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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that India and the US are expected to finalise and sign a joint statement on the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement within 4-5 days.
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00:00Hello and welcome to the special broadcast of India Today Global from Dubai.
00:04Now India and the US are moving toward a phased trade deal with the next announcement expected early next week
00:11and a formal agreement likely by end of March.
00:14The deal aims to cut US tariffs on Indian goods from 50 to 18 percent
00:19while talks will continue for a broader trade pact that could bring further duty concessions.
00:25More in this report.
00:30Three days after US President Donald Trump shocked everyone by announcing a trade deal with India
00:36but not before posting an iconic India Today cover on Truth Social,
00:42there's finally some clarity on the timeline of the deal.
00:46The next big announcement is expected early next week.
01:00The big outcome of the deal, reduction of US tariffs to 18 percent from the current 50 percent
01:17will however take some time, probably by the end of March after a formal trade deal is signed between the two nations.
01:25Importantly, India and the US will continue negotiations for a larger trade deal
01:30under which India may get further duty concessions.
01:55The commerce minister also clarified on the $500 billion investment figure which has caused much political agony.
02:05The target of $500 billion bilateral trade which was set in the February 2025 announcement joint statement between USA and India
02:20and if we have to achieve that, we will certainly need to do a lot more exports and a lot more sourcing.
02:30Meanwhile, India has for the first time gone on record about its stance on oil imports,
02:36steering clear of US claims that the Modi government had agreed to reduce Russian oil inflows.
02:42Ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indians is the supreme priority of the government.
02:51All of India's decisions are taken and will be taken with this in mind.
02:56Indian PSUs, they have established partnership with the National Oil Company of Venezuela, PDVSA,
03:03and they have our PSUs have maintained presence in the country since 2008.
03:08India remains open to exploring the commercial merits of any crude supply options, including from Venezuela.
03:21The government had earlier made it clear that interest in sensitive domestic sectors,
03:27including agriculture and dairy, will not be compromised with
03:30and that they have been safeguarded during negotiations.
03:33He added that the phased approach allows India to secure immediate gains for exporters
03:39while continuing discussions on deeper market access in the future.
03:44Bureau Report, Business Today Television.
03:46The New START Treaty, the last nuclear arms control agreement between the US and Russia,
03:55expires on the 5th of February, 2026, removing limits on their strategic nuclear arsenals.
04:02Signed in 2010 and enforced since 2011, the treaty capped deployed warheads at 1,550 each.
04:11The UN has warned the expiry threatens global security,
04:15while China has urged the US and Russia to resume dialogue but declined to join negotiations itself.
04:22Maheshweta Lala with this report.
04:29Amid global tensions and changing world order,
04:33the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty officially expires on February 5, 2026.
04:38The New START Treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia,
04:46no longer binds the two biggest nuclear power nations by any limits on the size of their strategic nuclear arsenals.
04:54The lapse of the treaty brings back memory of the Cuban Missile Crisis during the Cold War.
05:00A 13-day standoff in October 1962 between US and erstwhile USSR,
05:06which brought the world almost to the brink of a nuclear war.
05:12The treaty was signed on April 8, 2010,
05:15by then-US President Barack Obama and then-Russian President Dimitri Medvedev in Prague,
05:21but came into force on February 5, 2011.
05:25UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned
05:27that the expiration marked a grave moment for international peace and security.
05:33China expressed concerns over global nuclear order following the expiration.
05:37Russia had previously suggested that Russia and the United States continue to abide by the core restrictions of the treaty.
05:46China calls on the United States to respond positively,
05:49handle the follow-up arrangements of the treaty responsibly,
05:51and resume strategic stability dialogue with Russia as soon as possible.
05:58Reports suggest US is pushing for China's inclusion in the arms race control in future agreements.
06:04You know that according to the stance of our Chinese friends,
06:11their nuclear potential is incomparable with the potentials of the United States and Russia.
06:16Therefore, they do not wish to take part in negotiations because they think it is inexpedient.
06:21We respect the stance.
06:22All the rest depends on how the events will unfold.
06:24In September 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin said
06:32both the countries could voluntarily maintain the limits on deployed strategic nuclear weapons
06:38set out in the New START Treaty.
06:41When President Trump, during a recent interview to New York Times,
06:44was asked about the expiry of the treaty,
06:46he said, and I quote,
06:47If it expires, it expires.
06:50Well, we will just do a better agreement.
06:54The agreement is coming to an end.
06:57We view this negatively and express our regret.
06:59There was no response to our incentive to preserve the numerical ceilings
07:02on strategic offensive arms for another year,
07:05even after the expiry date of this document.
07:07The New START Treaty had limited both countries to a maximum of 1,550 deployed long-range nuclear warheads
07:19on delivery systems, including intercontinental ballistic missiles,
07:24submarine-launched ballistic missiles and bombers.
07:29The signatory to the treaty, Dimitri Medvedev, warned that the expiry would speed up the doomsday clock.
07:34Meanwhile, Trump has talked about nuclear-armed Trump-class battleships,
07:40a Cold War-era policy that was abandoned decades ago.
07:44The lapse of the treaty marks an end of an era of controlled arms race
07:48and leaves the world open to the risk of nuclear threats.
07:52Mahashwet Alala, Bureau Report, India Today.
07:57Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Malaysia on the 7th and 8th of February
08:02at the invitation of Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim.
08:06This will be Prime Minister Modi's third visit and the first after the elevation
08:10of the India-Malaysia bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in August 2024.
08:17Modi will hold bilateral discussions with Anwar Ibrahim
08:20and meet the Indian diaspora, industry and business representatives.
08:24About 2.9 million strong Indian diaspora live in Malaysia,
08:28the third largest in the world.
08:30Both nations share long-standing bonds of friendship
08:33based on historical, civilizational and cultural connections.
08:38The visit serves as an opportunity for both leaders
08:41to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation,
08:43ranging from trade and investment, defence, security and maritime cooperation,
08:48to digital and financial technology, energy, healthcare, education, culture, tourism,
08:54people-to-people ties, as well as to set the path for future engagement for mutual benefit.
09:01Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Kuala Lumpur on 7th and 8th February.
09:06This will be PM's third visit to Malaysia.
09:10PM will hold bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
09:15They will review progress under the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,
09:20especially in priority areas of cooperation, such as trade, investments, defence, security,
09:28semiconductors, digital technologies, renewable energy, education, healthcare and people-to-people exchanges.
09:37The Epstein files continue to widen their reach,
09:40now pulling in a prominent Indian origin spiritual author.
09:44Deepak Chopra's name has surfaced in newly released documents
09:48linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein,
09:51triggering strong reactions online and from within the film industry.
09:55While Chopra has denied any wrongdoing,
09:57the mention has reignited debate over influence, proximity and accountability.
10:03Let's take a look at this report.
10:06Well-known author and wellness guru, Deepak Chopra,
10:09finds his name in the latest tranche of Jeffrey Epstein-related files.
10:13A reigniting debate over associations with a disgraced financier convicted of sexual offences
10:19who died in jail while awaiting trial in trafficking cases.
10:24Chopra's name appears in emails and contacts released as part of the Epstein documents.
10:29While there are no allegations of criminal wrongdoing,
10:32the mention has triggered strong reactions online and within India's film fraternity.
10:37Actor Richard Chadda reacted sharply,
10:40questioning Chopra's moral positioning and calling out what she described as hypocrisy
10:45among powerful figures who claim spiritual authority.
10:49In a pointed remark, Chadda said that influence should come with accountability,
10:54a comment that has since gone viral on social media platforms.
10:58Responding to the controversy,
11:00Deepak Chopra acknowledged what he called poor judgment in tone during past interactions
11:04while distancing himself from Epstein's crimes
11:07and maintaining that he had no involvement in any illegal activity.
11:12Chopra has said that any association with Epstein was limited
11:15and that he condemns Epstein's actions,
11:18adding that the renewed attention has been painful for survivors of abuse.
11:24Bureau Report, India Today.
11:27Here are some other stories from across the world and world at a glance.
11:34Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arachi in a post on X said nuclear talks with the U.S.
11:47are set to be held in the Omani capital Muscat on Friday.
11:52A United States official later confirmed the meet.
11:55Although U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier
11:58that meaningful talks between the U.S. and Iran will have to include Tehran's missile arsenal
12:04and other issues which a senior Iranian official responded to by saying
12:09the talks would only be about Iran's nuclear program
12:12and that its missile program was off the table.
12:16Meanwhile, Trump has warned that Iran's supreme leader should be very worried.
12:20Chinese President Xi Jinping called Taiwan the most important issue in China-U.S. relations
12:31during a phone call with the U.S. President Donald Trump.
12:35According to the Chinese state media,
12:37Xi told Trump to be prudent when supplying weapons to the island,
12:42adding that he attached great importance to ties with Washington
12:45and hoped both sides would find ways to resolve their differences.
12:51Trump, meanwhile, said the phone call was excellent and long and thorough.
12:59Keir Starmer apologized for appointing Peter Mandelson to a senior role
13:03following the former envoy's links to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
13:09In recent days, voices have grown louder
13:11after the U.S. Department of Justice released fresh emails
13:15linking Mendelson to Epstein.
13:24Popular U.S. morning news anchor Savannah Guthrie posted a video message
13:28addressing anyone who might be holding her elderly mother
13:32who vanished from her Arizona home several days ago
13:35pleading for them to open a line of communication.
13:38The emotional appeal came three days after Nancy Guthrie,
13:48who is 84 years old,
13:50was reported missing from her home near Tuckson
13:52by family members in what investigators said
13:55they believe was an abduction.
14:03Vice President J.D. Wan
14:05Vance met U.S. athletes participating in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
14:10Shortly after arriving in Italy,
14:12Vance, Usha Vance and Marco Rubio
14:15are scheduled to attend the opening ceremony
14:17of the Milano-Cortina Winter Games
14:19on Friday at San Siro Stadium.
14:21Meanwhile, residents in the Italian city of Milan
14:25have voiced their strong opposition
14:27to the dispatch of U.S. immigration enforcement personnel
14:30for the event.
14:35The Bridgertons are back
14:37and season four is breaking records.
14:39With 39.7 million views in just four days,
14:42it has become Netflix's number one title
14:45while earlier seasons climb the top ten again.
14:48Benedict's romance with mysterious Sophie Bake
14:51keeps London talking.
14:53Dive deeper into this report to know more.
14:56The Bridgertons are back.
15:01You're quite the teacher.
15:07You are perhaps the most intriguing person I've ever met.
15:14Bringing romance, intrigue and the dazzling scandal
15:18that keeps London talking in the fourth season.
15:22We begin another season.
15:24I should like great gossip.
15:26The social season might look a little different.
15:27No, no, no.
15:28He must begin the proper way.
15:30Dearest, gentle reader.
15:32It's just to be out by midnight.
15:38Must find the owner of this glove.
15:40You sound as if you have been made a new man.
15:42What if he's looking for you?
15:44He does not want to find me.
15:45And its opening days,
15:47the fourth season demonstrated the show's enduring appeal
15:50as according to the reports,
15:52the web series drew 39.7 million views in its first four days,
15:58making it Netflix's most-watched title from January 27th to February 1st.
16:04While slightly staying below season 3's record-breaking debut of 45.1 million views,
16:20the number highlight the series' lasting popularity.
16:24So, too, is this author.
16:27I cannot live at home any longer.
16:29I must take a husband.
16:31Does my lady have a suitor in mind?
16:34Is that her brother?
16:35Colin?
16:37Brother.
16:38Under what foreign son did you apparently get so sturdy?
16:42Season 3, after all, spent 11 weeks in Netflix's top 10,
16:49amassing 106 million views in its first 91 days,
16:55giving season 4 plenty of room to grow its audience.
17:01Friends, would not be angry if you found me to be a lost cause?
17:05You must not say such things.
17:06You are Penelope Featherington.
17:08Do not forget that.
17:10She's not seeking a husband in you, I hope.
17:11No, I'm only helping her find one.
17:14Since when are you worried about Penelope?
17:19The new season has also sparked renewed interest in past installments
17:24as the first season returned to the Netflix top 10
17:27with 2.7 million views,
17:30while season 3 secured the 8th spot,
17:33showing that both long-time fans and newcomers
17:36are revisiting the Bridgerton universe ahead of the finale.
17:41Why, then, there is the potential for a considerable scandal indeed.
17:50This season shifts the spotlight to Benedict Bridgerton
17:54as he embarks on a romantic journey with Sophie Bey,
17:58a mysterious newcomer whose secrets promise to shake London's high society.
18:02Season 4 draws inspiration from Cinderella
18:05as Sophie slips away to a masquerade ball
18:08and encounters Benedict.
18:11Though he watches his siblings settle into happily married lives,
18:14Benedict is hesitant to marry
18:17until he meets the enchanting Lady in Silver,
18:21unaware that she is actually a clever maid
18:23with her own ambitions.
18:25Looking ahead, the season 5 is set to begin filming in March 2026
18:45in the UK with an 8-month schedule.
18:48To the set of Bridgerton, Season 4.
18:53Action!
18:53For now, the Part 1 of Season 4 features the first four episodes,
19:13while Part 2, comprising Episodes 5 to 8,
19:17premieres on February 26th.
19:19Entertainment Bureau, India Today.
19:28That's all in this special broadcast from Dubai.
19:32Goodbye and take care.
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