mistake flexibility for submission. The UK deal becomes a silent message to the US: We're open to trade but we won't be bullied. The UK FTA also shifts the geopolitical axis slightly. Post-Brexit, Britain badly needed a big trade deal. India, flush with economic confidence and global attention, was in no rush. That power asymmetry is visible in the final text of the agreement— cautious, layered, incremental. This is not a one-shot silver bullet. It's a living document, built to expand, revise tariffs and add new sectors over time if required. For India, the pact also sends signals elsewhere, to the EU, Japan and Asean. In July alone, the US concluded trade deals with Vietnam, Japan and Indonesia — all part of its Indo-Pacific economic strategy. India, however, is forging its own path. It's building a trade perimeter that keeps sovereignty intact while enabling access and investment. There is, of course, no escaping the historical undertones. Two centuries ago, Britain came to India in the name of trade and stayed to conquer and rule. Today, Britain is back, but on an even keel. That reversal is more than symbolic. Indian policymakers, once wary of the term free trade because of its colonial baggage, are now redefining it. The FTA is not about deference, it's about mutual interest. India is opening doors, but it's also setting terms. This is more than a trade agreement. It is a shift in posture. It is a turning point in how India engages with the West. Gone is the tentative, aid-seeking India of old. This is a country that brings its own terms to the table, and expects others to adapt. The British see this deal as a lifeline in a post-EU economy. India sees it as leverage, a card it can play while negotiating with bigger economies like the US and EU. Undoubtedly, this trade deal is historic. Not just for what it delivers, but for what it represents — the arrival of a more assertive, strategic, and self-confident India on the global trade stage. As for the Americans, they would be wise to study the UK deal not as a template to copy, but perhaps as a warning. Push too hard, especially on food and data, and India will simply say no. Syed Zafar Islam is a national spokesperson of the BJP and former member of Parliament. The views expressed are personal
