Category: POLITICS

New Delhi,November 17, 2025
India and the United States are on the verge of finalising the first tranche of their long-awaited bilateral trade agreement, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal confirmed on Monday. Speaking in New Delhi, he stated that the initial phase—focused mainly on reciprocal tariff adjustments—is “near closure” and aims to deliver quick, measurable progress before the broader trade pact is sealed. Officials emphasized that the framework is being designed to fully comply with WTO norms while fast-tracking benefits for both nations.

Agrawal noted that while no formal deadline has been set, both sides are committed to concluding this phase “sooner rather than later.” The first tranche is expected to unlock smoother market access and reduce long-standing tariff friction, setting the foundation for a deeper and more comprehensive trade deal. The complete agreement, once finalized, is projected to significantly boost bilateral trade, supporting India’s target of reaching USD 500 billion in trade with the US by 2030.

Dhaka, November 17, 2025: Ahead of a highly anticipated court verdict, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a strong and emotionally charged statement, saying, “I don’t care. Allah gave life, He will take it.” Her remark, delivered during an interaction with party members in Dhaka, reflected her defiance and calmness amid the mounting political tension. The upcoming verdict is expected to have significant implications for the nation’s political landscape.

In Dhaka, security measures have been intensified around key government establishments and the court complex, anticipating public reactions after the judgment. Supporters and critics alike are closely watching the developments, with analysts suggesting that Hasina’s statement underscores her readiness to face any outcome. The nation now awaits the verdict that could shape Bangladesh’s political direction in the coming months.

Bihar elections turned into a fast-paced political T20 for BJP leaders in Madhya Pradesh as the party intensified its campaign strategy across states. The strong momentum generated in Bihar created an energised environment, prompting MP leaders to adopt the same aggressive, high-impact style to maintain political dominance and rally supporters.

The situation also pushed BJP leaders in Madhya Pradesh to stay on the offensive, using Bihar’s charged narrative to influence public opinion and strengthen cadre morale. The cross-state political synergy allowed the party to project confidence, unify messaging, and convert Bihar’s electoral heat into momentum for upcoming challenges in Madhya Pradesh.

Gaya, November 14, 2025 — The NDA registered a sweeping victory in the Gaya region, winning 8 out of 10 assembly seats and leaving the Mahagathbandhan far behind in the political contest. High voter turnout and strong booth-level mobilisation helped the NDA secure a commanding lead early in the counting, with several constituencies showing clear margins in favour of BJP and JD(U) candidates. The results underline the coalition’s continued influence in this politically crucial district.

Local factors, welfare schemes, and caste alignments played a crucial role, analysts say, contributing to the NDA’s decisive edge. With the Mahagathbandhan managing wins in only two pockets, the Gaya mandate reflects a strong endorsement of the NDA’s development agenda and leadership at both the state and central levels. The victory is expected to boost the NDA’s overall performance as counting continues across Bihar.

Patna, November 14, 2025 — As counting continues in the Bihar Assembly elections, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is seeing a strong surge across many constituencies, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan is struggling to keep pace. Analysts say a combined “Nitish-Modi wave” appears to be building, raising prospects of the NDA possibly breaking its 2010 record performance in the state.

Sources inside the counting halls report key seats swinging in favour of the BJP-backed alliance, with multiple districts showing double-digit leads for NDA candidates. The wave is being attributed to factors like a high turnout, incumbent development narrative, and strategic alliance campaigning. If sustained through the remaining rounds, the NDA could set a new milestone in Bihar’s electoral history.

Purvi Champaran, November 14, 2025: Counting in the Govindganj constituency has produced one of the strongest leads of the day so far. LJPRV candidate Raju Tiwari is ahead by more than 12,600 votes, marking a significant early advantage for the NDA camp in Purvi Champaran. The counting centre in Motihari reported smooth operations with no interruptions in the initial rounds.

With more rounds yet to be tallied, the margin could change, but the early lead has boosted NDA’s confidence in the district. Govindganj remains a crucial seat in Purvi Champaran, and the strong trend here may influence the momentum of nearby constituencies like Kesariya, Pipra, and Dhaka as counting continues.

Patna, November 14, 2025, 1:00 PM: Early counting trends across the state indicate a strong performance by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is leading on a significant number of seats. Initial updates from multiple districts show BJP and allied parties maintaining comfortable leads, while the Mahagathbandhan struggles to catch up in key constituencies.

Political observers say these early leads could set the stage for a decisive result later in the day. However, with several rounds still left and closely contested seats in play, parties remain cautious. The final outcome will depend on how the trends shift as EVM votes and postal ballots continue to be counted through the afternoon.

Patna, November 14, 2025, 12:30 PM: Statewide counting for the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 is in full swing, with officials operating across 4,372 counting tables under strict security arrangements. Nearly 18,000 counting agents from various parties are present at centres to monitor every round of vote tallying. The Election Commission has ensured CCTV coverage and live monitoring in all counting halls to maintain transparency.

The massive scale of today’s counting process reflects the high public interest and the political significance of this election. Early voting trends from several districts are already shaping the narrative, with NDA showing strong initial momentum. As more rounds get completed, the final picture is expected to become clearer by evening.