India and U.S. start trade pact negotiations

India and the United States are starting talks for a trade agreement. Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Brendan Lynch will meet with Indian Commerce Department official Rajesh Agarwal. They will discuss the deal's details and timelines. In Maharashtra, the state assembly will vote to elect a new Deputy Speaker. Anna Bansode from the NCP is expected to win the position, as there are no opponents. India will host a forum for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in Mumbai. The event will focus on issues like payment transparency and fighting financial crimes. The Reserve Bank of India and the Finance Ministry are organizing this forum. The Punjab and Haryana High Court will review a case involving farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal. He was allegedly detained by police, while the Punjab government claims he went to a hospital voluntarily. China is set to hold a meeting with defense officials from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The focus will be on future security strategies and cooperation among member countries. In sports, the Indian Premier League (IPL) match will see Rajasthan Royals facing Kolkata Knight Riders in Guwahati. Other notable events today include the swearing-in of Justice Harish Tandon as Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court and court hearings on various political and local matters.