 "FirstUp: India-UK to sign historic free trade agreement and other top news today")
It will be a packed Thursday.
India and the United Kingdom are set to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) today, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Britain.
India will also begin issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals from today, the first time in five years, as both countries look to improve ties.
The International Criminal Court is due to deliver its verdict in the case of Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona. The two are accused of leading Christian militias in attacks on Muslim communities in the Central African Republic.
Team India and Team England will take the field for day two of the fourth Test in the five-match series at Old Trafford, Manchester.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is also the cooperations minister, is set to unveil the ‘National Cooperative Policy 2025’ today.
Let’s take a look:
India, UK to sign FTA
India and the United Kingdom are expected to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Britain.
The deal is likely to be the main focus of PM Modi’s trip and his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is also travelling with PM Modi for the signing of the long-awaited agreement.
A range of industries in both countries are set to benefit from the FTA, which aims to strengthen economic ties by lowering or removing tariffs, improving access to each other’s markets, and boosting investment and cooperation in several areas.
Key sectors expected to gain include textiles, garments, and the gems and jewellery industry.
India to resume tourist visas for Chinese nationals
India will start issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens from today.
Tourist visas had been suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This marks the first time in five years that visa services are being restarted, as both sides work to mend relations.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsEarlier this year, India and China announced progress in their ties after both countries pulled back troops from Depsang and Demchok, the last two remaining points of tension in eastern Ladakh, ending more than four years of a diplomatic freeze.
In addition, both nations said they would restart direct commercial flights between Beijing and New Delhi in January 2025.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently said India and China are moving in a “positive direction” and efforts are needed to restore normal relations.
Key ICC verdict in case of alleged Central Africa warlords
The International Criminal Court is set to deliver its ruling today in the case against Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona.
Both men are accused of leading Christian militias that carried out widespread attacks on Muslim communities in the Central African Republic.
Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, a former African football official, was described by prosecutors as a top leader of the anti-Balaka groups during 2013 and 2014. He faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which include murder, rape, torture, and persecution.
Prosecutors said Ngaissona played a key role in the anti-Balaka movement.
Alfred Yekatom, also called “Rambo”, is facing similar charges. In addition, he has been accused of using child soldiers during the conflict.
Day 2 of India vs England Test match
Team India and Team England will resume play today in the fourth Test of the five-match series.
On Wednesday, England won the toss and chose to bowl first, putting India into bat at the start of the match.
England currently leads the series 2-1, with victories at Headingley and Lord’s. India won the second Test at Edgbaston, their only success so far.
India has never won a Test at Old Trafford, having lost four and drawn five of the nine matches played at the Manchester venue.
Amit Shah to announce new National Cooperative Policy
Union Minister Amit Shah will announce a new National Cooperative Policy today, aimed at strengthening the cooperative sector across the country.
Shah, who also oversees the cooperation ministry, will launch the ‘National Cooperative Policy 2025’ on Thursday. The policy was drafted by a 48-member committee led by former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu.
“The new cooperative policy will prove to be a milestone in the cooperative movement of India for the next two decades from 2025-45,” an official statement said on Tuesday.
According to the Ministry of Cooperation, the policy is designed to revitalise the cooperative sector, support development at the local level, and help achieve the goal of shared prosperity through cooperation.
With inputs from agencies
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