Latest news with #TSI
The Hindu
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Modi begins U.K. visit, trade deal to be inked today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the U.K. on Wednesday- (July 23, 2025) evening, kicking off the first leg of his two-nation tour, as India and the U.K. prepare to sign a 'free trade' agreement (FTA) on Thursday (July 24, 2025). During the visit, Mr. Modi and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer are expected to review ties, with the sides discussing technology, investment, climate, defence, trade, and migration. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet Britain's monarch, King Charles III. The Prime Minister's visit is fleeting — less than 24 hours long — with Mr. Modi set to fly to the Maldives on Thursday evening to celebrate the country's 60th anniversary of Independence from Britain and the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Male. 'During my meeting with Prime Minister Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer, we will have the opportunity to further enhance our economic partnership, aimed at fostering prosperity, growth and jobs creation in both countries. I also look forward to calling on His Majesty King Charles III during the visit,' Mr. Modi said in a pre-departure statement. The so-called 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' with the U.K. had made 'significant progress' in recent years, Mr. Modi said. The meeting comes exactly a year since the two countries signed a technology cooperation framework — the Technology and Security Initiative (TSI). A new bilateral investment treaty is also currently under discussion and a defence industrial cooperation framework was announced earlier this year. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who is accompanying Mr. Modi on the trip, and his British counterpart, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, will sign the trade agreement on behalf of the two governments. However, the impact of the trade deal with India is expected to be about 0.1% of GDP (or £4.8 billion annually) in the long run, for Britain, as per U.K. government estimates. Britain's economy is struggling and that a trade deal was signed is itself significant for Mr. Starmer. The British Prime Minister faces strong political headwinds from the right over immigration, and from his own Labour party, over attempts to cut spending on welfare. One area Mr. Starmer has been polling ahead of Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is on the issue of who is most prime ministerial, Anand Menon, a political scientist at King's College, London, told The Hindu. '… Burnishing that brand — one way to do that is to be seen with other world leaders,' he said. The world is unstable and uncertain for both India and the U.K. and forging closer ties with allies is a way of hedging, according to Mr. Menon. 'For neither side does it mean there's some deep ideological or any other affinity,' he said. Following his meetings with the Prime Minister and the king, Mr. Modi will fly to Male. 'I look forward to my meetings with President [Mohamed] Muizzu and other political leadership, to advance our joint vision of a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, and to strengthen our cooperation for peace, prosperity and stability in the Indian Ocean Region,' Mr. Modi said about the Maldives leg of his trip. 'I am confident that the visit will yield tangible outcomes, benefiting our people and advancing our Neighbourhood First Policy,' he added.
NDTV
09-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
PM Modi Likely To Visit UK This Month, India-UK Trade Deal Signing On Cards
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to the United Kingdom by the end of this month for a visit that could see both sides formally ink the landmark India-UK free trade deal and explore ways to expand bilateral ties in defence and security sphere, diplomatic sources said on Tuesday. Both sides are in the process of finalising the dates for PM Modi's visit to the UK by the end of July or the first part of August, they said. Earlier, there were indications that British PM Keir Starmer will visit India first. It is learnt that the British prime minister may visit India later this year. India and the UK are expected to formally sign the free trade deal during PM Modi's visit to London, the sources said. In May, India and the UK sealed the free trade agreement that is expected to benefit 99 per cent of Indian exports from tariffs and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India, besides boosting the overall trade basket. Along with the FTA -- the biggest the UK has done since leaving the European Union -- the two sides also sealed a double contribution convention. PM Modi had described the two pacts as a "historic milestone" to catalyse trade, investment, growth and job creation in both economies and further deepen the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership. The trade deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors, and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99 per cent of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100 per cent of the trade values, according to officials. A British readout had said Indian tariffs will be slashed, locking in reductions on 90 per cent of tariff lines, with 85 per cent of these becoming fully tariff-free within a decade. In 2023-24, India was the UK's second-largest source of investments in terms of the number of projects for the fifth consecutive year. During PM Modi's visit to the UK, both sides are also expected to explore ways to expand defence and security cooperation. The two sides may also deliberate on the implementation of the Technology Security Initiative (TSI). In July last year, India and the UK firmed up the Technology Security Initiative that sets out a bold new approach for collaboration in a range of priority sectors, including telecom, critical minerals, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, with a broader aim to elevate their strategic partnership to the next level. The TSI would also provide for a framework for building a broad UK-India semiconductor partnership that will leverage each other's strengths and incentives and explore mutually beneficial research and development as well as supply chain resilience. It also seeks to build upon the ambitious cooperation agenda set out in the India-UK Roadmap 2030.
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Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
PM Modi likely to visit UK this month; India-UK FTA signing on the cards
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to the United Kingdom by the end of this month for a visit that could see both sides formally ink the landmark India-UK free trade deal and explore ways to expand bilateral ties in defence and security sphere, diplomatic sources said on Tuesday. Both sides are in the process of finalising the dates for PM Modi's visit to the UK by the end of July or the first part of August, they said. Earlier, there were indications that British PM Keir Starmer will visit India first. It is learnt that the British prime minister may visit India later this year. India and the UK are expected to formally sign the free trade deal during PM Modi's visit to London, the sources said. In May, India and the UK sealed the free trade agreement that is expected to benefit 99 per cent of Indian exports from tariffs and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India, besides boosting the overall trade basket. Along with the FTA -- the biggest the UK has done since leaving the European Union -- the two sides also sealed a double contribution convention. PM Modi had described the two pacts as a "historic milestone" to catalyse trade, investment, growth and job creation in both economies and further deepen the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership. The trade deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors, and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99 per cent of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100 per cent of the trade values, according to officials. A British readout had said Indian tariffs will be slashed, locking in reductions on 90 per cent of tariff lines, with 85 per cent of these becoming fully tariff-free within a decade. In 2023-24, India was the UK's second-largest source of investments in terms of the number of projects for the fifth consecutive year. During PM Modi's visit to the UK, both sides are also expected to explore ways to expand defence and security cooperation. The two sides may also deliberate on the implementation of the Technology Security Initiative (TSI). In July last year, India and the UK firmed up the Technology Security Initiative that sets out a bold new approach for collaboration in a range of priority sectors, including telecom, critical minerals, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, with a broader aim to elevate their strategic partnership to the next level. The TSI would also provide for a framework for building a broad UK-India semiconductor partnership that will leverage each other's strengths and incentives and explore mutually beneficial research and development as well as supply chain resilience. It also seeks to build upon the ambitious cooperation agenda set out in the India-UK Roadmap 2030.
Borneo Post
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Kuching youth among participants of Young Creator Fellowship 2025
Telford hopes to use the fellowship to amplify rural voices and push for more inclusive national narratives. KUCHING (July 5): Telford Engan Tan, a 19-year-old youth advocate and law student from Kuching, has been selected as one of the Top 10 Malaysians to participate in the Malaysiakini Young Creator Fellowship 2025. According to The Sarawak Initiatives (TSI), Tan earned his spot in the fully funded programme following a rigorous two-day media training workshop in Kuala Lumpur and a storytelling video pitch titled 'Young Change-Maker'. 'The highly competitive national programme, aimed at nurturing the next generation of journalist-influencers and content creators, received over 120 entries from across Malaysia,' said TSI in a statement. Tan, who serves as an 'Aspiring Leader with TSI', said he hoped to use the fellowship to amplify rural voices and push for more inclusive national narratives. 'My pitch is focused on unity, cultural heritage, and indigenous identity, told through the lens of Sarawak.' In this aspect, TSI said: 'More than just storytelling, youth participation in journalism empowers us to question, reflect, and shape the narratives that define our future. We need more young Sarawakians to be aware and involved. The fellowship, to be running from July 16 to 18, will include visits to national media outlets such as Media Prima, RTM, Astro Awani and Bernama. Participants will also receive one-on-one mentorship from award-winning journalists. Tan is expected to present his video project at Monash University Malaysia before senior editors and policymakers, and will compete for a share of RM17,000 in awards. The Young Creator Fellowship, which is endorsed by the Ministry of Communications, aims to elevate youth voices in building a more inclusive and responsible media landscape. TSI is a civil society organisation for the people of Sarawak, committed to laying the foundation for a progressive and modern society. lead Malaysiakini Young Creator Fellowship Telford Engan Tan
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US Department of Education's new guidance puts students first: Better choices and support ahead for struggling schools
In a significant move to prioritize students' needs and empower families, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education has released new guidance that gives states the green light to use federal funds in more flexible and student-focused ways. The aim: to turn around low-performing schools while offering students better options—immediately. For the millions of students enrolled in schools identified as needing Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), or Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI), this guidance brings fresh hope—and real opportunities. Choice-driven school reform Under the new guidance, local education agencies (LEAs) can now design school improvement plans that do more than fix broken systems. These plans can—and are encouraged to—include choices for parents and students that reflect their unique educational needs. From academic tutoring and dual enrollment to career and technical education pathways, LEAs can offer a menu of evidence-based options. Importantly, LEAs are not alone. States are expected to support and assist local teams in developing these plans by providing templates and guidance, and ensuring parents are meaningfully involved. The Department urges all stakeholders to treat parents not just as participants, but as partners in choosing what's best for their children. Transfer options for students in struggling schools Perhaps most transformative is the renewed focus on public school choice. Students in CSI-designated schools may now be eligible to transfer to higher-performing public schools within the same district, if allowed by state law. LEAs can use up to 5% of their Title I, Part A allocation to cover transportation costs—making the option not just available, but accessible. In return, states have the discretion to prioritize funding applications from districts that not only show strong need and commitment but also demonstrate a real focus on student empowerment. That includes offering direct choices to parents and students through flexible learning programs and transparent information on available opportunities. What this means for families For families who've long felt trapped in low-performing schools, this shift is more than bureaucratic—it's personal. Parents can now be part of the decision-making process. Students can move to better schools or access specialized programs that match their ambitions and learning styles. As Acting Assistant Secretary Hayley Sanon stated, 'Every year that a child spends in school is precious and cannot be wasted.' This new approach delivers on that urgency—giving families not just hope for future improvement, but access to better options today. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
