3 Things The Catch Up: 'Mother of all deals' India-EU FTA (27 Jan)
Jan 27, 2026
Trade negotiations between India and the EU focus on cars, wine and duty-free access for labour-intensive goods. Investigations intensify around a regional party, shaping political strategy. New university rules on caste discrimination spark resignations and protests. A violent Varanasi incident tied to suspected cow meat raises tensions. Canada-India talks and potential deals on uranium, minerals, energy and AI are previewed.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
High-Stakes India–EU Market Trade-Off
- India and the EU struck a market-access trade-off giving EU cars and wine better access in exchange for zero duty on India's labour-intensive goods.
- The deal aims to level India with competitors like Vietnam and revive industrial exports amid Chinese competition.
Why Autos Triggered Past Negotiation Failures
- The market-access trade-off is significant because talks collapsed in 2013 over autos and now resumed with fresh concessions.
- Restoring tariff parity helps India's textiles, footwear and marine sectors preserve trade-linked jobs amid global pressures.
BRS Cornered By Multiple Cases
- The Revant Reddy government has put the Bharat Rashtra Samithi on the defensive with at least four cases against it.
- KCR's family and leaders like KTR face investigations, including Formula E and alleged project irregularities.