Trade deal with US has helped India regain export competitiveness: SBI

IANS | February 4, 2026 5:59 PM

New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) India now has one of the lowest tariffs among key Asian countries, with the US-India trade deal resulting in a reduction in tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from 50 per cent earlier, and this will help in improving the country’s export competitiveness, according to an SBI Research report released on Wednesday.

BJP leaders slam Rahul Gandhi over ‘traitor’ remark, say Sikh community hurt

IANS | February 4, 2026 5:49 PM

New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Senior BJP leaders on Wednesday strongly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his reported “traitor” remark, calling it deeply offensive to the Sikh community and disrespectful to the armed forces, while also questioning the Congress party’s past actions and foreign engagements.

Cyprus FM congratulates EAM Jaishankar on India-US trade deal, India-EU FTA

IANS | February 4, 2026 5:45 PM

Washington, Feb 4 (IANS) Cyprus Foreign Affairs Minister Constantinos Kombos met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar in Washington earlier on Wednesday, India time, congratulating him on the India-US trade deal and the recent Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU).