Rush Hour: India-EU trade deal announced, protests erupt against new UGC equity rules and more

India and the European Union announced that they have finalised a free trade agreement after nearly 20 years of negotiations. The deal, covering 25% of global gross domestic product, will cut or eliminate tariffs on nearly 97% of European exports to India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the agreement would make it easier for Indian farmers and small industries to access the European market. New Delhi said that the deal will safeguard sensitive sectors such as dairy, poultry, and certain fruits and vegetables.

The tariffs on cars will be gradually lowered from 110% to 10% and the levies on processed agricultural products, which are currently at 50%, will be eliminated.

India and the European Union also announced that they were elevating their relationship to a security and defence partnership to improve cooperation in the defence industry sector and maritime security. Read on.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that four lakh to five lakh Miya voters will be deleted when the special intensive revision of electoral rolls takes place in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party leader said his job “is to make the Miya people suffer”.

In Assam, “Miya” is a derogatory word used to refer to undocumented immigrants and is exclusively directed at Muslims of Bengali origin. They are...

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