World

The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union/Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas has said that the European Union (EU) remains committed to its transatlantic relationship with the US, but this should not prevent the bloc from forging new global partnerships.

Jaishankar expressed optimism about the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), saying that discussions have been positive and that the agreement is "within sight" of being finalised by the end of the year.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maros Sefcovic and European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Sikela on Wednesday. The leaders held discussions on imperative issues such as the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), India Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC) along with shipping and clean energy.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday lauded the India-US trade deal, in which Washington reduced tariffs on India to 18 per cent, describing it as a "landmark moment" that will take bilateral economic ties between the two nations to "new heights".

Member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Economic Advisory Council, Sanjeev Sanyal, in a post on X on Monday, stated that "Duniya jhukti hai, jhukaney wala chahiye" following the announcement of the India-US trade deal, where Washington reduced the tariffs on India to 18 per cent.

Following the announcement of the India-US trade deal on Monday, in which Washington reduced tariffs on India to 18 per cent, New Delhi now faces lower tariffs than its regional export competitors in South and Southeast Asia.