Sringeri Swamiji to not participate in Ram Mandir Prana Pratishtapana, Mutt Issues Clarification
Chikkamagaluru: Jagadguru of Sringeri Shankaracharya Mutt will not participate in the consecration ceremony of Sri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. A release from Sringeri Mutt said that only the administrator will participate in the program as the Mutt's representative.
News has been published in a private media platform that the Jagadguru of Sringeri Math will participate in the Prana Pratishtapana program of Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya using the portrait of Sringeri Shankaracharya. In this news, Kudali Math, which is functioning independently near Shimoga city, is portrayed as Sringeri Math. This has created confusion among the public. Kudali Math is a branch of Sringeri Math but is an independently functioning Math. The publication stated that Kudali Math is neither Dakshinamnaya Sharada Math nor Sringeri Math.
ALSO READ: Under-construction school building collapses in Anekal: Two dead, more than 15 injured
On January 22, Sringeri Mutt's junior Jagadguru Vidhusekhara Bharati Swamiji is not participating in the Prana Pratishtapana program of Ayodhya Sri Rama Mandir. In the announcement it is informed that only VR Gourishankar, who is the administrative officer of the Sringeri Math will participate as the representative of Sringeri Mutt. It is requested in the announcement that the devotees of the Mutt and the public should not listen to false news.
In the announcement published on the website of the Math, it is informed that there is only one announcement to the devotees that they should get the grace of Sri Rama by reciting the Sri Rama Taraka Mantra and Rama Bhujanga Stotra written by Jagadguru Shankaracharya for the inauguration of the Ayodhya Sri Rama Mandir.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
India proposes preferential trade agreement with Mexico to deal with high tariffs
New Delhi (PTI): India has proposed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Mexico to help domestic exporters deal with the steep tariffs announced by the South American country, a top government official said on Monday.
Mexico has decided to impose steep import tariffs - ranging from about 5 per cent to as high as 50 per cent on a wide range of goods (about 1,463 tariff lines) from countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that India has engaged with the country on the issue.
"Technical level talks are on...The only fast way forward is to try to get a preferential trade agreement (PTA) because an FTA (free trade agreement) will take a lot of time. So we are trying to see what can be a good way forward," he told reporters here.
While in an FTA two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on maximum number of goods traded between them, in a PTA, duties are cut or removed on a limited number of products.
Trading partners of Mexico cannot file a compliant against the decision on imposing high tariffs as they are WTO (World Trade Organisation) compatible.
The duties are within their bound rates, he said, adding that their primary target was not India.
"We have proposed a PTA because its a WTO-compatible way forward... we can do a PTA and try to get concessions that are required for Indian supply chains and similarly offer them concessions where they have export interests in India," Agrawal said.
ALSO READ: Mexico's Congress approves higher tariffs on goods from India, China and non-FTA nations
Citing support for local production and correction of trade imbalances, Mexico has approved an increase in MFN (most favoured nation) import tariffs (5-50 per cent) with effect from January 1, 2026 on 1,455 tariff lines (or product categories) within the WTO framework, targeting non-FTA partners.
Preliminary estimates suggest that this affects India's around USD 2 billion exports to Mexico particularly -- automobile, two-wheelers, auto parts, textiles, iron and steel, plastics, leather and footwear.
The measure is also aimed at curbing Chinese imports.
India-Mexico merchandise trade totalled USD 8.74 billion in 2024, with exports USD 5.73 billion, imports USD 3.01 billion, and a trade surplus of USD 2.72 billion.
The government has been continuously and comprehensively assessing Mexico's tariff revisions since the issue emerged, engaging stakeholders, safeguarding the interests of Indian exporters, and pursuing constructive dialogue to ensure a stable trade environment benefiting businesses and consumers in both countries.
ALSO READ: Search operation ends in Anjaw truck accident, 20 bodies recovered
Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai has said that Mexico's decision is a matter of concern, particularly for sectors like automobiles and auto components, machinery, electrical and electronics, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and plastics.
"Such steep duties will erode our competitiveness and risk, disrupting supply chains that have taken years to develop," Sahai said, adding that this development also underlines the little urgency for India and Mexico to fast-track a comprehensive trade agreement.
Domestic auto component manufacturers will face enhanced cost pressures with Mexico hiking duties on Indian imports, according to industry body ACMA.
