India and Canada have agreed to restart negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aiming to boost bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said. Speaking at an event on Monday, Goyal described the FTA, or Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as a strategic initiative reflecting the trust between the two nations. He added that the agreement would enhance confidence among investors and businesses on both sides.
“We have agreed to begin high-ambition CEPA negotiations and aim to double trade between our countries by 2030,” Goyal said, noting that India and Canada are natural allies rather than competitors. He highlighted that the complementary strengths of both countries could benefit businesses and investors. Goyal pointed out potential areas of collaboration, including critical minerals, processing technologies, and nuclear energy, particularly uranium supplies, while emphasizing opportunities to diversify supply chains.
Negotiations for an India-Canada FTA were paused in 2023 after tensions arose following former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations linking India to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which India dismissed as “absurd.” Earlier, in March 2022, both countries had relaunched talks through an Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA), and more than half a dozen negotiation rounds have been held so far.
Typically, such trade agreements aim to reduce or remove customs duties on traded goods, liberalize service trade, and attract investment. India’s exports to Canada rose 9.8% to $4.22 billion in 2024-25 from $3.84 billion in 2023-24, while imports fell 2.33% to $4.44 billion from $4.55 billion during the same period.
The renewed engagement follows talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, in June. Bilateral trade in goods and services between the two nations totaled $18.38 billion in 2023, with around 2.9 million people of Indian origin and over 427,000 Indian students residing in Canada.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 'Panchajanya', a monument in Kurukshetra dedicated to the sacred conch of Lord Krishna. The ceremony will coincide with a special programme marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the revered ninth Sikh Guru. As part of the commemorations, the Prime Minister will also release a special coin and a commemorative stamp and address the gathering, highlighting the significance of the occasion.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Modi will visit the Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra, an immersive experiential centre in Kurukshetra. The centre features installations that depict significant episodes from the Mahabharata, showcasing the epic’s enduring cultural, spiritual, and historical relevance. These exhibits aim to bring the teachings and stories of the Mahabharata to life for visitors, offering a deeper understanding of India’s rich heritage.
The government is observing a year-long commemoration to honour the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to protecting religious freedom. During his visit, the Prime Minister will also perform darshan and pooja at Brahma Sarovar, one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites, associated with the divine revelation of the Bhagavad Gita.
Modi’s visit will also coincide with the International Gita Mahotsav, which is being celebrated in Kurukshetra from November 15 to December 5. The festival aims to promote the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and celebrate India’s spiritual and cultural heritage, drawing devotees, scholars, and visitors from across the country and abroad.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
Australian far-right Senator Pauline Hanson wore a burqa in Parliament on Monday (Nov 24) as a political statement aimed at banning the Muslim garment in public, prompting accusations of racism from Muslim senators. Hanson donned the burqa shortly after being denied permission to introduce a bill that would prohibit burqas and other full-face coverings in public spaces across Australia. This marked the second time she has used the garment in Parliament to push for such a ban.
Her appearance sparked outrage in the Senate, leading to the suspension of proceedings when she refused to remove the burqa. Mehreen Faruqi, a Greens senator from New South Wales, described Hanson’s actions as “blatant racism,” while independent senator Fatima Payman from Western Australia called the stunt “disgraceful.”
Leaders from both sides of politics condemned her actions. Labor Senate leader Penny Wong said they were “not worthy of a member of the Australian Senate” and moved a motion to suspend Hanson. After Hanson refused to leave, Senate proceedings were halted. Hanson, representing Queensland, first gained national attention in the 1990s for her strong opposition to Asian immigration and asylum seekers and has consistently campaigned against Islamic clothing. She previously wore a burqa in Parliament in 2017 while calling for a national ban.
Her One Nation party holds four Senate seats, including two won in May’s election amid growing support for far-right, anti-immigration policies. In a Facebook statement, Hanson defended her actions as a protest against the Senate rejecting her proposed bill, saying she wore the garment to highlight what she described as its threat to national security and the mistreatment of women, and challenged Parliament to ban the burqa if they opposed her actions.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Pexels/Faruk Tokluoglu.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned on Monday (Nov 24) that tensions between North and South Korea are “very dangerous,” with the risk of an accidental clash looming, and stressed the importance of dialogue with Pyongyang, Yonhap News reported. Lee noted that North Korea has ignored Seoul’s attempts at communication and is installing barbed wire along the military border—a move not seen since the 1950–53 Korean War. “Inter-Korean relations have become highly hostile and confrontational, and with no basic trust, the North is acting in extreme ways,” he said, according to Yonhap.
Speaking to reporters during a flight from South Africa, where he attended the G20 summit, to Turkey, Lee highlighted that South Korea had proposed military talks on November 17 to establish a clear boundary along the Military Demarcation Line to prevent armed clashes that could escalate into a larger conflict. North Korea has yet to respond.
This year, North Korean soldiers have crossed the border more than 10 times, sometimes prompting South Korean forces to fire warning shots. Lee emphasized that achieving lasting peace with North Korea will be a long-term process. Once a stable peace regime is in place, he suggested it might be preferable for South Korea and the US to halt joint military exercises, which Pyongyang has condemned as rehearsals for nuclear war. Currently, about 28,500 US troops and associated weapons systems are stationed in South Korea.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Emergency responders in Ternopil, Ukraine, are recovering the bodies of residents killed when a Russian missile struck an apartment building on Wednesday. The attack comes amid Russia’s ongoing military offensive in Ukraine, highlighting the continued threat to civilians and the devastating impact of the conflict on residential areas.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
A recent study reveals that maintaining a sense of control is crucial for ageing well. Seniors who retain independence and the ability to make their own decisions tend to be healthier and happier. Post-retirement, men often face more challenges, whereas women’s social networks help them stay resilient. The research underscores the significance of purpose, social connections, and dignity in later life. Andrea Heng and Genevieve Woo discuss the study with A/P Justina Tan, Vice President of Strategic Partnership and Engagement at SUSS.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Author and columnist Sean Kelly argues that even though Labor holds a strong majority and the opposition is distracted by internal conflict, there are indications that Anthony Albanese’s government may squander the chance voters have given them. Kelly speaks with Guardian Australia’s political editor Tom McIlroy about his new Quarterly Essay, where he explores Labor’s shift from idealistic ambitions to a more pragmatic approach. The former staffer to Rudd and Gillard says that although Albanese’s cautious style has helped him win two elections, it may now prove to be the prime minister’s biggest vulnerability.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In a surprising reversal, Donald Trump this week signed a bill instructing the Justice Department to release additional files from the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move comes amid a major clash with his former staunch ally, Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has been pushing for the documents’ release. Could this signal a MAGA unraveling? And how will the escalating conflict between the two unfold? Jonathan Freedland talks with Rolling Stone reporter Nikki McCann Ramirez about the fallout between the former allies and what the next steps might be regarding the Epstein files.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian
In Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro interviews Singaporean writer Alexander Ee about his book A Glimpse of Heaven: Grief, Self and Community on the Camino. The book recounts his process of navigating sorrow and finding acceptance after his wife passed away from cancer in 2019. It also chronicles his two-month, 925-kilometre walk along the Camino de Santiago — a historic pilgrimage route made up of interconnected trails across Europe that end in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Ee reflects on how the journey helped him confront loss, discover deeper meaning in life, and understand the importance of gratitude and forgiveness, themes that are central to the book.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
