The India-UK free trade agreement signed in July last year is expected to be implemented from April 2026, a government official said.India and the United Kingdom signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 24, 2025, under which 99 per cent of Indian exports will enter the British market at zero duty, while India will reduce tariffs on a range of British goods including cars and whisky.

“We are expecting the pact to be implemented from April this year,” the official said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Parliamentary approval process underway

The agreement requires approval from the UK Parliament before it can take effect. In India, such trade agreements are cleared by the Union Cabinet.According to PTI, after ratification by the British Parliament, the pact will be implemented on a mutually agreed date. The House of Commons held a debate on the India-UK CETA earlier this week.Chris Bryant, minister of state in the UK Department for Business and Trade, responded during the debate on behalf of the Labour government, describing CETA as a significant achievement that goes “well beyond India’s precedent in opening the door for UK businesses”.The British Parliament is currently ratifying the agreement, including debates in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, along with committee reviews, before implementation in the coming months.

Double contributions convention to be implemented in parallel

Alongside CETA, the two countries have signed a Double Contributions Convention (DCC) pact to prevent temporary workers from having to pay social security contributions in both countries.The official said both CETA and the DCC are likely to be implemented in parallel, as per PTI.

Tariff reductions and market access

CETA aims to double bilateral trade, currently estimated at $56 billion, between the world’s fifth and sixth largest economies by 2030.Under the agreement, India will reduce import duties on Scotch whisky from 150 per cent to 75 per cent immediately, with a further reduction to 40 per cent by 2035. Also read| India-UK trade deal: From 99% duty-free access to benefits for Indian professionals – Here’s the FTA in 10 big numbersImport duties on automobiles will be cut to 10 per cent over five years from the current levels of up to 110 per cent, under a quota-based liberalisation system.In return, Indian exporters are set to gain improved access to the UK market for goods such as textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, sports goods and toys.India has also agreed to lower tariffs on British consumer products including chocolates, biscuits and cosmetics.During his visit to India in 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed the desire for the agreement to be implemented as soon as “humanly possible.”Speaking in Mumbai in October last year, Starmer described the trade deal as Britain’s largest post-Brexit trade achievement and said he had instructed his team to ensure it is executed “as quickly as humanly possible”.Also read| India-UK trade deal: Starmer wants FTA implementation as soon as ‘humanly possible’!The agreement was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to London in July 2025.Economists estimate the pact could increase trade between the two countries by about £25.5 billion ($34 billion) by 2040, with UK officials describing that figure as a starting point for further growth.If implemented as expected in April 2026, the agreement would mark a significant step in expanding bilateral economic ties and reducing tariff barriers across key sectors.

NEW DELHI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha did not shake hands during the toss in the T20 World Cup 2026 match between the arch-rivals in Colombo on Sunday, continuing India’s no-handshake policy against Pakistan.The customary gesture was absent after the toss, extending a stance that has been in place since the Asia Cup 2025 across men’s and women’s cricket.Agha won the toss and elected to bowl in the Group A match, which was only confirmed as going ahead six days ago when the Pakistan government made a U-turn on a threat to boycott the match.Follow liveThat the status quo will be maintained was clear when neither Surya nor Salman committed to shaking hands, while the Pakistan skipper stated that he would like to “uphold” the spirit of cricket.Also read: Sanjay Manjrekar minces no words on India’s ‘silly’ handshake policy vs PakistanAhead of the match, Suryakumar had declined to clarify his position at the pre-match press conference. “Wait for 24 hours. We are here to play cricket. Have good food and sleep,” he had said on Saturday.While Pakistan skipper Agha had indicated that Pakistan were open to the gesture and that the decision rested with India. “Cricket should be played in the right spirit. My personal opinion may not matter, but cricket should be played the way it has always been played. It’s up to them to decide what to do,” he had said.During the Asia Cup, Suryakumar had declined to shake hands with the Pakistan captain, which led to a reaction from Pakistan. They briefly considered boycotting their next fixture in the tournament before deciding to continue. The no-handshake policy remained in place for the next two matches between the teams.Earlier in the day, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar criticised India’s no-handshake policy against Pakistan, calling it “silly” and saying it does not reflect well on a major cricketing nation.“This ‘no shaking hands’ is such a silly thing that India has started. It’s unbecoming of a nation like ours. Either play properly within the spirit of the game or don’t play at all,” Manjrekar wrote on his X account.Sunday’s development confirmed that the approach remains unchanged at the T20 World Cup.

Harshwardhan Sapkal (PTI image)

NEW DELHI: At least nine people were injured on Sunday after a confrontation broke out between BJP and Congress workers in Pune during a protest over remarks made by Congress leader Harshwardhan Sapkal that allegedly equated Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan.The clash took place outside the Congress Bhavan, where BJP workers had gathered to protest against Sapkal’s comments. The situation escalated into sloganeering and stone pelting from both sides, leading to minor injuries.Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma said that three Congress workers, two BJP workers, two police personnel and two journalists were injured in the incident.“A protest was held near the Congress Bhavan, which saw sloganeering from workers of BJP and Congress. Workers of both parties climbed onto walls and there was stone pelting from both sides. Cases are being registered against workers of both sides,” Sharma informed.Police deployed heavy security in the area to prevent further escalation.The controversy stems from Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal’s recent remarks, in which he referred to the valour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and cited Tipu Sultan’s resistance against the British as being on similar lines. The comments triggered political backlash in the state.Speaking to reporters, Sapkal said: “The kind of bravery that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj possessed and the concept of ‘Swarajya’ (self-rule) that he introduced… much later, following in that very tradition and taking inspiration from his ideals, Tipu Sultan waged war against the British.”“In that sense, Tipu Sultan was a great warrior who displayed immense bravery and was a true son of India. He never allowed any poisonous or communal ideas to sway him. As a symbol of bravery, we should view Tipu Sultan as equivalent to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he added.A day earlier, a separate row had erupted over a portrait of Tipu Sultan displayed in the office of the deputy mayor of the Malegaon Municipal Corporation, which was opposed by Shiv Sena corporators and Hindu outfits.Pune city Congress chief Arvind Shinde said that the party has submitted a written complaint against BJP functionaries and demanded action.He said a case should be registered against Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, BJP city president Dheeraj Ghate, Dushyant Mohol and other workers.Speaking to PTI, Maharashtra Congress vice-president Mohan Joshi alleged that BJP workers initiated the violence.“During the protest, stones were pelted at Congress workers and two sustained injuries. We are currently holding a sit-in protest outside the police station in Shivajinagar seeking action,” he said.Krishikesh Rawale, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1), said that police intervened promptly to prevent the situation from worsening.Meanwhile, BJP Pune city unit president Dheeraj Ghate lodged a complaint against Sapkal at Parvati police station for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments. A FIR has been registered.The political exchange intensified as Maharashtra Congress leader Sachin Sawant accused the BJP of “double standards” and pursuing a polarisation agenda.In a statement, Sawant cited past instances where BJP leaders had supported references to 18th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan in public spaces and official forums. He referred to resolutions passed in civic bodies in Akola and Mumbai and alleged that BJP leaders had earlier praised or associated with the historical figure.“What should this hypocrisy be called? Tipu Sultan used to wear a ring bearing the name of Lord Ram,” he claimed.Sawant alleged that the BJP was now portraying Tipu Sultan negatively to create religious divisions and engage in “distorted religious politics”.He further cited examples, including a 2012 resolution in the Akola Municipal Corporation to name a hall after Tipu Sultan, a 2013 proposal supported by BJP corporators to name a road in Mumbai, and a 2001 road naming in Andheri (West). He also claimed that former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa had visited Tipu Sultan’s tomb and written words of praise and that then President Ram Nath Kovind had praised Tipu Sultan in the Karnataka Assembly in 2017.

Kiren Rijiju and Om Birla (R)

NEW DELHI: Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said that the debate and voting on the no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker will be taken up on March 9.“On March 9 in the Lok Sabha, we will have the debate on the no-confidence motion moved against the speaker,” Rijiju told news agency PTI.“It is the rule to take it up on the first day. There will be a vote following the debate,” he added.Additionally, a speedy review will be conducted as per the rules, news agency ANI reported citing sources.This comes after Congress MPs submitted a no-confidence motion against the Om Birla, signed by 118 MPs. The Opposition MPs alleged “blatantly partisan” conduct and that leaders of opposition parties were not allowed to speak.However, this is not the first time when a no-confidence against Chair has been moved by the opposition. Earlier in 2024, the opposition moved a similar motion against then Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.History also records at least three instances since Independence when a no-confidence motion was moved to remove the Speaker. The first was against the first Lok Sabha Speaker, GV Mavalankar, in 1954, after MP Vigneshwar Misra alleged that the Speaker was not impartial.In 1966, opposition MPs moved a motion against Speaker Sardar Hukum Singh, with Madhu Limaye leading the charge and Deputy Speaker S V Krishnamoorthy Rao in the Chair.The third motion was moved on April 15, 1987, for the removal of Speaker Balram Jakhar by CPM MP Somnath Chatterjee, with Deputy Speaker Thambi Durai presiding. This motion was axed by the House.What was Nehru’s message to Congress MPs when oppn move a no-confidence motion against Speaker GV MavalankarThe first such situation surfaced on December 18, 1954, when the Opposition moved a resolution for the removal of then Speaker Mavalankar. It was admitted after over 50 members stood up in support, and a debate took place over it.India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru‘s message to Congress MPs during the debate in 1954 on the Opposition’s resolution to remove then Speaker GV Mavalankar was that they are not bound by any whip or direction, and that all legislators must consider the matter “regardless of party affiliations”.He had urged Lok Sabha MPs to look at the issue not through the lens of the party but as a matter concerning the dignity of the House.It was a fiery debate during which the Opposition, though weak in numbers, tore into Nehru and accused the speaker of being partisan.Intervening in the debate, Nehru said, “I would like to address the House, if I may, in my capacity and the high privilege of being the Leader of this House and not as a leader of the majority party. So far as this majority party is concerned, I would like to tell them that not one of them is bound by any whip or any direction: let them vote as they like. It is not a party matter. It is a matter for this House, for each individual, to consider, regardless of party affiliations.““Therefore, let us try to think of it not as a party issue but as members of this House, because this matter affects the hon. speaker, of course, but it affects the high dignity of this House as Parliament, it affects the first citizen of this country, that is, the speaker of this House,” he added.What is said about the speaker, what is done about the speaker comes back on each one of us who claim to be members of this House, the then PM said.“I wish members to realise this because I have felt sad and very sad ever since this matter came up before the House. We have known the speaker for many years and we have seen him function and it is possible that some of us may not have exactly the same opinion about him as others have; it is possible,” he said.“It has so happened that some of us have not particularly liked a decision of his or a ruling of his. It is one thing not to like a ruling or to disagree with it or even to feel, if I may say so, slightly irritated about something that has happened. These things happen. But, it is completely a different thing to challenge the bona fides of the very person in whose keeping is the honour of this House,” Nehru had said.“I do not say that it is not possible at all to raise a motion against the Speaker. Of course, the Constitution has provided it. Nobody challenges the right of the Opposition or any Member of the House to put forward this motion. I do not deny that right since it has been given by the Constitution. The point is not the legal right but the propriety; the desirability of doing it,” he said.Nehru then went on to strongly defend the speaker and hit out at the Opposition for questioning his bona fides.The Congress had a brute majority with over 360 members, and the resolution was negated by a voice vote.

TimesofIndia.com in Delhi: In Egyptian mythology, Atum is the primordial creator deity who arose from chaotic waters, bringing himself into existence before creating the rest of the world. In simpler terms, Atum created himself. This isn’t a mythological story in the wrong section. It is about the rise, grind and survival of India’s premier all-rounder, the MVP of white-ball cricket: Hardik Pandya.Chaos and Hardik Pandya go hand-in-hand yet the cricketer has managed to fight the odds, shut out the outside noise and battle continuous against perception.

The quirky hairdos, numerous tattoos, a unique dressing style, flashy cars and the meanest collection of exotic watches. They love him for cricket, question his choices, and troll him for his personal life. Yet, that one glance leaves a lasting impression and a warmth that instantly makes you feel at home. Hate him, troll him but you can’t ignore him. Pandya is the heartbeat of India’s white-ball set-up and the crucial piece that has kept the scales in balance since 2016.However, 2016 is not the key year in the Pandya story. It was the 2013-14 season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and John Wright was watching one of Baroda’s games from the stands. The then Mumbai Indians head coach was scouting local talent for the franchise and it was that first glance of Pandya that left a lasting impression on the New Zealander. It happened over a decade ago but the 71-year-old remembers the details as if they occurred yesterday.“I watched him for a week in the various games at BKC. He didn’t get a lot of runs, but he had an attitude. He kept trying to hit it over the boundary and attack. We tried to sign him that year only as we had a gap in our squad. I think Jalaj Saxena got injured and we could have replaced him, but Hardik picked up a back injury, so we couldn’t. He came to nets at Wankhede and bowled and batted. And then he got injured, so we couldn’t get hold of him that year.

AHMEDABAD, INDIA – JUNE 01: Hardik Pandya of Mumbai Indians catches out Priyansh Arya of Punjab Kings during the 2025 IPL Qualifier 2 match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians at Narendra Modi Stadium, on June 01, 2025, in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

“We got him the next year. I was lucky, you know, because I played against Kiran (More) and Kiran and I have been mates for years. And he knew a bit about him, but I loved his attitude. Yeah. I’ll never forget that clip of his hip – like Virender Sehwag, which, you know, sometimes it’s just a shot that you see. That was 2014, he played for us from 2015 and started winning titles with us,” Wright tells TimesofIndia.com from New Zealand.Pandya’s entry into the MI setup meant he shared the dressing room with absolute legends of the game. In that dugout, he found mentors and coaches and formed bonds that remain strong. Kieron Pollard‘s entry into his life remains a defining moment of Pandya’s career. In the West Indian all-rounder, Pandya found someone he could relate with, speak to and learn from. While those lessons went beyond cricket, the classes didn’t start instantly but the early confidence was something which stayed with Pollard for many years.

“My first thought of him, again, someone who’s excited, someone who had that youthful sort of exuberance coming into sort of the unknown world, but still just being himself. And again, I think that is what took me aback because normally when guys come in into a setup like a MI, they’re normally shy. But he wasn’t shy. He was confident. And I think that was what, you know, took me,” says Pollard in an exclusive chat.While the first impression was very good, Pollard took it easy with the young all-rounder. He wasn’t looking too far ahead but the moment he saw Pandya navigate through the lows of his career, he made a decision. The West Indian was convinced that Pandya has the “true mettle” to excel at the big stage and “made for the big times.”

File photo of Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard.

“I think it took a couple of years for me to actually make that determination in terms of ‘he’s cut out for it’ because he had highs and then he had some lows. And that’s where you can actually see the true mettle of an individual because it tends to happen. You have a one good season and then that’s it for some guys. But the manner in which he went through his highs and lows, is sort of proof to myself that he has what it takes. And again, for us, we spent a lot of time together. “He spent a lot of time chatting about cricket, about life, you know, brains and stuff like that. And so all of these things as well, after it has been taken in and then you see the expressiveness on the field, again, that’s when you really realise, okay, this guy, he’s made for the big times,” explains Pollard.During his early days in the MI set-up, Wright noticed the growing closeness between Pandya and Pollard, and saw the friendship blossom into a special bond. It rubbed off on the cricket too as the veteran coach still feels that the “best coaching comes from your co-players”.

I think they love each other’s company. They’re great mates. He learned an awful lot from Kieran Pollard

John Wright

“I think one of the things that stands out is that they were great mates. They seemed to get on really well. And obviously, playing together that relationship helped. The best coaching comes quite often from your co-players. From the mates in the team. You can be a coach, but the best coaching comes from your teammates. It’s an old-fashioned way of learning. But it’s probably the best and strongest. “For instance, when in the Indian team, Anil Kumble’s influence on our spin bowlers was huge. Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman’s influence on other batters was massive. I think as a coach, you need to create that environment so that the players are learning off each other. And I think that has happened with Polly. But I think they love each other’s company. They’re great mates. He learned an awful lot from Kieran Pollard,” says Wright.In his numerous interactions, Pandya has always called Pollard as the brother from another mother. The bond between the two remains special, and Pandya maintains that his Caribbean outlook on life continually draws him to Pollard. When Hardik’s brother Krunal entered the MI set-up, the trio instantly clicked and together became the franchise’s heartbeat for many years – helping them win titles and dominate the IPL. In Pollard’s words, they were the “real engine room” of the setup. Regarding the Caribbean outlook, Pollard doesn’t restrict it to music and style.“We tend to associate that with Caribbean and West Indian music and style. But we also have that pride and that passion as well for performance. As soon as you don’t perform, people look at what you’re doing. That’s exactly from a Hardik perspective. That’s exactly what has happened to him. He dresses nicely, he’s there, he likes himself, he likes to look nice. He has that flair. People tend to try to use that against him. Because they don’t have that confidence. That’s what happened. So that is certain things that can resonate with myself,” says Pollard.Pollard and Pandya spent numerous late nights and early mornings in the hotel corridors, and it wasn’t just fun and games. It was about life, cricket and everything that happens in between. During his active playing days, Pollard was always known to shut out the outside noise and speak his mind. It’s an art that takes years to master but with Pollard’s words of wisdom, Pandya had an early bootcamp that prepared him for the numerous battles life, and cricket, had in store for him.“I think it was just one of the conversations and one of understanding who can have an impact on you and who you allow to have an impact on you. If you know that you’re doing everything that you need to perform on a cricket field, and it’s not happening, it’s ok because it’s a game, it’s a sport, you feel a lot, right?. But if you allow people who can’t even pick up a bat or a ball or who only have an opinion because they’re watching data to affect you, that’s where the problem is.

Hardik Pandya of Mumbai Indians looks on during warm up at Narendra Modi Stadium. (Getty Images)

“My cricket will speak for me. And if my cricket doesn’t speak for me today, it’s over. I’ll get it to speak for me tomorrow. And that is the mentality I’ve had and that is the mentality that we sort of drill the conversations. Because people tend to say things but we can control what we can control. We don’t live it. But when you start to live it mentally, you get stronger,” Pollard reveals the conversations he had with Pandya to mentally prepare him for the battles.Over the years, Pandya has been labelled as fragile and injury-prone, with very little appreciation for the relentless grind of a premier all-rounder. He isn’t just a bits-and-pieces cricketer; he’s a freak who can break into any XI purely on the basis of his batting or bowling. Career threatening injuries and surgeries later, Pandya continues to go strong and has already played 131 T20Is and 94 ODIs for the country. And he is not done yet!“He would have been told a lot of things. He wouldn’t be able to bowl again. His body’s not strong. Who are you to say something like that? If you’re not the expert. So when you realise that those are just words and people are using words to maybe create an agenda. Just channel your energy to say, okay. If you tell me I can’t, I will show you I can. That’s exactly, you know, what he did over the years. As I said, it has not been easy for him. And a person like that. And living in India. The media is going to use that as a target. “So that’s the consequence that comes with the overall of that lifestyle. But you have to be able to be strong enough to overcome it. I believe he has been strong enough to overcome it. Who says they’re not going to have more? Because life is like, life is a life thing. But he has the, he has now the template to overcome it. That’s it,” says Pollard.

Hardik Pandya and partner Mahieka Sharma.

Flashy wraps on the car, expensive watches and an envious lifestyle. While Pollard wouldn’t buy most of the things – exhuberantely priced watches in particular – which Pandya does but he is an incredidbly proud “brother from another mother” to see the story unfold from close quarters. Pollard understands that feeling of winning a World Cup for the country, giving more than 100% in matches and during preparations but hopes Pandya is remembered for “what he has done on the field”“I just hope and pray one day that we continue to remember Hardik Pandya for what he has actually done on the cricket field. Rather than the expensive watches and the cars and all that, because that tends to come first. As cricket tends to come second in the media world. For what he has done from a cricketing perspective and whiteball cricket, Doing what he did especially after where he came from, the support he had from family – we must not forget that. The journey has been phenomenal and long it may continue,” says Pollard.Before disconnecting the call, Pollard remembered to laud his red-ball outings for India too. The current perception is that Pandya doesn’t want to play Test cricket for India anymore but just like Atum, he is determined to rise from chaotic waters.