kozhikode l wednesday l January 28, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION Adani Group, Embraer to set up aircraft-making facility in India Adani Group and Brazilian major Embraer on Tuesday announced a strategic tie-up to set up a regional aircraft manufacturing facility in India on the road to manufacturing hub Embraer makes commercial jets with up to 150 seats. Details about the investments and the location of the proposed facility were not disclosed. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said the collaboration is not just about assembling a regional aircraft but also about technology transfer, skilling, supply chain and making India a manufacturing hub | P10 ■ 50 India will need 500 aircraft in 20 years The Indian market is expected to require at least 500 aircraft in the 80 to 146 seat range over the next 20 years, Embraer said Tuesday The venture with the Adani Group will be a major fillip for the Brazilian major in India’s civil aviation space. Adani Defence & Aerospace President & CEO Ashish Rajvanshi called it a “watershed” ■ aircraft from emraer’s stable in service currently in india CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Textile sector European Cars Mobility pact Carbon tax Indo-pacific Big boost for exporters to take on competition Cheaper imported cars but conditions apply Indian professionals, students to benefit No EU relief on carbon tax as CBAM stays Mega defence and security pact inked The textile sector could be the biggest winner as the FTA will correct the tariff disadvantage faced by exporters against Bangladesh, Pakistan and Turkey in 27-nation bloc | P10 Prices of imported cars are likely to come down after India agreed to cut duty to 10% for 2.5 lakh vehicles a year. However, no price cut for brands that already have plants in India | P10 The mobility pact will open up opportunities for students and professionals in EU by streamlining migration, skilling, and easing movement of skilled workers | P10 The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism—a key sticking point during talks—has been kept out of the FTA. India has secured a forward-looking most-favourednation assurance from EU | P10 India and EU on Tuesday sealed a defence pact that will provide for counter-terror cooperation, deeper engagement in the IndoPacific, and joint development of military hardware | P7 NSS suspects BJP hand in SNDP unity push, pulls plug the face of the proposed NSSSNDP alliance triggered apThe euphoria was short-lived. prehensions about the real inThe much-hyped NSS-SNDP tent. Beyond informing Nair unity fell apart before it took of Thushar’s intended visit to off with the former unilater- Perunna, the Yogam general ally walking out. The reason: secretary made no further NSS suspects that the BJP is communication with NSS on scripting the move through Yo- the issue. gam general secretary VellapNair said it was inappropripally Natesan. ate to send the head of a politiSources close to the cal party to initiate NSS leadership say the discussions between Padma Vibhushan two community organawarded to Vellappally isations. “I told ThushNatesan, coupled with ar that his visit could the SNDP Yogam deinvite political interputing his son and pretations and asked BDJS chief Thushar him to hold it,” he Vellappally for unity said. talks, fuelled suspiThe NSS suspects cions over the real in- Unity between covert BJP involvetent of the proposed two major Hindu ment behind the moves organisations unity . was the need of of Natesan and his The NSS leadership the time. But we son, fearing that any then pulled back, with sensed political unity between the two general secretary G agenda behind organisations would the proposal, Sukumaran Nair ringpolitically benefit the ing up Thushar and which we don’t saffron party in the bluntly telling him to want to disclose. current climate, given cancel his proposed G Sukumaran Nair, the duo’s proximity to visit to Perunna. the BJP . NSS general secy Subsequently, Nair The apprehension is convened an emergenrooted in precedent: it cy meeting of NSS director was Natesan who led the Hinboard on Monday to ratify the du unity campaign—“from withdrawal. “Unity between Nayadi to Namboothiri”— two major Hindu organisa- ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha tions was the need of the time. polls, a move that helped the But we sensed political agenda BJP-led NDA push its vote behind the proposal, which we share in Kerala into double don’t want to disclose. Given digits for the first time, rising our concerns over political from 6.44% in 2009 to 10.81% in motives, we cannot risk com- 2014. The Hindu unity campromising our declared stance paign later led to the formaof equidistance with political tion of the Bharath Dharma parties,” Nair said. Jana Sena (BDJS) in 2015, Sources said Natesan’s deci- which went on to steadily sion to step back from the spot- boost the BJP’s vote share in ● More on P4 light and project Thushar as Kerala.  A B H I L AS H C H A N D RA N @Kottayam WE DID IT! Prime Minister Narendra Modi with European Council President Antonio Costa (left) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen | PTI ‘No G RAM G Act rollback’: Oppn’s demand rejected P r ee t h a N a i r @ New Delhi The government on Tuesday rejected the Opposition’s demand for discussions on the VB-G RAM G Act in the Budget session of Parliament beginning Wednesday, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju saying that there will be “no reversing the gear once the law is before the country”. He also ruled out discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, asserting that both the issues had already been debated by both Houses. Rijiju made these remarks after an all-party meeting convened by the government. During the meeting, Opposition members, including the Congress’ Jairam Ramesh and John Brittas of the CPM, also objected to the non-circulation of government business for the session, which the minister said would be done in due course. The Opposition demanded structured discussion on a range of issues, including the restoration of the UPA-era MGNREGA, the ongoing SIR, India’s foreign policy, and the controversy over new UGC guidelines. The government, however, maintained that the primary focus of the Budget session would be the Budget itself, and said members could raise other issues during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. On the Opposition’s contentions on the VB-G RAM G bill, which was passed by Parliament during the Winter Session, the minister said, “Once a law is before the nation, we have to follow it.” While the government suggested that members can discuss the issues during the Motion of Thanks, Brittas objected, insisting on structured discussions that would allow replies from concerned ministers. Opposition MPs from DMK, Trinamool Congress, and Left parties demanded a detailed discussion on the SIR, particularly in poll-bound states. Rijiju, however, ruled out another debate on the issue, saying it had already been discussed during earlier debates on election reforms in both Houses. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen Minister Piyush Goyal described the pact as balanced and equitable. “By leaving sensitive issues aside, we have arrived at a fair and win-win free trade agreement for industries in both India and the EU. It opens up a plethora of opportunities for investment and access to complementary markets,” he said. Among the biggest beneficiaries is the textile sector. Goyal estimated that India’s textile Gems & jewellery 4% 10% Base metal 26% 12% Up to 12.8% 6.50% This is the tale of two giants... who choose partnership in a true win-win fashion, a strong message that cooperation is the best answer to global challenges Current Tariff Plastics / Rubber Prime Minister Narendra Modi Marine products This agreement will facilitate easier access for our farmers and small enterprises to European markets, create new opportunities in manufacturing, and strengthen cooperation across services sectors exports to the EU could surge from $7 billion to $35 billion, generating 7 million new jobs. Meanwhile, India will liberalise 92.1% of its tariff lines, covering 97.5% of EU exports by value. India will sharply cut some of its highest import duties, bringing car tariffs down from as much as 110% to as low as 10%, halving levies on European wines from 150% and eventually reducing it to 20%, and eliminating duties of up to 44% on machinery . The two sides also announced a security and defence partnership and a broader strategic agenda, as Europe looks to reduce its reliance on the US and China. The partnership aims to deepen cooperation and improve defence interoperability . “Today, the world’s two largest democracies launched a Security and Defence Partnership—a platform for stronger cooperation on strategic issues that matter most, from defence industry to maritime security,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Chemicals INDIA and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday announced the landmark free trade agreement (FTA), paving the way for duty-free access for 99% of Indian exports to the lucrative 27-nation European market. In return, India has offered significant market access to EU goods. The FTA is expected to provide relief to India’s labourintensive sectors that have been under pressure due to US tariffs. With negotiations concluded, the agreement is likely to be signed later this year, the commerce ministry said. Calling it India’s largest FTA to date, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the pact would deliver substantial benefits for the country’s 1.4 billion people. “The historic agreement will make access to European markets easier for our farmers and small industries, create new opportunities in manufacturing, and further strengthen cooperation between our services sectors,” Modi said. India will gain preferential access to the European market across 97% of tariff lines, covering 99.5% of trade value. Key labour-intensive sectors—textiles, apparel, marine products, leather, footwear, chemicals, plastics & rubber, sports goods, toys, and gems & jewellery— accounting for $33 billion in exports will see import duties ranging between 4% and 26% eliminated from the date the agreement comes into force. The government has clarified that safeguards have been built in to protect sensitive sectors such as dairy, cereals, poultry, soymeal, and certain fruits and vegetables. According to the European Commission, the pact will phase out high tariffs on select EU agri-food exports such as olive oil, processed foods, sheep meat, beverages and fruits, while India’s sensitive agricultural sectors remain protected. EU sanitary and food safety standards will remain intact, with no exemptions for Indian exports. Commerce and Industry Textiles & apparel P US H P I TA D E Y @ New Delhi Leather & footwear India and European union announce landmark free trade agreement; 99% of India’s exports to get duty-free access to 27 european nations Up to 17% Indian exports that will have zero duty Source: Ministry of Commerce Lower duty for imports from EU Duty to drop from 110% to 10% Premium wines From 150% to 20% Spirits From 150% to 40% Duty reduces from Beer 110% to 50% Olive oil From 45% to 0% Pharmaceuticals From 11% to 0% Aircraft and From 11% to 0% spacecraft Cars dhoni begins preparations for ipl in ranchi With a few SS bats delivered to him as per his liking, ex-India and CSK captain started net sessions at the JSCA Sports Complex ahead of the 2026 edition | P11 Source: European Commission Congress bets on winnability to pick candidates K S SR E E J I T H @T’Puram The Congress has decided on winnability as the main criterion for the selection of candidates for the coming assembly elections. Going by the deliberations at the first election committee meeting at Indira Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, state and district-level office-bear- ers of the party and its affiliated organisations will be considered for candidature. Though no formal decision has been taken, leaders opined at the meeting that sitting MPs should not contest assembly polls. With just a few months to go for the polls, Congress has started preparing the draft list of candidates, with state president Sunny Joseph and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan meeting district leaderships soon after the meeting. The duo met leaders from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta. The move comes in the wake of the election committee entrusting the two senior leaders with seeking the opinion for preparing the draft list, in consultation with DCC presidents, MLAs and KPCC office-bearers. The meetings are expected to be completed by Thursday.In Tuesday’s meeting, senior leader K C Joseph opined that the party should not consider incumbent MPs for the as● More on P4 sembly polls.  Moving on Not Rihaa, but Arijit retires from playback singing H a r s h B H @ Mumbai National award-winning singer Arijit Singh on Tuesday shocked fans the world over by announcing his retirement from playback singing in a series of posts on social media. Thanking his fans for giving him love for 15 years, Arijit wrote, “I am happy to announce that I am not gonna be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey There are several rea. sons behind this. I have been trying to do this for a long time, but finally got the right courage. I got bored. I need to do some other music to live.” The renowned singer, however, did clarify that he will continue to be active as a musician. “Just to be clear, I won’t stop making music. God has been really kind to me. I am a fan of good music and in future will be learning more and doing more on my own as a small little artist. Thanks again for all your support,” he stated. Music lovers and the industry continue to speculate on the reasons behind this drastic and one-of-a-kind step from Arijit, who has been one of the most active and prolific playback singers in the industry. According to sources, he had been having some conflicts with music labels over sev- eral issues, including royalty and copyright. Arijit was one of the few film artists who were vocal on several issues. The singer famously had a fall-out with Salman Khan after he remarked on the actor’s hosting at an award show. For many years, Arijit did not give playback vocals for Salman, breaking the streak only with Tiger 3 in 2023. Arijit has constantly found himself in the Top 10 list of top global artists on popular music streaming platforms. Supreme Court for attaching assets of acid attack convicts s u chi t r a k a lya n m o h a n t y @ New Delhi THE Supreme Court on Tuesday sought “extraordinary” punitive measures for convicts in acid attack cases, asked the Centre to consider amending the law to strictly deal with them on the lines of dowry death matters where the onus of proving innocence lies on the accused. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices R Mahadevan and Jo y m a l ya Bagchi, while hearing a PIL filed by acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik, from Haryana, seeking recognition and statutory protection for victims, asked states and Union Territories to provide information about the number of acid attack cases in which charge sheets were filed in trial courts. “Why assets of acid attack accused persons should not be attached? If a person is found guilty of acid attack, why all his immoveable assets be not acquired and used to compensate victim? You have to take some extraordinary punitive measures. Unless action is so painful, deterrent theory must be followed here,” the bench observed. In this particular case, the survivor’s lawyer submitted that all the accused in the survivor’s case have been acquitted and she was forced to file a criminal appeal.