Rahul Gandhi vs BJP Over Trump's '5 Jets Downed' Claim "Traitor's Mentality?" India-News18
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News18
9 minutes ago
- News18
PM Modi in UK: India-UK Free Trade Deal Signed – Starmer Calls It 'Our Most Significant Agreement'
PM Modi in UK: India-UK Free Trade Deal Signed – Starmer Calls It 'Our Most Significant Agreement' | India-UK free trade pact signed; Starmer says 'Our most significant deal'In a historic breakthrough, India and the UK have officially signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile visit to London. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the deal as 'our most significant and economically vital agreement since Brexit,' marking a new chapter in bilateral pact is expected to boost trade across multiple sectors including technology, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and automotive industries, while creating thousands of jobs and reducing tariffs on key exports. Both nations aim to unlock new investment opportunities and enhance economic cooperation for a combined market impact worth billions of dollars. n18oc_world News18 Mobile App -
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First Post
9 minutes ago
- First Post
India-UK FTA: Dairy products, apples, edible oils remain protected in zero-duty trade pact
Under the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed today, India has protected the interests of its farmers by securing the exclusion of dairy products, edible oils, and apples from the zero-duty trade. Overall, the India-UK FTA has zero duties on 95% of agriculture and processed food items. read more India has protected the interest of domestic farmers by excluding dairy products, edible oils and apples in the free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK while securing zero duties on 95 per cent of agriculture and processed food items. No tariff concession has been allowed on oats as well in the FTA, which was signed on Thursday. On the other hand, Indian staples like turmeric, pepper, cardamom; processed goods like mango pulp, pickles, and pulses; and marine products such as shrimp and tuna will enjoy duty-free access in the UK market. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In agriculture, the UK imports USD 37.52 billion worth products, but imports from India are just USD 811 million. 'India's farmers are poised to be the biggest winners of the FTA, which unlocks premium UK markets for their produce, matching or exceeding the benefits already enjoyed by exporters from Germany, the Netherlands, and other EU nations,' a commerce ministry official said. More than 95 per cent of agricultural and processed food tariff lines will attract zero duties on fruits, vegetables, cereals; pickles, spice mixes, fruit pulps; and ready-to-eat meals and processed foods. This will lead to reduction in landed cost of these Indian products in the UK market, boosting India's export and enhancing income of domestic farmers. 'Duty-free access is expected to increase agri exports by over 20 per cent in the next three years, contributing to India's goal of USD 100 billion agri-exports by 2030,' the official said. The FTA would also give a boost to exports of emerging products such as jackfruits, millets, and organic herbs. With regard to the benefits for the blue economy, the FTA provides for zero-duty access for 99 per cent of exports, including shrimp, tuna, fishmeal, and feeds. These are currently taxed in the range of 4.2-8.5 per cent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Despite the UK's USD 5.4 billion marine import market, India's share remains at just 2.25 per cent, underscoring a significant untapped export opportunity,' the official pointed out. The FTA would also help India's export of high-margin branded products like coffee, spices, beverages, and processed food. Stating that the UK consumes 1.7 per cent of India's coffee, the official said duty-free access will help Indian instant coffee compete with EU exporters like Germany and Spain. The UK is a major buyer of Indian tea (5.6 per cent), while spices have a 2.9 per cent share. The zero tariffs will help enhance the country's market share. 'Indian craft drinks like feni from Goa, artisanal wines from Nashik, and toddy from Kerala will now enjoy Geographical Indication (GI) protection and shelf space in high-end UK retail and hospitality chains,' the official said. The FTA is set to help India's food processing sector. India exports USD 14.07 billion of processed agriculture and food products globally per year. The UK imports USD 50.68 billion worth of processed items, but Indian products make up for a mere USD 309.5 million. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Farmers of various states in the country are likely to benefit from the FTA. The major beneficiaries are Maharashtra (grapes, onions), Gujarat (groundnut, cotton), Punjab and Haryana (basmati rice), Kerala (spices), and NE states (horticulture). (This is an agency copy. Except for the headline, the copy has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
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Business Standard
9 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Rahul Gandhi warns EC over voter list changes: 'We are coming for you'
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday issued a sharp warning to the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of voter roll manipulation during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha declared that the opposition would hold the poll body accountable. 'I want to send a message to the Election Commission: If you think you are going to get away with it… you are mistaken. You are not going to get away with it, because we are going to come for you,' Gandhi said after the Lok Sabha was adjourned. Claims of electoral fraud in Karnataka constituency Gandhi further alleged that the ECI had permitted irregularities in at least one Karnataka constituency, pointing to skewed voter additions. He claimed that while names of young, eligible voters were being deleted, individuals aged 50, 60, and 65 were being added. 'Today we have 100 per cent proof of the Election Commission allowing cheating in a seat in Karnataka. We just looked at one constituency and we found this,' he said. Opposition terms revision drive 'murder of democracy' Gandhi was joined by leaders from parties including the Samajwadi Party and DMK in condemning the revision exercise. The opposition claims the SIR process disproportionately targets voters from marginalised communities and could suppress anti-government votes ahead of the Bihar elections. Opposition MPs staged protests in Parliament premises, holding placards that read 'SIR is the murder of democracy' and chanting 'Justice, justice, justice'. They continued their protest in both Houses for a fourth consecutive day, demanding a full debate on the revision process. Gandhi reiterated that the ECI was failing in its constitutional role. 'The Election Commission is not functioning as the Election Commission of India. Today they made some statement — this is complete nonsense,' he added. CEC defends drive, cites constitutional responsibility Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar defended the revision, stating that a clean and accurate voter list was foundational to democratic integrity. 'Isn't a pure voter list being prepared by the Election Commission through a transparent process, the foundation for fair elections and a strong democracy?' he said. Kumar also noted that retaining invalid or outdated entries in electoral rolls would violate constitutional principles. (With agency inputs)
