Business
India–EAEU FTA: India opens formal talks with Eurasian bloc today; new trade push gains momentum – The Times of India
India will begin official negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union on Wednesday, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal announced in New Delhi. He said the talks with the five-nation grouping — Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan — follow the signing of the Terms of Reference on 20 August 2025. “The FTA talks start from tomorrow here,” Goyal said at a press conference on Tuesday.According to news agency ANI, the Terms of Reference outline an 18-month plan aimed at expanding market access for Indian exporters, with a special focus on micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as farmers and fishermen. The initiative comes as India looks to broaden its trade horizons after facing steep tariffs from the United States.Goyal also confirmed that India is exploring several other trade arrangements. Discussions are underway with the Southern African Customs Union — the century-old grouping of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini — for a possible trade pact. India is similarly pursuing the next phase of its preferential trade agreement with Mercosur, covering Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.The minister added that virtual negotiations with Israel will soon begin for an early harvest agreement. He said India is particularly interested in cooperation in areas such as agricultural technology, innovation, mobility and services. Goyal recently returned from Israel after signing the Terms of Reference for a future FTA.Speaking after the Board of Trade meeting, Goyal said India’s overall export performance remained strong despite global volatility. Preliminary figures show an improvement in merchandise trade over the same period last year, while services exports have grown significantly. “Given the challenging circumstances across the world, India continues to be a shining star,” he said.He highlighted the seafood sector as an example of how Indian exporters have adapted to shifting market conditions. According to ANI, India expanded fish and marine product shipments to Europe after concerns over missing out on a US trade arrangement. The breakthrough came when the EU cleared 102 Indian establishments following prolonged talks linking quality checks to approvals. “We were able to increase our export of fish dramatically to Europe, and therefore our seafood export has also grown in the last three months,” he said.Goyal described the Board of Trade meeting as “highly productive”, noting the optimism of industry participants and the positive response to presentations on export-promotion schemes. He praised exporters for their resilience, saying they “have the ability to face challenges”.
The government on Thursday kept petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices unchanged at Rs253.17 per litre and Rs257.08 per litre respectively, for the coming fortnight, starting from January 16.
This decision was notified in a press release issued by the Petroleum Division.
Earlier, it was expected that the prices of all petroleum products would go down by up to Rs4.50 per litre (over 1pc each) today in view of variation in the international market.
Petrol is primarily used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers, and directly impacts the budgets of the middle and lower-middle classes.
Meanwhile, most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary, as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains, and agricultural engines such as trucks, buses, tractors, tube wells, and threshers, and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables.
The government is currently charging about Rs100 per litre on petrol and about Rs97 per litre on diesel.
Business
Gold price today: How much 22K, 24K gold cost in Delhi, Patna & other cities – Check rates – The Times of India
Gold prices climbed to a fresh lifetime high in the domestic market on Thursday amid sustained buying by jewellers and stockists, according to the All India Sarafa Association.Gold advanced by Rs 800 to hit a new peak of Rs 1,47,300 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), extending gains for the fifth consecutive session. The yellow metal had closed at Rs 1,46,500 per 10 grams in the previous session.Since the start of 2026, gold prices have surged Rs 9,600, or around 7 per cent, supported by persistent demand in the physical market. In overseas trade, spot gold slipped USD 12.22, or 0.26 per cent, to USD 4,614.45 per ounce, after having touched a record high of USD 4,643.06 per ounce in the previous session.Here is how much gold costs in major Indian cities today:
Gold price in Delhi today
The price of 22K gold in Delhi is Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Chennai today
In Chennai, 22K gold costs Rs 13,290 per gram, up Rs 10, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,498 per gram, higher by Rs 10.
Gold price in Mumbai today
Mumbai markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold stands at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Ahmedabad today
In Ahmedabad, 22K gold is priced at Rs 13,130 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,323 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Kolkata today
Kolkata markets price 22K gold at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold stands at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Jaipur today
In Jaipur, 22K gold costs Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Hyderabad today
Hyderabad sees 22K gold at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Bhubaneswar today
Bhubaneswar markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Patna today
In Patna, 22K gold costs Rs 13,130 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,323 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Lucknow today
Lucknow markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
One of Britain’s most prolific rail fare dodgers could face jail after admitting dozens of travel offences.
Charles Brohiri, 29, pleaded guilty to travelling without buying a ticket a total of 112 times over a two-year period, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
He could be ordered to pay more than £18,000 in unpaid fares and legal costs, the court was told.
He will be sentenced next month.
District Judge Nina Tempia warned Brohiri “could face a custodial sentence because of the number of offences he has committed”.
He pleaded guilty to 76 offences on Thursday.
It came after he was convicted in his absence of 36 charges at a previous hearing.
During Thursday’s hearing, Judge Tempia dismissed a bid by Brohiri’s lawyers to have the 36 convictions overturned.
They had argued the prosecutions were unlawful because they had not been brought by a qualified legal professional.
But Judge Tempia rejected the argument, saying there had been “no abuse of this court’s process”.
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