India-EU announce mega FTA; PM Modi calls it New Delhi's biggest trade deal ever
New Delhi (PTI): India and Europe on Tuesday announced sealing of an ambitious free trade agreement -- billed as "mother of all deals" -- that came against the backdrop of a fractious global environment and trade disruptions largely caused by Washington's policy on tariff.
Today, India has concluded the biggest free trade agreement (FTA) in its history with the European Union, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after holding summit talks with the 27-nation bloc's top leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa.
"This is not just a trade agreement. This is a new blueprint for shared prosperity," Modi said in his media statement.
The two sides also inked a strategic defence partnership pact and a mobility agreement.
The prime minister said India-EU partnership will help the world.
European Council President Costa said India and the EU began a "new chapter" in their relations in sectors such trade, security, and on people-to-people ties.
"Trade agreements reinforce a rules-based economic order and promote shared prosperity. That's why today's free trade agreement is of historic importance. It is one of the most ambitious agreements ever concluded," he said.
"We delivered the mother of all deals," Von der Leyen said.
The long-awaited FTA is set to significantly expand the overall trajectory of two-way engagement as it will open up new opportunity for cooperation in diverse areas.
The EU and India had first launched negotiations for the FTA in 2007, before the talks were suspended in 2013 due to a gap in ambition. The negotiations were relaunched in June 2022.
The EU, as a bloc, is India's largest trading partner in goods.
For the financial year 2024-25, India's total trade in goods with the EU was worth about USD 136 billion, with exports around USD 76 billion and imports at USD 60 billion.
The broad focus of the summit was on trade, defence and security, climate change, critical technologies and strengthening the rules-based global order.
India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004.
The proposed Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) will facilitate deeper defence and security cooperation between the two sides.
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Bengaluru: PUC student dies by suicide, hours after results were declared
Bengaluru (PTI): A second-year Pre-University Course student allegedly died by suicide at her residence here, hours after the exam results were announced, police said on Friday.
Tanushree (17), a science student, reportedly failed in three subjects, which is suspected to be the trigger behind her taking such an extreme step, they said.
However, no suicide note was recovered from the spot, except her hall ticket, which was found lying on the bed.
According to police, the incident came to light on Thursday around 3.30 pm, shortly after the results were announced.
She hung herself from the ceiling fan when no one was at home. Her mother had gone to work, a senior police officer said.
Citing preliminary inquiry, the officer said it is a clear-cut case of suicide. She was apparently distressed over failing in three subjects and had also called her friends to discuss the same.
When she did not respond to their calls and messages later, her friends decided to check on her, he said.
Based on her mother's complaint, a case of unnatural death has been filed, with Hebbal police investigation indicating it to be a case of suicide, police added.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
