India and the European Union have sealed a landmark free trade agreement — dubbed the “mother of all deals” — in response to rising global trade tensions, particularly U.S. tariff threats under President Donald Trump. The pact, expected to be signed early next year, covers nearly all goods between the two partners and gives India preferential access to EU markets, especially for labour-intensive exports hit by U.S. tariffs such as textiles and jewellery. In return, India will cut tariffs on most EU imports while protecting sensitive sectors like agriculture. The deal signals trade diversification beyond reliance on the U.S. amid protectionist pressures. (PC: India Today)

Amid Trump's confrontational trade policies and hostile tariffs, the EU and Canada have pivoted toward India as a more reliable partner. The India-EU free trade agreement, dubbed the "mother of all deals," represents 25% of global GDP and one-third of world trade, with signing expected early next year. The EU kept India's agriculture out while India will reduce tariffs on 96.6% of EU exports. Canada, threatened by Trump over energy, will now ship more crude oil and LNG to India. Canadian PM Mark Carney plans to visit India with agreements on uranium, nuclear cooperation, and critical minerals, as global powers diversify from unpredictable US trade policies. (PC: India Today)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in New Delhi ahead of his upcoming US visit, discussing "many dimensions" of India-US partnership. Jaishankar expressed confidence that Gor would strengthen bilateral relations. The ambassador described their meeting as "highly substantive," covering defense, trade, and critical minerals. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Washington next week for the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on February 4. Gor, who assumed his role as 27th ambassador on January 12, previously highlighted the robust India-US defense cooperation, referencing a 10-year defense pact signed last year that will deepen strategic partnership.

Two Indian-origin models, Bhavitha Mandava and Bhoomika Yadav, walked the runway at Matthieu Blazy's debut Chanel couture show in Paris. Mandava, from Hyderabad, previously made history closing Blazy's Chanel Métiers d'art 2026 show in New York. Discovered at a subway station by Show in Bishop in 2024, she graduated from NYU Tandon School of Engineering in 2025 and now focuses on full-time modeling. Yadav, from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, debuted for Chanel at Paris Fashion Week aged 19, wearing a beige embroidered suit. The show at Grand Palais featured surrealist décor and A-list celebrities. Age-inclusive casting allowed models to choose meaningful symbols embroidered inside their outfits. (PC: Times Now)

Indian photographer Dashawatar Gopalkrishna Bade has won the Single Image title in the Culture, Heritage & Beliefs category at the prestigious Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) Awards 2025. His award-winning photograph captures the Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage in rural Maharashtra, showing two men performing traditional stick-dance against an expansive sky while fellow pilgrims clap. The 22nd edition of TPOTY attracted over 20,000 entries from 157 countries, with winners representing 56 nationalities. Greek photographer Athanasios Maloukos won the overall Travel Photographer of the Year award. The competition prohibits generative AI and requires RAW files for evaluation, maintaining high standards in travel photography. (PC: Dashawatar Gopalkrishna Bade/tpoty)

Nobel laureate economist Abhijit Banerjee said the India–EU free trade agreement sends a signal that India does not rely heavily on the United States. He called the pact “a strategic alignment” that tells Washington “we don’t need the US as much as the US thinks we do”. Banerjee, however, warned that the deal will not bring broad gains on its own. He said trade pacts are “just a starting point” and stressed the need for better efficiency and logistics. Slow ports, transport delays and supply chains remain key challenges. Banerjee said India must match global standards to benefit fully. (PC: The Telegraph)

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said India “comes out on top” in its newly concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union, calling it a strategic win for New Delhi that offers expanded access to the EU market and bolsters long-term economic ties. The deal — described by leaders as the “mother of all deals” after nearly 20 years of talks — will slash tariffs on most goods and create a market of nearly two billion consumers. It also reflects growing trade diversification as U.S. tariff policies under President Trump prompt partners to seek alternative ties. (PC: X)

The United States’ top trade official has said India is likely to gain the most from its landmark free trade agreement with the European Union. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the deal appears to tilt in New Delhi’s favour by giving India wider access to European markets. In an interview, Greer said India would “come out on top” and benefit once the pact is implemented. He also pointed to possible worker mobility provisions for Indians in Europe. India and the EU finalised the agreement this week, creating a market of nearly two billion people. The pact will remove most tariffs and expand trade flows between both sides. (PC: India Today)

India's historic trade deal with the EU eliminates tariffs on 96.6% of European exports, potentially making numerous products cheaper for Indian consumers. The agreement is one of the largest both parties have concluded, reduces duties from 50-150% to 0-20%, saving €4 billion annually. Key industrial goods seeing tariff cuts include machinery, aircraft, medical equipment, plastics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals dropping to zero percent. Motor vehicles will decrease from 110% to 10%. Agricultural products like wine, spirits, beer, olive oil, processed foods, and meat will see significant reductions. Prime Minister Modi announced this deal represents 25% of global GDP and one-third of global trade, creating major opportunities for Indians and Europeans alike. (PC: Instagram/@HindustanTimes)

India’s free trade agreement with the European Union has accelerated wider changes in global trade ties. Following the deal, Canada and Brazil have moved to strengthen economic engagement with India. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is planning a visit to New Delhi in March to expand cooperation in energy, critical minerals and technology. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will lead a large business delegation to India in February. Officials and analysts link these moves to efforts by major economies to reduce dependence on the United States as tariff risks rise under President Donald Trump. The India-EU pact, signed on January 27, is seen as a central pillar of this shift. (PC: BBC)