India and the European Union have agreed to fast track the free trade agreement and aim to conclude it by the year end, along with collaborating on initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen affirmed their commitment to strengthen the EU-India Strategic Partnership, with negotiations set to begin in March in Brussels to enhance market access and remove trade barriers, focusing on key issues such as tariffs on automobiles and agricultural goods. The completion of the FTA by year end is crucial as bilateral trade between India and the EU is significant, with talks having resumed in 2022 and the need to address concerns like the EU’s carbon tax and India’s demand for lower tariffs on various goods.
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Taiwan reports Chinese military activity near its territory
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) detected 17 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, and three official ships near the country, with 15 sorties crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line into its Air Defence Identification Zone. In response, Taiwan's armed forces deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile systems to monitor the situation. This escalation follows a pattern of increased Chinese activity around Taiwan, sparking concerns over regional stability amid Beijing's persistent claims over the...
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