After nearly two decades of negotiations, India and the European Union have sealed a Free Trade Agreement that is expected to significantly reduce prices of several European products in India while expanding export opportunities for Indian manufacturers.

Described by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as the “mother of all trade deals”, the pact aims to deepen economic cooperation by easing tariffs and improving market access on both sides.

Luxury cars likely to become more affordable

One of the most noticeable impacts of the agreement will be in the premium automobile segment. Imported European cars such as Mercedes, BMW and Audi currently face import duties exceeding 100 per cent in India.

Under the new agreement, vehicles priced above 15,000 euros (around Rs 16 lakh) will see duties reduced to 40 per cent initially, with a further cut to 10 per cent planned over time. This is expected to bring down prices by several lakh rupees.

The concessions will operate under a quota system to safeguard India’s domestic automobile industry. Officials clarified that smaller, mass-market cars — which dominate India’s auto sector — will not be directly exported by European manufacturers, though local manufacturing remains an option.

Imported wines and spirits to get cheaper gradually

European wines from countries such as France, Italy and Spain are also set to become more affordable. India currently levies an import duty of 150 per cent on wines. Under the pact, this will be reduced to 20 per cent, though the change will be phased in over five to ten years to limit disruption to domestic producers.

The agreement is expected to reduce prices of premium spirits such as cognac, high-end gins and vodkas. However, wines priced below 2.5 euros will not receive duty concessions, a move aimed at protecting Indian manufacturers. Indian wines, meanwhile, will gain improved access to European markets.

Cheaper medicines and medical equipment

The trade deal is expected to benefit India’s healthcare sector by lowering the cost of imported medicines, particularly for cancer and other critical illnesses. Advanced medical equipment sourced from Europe is also likely to become cheaper.

At the same time, pharmaceuticals manufactured in India will gain access to all 27 EU member countries, strengthening India’s position as a global supplier of affordable medicines.

Electronics, steel and chemicals to benefit

The agreement removes tariffs on aircraft spare parts, mobile phone components and other high-tech electronic items imported from Europe. This could reduce manufacturing costs for electronic devices in India, potentially benefiting consumers.

Additionally, proposals for zero tariffs on iron, steel and chemical products may lower raw material costs for industries such as construction, with possible downstream benefits for homebuyers and infrastructure projects.

Overall, the India-EU Free Trade Agreement is being seen as a major boost for Indian exports, particularly in sectors such as garments, leather and jewellery, while offering Indian consumers access to more competitively priced European goods.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday lost his cool during a Congress protest rally after Youth Congress workers repeatedly raised slogans in favour of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar while he was preparing to address the gathering.

The incident took place at a demonstration organised by the ruling Congress to oppose the Centre’s decision to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a new rural employment initiative titled Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G).

Senior Congress leaders, including Shivakumar, party general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, ministers, Members of Parliament and legislators, were present at the rally.

As Siddaramaiah stood up from his seat and walked towards the podium, a section of party workers began chanting “DK, DK”, referring to the deputy chief minister. The sloganeering grew louder as the chief minister reached the stage.

Visibly annoyed, Siddaramaiah asked the workers to stop shouting. When the slogans continued, he sharply questioned party leaders on the stage, asking, “Who are those shouting ‘DK, DK’?”

The compere intervened, urging the Youth Congress workers to maintain silence while the chief minister addressed the rally. Despite the appeal, attempts to interrupt Siddaramaiah reportedly continued even after he began speaking.

Power struggle backdrop within Karnataka Congress

The episode comes amid ongoing speculation about a power struggle within the Karnataka Congress, with several MLAs and MLCs openly expressing support for Shivakumar. The internal dynamics between the two senior leaders have repeatedly drawn public attention since the party came to power in the state.

Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have earlier stated that they would abide by the decision of the party high command regarding leadership matters.

The chief minister has also asserted on multiple occasions that he enjoys the backing of the high command and is confident of completing the full five-year term in office.

Resignation comes amid heated exchange between Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath over Magh Mela incident and wider political issues

The confrontation between Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has escalated further with the resignation of an Ayodhya-based bureaucrat, who said he stepped down in support of the government, the Constitution and democratic values.

The row began earlier this month after the Shankaracharya and his supporters alleged they were prevented from taking a holy dip at the Sangam in Prayagraj during the Magh Mela. The local administration, however, maintained that the seer’s chariot procession was stopped to avoid the risk of a stampede in the crowded area and that he was asked to proceed on foot like other devotees.

Terming the incident an insult, the Shankaracharya launched a protest, leading to a sharp verbal exchange with the chief minister. Without naming him, Yogi Adityanath cautioned people against figures like “Kalanemi”, a demon from the Ramayana who disguised himself as a saint to deceive Lord Hanuman.

Responding to the remark, the Shankaracharya said the chief minister, now a politician, should focus on governance and leave religious matters to seers. He questioned the appropriateness of a chief minister discussing religious symbolism instead of issues such as education, health, law and order, and economic development.

The Shankaracharya also weighed in on the controversy surrounding newly notified University Grants Commission rules that propose special committees, helplines and monitoring teams to address complaints, particularly from SC, ST and OBC students. Critics have argued that the framework could result in discrimination against general category students.

Speaking to media, the Shankaracharya criticised the approach, stating that injustice cannot be attributed to an entire caste and warning that pitting one caste against another could harm Hindu society. He called for the rules to be withdrawn.

Ayodhya GST officer quits citing ‘insult’ to elected leadership

On Tuesday, Ayodhya deputy GST commissioner Prashant Kumar Singh tendered his resignation, saying he could not tolerate what he described as an insult to the chief minister, the Prime Minister and other constitutional authorities.

In a statement, Singh said he had resigned in accordance with service rules and out of loyalty to the government, adding that he was deeply hurt by what he termed unrestrained comments aimed at dividing society. He said the government had provided him livelihood and that he could not continue in service while remaining silent.

Singh alleged that personal remarks were made against the chief minister and emphasised that Yogi Adityanath is a democratically elected leader. He also said he was troubled by what he described as political motives behind the debate over the UGC rules.

The officer stated that once his resignation is accepted, he plans to take up social work.