India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal says an interim trade agreement between India and the United States could be signed as early as March, with implementation expected in April. The minister shared the update on Friday, indicating that negotiations have entered a final legal stage. According to Goyal, officials from both countries are scheduled to meet in the United States starting February 23 for three days of discussions aimed at finalizing the legal framework of the proposed agreement. The interim deal is expected to address tariff issues and market access while broader tr

Chandigarh Police has filed a cancellation report in a case registered against Punjab Congress MLA Pargat Singh and 14 other party leaders in connection with a protest held outside the official residence of the Haryana Chief Minister two years ago. The FIR was registered on February 20, 2024, at Sector 3 police station. The case included allegations of assault and obstructing police personnel from carrying out their official duties during the demonstration. According to police records, the Congress leaders had gathered to condemn the alleged use of force against farmers protesting at the Punja

A court in Bathinda on Wednesday granted bail to two senior leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Ugrahan who had been lodged in the Bathinda Central Jail during ongoing farmer protests in Punjab. Confirming the development, state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said while the bail of the two leaders has been approved, demonstrations across the state will continue until all workers detained during the protests are released. He stated that the union will organize “victory rallies” across Punjab on Thursday. The arrests came as authorities moved to prevent a large-scale protest planned for

Former Punjab Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu has publicly criticized senior Congress figure Rahul Gandhi, alleging that his leadership approach is contributing to the party’s decline in Punjab. In recent remarks, Sidhu claimed that Gandhi is disconnected from ground realities in the state and has failed to address what she described as internal corruption within the Punjab unit of the Indian National Congress. She further alleged that members of his close circle are involved in the sale of party tickets, and suggested that Gandhi is either unaware of or not acting on the issue. Sidhu’s

A senior Enforcement Directorate officer posted in Punjab has been transferred days after summons were issued to former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and his son Raninder Singh in connection with an ongoing investigation. Official sources confirmed that Additional Director Ravi Tiwari has been reassigned to Chennai as part of an administrative transfer. The move has drawn attention in political circles, where it is being viewed in the context of the recent summons sent to the former chief minister and his son. The Enforcement Directorate had asked Raninder Singh to appear on Fe

India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved a proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter aircraft from France in a deal estimated at approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore, according to officials from the Ministry of Defence. The decision marks one of the largest defence procurement initiatives currently under consideration by the federal government. The council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also cleared several additional proposals aimed at strengthening India’s military capabilities. These include the acquisition of advanced missile systems and modern satellite-based technologie

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday heard a petition related to Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh seeking permission to participate in the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament. During the proceedings, the court was informed that the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha do not contain any provision allowing a Member of Parliament to attend or participate in House proceedings through virtual means. The submission was made as part of arguments concerning Singh’s request for relief that would enable him to take part in parliamentary proceedings. The court observed that

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday led the party’s core committee members to the Punjab Director General of Police office in Chandigarh, alleging harassment of Akali workers by the police. Badal said the action was linked to the investigation into the alleged disappearance of 328 saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, claiming that party workers were being unfairly targeted in the case. He maintained that the Shiromani Akali Dal was seeking clarity from senior police officials on the basis of the ongoing actions. The Akali Dal leader said the party’s entire leadership

Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia was released from jail on Tuesday, a day after being granted bail in a disproportionate assets case. His release has once again brought political tensions in Punjab into sharp focus. Speaking to reporters after walking out of jail, Majithia strongly criticized the Aam Aadmi Party led Punjab government, alleging that it had targeted him for political reasons. He claimed the government did not want him to come out alive and said he would continue his political fight without fear or compromise. Majithia also thanke