Sensex Falls Over 600 Points
Indian equity markets suffered major losses on Monday as investors lost Rs 7.12 lakh crore in market value, with the BSE Sensex plunging 609.68 points (0.71 per cent) to close at 85,102.69. The Nifty50 also fell 226 points to 25,961. Analysts attributed the decline to profit-booking after two days of gains, continuous foreign institutional investor (FII) selling, and cautious sentiment ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s rate decision. Key Sensex laggards included Bharat Electronics, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance, Adani Ports, SBI, Asian Paints, Larsen & Toubro, and Bharti Airtel, while Tech Mahindra, HCL Technologies, Reliance Industries, and HDFC Bank were among the few gainers. Sectoral indices saw broad declines, led by services (-3.7 per cent), realty (-3.5 per cent), and capital goods (-2.83 per cent), with midcap and smallcap indices falling 1.73 per cent and 2.2 per cent respectively. The sustained weakness in the rupee and ongoing FII outflows heightened concerns over inflation, rising import costs, and global economic uncertainties, contributing to the bearish market sentiment. Trading saw 3,348 stocks decline.
Jaishankar Meets EU Trade Commissioner
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met European Union Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in New Delhi on Monday to advance negotiations for the proposed India-EU free trade agreement (FTA). The discussions aim to finalise the long-awaited deal at the India-EU summit scheduled in New Delhi next week. Jaishankar described the meeting as productive, while Sefcovic emphasized the importance of steady engagement to maintain momentum in trade and investment talks. The FTA is expected to strengthen bilateral ties and positively impact multiple sectors amid global trade disruptions triggered by Washington’s tariff policies. Progress has been made on agricultural market access, alcoholic beverages, and rules of origin.
Congress Suspends Navjot Kaur Sidhu
Punjab Congress on Monday suspended leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu from its primary membership following her controversial remark that “one who gives a suitcase of `500 crore becomes the chief minister.” The suspension order was issued by Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. In response, Kaur Sidhu accused Warring of being “insensitive, irresponsible, morally dishonest, and corrupt” and refused to acknowledge his leadership. She also alleged that Congress candidate Karanbir Singh Burj paid `10 crore to party leaders for a ticket, a claim Burj denied, offering to swear in a gurdwara that no payment was made. Navjot Kaur Sidhu clarified her comments, saying they were twisted, emphasising that she and her husband, former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, never paid money for political positions
