India News

Rahul Gandhi says India must speak to Trump as equal on trade deal

Rahul Gandhi says India should negotiate with US President Donald Trump as an equal, highlighting concerns over data access, energy security and farmers amid revisions to the trade factsheet.

Published

2 months ago

February 11, 2026

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Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday set out what he said would have been the INDIA alliance’s approach in negotiating with US President Donald Trump on the latest trade agreement.

Speaking during the Budget session in Parliament, Gandhi said the Opposition bloc would have insisted on engaging with the United States “as equals” while safeguarding India’s strategic and economic interests.

He referred to earlier remarks by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who had described the agreement as appearing less like a free trade pact and more like a pre-committed purchase arrangement that weakens reciprocity.

Three key points outlined

Gandhi said that if the INDIA alliance were negotiating with President Trump, it would begin by acknowledging the importance of the US dollar and expressing willingness to support economic stability. However, he stressed that India’s data and market access are significant assets and any such engagement must be based on equality.

“If you want access to this data, then please understand that you are going to talk to us as an equal,” Gandhi said, adding that India should not be treated as subordinate in trade discussions.

His second point focused on energy security. Without naming specific measures, Gandhi indicated that India would protect its energy interests regardless of external pressure, an apparent reference to US calls for India to halt oil purchases from Russia.

Third, he said that while the US administration may need to safeguard its agricultural voter base, India would also protect its farmers. He added that India should not accept being equated with Pakistan in trade matters.

Changes in US factsheet

The remarks came amid political debate over an interim trade understanding between India and the United States.

The White House revised an earlier factsheet on the agreement. In the updated version, the reference to “pulses” was removed from the list of American products on which India would eliminate or reduce tariffs.

Additionally, the language describing India’s purchases of American goods was changed. The initial document had stated that India “committed” to buying more US products and purchasing over $500 billion worth of US energy, information and communication technology, agricultural goods, coal, and other items. The revised version replaced “committed” with “intends”.

Gandhi criticised the Centre in the Lok Sabha a day after the Congress alleged that India had weakened its own trade leverage.

The current phase of the Budget session is scheduled to conclude on April 2. Parliament will adjourn for recess on February 13 and reconvene on March 9 for further discussions, including examination of demands for grants by standing committees.

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India News

Turnout crosses 80% in Bengal and Tamil Nadu till 5 PM in key elections

Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu elections witness strong voter turnout, crossing 80% with largely peaceful polling.

Published

7 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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Polling for the 2026 Assembly elections is underway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with voters turning out in large numbers across key constituencies.

In West Bengal, voting is being held across 152 constituencies, with around 3.6 crore voters expected to participate in this phase. Security arrangements were tightened, and long queues of voters were seen at polling stations from early morning.

Turnout rises steadily through the day

Voter participation increased consistently as polling progressed. By afternoon, turnout had crossed the halfway mark in both states, indicating steady engagement.

As per latest updates till 5 PM, West Bengal recorded 89.92% turnout, while Tamil Nadu reported 82.24% voter participation.

Large electorate participates in phase 1

In West Bengal, nearly 3.6 crore eligible voters took part in the first phase across several districts, including Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri.

Tamil Nadu is witnessing a three-way contest between the DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-BJP alliance, and actor Vijay’s entry into the political space.

Sporadic incidents reported

Polling has been largely peaceful, though isolated incidents were reported, including an attack on BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul’s car and a boycott reported in parts of Tamil Nadu.

Despite these disruptions, voting continued without major interruptions, and authorities maintained overall control.

High-stakes political contest

The elections are being closely watched as major political parties compete for power. West Bengal is witnessing a closely fought contest, while in Tamil Nadu, key regional rivals are battling for control of the state Assembly.

The outcome is expected to play an important role in shaping the political landscape of both states.

Education

UP Board result 2026 declared: Class 10 pass rate at 90.42%, class 12 at 80.38%

UP Board 2026 results are out with strong pass rates. Here’s how to check your score and key highlights.

Published

8 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad has declared the UP Board Class 10 and Class 12 results for 2026 on April 23 at 4 pm.

This year, more than 52 lakh students registered for the exams, including over 27 lakh candidates in Class 10 and nearly 25 lakh in Class 12. The examinations were conducted between February 18 and March 12 across around 8,000 centres in the state.

Pass percentage and performance trends

The overall performance remains strong:

Class 10 pass percentage: 90.42%
Class 12 pass percentage: 80.38%

Girls have once again outperformed boys in both classes, continuing the trend seen in previous years.

How to check UP Board result 2026

Students can access their results through official platforms by following these steps:

Visit the official website: upmsp.edu.in or upresults.nic.in
Click on the result link for Class 10 or Class 12
Enter roll number and required details
View and download the provisional marksheet

Alternatively, results are also available via DigiLocker and other digital platforms.

What students should do after results

Students are advised to:

Download and print the provisional marksheet immediately
Collect the original marksheet from their respective schools later
Apply for re-evaluation or compartment exams if required

India News

Voting underway in West Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu as turnout crosses 50% by afternoon

Voter turnout crosses 50% in West Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu as polling continues across key constituencies.

Published

12 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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Voting is underway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu as the 2026 assembly elections see active participation from voters across both states. In West Bengal, the first phase of polling is being held across 152 constituencies in 16 districts, marking the beginning of a multi-phase election process.

Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, is witnessing single-phase polling across all 234 assembly seats, making it a crucial electoral day for the state.

Polling began in the morning with voters arriving at booths early, and arrangements were in place to ensure smooth voting.

Turnout figures show steady participation

As voting progressed, turnout figures indicated moderate to strong participation in both states.

West Bengal recorded around 62.2% voter turnout by 1 pm
Tamil Nadu saw approximately 56.8% turnout by the same time

Earlier in the day, initial turnout trends showed gradual momentum as queues built up at polling stations.

High-stakes contest in both states

The elections are significant for major political parties in both regions.

In West Bengal, the contest remains largely between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with several key constituencies drawing attention. Around 3.6 crore voters are eligible to vote in this phase, highlighting the scale of the exercise.

Tamil Nadu’s election features a traditional contest between the DMK and AIADMK alliances, with the outcome expected to shape the state’s political direction.

Security and arrangements in place

Authorities have deployed security personnel and made logistical arrangements to ensure peaceful polling. Reports indicate that voting is largely proceeding smoothly, with monitoring systems in place across sensitive areas.

The election process in West Bengal will continue with the second phase scheduled for April 29, while Tamil Nadu will conclude voting in a single day.