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India-EU FTA Holds ‘Special Meaning’ for António Costa Due to Indian Roots

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

New Delhi | European Council President António Costa on Tuesday recalled his deep personal connection with India, saying the landmark India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) holds “special meaning” for him due to his Indian roots.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Costa revealed that he is an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and proudly traces his family origins to Goa.

“I am the President of the European Council but I am also an overseas Indian citizen. For me, it has a special meaning. I am very proud of my roots in Goa, where my father’s family came from. The connection between Europe and India is something personal to me,” Costa said, while displaying his OCI card.

Calling the moment historic, he said the agreement marks a new chapter in India-EU relations across trade, security, and people-to-people ties. Costa also recalled that the trade negotiations were relaunched during the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in May 2021, which he hosted in his previous role.

Costa has earlier spoken publicly about his Indian heritage. Addressing a Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event in 2017, he said his family hailed from Madgaon in Goa and that he still has relatives there.

Earlier in the day, India and the European Union formally sealed the long-awaited FTA, described as the “mother of all deals,” alongside two major agreements on security and defence cooperation and the mobility of Indian professionals to Europe.

The two sides also adopted a joint strategy document titled ‘Towards 2030 – A Joint India-European Union Comprehensive Strategic Agenda,’ aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation over the next decade.

Short Summary

European Council President António Costa recalled his Goan roots and OCI status as India and the EU sealed a historic free trade agreement in New Delhi.

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BlogEnvironmentFeaturedIndia

World Environment Council Hosts Prestigious 3rd Environment Civilian Awards

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗵𝗶. The third Environmental Citizen Award ceremony, organized by the World Environment Council (WEC), was held with great dignity and success at the India International Centre (IIC) on January 25, 2026. The event, which ran from 10 AM to 1 PM, was attended by environmentalists, policymakers, social activists, academicians, youth representatives, media personnel, and corporate representatives from India and abroad.
The team sent by His Holiness Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj, the chief guest, added a spiritual and grand touch to the program with the chanting of mantras during the lamp lighting ceremony, making the entire event even more dignified. The special guests included Tara Nath Adhikari (Minister – Economic, Embassy of Nepal), O.P. Rajpurohit (IBS(R), Doordarshan, New Delhi), Dr. Mannu Singh Tomar (National President, Bharatiya Namo Sangh), Mahamandaleshwar 1008 Disha Ji Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar 1008 Ananta Ji Maharaj Prayagraj, and Gaurav Tiwari, Mamta Singh, Chief Editor, Sakriya Bharat News.
On behalf of the WEC Board of Directors, Prof. Ganesh Channa (Founder and President), Dr. Srikanth Merguna (Secretary), and Anmol Sharma (Executive Member), Aditya Channa, Rahul Gardas, and Chandrakant Yadwad led the event and highlighted the organization’s visionary initiatives related to environmental protection.
Awards Presented : The ceremony honored individuals and institutions for their remarkable contributions in the fields of environment, sustainable development, education, policy, media, innovation, and youth leadership in various categories.
The Paryavaran Bhushan Award was presented to Dr. Vijay Kumar Shah.
The Paryavaran Shri Award was given to His Holiness Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj and Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha.

The Global Environmental Leader Award was presented to Dr. Shobha Sondhia and Bindu N. S. Corporate Environmental Excellence Award was presented to Capri Global Capital Limited, Ansh Mirchandani (Airmark Inc.), and Turbo Energy Private Limited.

In addition, dozens of individuals and organizations were honored in various categories including Sustainability Business Excellence, Green Education and Awareness, Sustainability Innovator, Eco-Guardian, Public Policy Impact, Green Youth Icon, Green Republic, and CPR Hero.

The crucial role of volunteers, media, and partners. The success of the event was largely due to the significant contributions of the volunteers, the organizing team, media partners, and all collaborating organizations. Media partners Anmol Times News, Chetan Advertising, and Kalki News provided extensive coverage of the event.

A message of collective commitment to the environment in their addresses, the speakers emphasized the need for collective efforts in environmental protection, climate change, sustainable development, and social responsibility. Prof. Ganesh Channa stated that WEC’s objective is not merely to bestow awards, but to inspire positive change in society.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks and a resolution to undertake more effective environmental initiatives in the future. The third Environmental Citizen Award ceremony proved to be an inspiring and landmark event for those working in the field of environment.

#worldenvironmentcouncil #paryavaranbhushan #paryavaranshri #IICdelhi #delhi #news #today

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BlogFeaturedIndia

Republic Day 2026: Nation Set to Celebrate Unity and Democracy

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

India will celebrate its 77th Republic Day tomorrow with a grand parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, showcasing the country’s military strength, cultural diversity, and democratic values. President Droupadi Murmu will unfurl the national flag, followed by a 21-gun salute.

The ceremonial parade is expected to feature marching contingents of the armed forces, vibrant tableaux from states and Union Territories, and displays highlighting India’s indigenous defence capabilities. This year’s celebrations are set to reflect themes of self-reliance, unity, and national progress.

The President is also scheduled to address the nation, reiterating the core ideals enshrined in the Constitution justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. Nationwide, schools, government institutions, and local communities will mark the occasion with flag-hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes.

Observed annually on January 26, Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950, symbolising India’s journey as a sovereign, democratic republic.

Short Summary

India will mark its 77th Republic Day tomorrow with a grand parade at Kartavya Path, celebrating constitutional values, cultural unity, and military strength across the nation.

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BlogFeatured

World’s Most Daring Climber Takes on Taipei 101 and Wins

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

American rock climber Alex Honnold on Sunday successfully climbed Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, without using ropes or protective equipment, drawing cheers from crowds below and global attention online.

Honnold reached the top of the 508-metre (1,667-foot) tower approximately 90 minutes after beginning the ascent. Wearing a red short-sleeve shirt, he celebrated at the summit by waving to spectators gathered at street level.

“It was incredible what a beautiful day,” Honnold said after completing the climb. “It was very windy, so I was thinking, don’t fall off the spire. But what an incredible position and what a beautiful way to see Taipei.”

The climber ascended one corner of the building, using small L-shaped architectural outcroppings as footholds. He also maneuvered around large ornamental structures protruding from the tower, pulling himself upward using only his hands.

Taipei 101’s design posed a significant challenge, particularly the middle section known as the “bamboo boxes”, which give the building its iconic appearance. This portion consists of eight stacked segments, each containing eight floors of steep, overhanging surfaces followed by balcony sections where Honnold briefly rested before continuing.

The climb was broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the ascent was postponed by a day due to rain.

Honnold, best known for his historic free solo climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, said the presence of a cheering crowd was unusual and initially unsettling.

“When I was leaving the ground, it felt intense because there were so many people watching,” he said. “But honestly, everyone was wishing me well. It made the experience feel almost festive.”

While the climb generated excitement, it also reignited debate over the ethical concerns of broadcasting high-risk stunts live.

Honnold is not the first climber to scale Taipei 101. French climber Alain Robert ascended the building with ropes on Christmas Day in 2004, during its grand opening celebrations. However, Honnold is the first to complete the ascent without any safety equipment.

Short Summary

American climber Alex Honnold climbed Taipei 101 without ropes or protective gear, completing the 508-metre ascent in about 90 minutes. Broadcast live on Netflix, the climb drew global attention and renewed debate over the risks of live extreme sports.

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BlogFeaturedIndia

India’s Republic Day Chief Guests Since 2015: A Diplomatic Timeline

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

India’s Republic Day Parade, held annually on January 26, has long served as both a celebration of the nation’s democratic constitution and a diplomatic showcase. For the 77th Republic Day in 2026, New Delhi has invited two top leaders from the European Union as chief guests, underscoring the growing strategic and economic relationship between India and Europe.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa are set to attend the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi as chief guests from January 25 to January 27, 2026. Their joint presence is historic: this is the first time that top officials of the EU will attend the parade together, signalling India’s emphasis on strengthening ties with the bloc amid ongoing trade negotiations, including a potential India–EU Free Trade Agreement that could cover nearly 2 billion people and about 25% of global GDP.

The choice of chief guests each year often reflects India’s foreign policy priorities and evolving global partnerships. A chronological list of India’s Republic Day chief guests since 2015 illustrates this trend:

Republic Day Chief Guests (2015–2026)

2015: President Barack Obama – United States

2016: President François Hollande – France

2017: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan – United Arab Emirates

2018: ASEAN Leaders (ten heads of state/government) – ASEAN countries

2019: President Cyril Ramaphosa – South Africa

2020: President Jair Bolsonaro – Brazil

2021–22: No chief guest (due to the COVID-19 pandemic)

2023: President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi – Egypt

2024: President Emmanuel Macron – France

2025: President Prabowo Subianto – Indonesia

2026: Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission) and António Costa (European Council) – European Union

The pattern of invitations illustrates India’s global diplomatic reach: from major Western powers and neighbouring regions to Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and now the European Union as a bloc partner. Calling European leaders as chief guests at this year’s parade highlights India’s strategic intent to diversify partnerships, deepen economic cooperation, and strengthen multilateral engagement in a shifting global order.

Short Summary

For Republic Day 2026, India has invited European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa as chief guests the first time EU leadership will appear together, reflecting deepening India–EU strategic and trade ties. A historical list of Republic Day chief guests since 2015 highlights India’s evolving diplomatic engagements.

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BlogBusinessEducation & TechFeaturedIndia

India-Russia Oil, US Tariffs and a Diplomatic Opening

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

The United States has signalled a possible diplomatic pathway to remove the additional 25% tariffs imposed on India, following a sharp decline in Indian refinery purchases of Russian oil. The indication came from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Speaking to Politico, Bessent said India’s imports of Russian crude by its refineries have “collapsed” after Washington imposed the tariff, calling the outcome a “huge success” for U.S. policy. While the tariffs remain in place for now, he suggested that conditions exist under which they could be lifted.

“We put a 25 per cent tariff on India for buying Russian oil, and the Indian purchases by their refineries of Russian oil have collapsed. So that is a success. The tariffs are still on. I would imagine there is a path to take them off,” Bessent said.

The remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tension over energy security, sanctions on Russia, and global trade realignments. India has repeatedly defended its energy strategy, stressing the need to ensure affordable fuel for its population of over 1.4 billion people.

New Delhi has also acknowledged a proposed bipartisan bill in the U.S. Congress that could impose duties of up to 500% on countries purchasing Russian oil. Reacting to the development, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is closely monitoring the situation.

Bessent further criticised European nations for purchasing refined petroleum products from India that originate from discounted Russian crude, accusing them of indirectly financing the war in Ukraine. He described Europe’s stance as “ironic,” arguing that while the EU avoided similar tariffs on India, it continues to buy refined products made from Russian oil.

The comments come as India and the European Union prepare for the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi, where a comprehensive strategic agenda and a long-pending Free Trade Agreement are expected to be finalised. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described the FTA as “the mother of all deals,” potentially creating a market of nearly 2 billion people and covering about a quarter of global GDP.

As global trade faces disruption due to Washington’s tariff policies, India continues to balance strategic autonomy, energy security, and evolving partnerships with both the U.S. and the EU.

Short Summary

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has hinted at a possible removal of the 25% tariffs on India, saying Indian refinery purchases of Russian oil have sharply declined, calling the tariff policy a “huge success” while leaving room for diplomacy.

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BlogBusinessEducation & TechFeaturedtechnology

ChatGPT’s Wealth Advice Sounds Surprisingly Old-School

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

ChatGPT delivered a surprisingly grounded response when asked what a “normal person” should do to become financially free echoing advice long championed by seasoned investing experts.

The moment unfolded on The Diary of a CEO podcast, where host Steven Bartlett posed a deliberately simple question to the AI chatbot. Bartlett, who earns $50,000 a year in the hypothetical scenario, asked ChatGPT to give a one-sentence answer on achieving financial freedom, drawing on “all the wisdom in the world.”

Before revealing the AI’s response, Bartlett turned to guest JL Collins author of The Simple Path to Wealth and a leading voice in passive investing. Collins’ advice was succinct: avoid debt, live below your means, and invest the surplus.

ChatGPT’s answer closely mirrored that philosophy. The chatbot recommended consistently saving and investing in low-cost, broad-based index funds such as the S&P 500, while living below one’s means and allowing compounding to work over time.

Bartlett followed up with another broad question: “How do I earn more?” Once again, the AI’s advice aligned with traditional thinking suggesting the development of high-demand skills, seeking career advancement, exploring side hustles, or investing in assets that generate passive income like real estate or dividends.

Collins noted that the response closely resembled principles from his own work, joking that ChatGPT may have “mined his book.” However, the conversation also turned toward the future of work. Collins observed that skills like programming, once considered essential, may no longer guarantee security in the age of artificial intelligence.

That concern was echoed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who has warned that AI-driven automation could significantly disrupt employment. Altman has said that many customer support roles may be replaced by AI, and that roughly half of all jobs historically undergo major change every 75 years a process he believes may now happen much faster.

The exchange highlights a striking paradox: while AI is expected to reshape careers and disrupt labour markets, its financial advice at least for now remains firmly rooted in old-school discipline rather than get-rich-quick promises.

Short Summary

ChatGPT’s advice on becoming financially free surprised listeners by closely matching the guidance of veteran investor JL Collins emphasising saving, low-cost index investing, skill development and long-term compounding over flashy shortcuts.

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BlogEducation & TechFeaturedtechnology

Explosive Growth, No Profit: Inside OpenAI’s Ad Gamble

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

OpenAI’s reported move toward advertising including testing ads within ChatGPT responses and preparing a Super Bowl LX commercial signals a major strategic pivot for the AI giant. Once framed as one of humanity’s most transformative inventions, ChatGPT is now confronting a far more prosaic challenge: how to survive financially.

On the surface, OpenAI’s numbers appear extraordinary. Recurring revenue reportedly reached $20 billion in 2025, up tenfold in just two years. ChatGPT claims around 800 million active users, with over a million businesses paying for access. By conventional startup metrics, the company looks like a runaway success.

Yet profitability tells a very different story. According to Deutsche Bank estimates, OpenAI could accumulate as much as $143 billion in negative cumulative free cash flow between 2024 and 2029. With only about $17 billion in cash reserves and infrastructure commitments reportedly running into the trillions, analysts argue the company faces an unprecedented scale of losses one that dwarfs even Amazon’s famously unprofitable early years.

Unlike Amazon, however, OpenAI lacks a diversified, cash-generating core business to subsidise its long-term bets. That contrast is clearest when compared with Google. Alphabet’s AI investments sit atop hugely profitable pillars Search advertising, YouTube, Google Cloud and Workspace all of which generate stable cash flow. Google also owns much of its infrastructure and chip supply, while OpenAI remains dependent on external providers for computing power.

This structural gap has made OpenAI’s path to profitability increasingly uncertain. The company would reportedly need to grow annual revenue to around $200 billion within four years to break even a target that appears implausible under existing growth levers. Market expansion adds computing costs rather than lowering them. Price hikes are constrained, with only about 5 per cent of users currently paying for subscriptions. Product diversification, including video generation, browsers and hardware, further raises capital and R&D expenditure.

Against this backdrop, advertising has emerged as a reluctant fallback. OpenAI has begun experimenting with ads in free and low-cost tiers, despite CEO Sam Altman previously calling advertising a “last resort.” Analysts estimate ads could bring in around $25 billion annually by 2030 a significant sum, but far short of what would be required to offset projected losses.

The planned Super Bowl commercial may reinforce OpenAI’s ambition and cultural relevance, but it also underlines a deeper reality: innovation alone is no longer enough. Without a clear and credible route to sustainable profit, OpenAI’s bold vision risks colliding with hard economic limits. In the race to define the future of artificial intelligence, the challenge now is not invention it is survival.

Short Summary

OpenAI’s move to introduce advertising in ChatGPT reflects mounting financial pressure despite explosive revenue growth. With massive infrastructure costs, widening losses and limited pricing power, analysts view ads as a last-resort revenue stream that may still fall short of ensuring long-term profitability.

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BlogEducation & TechFeaturedIndiaWorld

A potential EU–India trade deal with global impact now down to the summit.

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

The European Union is on the verge of concluding a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) with India, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday (January 20, 2026), calling it “the mother of all deals” that could create a market encompassing nearly two billion people and about a quarter of global GDP.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, von der Leyen said negotiations are in their final stages and that Europe stands to gain a first-mover advantage with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. “Right after Davos, I will travel to India. There is still work to do, but we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement,” she said.

European Council President Antonio Costa and von der Leyen will visit India from January 25 to 27 to attend the Republic Day celebrations as chief guests and hold summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two sides are expected to formally announce the conclusion of FTA negotiations at the India-EU summit on January 27.

India is currently the EU’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods touching $135 billion in FY2023–24. The proposed agreement is expected to significantly boost trade flows, deepen supply-chain integration and open new opportunities across manufacturing, services, technology and green energy sectors.

Beyond trade, the summit is also likely to deliver major strategic outcomes. India and the EU are expected to unveil a defence and security framework, along with a comprehensive strategic vision for the 2026–2030 period. A proposed Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) would enhance defence interoperability and enable Indian firms to participate in the EU’s SAFE programme a €150 billion financial instrument aimed at strengthening European defence readiness.

Negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement (SOIA) are also expected to be launched, which would facilitate deeper industrial defence cooperation. The developments come amid global trade disruptions driven by Washington’s evolving tariff policies, which have affected both India and the 27-nation EU bloc.

India and the EU have been strategic partners since 2004. FTA talks were first launched in 2007 but were suspended in 2013 due to differences in ambition, before being relaunched in June 2022. If concluded, the deal would mark one of the most significant trade agreements for both sides in recent decades.

📌 Short Summary

The European Union is close to finalising a landmark free trade agreement with India, described by Ursula von der Leyen as “the mother of all deals.” Expected to be announced during the India-EU summit on January 27, the agreement aims to deepen trade, defence and strategic cooperation at a time of global trade uncertainty.

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BlogFeaturedIndia

As Welfare Expands, Tobacco Tightens Its Grip on Poorer India

by theparliamentnews.com
written by theparliamentnews.com

Article

India’s latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023–24 exposes a deeply uncomfortable reality: tobacco consumption is rising rapidly across the country, even as the state expands publicly funded healthcare. The surge is most pronounced among poorer households, creating a dangerous feedback loop of preventable disease and rising fiscal burden on welfare systems.

Adjusted for inflation, per capita tobacco spending rose 58% in rural India and 77% in urban areas over the past decade. The number of tobacco-consuming households has surged dramatically, with nearly 69% of rural and 46% of urban households now consuming tobacco products. Gutkha has emerged as the dominant driver, especially in rural India, where its consumption has increased nearly sixfold.

The impact is most severe among the poor. Over 70% of rural households in the bottom 40% income bracket consume tobacco, spending a higher share of their limited resources on addictive products than wealthier households. In several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, prevalence exceeds 85%.

This trend has serious implications for public health and public finances. Tobacco-related illnesses contribute to nearly 13 lakh deaths annually, while non-communicable diseases now account for 63% of all deaths in India. As schemes like Ayushman Bharat expand coverage and reduce out-of-pocket expenses, the long-term cost of tobacco-induced disease increasingly shifts to the state.

Despite this, tobacco contributes only 2.4% of gross tax revenue, and regulatory enforcement remains weak. Surrogate advertising and celebrity endorsements continue largely unchecked. The HCES data signals a clear policy alarm: without stronger taxation, regulation and prevention, India risks undermining its own welfare and human capital goals.

Short Summary

The HCES 2023–24 reveals a troubling paradox in India’s welfare trajectory: while publicly funded healthcare is expanding, tobacco consumption especially gutkha is rising sharply, particularly among poorer households. Tobacco use has spread widely across rural and urban India, imposing severe health risks and threatening the fiscal sustainability of welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat. Without stronger taxation, regulation, and public health intervention, the state risks subsidising preventable disease while undermining human capital development.

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World’s Most Daring Climber Takes on Taipei 101 and Wins
India’s Republic Day Chief Guests Since 2015: A Diplomatic Timeline
India-Russia Oil, US Tariffs and a Diplomatic Opening
ChatGPT’s Wealth Advice Sounds Surprisingly Old-School

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