Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday lauded the architecture and design of the Samrat Samprati Museum in Gandhinagar, stating that it beautifully captures India’s grandeur and civilisational identity while reflecting the depth of its cultural heritage.

Speaking at the inauguration at Koba Tirth, the Prime Minister underscored that the museum’s seven galleries collectively showcase the country’s rich cultural diversity and heritage. He noted that the first gallery introduces visitors to the Navpad (Nine Jewels), a concept central to Jain philosophy, including Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, and Sadhu Sangh. These are intrinsically linked to the foundational principles of right faith, right knowledge, right conduct, and right austerity.

“These teachings inspire people to live disciplined and righteous lives. When knowledge is right, it becomes the foundation for equality and service,” Modi said, emphasising the enduring relevance of these values in contemporary society.

Extending greetings on Mahavir Jayanti, the Prime Minister expressed

that he felt fortunate to visit the sacred site and paid homage to Lord Mahavira. He highlighted that India has long upheld a tradition where knowledge flows freely, enriched over centuries by sages and Tirthankaras who contributed to expanding intellectual and spiritual thought.

Reflecting on historical governance models, Modi contrasted rulers who relied on violence with the legacy of Samrat Samprati, who promoted the principles of non-violence, truth, non-stealing, and non-possession, reinforcing a value-driven approach to leadership and society.

The inauguration of the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth stands as a significant cultural milestone, reinforcing India’s civilisational ethos while preserving and presenting its philosophical and spiritual traditions for future generations.

The Naxalbari movement, widely regarded as the genesis of the Maoist menace in India, began as a class war led by farmers who lashed out against centuries-old oppression by landlords, and evolved into a powerful ideological and political force that reshaped Left-wing extremism across the country.

The movement was not pre-planned, much like the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Soviet Union, yet its deft handling ensured that both the news and its ideology spread rapidly. Under the leadership of Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal, it transformed into a well-managed movement that escalated tensions significantly.

The uprising soon caught the imagination of the urban elite and inflamed state capital Kolkata. Students and young people from prestigious institutions, particularly Presidency College and Jadavpur University, joined the cause, deserting classrooms and expanding the scope of the agitation. The movement quickly spread to neighbouring states, including Bihar and Odisha.

Authorities responded with decisive action. Beginning in 1971, a prolonged crackdown lasted for months, resulting in hundreds of deaths in encounters and police custody. The movement lost momentum following the death of Charu Majumdar in police custody in 1972, while factionalism further weakened its structure. However, the ideology endured, leading to further splits within the Left bloc and the emergence of increasingly radical currents.

A critical factor behind the movement was the influence of Maoist ideology from neighbouring China. The ideas of Mao Zedong, particularly his theory of a peasant-based revolution, deeply inspired Naxal leaders and shaped their ideological framework. While international socialist ideas had already influenced Indian communists, this Maoist doctrine intensified divisions.

The Communist Party in India, established in 1925, had already split into CPI and CPM. The emergence of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) created a new faction that became the crucible for a full-blooded Maoist generation. The Naxals rejected both CPI and CPM, opposing what they described as Soviet revisionism and asserting that the Soviet Union had deviated from authentic revolutionary principles and aligned with imperialist and neo-imperialist forces.

The ideological battle extended internationally, with CPI seen as more pro-Soviet and CPM more sympathetic toward China, while Naxals advanced a militant revolutionary approach rooted in Maoist ideology.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, Maoist groups continued their activities across several regions, maintaining a strong presence in states such as Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and parts of Karnataka. In Chhattisgarh, Maoist influence was particularly dominant, with Bastar emerging as one of the most intense centres of insurgent activity. Over time, however, sustained security operations and government initiatives focusing on development, employment, and surrender packages led to a significant decline in their influence across the Red Corridor.

On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared in Parliament that the Maoist menace is effectively over, stating that their influence has almost disappeared from Bastar, their last bastion.

The movement also witnessed a transition from bullets to ballots. While initially reliant on armed struggle, segments gradually entered the parliamentary system. Organisations such as the Indian People’s Front (IPF), under leaders like Pankaj Bhattacharya, began participating in electoral politics, even as armed elements persisted, unlike developments in neighbouring Nepal.

In Nepal, the Maoist movement led by Prachan

da began as an armed insurgency in jungle regions but eventually integrated into mainstream parliamentary politics. Prachanda, known for his intense ideas and the sobriquet “ferce one,” later became Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

The trajectory of the Naxalbari movement underscores a profound transformation—from a spontaneous agrarian uprising to a nationwide ideological force, and eventually to a declining insurgency—leaving behind a lasting imprint on India’s political and security landscape.

US President Donald Trump has told his aides that he is willing to end war without re-opening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has refused to unblock despite repeated warnings from the US president, marking another soft stance taken on Tehran as the latter has refused to budge after US-Israel initiated war.

In recent days, Trump and his aides concluded that an operation to reopen the strategic chokepoint would likely extend the conflict beyond his preferred four-to-six-week timeline, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The report added that Trump opted to focus on achieving key objectives, that is, weakening Iran's naval capabilities and missile reserves before scaling back active hostilities, while increasing diplomatic pressure on Tehran to restore normal trade flows.

If those efforts fall short, United States officials would look to allies in Europe and the Gulf to take the lead in reopening the strait, according to the report. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also said that the Arab countries can be asked to share the burden of the military operation in Iran. "I think it's something the president would be quite interested in. I won't get ahead of him on that but certainly it's an idea, something that I think you'll hear more from him on," she said.

Trump granted Iran a 10-day cooling-off period last week, describing the decision as a response to what he called a "gift" from Tehran, allowing eight oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and pausing planned strikes on key energy infrastructure. He also framed the move as a sign of progress in ongoing diplomatic efforts, adding that Iran had sought more cime through backchannel communications.

The development underscores a calculated shift in Washington’s approach, balancing military objectives with diplomatic engagement as tensions persist over one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

Mumbai: A 23-year-old man from Maharashtra died by suicide in a tyre puncture shop, leaving behind a note alleging sustained harassment by his lover’s family, in a case that has triggered police action and demands for justice.

The deceased, identified as Dnyaneshwar Kokate, was a resident of Beed district and was in a relationship with a young woman from a nearby village. Despite opposition from the woman’s family, the two remained in contact, according to available information.

Kokate’s mother told the police that her son had been called by the woman’s family to meet them on one occasion, where he was allegedly brutally beaten and humiliated. She stated that four men tied him to a tree, snatched his mobile phone and two-wheeler, and assaulted him. She further alleged that the accused threatened that they would also beat Kokate’s father and her.

“The accused told him that they would beat his father and me, too. He could not bear it,” she said, while demanding justice for her son and strict action against those involved.

According to the details revealed, Kokate, unable to endure the alleged harassment, hanged himself to death in a tyre puncture shop located on the Dhule-Solapur highway.

In the suicide note left behind, Kokate described his ordeal, stating, “I was beaten severely, defamed in the village as a thief, and threatened with death.”

Following the incident, a case has been registered against four individuals at the Neknur police station. Authorities have initiated legal proceedings in connection with the allegations.

The incident underscores the severe consequences of alleged harassment and social pressure, raising concerns about personal safety, accountability, and the need for timely intervention in such disputes.

In a significant declaration marking the decline of one of India’s longest-running internal security challenges, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the country has effectively become “Naxal-free,” with Maoism now “on the verge of extinction.” The statement came on the eve of the March 31 deadline set for the eradication of Left-Wing Extremism, signaling a decisive moment in the decades-long conflict.

“The country will be informed once the entire process is formally completed, but I can say that we have become Naxal-free,” Amit Shah said in the Lok Sabha. He further asserted that Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, once considered the last bastion of the movement, has also been cleared. “Today, Naxalism has been almost eradicated from Bastar. The people of Bastar were left behind precisely because the shadow of ‘Red Terror’ loomed over the region. That is why development failed to reach them. Today, that shadow has been lifted, and Bastar is now on the path of development,” he added.

The announcement underscores the culmination of a prolonged and complex campaign against Maoist insurgency, which had once gripped vast parts of the country. The so-called “Red Corridor” stretched from Karnataka to Nepal, passing through Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and extending to Nepal, affecting governance and development across these regions for over six decades.

The origins of the movement trace back to May 24, 1967, in Naxalbari, a remote village in north Bengal. The uprising was triggered by the killing of a sharecropper and resulted in the deaths of 11 people. Initially directed against landlords, locally known as Jotdars, the movement was led by Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal. It aimed to overthrow the state through armed agrarian rebellion based on Maoist ideology.

The movement soon expanded beyond rural resistance, capturing the imagination of students and young people in Kolkata, many of whom abandoned classrooms to join the cause. As the unrest spread through Naxalbari, Kharibari, and Phansidewa near Darjeeling, and extended to neighbouring states such as Bihar and Odisha by 1971, the government initiated a strong crackdown. The ensuing months witnessed hundreds of deaths in encounters and police custody.

However, the movement gradually lost momentum following the death of Charu Majumdar in police custody. Internal factionalism further weakened its structure, leading to a steady decline over the years.

The government’s latest assertion marks a turning point in India’s internal security landscape, indicating not only the dismantling of a long-standing insurgency but also the restoration of governance and development in regions once overshadowed by violence.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections is being driven by two leaders whose contrasting political styles and backgrounds have shaped a calculated dual strategy aimed at capturing diverse voter segments across the state.

At the forefront are Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, and Samik Bhattacharya, the president of the BJP’s Bengal unit. While both leaders share a common political objective, their approaches reflect stark differences rooted in their individual journeys and constituencies.

Sixty-year-old Bhattacharya rose through the ranks of the RSS, apprenticing in shakhas at a time when the BJP had minimal political presence in Bengal. In contrast, Adhikari was previously associated with the Trinamool Congress and was considered a trusted lieutenant of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee before joining the BJP in 2020.

Their socio-political orientations further highlight this divergence. Bhattacharya, an urban leader from the Howrah region adjoining Kolkata, has been deeply embedded in the city’s political culture for over two decades. His approach reflects a modern, urban outlook that resonates with Kolkata’s elite ‘bhadralok’ circles. Adhikari, born and raised in the coastal district of Purba Medinipur, represents a rural political ethos. His language, tone, and style carry a distinctly mofussil character, positioning him as a mass leader rooted in the hinterland.

This dual leadership model is not unprecedented within the BJP. Historical parallels can be drawn with figures such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani, who appealed to different demographics, as well as Narendra Modi and the late Arun Jaitley, who represented distinct political and social constituencies. The current Bengal strategy mirrors this template, combining mass mobilisation with intellectual engagement.

Adhikari has emerged as an aggressive campaigner, centring his rhetoric on Hindutva. He has openly rejected what he calls “so-called secular statism” and expressed support for the concept of a Hindu Rashtra. Repeatedly alleging atrocities against Hindus in Bengal, he has accused the Trinamool government of appeasement politics and failing to safeguard Hindu interests. Critics, however, contend that such statements risk deepening communal divisions. Adhikari has defended his stance, asserting that he is advocating for the rights and security of Hindus. BJP sources maintain that this emphasis strengthens the party’s support among a silent but substantial Hindu voter base.

In contrast, Bhattacharya’s campaign focuses on governance and development under the banner of ‘Paribartan’. He frequently invokes Kolkata’s legacy as the epicentre of the nineteenth-century Bengal Renaissance, highlighting its historical prominence in intellectual, industrial, and cultural spheres. He attributes the state’s economic and industrial decline to both the Left Front government and the Mamata Banerjee regime, positioning the BJP as a vehicle for industrial revival, economic growth, and large-scale development.

The contest also extends to the narrative of Bengali identity, a domain traditionally dominated by the Trinamool Congress. The ruling party has consistently framed itself as the protector of Bengal’s culture, language, and regional pride. Bhattacharya has sought to counter this narrative by asserting that Bengali identity is fully compatible with Indian national identity. Addressing allegations that the BJP would restrict dietary practices, he has emphasised his own identity as a fish-loving Bengali, challenging the “outsider” tag often used against the party.

At the same time, Bhattacharya has raised concerns over demographic change and alleged infiltration, accusing the state government of enabling such trends. He has warned against Bengal turning into what he describes as “West Bangladesh”, framing the electoral battle as one to safeguard the state’s identity, culture, and future.

The BJP’s messaging thus represents a convergence of two approaches. Adhikari’s campaign stresses Hindu unity with the slogan “Jai Shri Ram”, while Bhattacharya has introduced culturally resonant invocations such as “Jai Maa Durga” and “Jai Maa Kali”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also adopted this idiom in Bengal rallies, referring to the goddess as Mahishasura Mardini and invoking her blessings for the people.

As the 2026 Assembly elections approach, the BJP’s Bengal campaign stands as a strategic blend of ideological assertion and developmental promise. The combined efforts of Adhikari and Bhattacharya reflect a deliberate attempt to bridge rural and urban divides, align religious and cultural narratives, and reshape the political discourse in one of India’s most fiercely contested states.

A 33-year-old Indian man has been indicted on multiple felony charges after a high-speed police chase in Ohio ended in a fatal crash that killed a pregnant teenager and her unborn child. The incident has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the charges and the tragic loss of two lives.

According to authorities, the incident began when a deputy clocked Tarsem Singh driving a Land Rover Range Rover Velar at around 100 miles per hour. Instead of stopping, Singh allegedly accelerated, with police reporting that he fled at speeds exceeding 120 mph, triggering a high-speed pursuit.

The chase ended in a head-on collision with a Jeep Cherokee. The driver of the Jeep was injured but remained conscious and alert. 17-year-old Ashlee Holmes, who was a passenger in Singh's vehicle, was ejected from the SUV during the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. She was pregnant at the time, and her unborn child also did not survive.

Singh sustained injuries in the crash and was airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital for treatment before being taken into custody, as per Dayton Daily News. He was formally indicted on March 23 on multiple charges, including two counts of involuntary manslaughter related to the deaths of Holmes and her unborn child, two counts of reckless homicide, vehicular assault, and failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer.

Singh appeared in court in Darke County this week via video link, assisted by an interpreter, where Judge Travis Fliehman formally read out the charges against him. Authorities have set Singh's bond at $1 million. Officials also confirmed that an immigration detainer has been placed on him, meaning deportation proceedings could follow if he is convicted. According to reports, Singh has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

“Indian criminal illegal alien Tarsem Singh's crash injuries are slight compared to those of his 17-YEAR-OLD PREGNANT PASSENGER Ashlee Holmes and her UNBORN CHILD, who were allegedly thrown from his Range Rover and KILLED when he crashed after fleeing from Ohio police at 100 MPH,” a tweet by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement read.

His next court hearing is April 3. The case underscores the grave consequences of reckless driving and police evasion, leaving behind a devastating loss that continues to reverberate through the community.

New Delhi: Raghav Chadha has once again drawn attention during the ongoing Parliament session by raising a key social issue demanding that paternity leave be made a legal right in India.

Speaking in the House, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP argued that caregiving responsibilities after childbirth should not fall solely on mothers. "When a child is born, both parents are congratulated, but the responsibility of caregiving falls disproportionately on the mother," Chadha said, emphasising the need for a more balanced approach.

He highlighted that fathers are often forced to choose between their jobs and supporting their families during one of the most critical phases of life. "A father should not have to choose between caring for his newborn and keeping his job. Similarly, a mother should not have to go through childbirth and recovery without her partner's support," he added.

Chadha stressed that the presence of a husband is crucial for a woman immediately after childbirth, not only for emotional support but also for shared caregiving. "Caregiving is a shared responsibility. Our laws must reflect that," he asserted. Chadha in the past has been vocal on several issues which are related to a large number of people. He raised consumer and public interest issues such as online delivery timelines, airline charges on luggage, and packaged juices for health.

His remarks come at a time when the judiciary has also echoed similar sentiments. Earlier this month, a bench of the Supreme Court of India comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan, while hearing one matter, observed that while a mother's role in a child's development is undeniable, the father's role is equally important and cannot be ignored. The court noted that parenting is a shared responsibility and that fathers should have the opportunity to actively participate in a child's early development.

At present, India does not have a specific law mandating paternity leave in the private sector. While maternity leave is governed under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, paternity leave remains outside the purview of labour legislation.

For government employees, paternity leave is recognised under the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972. As per these rules, male government employees are entitled to 15 days of fully paid leave, which must be availed within six months of the child's birth and is limited to up to two surviving children.

The issue has been raised before in Parliament. In 2017, a private member's bill introduced by late Congress MP Rajeev Satav, the Paternity Benefit Bill, sought to create a uniform framework for paternity leave across sectors. The bill proposed 15 days of leave, extendable up to three months, including provision for pre-birth leave. However, it did not become law.

Currently, 

New Delhi: Raghav Chadha has once again drawn attention during the ongoing Parliament session by raising a key social issue demanding that paternity leave be made a legal right in India.

Speaking in the House, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP argued that caregiving responsibilities after childbirth should not fall solely on mothers. "When a child is born, both parents are congratulated, but the responsibility of caregiving falls disproportionately on the mother," Chadha said, emphasising the need for a more balanced approach.

He highlighted that fathers are often forced to choose between their jobs and supporting their families during one of the most critical phases of life. "A father should not have to choose between caring for his newborn and keeping his job. Similarly, a mother should not have to go through childbirth and recovery without her partner's support," he added.

Chadha stressed that the presence of a husband is crucial for a woman immediately after childbirth, not only for emotional support but also for shared caregiving. "Caregiving is a shared responsibility. Our laws must reflect that," he asserted. Chadha in the past has been vocal on several issues which are related to a large number of people. He raised consumer and public interest issues such as online delivery timelines, airline charges on luggage, and packaged juices for health.

His remarks come at a time when the judiciary has also echoed similar sentiments. Earlier this month, a bench of the Supreme Court of India comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan, while hearing one matter, observed that while a mother's role in a child's development is undeniable, the father's role is equally important and cannot be ignored. The court noted that parenting is a shared responsibility and that fathers should have the opportunity to actively participate in a child's early development.

At present, India does not have a specific law mandating paternity leave in the private sector. While maternity leave is governed under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, paternity leave remains outside the purview of labour legislation.

For government employees, paternity leave is recognised under the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972. As per these rules, male government employees are entitled to 15 days of fully paid leave, which must be availed within six months of the child's birth and is limited to up to two surviving children.

The issue has been raised before in Parliament. In 2017, a private member's bill introduced by late Congress MP Rajeev Satav, the Paternity Benefit Bill, sought to create a uniform framework for paternity leave across sectors. The bill proposed 15 days of leave, extendable up to three months, including provision for pre-birth leave. However, it did not become law.

Currently, in the absence of legislation, paternity leave in the private sector depends largely on company policies, often framed as a matter of discretion rather than a legal right.

Globally, several countries have taken significant steps toward ensuring paternal benefits. Nations such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Portugal have robust parental leave policies. Sweden, for instance, introduced paid parental leave as early as 1974, offering up to 480 days of leave shared between parents, with mandatory quotas for each. Finland provides 164 days of leave per parent, while Norway reserves dedicated weeks exclusively for fathers.

Chadha's intervention has reignited the debate on whether India should move toward a more inclusive and equitable parental leave framework, aligning with global standards and evolving societal norms.

the absence of legislation, paternity leave in the private sector depends largely on company policies, often framed as a matter of discretion rather than a legal right.

Globally, several countries have taken significant steps toward ensuring paternal benefits. Nations such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Portugal have robust parental leave policies. Sweden, for instance, introduced paid parental leave as early as 1974, offering up to 480 days of leave shared between parents, with mandatory quotas for each. Finland provides 164 days of leave per parent, while Norway reserves dedicated weeks exclusively for fathers.

Chadha's intervention has reignited the debate on whether India should move toward a more inclusive and equitable parental leave framework, aligning with global standards and evolving societal norms.

In a shocking case of administrative lapse, an anganwadi worker in Uttar Pradesh's Mahoba district, who died 18 months back, has been showcaused for not coming to work and threatened that she would be sacked.

The notice issued to Parvati has shocked her family members, who say they submitted a death certificate to the authorities shortly after she died and cannot understand how this notice was issued. The incident has raised serious questions about procedural accountability within the system.

According to her family members, 49-year-old Parvati died on November 1, 2024. Her husband, Kishunlal, said he submitted the death certificate to the state Women and Child Development Department within eight days of Parvati's death, completing the formal requirement expected in such cases.

Now, after 18 months, Kishunlal received a notice that has left the family stunned. The document, signed by Child Development Project Officer Yasmeen Jahan, states that the anganwadi centre was found shut during inspection. It further claims that children in the 3–6 years age group were being deprived of pre-elementary education. Additionally, the notice mentions that Parvati had not updated data on Poshan Tracker, a system used by the Centre to monitor whether children at anganwadi centres are being served cooked meals as part of the midday meal programme.

The issuance of the notice, despite prior submission of the death certificate, underscores a glaring administrative oversight. The case highlights potential systemic gaps in record management and communication within the Women and Child Development Department, raising concerns about accountability and the functioning of monitoring mechanisms at the grassroots level.

Indore: In a development charged with emotion and symbolism, the family of Raja Raghuvanshi, who was allegedly murdered by his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya last year, has welcomed a new child, marking a moment they describe as both poignant and spiritually significant.

Raghuvanshi's elder brother, Sachin, has been blessed with a boy. The family has named the newborn “Raja,” echoing the name of the deceased. The child’s arrival has been perceived by the family as a deeply meaningful event, reinforced by a striking coincidence tied to religious belief and timing.

According to the family, Raja Raghuvanshi was murdered on ‘Gyaras’, also known as ‘Ekadashi’, which is the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight. In a parallel occurrence, Sachin’s son was also born on a ‘Gyaras’. This alignment has led the family to interpret the birth as a divine sign and the symbolic return of their lost son.

“My son has returned once again,” said Raja’s mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, expressing her belief in the spiritual significance of the moment.

The family residence in Indore reflected both celebration and remembrance. The bungalow was decorated to welcome the newborn, and balloons bearing the message “Raja is back” were displayed outside, capturing the family’s emotional conviction.

The case of Raja Raghuvanshi’s alleged murder during his honeymoon in Meghalaya last year remains a critical backdrop to this development, adding a layer of gravity to what the family considers a moment of renewal and faith.

The birth of the child, coinciding with a date of profound personal and religious importance, has become a symbol of continuity for the Raghuvanshi family, underscoring how loss and belief can converge in moments of unexpected significance.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal held high-level discussions with a European Parliamentary delegation led by Angelika Niebler on the early implementation of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), underscoring its strategic importance in strengthening bilateral ties.

In a social media post, the minister said he was “delighted” to meet the delegation and emphasized that India-EU relations are witnessing growing dynamism across multiple sectors. He stated that “India-EU ties continue to strengthen, marked by growing dynamism and expanding cooperation across key sectors including trade, technology, green energy, connectivity, defence, space, mobility, education, and people-to-people exchanges.”

Describing the India-EU FTA as a defining milestone in the partnership, Goyal said the agreement is poised to unlock new opportunities for businesses, MSMEs and skilled professionals on both sides. “The India-EU FTA represents a defining milestone in our partnership, poised to unlock new opportunities for businesses, MSMEs, and skilled professionals on both sides. We discussed pathways for its early implementation, alongside continued constructive engagement,” he added.

India and the European Union concluded negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement on January 27 this year. The agreement aims to boost bilateral trade in goods, services and investment, and is expected to come into force by early 2027.

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the FTA is designed to create a future-ready trade framework that supports next-generation sectors of the Indian economy. A key focus area of the agreement is engineering and manufacturing, where India is targeting USD 300 billion in engineering exports.

By enabling greater access to the USD 2 trillion European market, the agreement is expected to enhance India’s global competitiveness and integrate Indian manufacturers more closely into European supply chains. The framework also places special emphasis on MSMEs and regional industrial clusters, helping them scale up operations and access global contracts.

The European Union is among India’s largest trading partners. In FY 2024-25, bilateral trade in goods stood at Rs 11.5 lakh crore (USD 136.54 billion), with exports at Rs 6.4 lakh crore (USD 75.85 billion) and imports at Rs 5.1 lakh crore (USD 60.68 billion). Trade in services between India and the EU reached Rs 7.2 lakh crore (USD 83.10 billion), reflecting the growing economic engagement between the two sides.

Together, India and the European Union represent the fourth and second largest economies globally, accounting for nearly 25 per cent of global GDP and one-third of global trade. The government stated that the agreement is expected to further strengthen economic ties and create new opportunities for growth, innovation and sustainable development, marking a pivotal advancement in the India-EU partnership.

A controversy has erupted in Jaipur after a foreign artist's photoshoot featuring an elephant painted bright pink went viral on social media, triggering widespread criticism and a debate over animal welfare. The images and videos, originally shared in December 2025 by travelling art photographer Julia Buruleva, have only recently begun gaining widespread attention online, sparking a wave of mixed reactions.

According to reports, the shoot featured model Yashasvi and was conducted nearly a year ago. NDTV's investigation into the incident revealed that the elephant seen in the video was a female named Chanchal, who belonged to the Hathi Gaon (Elephant Village) area. Ballu Khan, president of the Hathi Gaon committee, confirmed that the elephant was coloured using gulal, a powder commonly used during the festival of Holi, and that the paint was washed off within 30 minutes. He also confirmed that Chanchal, who was around 70 years old, died last month.

However, there is no evidence to suggest that the elephant's death was linked to the photoshoot or the controversy surrounding it. Officials and local handlers have clarified that the animal was around 70 years old, an advanced age for an elephant, and her death is believed to have been due to natural causes. Even so, the timing of the viral video and news of her death has intensified public scrutiny, with many using the moment to call for stricter oversight and clearer guidelines on the use of animals in commercial and artistic activities.

Russian photographer Julia Buruleva conducted the shoot in November 2025 at an abandoned Ganesha temple in Jaipur. It featured a model and the elephant both painted in a vivid, solid pink shade. In her social media post, Buruleva revealed that she spent six weeks in Jaipur, where the city's iconic pink hue inspired her vision. She also highlighted that elephants are a prominent symbol in Rajasthan's culture, architecture, and decor. “Elephants are everywhere there - streets, ornaments, architecture. Practically the main symbol of Rajasthan. I just couldn't pass by without including one,” she wrote on Instagram. Buruleva and the elephant's owner maintained that organic, locally made gulal was applied for approximately 10 minutes and washed off immediately after.

Despite these clarifications, the viral nature of the video has reignited concerns about the use of animals for entertainment and artistic purposes. Many users have called for stricter regulations and accountability, questioning whether proper permissions were obtained and if the elephant's well-being was adequately safeguarded. Following the social media outcry, Rajasthan forest department officials have announced that the matter will be investigated to determine if any wildlife protection laws were violated. They added that if any negligence or violation of wildlife protection norms is found, appropriate legal action will be taken.

The incident has brought renewed attention to the ethical boundaries of using animals in creative industries, underscoring the growing demand for accountability and stronger enforcement of wildlife protection standards.