Page 2 - India

Republic Day greetings pour in as Trump, Xi underline India's global role

From Washington to Beijing, global leaders congratulated India on its 77th Republic Day, with messages from Donald Trump and Xi Jinping reflecting democratic values, regional cooperation

India-EU FTA duty cuts could boost luxury car market, says BMW India

Reduction in customs duty on imported cars under the India-EU free trade agreement could enable the growth of the luxury car segment in India, which currently remains minuscule, BMW Group India President and CEO Hardeep Singh Brar said on Monday. The domestic luxury car segment accounts for just 1 per cent of the overall passenger vehicle segment. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement would be a historic milestone benefiting both sides by expanding trade and enabling deeper exchange of technology and innovation, Brar said in a statement. "From an automotive industry perspective, we hope the FTA will include balanced, win-win provisions that help stimulate demand in the luxury segment while strengthening supply chain integration which is especially important in the current geopolitical context," he added. If customs duties on completely built units are reduced, it would help expand the luxury car market in India, Brar stated. "While CBUs (completely built units) currently account for a

Beyond FTA: India, EU near deals on security and defence, mobility

Ahead of the 16th India-EU Summit, the Union Cabinet has approved some proposed agreements, including on security, defence and mobility

People paying a heavy price for air pollution with their health: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that people are paying a heavy price for air pollution with their health and the country's economy, and that children and the elderly are bearing the brunt the most. In a post on his X account, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha urged people to speak up against air pollution. He also asked them to write to him, sharing their views on how it has affected crores of Indians. "We are paying a heavy price for air pollution -- with our health and with our economy. Crores of ordinary Indians bear this burden every day," Gandhi wrote. "Children and the elderly suffer the most. Livelihoods, especially of construction workers and daily wage earners, are severely impacted," he wrote. Noting that the crisis cannot be forgotten until next winter, the former Congress president said, "The first step towards change is to raise our voices." He further asked people to share the story of "how air pollution has affected you or your loved ones" at ...

India, Namibia sign MoU on election management on sidelines of IICDEM 2026

The MoU was signed by Chief Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar and Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia Elsie T Nghikembua, at IICDEM 2026 in Delhi

Five questions that will dominate debate in India and the world in 2026

Five major themes set to shape economic debate in 2026, from India-EU trade ties and fiscal strategy to data revisions, Fed independence and the risks around AI investment

India, Spain push for early India-EU trade deal, eye strategic association

Spain has supported the early conclusion of India-EU trade negotiations, as New Delhi and Madrid discussed defence manufacturing, trade expansion, mobility and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

Doctors warn of rising health and financial risks as air quality worsens

Study of doctors flags growing concern over worsening air quality in Indian cities, linking high AQI levels to chronic illnesses, rising healthcare costs and poor financial preparedness among patients

China's two-track currency strategy against sanctions has lessons for India

China is shifting from dollar rivalry to creating a parallel, sanction-proof financial system through RMB trade settlement, digital currencies and deeper integration with global capital markets

Apple Pay likely to enter India market this year, launch seen by end-2026

With this service, customers can save their credit and debit cards to the Apple Wallet

Datanomics: Gaza trapped in poverty as Donald Trump opens peace panel

India has been invited to join the proposed Gaza Peace Board as the Israel-Palestine conflict devastates Gaza and the West Bank, with collapsing incomes, rising poverty and record unemployment

Ikea plans to double India investment to more than $2.20 bn in 5 years

Ikea, which opened its first India store in 2018 in Hyderabad, will begin accepting online orders in four other cities where it currently does not have a physical presence

Two busy weeks ahead for MEA as South Block readies hectic calendar

Radoslaw Sikorski, Polish deputy prime minister, who also holds the portfolio of foreign affairs, along with his spouse, journalist and historian Anne Applebaum, will be in India from Monday onwards

70% of Nifty 500 stocks in red Why Indian markets are stumbling into 2026

Indian stock markets have entered 2026 on shaky ground. Nearly 70% of Nifty 500 stocks are in the red by mid-January, making this the second-worst January start in five years.

What is FRBM, the law that limits government spending | Union Budget 2026

In Episode 4 of Budget Basics, we decode FRBM, the law that tells the government how much it can spend, borrow, and save. Why it exists, how it shapes the Budget, and why it matters to you.

India's Tel Aviv Embassy advises against non-essential travel to Israel

Earlier, the MEA issued an advisory urging Indian citizens to avoid travel to Iran until further notice and has asked those already in Iran to leave immediately using available commercial flights

India, EU likely to conclude much awaited FTA talks on January 27

'Sensitive' agri issues may be off the table

ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission fails: Why it couldn't deploy 16 satellites in space

India’s first space mission of 2026 began with power and promise, but ended in uncertainty.

India-Germany ties | German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets PM Modi: What’s on the agenda?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad during the latter’s first official visit to India.

Suspected Pakistan drones spotted along LoC, IB in J&K: What we know | India-Pakistan

Security forces detected suspected drone activity along the International Border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts on Sunday evening.