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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JUNE 05, 2026 | The Indian Eye 22

Piyush Goyal offers prayers at BAPS

Swaminarayan Temple in Toronto

OUR BUREAU day official visit from May 25-27, tak-
ing place as New Delhi and Ottawa
Toronto, ON
aggressively push ahead with negotia-
nion Minister Piyush Goyal tions for the proposed Comprehensive
visited the BAPS Shri Swam- Economic Partnership Agreement
Uinarayan Mandir during his (CEPA), viewed as a vital step in reju-
three-day visit to Canada and also venating economic relations between
participated in a community reception the two nations.
hosted by the Consulate General of During his visit, he met Canada’s
India in Toronto. Prime Minister, Mark Carney; Foreign
In a post on X Goyal said that Minister, Anita Anand; Minister of Ag-
he offered prayers for the well-being, riculture and Agri-Food, Heath Mac-
peace, and prosperity of all. Donald and Minister of International
He noted how the temple stands Trade, Maninder Sidhu, among others.
as a symbol of spirituality, harmony, He also met prominent Canadian
service, and shared values and reflects industry leaders during his three-day
the deep cultural and people-to-peo- visit to Canada to discuss investment
ple ties that continue to strengthen the avenues and expand bilateral econom-
India-Canada relationship. ple-to-people partnerships through Earlier, he also paid tributes at ic partnerships.
During his visit, he also participat- the India-Canada Comprehensive the Kanishka Memorial in Toronto, The high-level interactions fo-
ed at the community reception hosted Economic Partnership Agreement remembering the victims of the Air cused heavily on enhancing collab-
by the Consulate General of India in (CEPA). Praising the diaspora, he India Flight 182 and met the family orations in financial services, infra-
Toronto, Canada, highlighting India’s noted how it continues to serve as a members of the victims. structure, sustainable agriculture, and
remarkable economic transformation living bridge between our two nations, Highlighting it as one of the most critical minerals processing.
under the leadership of Prime Minis- contributing meaningfully across busi- tragic acts of terrorism in aviation He noted during his meetings how
ter Narendra Modi. ness, technology, academia, innova- history, he underlined that India and the talks between them emphasised on
He emphasised the immense op- tion and community leadership, while Canada are cooperating to ensure that the importance of trade, investment
portunities emerging across trade, proudly upholding India’s values and such a tragedy never repeats. and tech linkages for the strategic part-
investment, innovation and peo- cultural heritage globally. Goyal is in Canada for a three- nership between the two countries.

Indian American Firm claims FIFA India rights

OUR BUREAU “The Indian subcontinent alone has Justice Purushaindra Kumar
the ability to exceed initial valuation Kaurav issued notice to the respon-
Washington, DC
expectations,” Deelip Mhaske, Presi- dents while hearing the writ petition
ith weeks to go before the dent and CEO of Avni LLC, said. filed by advocate Avdhesh Bairwa un-
FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks The contrast with neighbouring der Article 226 of the Constitution.
Woff, an Indian-American in- markets is stark. China’s state broad- The petition states that despite
vestment firm from Washington DC, caster CMG sealed a comprehensive the FIFA World Cup 2026 being
Avni LLC, has emerged as an unlikely deal with FIFA on 15 May, while In- scheduled from June 11 to July 19,
player for the FIFA India rights. dia’s Delhi High Court has issued 2026, no broadcaster in India has ac-
Avni LLC said it submitted a cor- notices to Prasar Bharati following a quired the media rights for the tour-
porate guarantee backed by financial petition seeking a mandatory free-to- nament so far.
commitments exceeding $300 million air broadcast on DD Sports to avert a It argues that this may deprive
in February 2026 as part of FIFA’s total blackout. millions of football fans across the
closed tender process for the Indian FIFA has said only that discus- country from watching one of the big-
subcontinent, claiming an associated sions in India “are ongoing and must gest sporting events in the world.
partner secured the winning bid after remain confidential at this stage.” For According to the plea, FIFA had
competing against several major Indi- now, India’s football fans wait. initially valued the India broadcasting
an broadcasters. Last week, the Delhi High Court rights package for the 2026 and 2030
The announcement comes as issued notice to the Centre and Prasar World Cups at around USD 100 mil-
India remains without a confirmed Bharati on a petition seeking direc- lion. However, due to a lack of interest
broadcaster -- an extraordinary situa- tions to ensure that the FIFA World from broadcasters, the value was lat-
tion for one of the world’s largest and -- one built around OTT platforms, Cup 2026 is broadcast in India, espe- er reduced to nearly USD 35 million.
fastest-growing football markets. AI-powered multilingual broadcast- cially through free-to-air public plat- The petition claims that even after
Avni LLC is pitching a broader ing, mobile micro-subscriptions and forms such as Doordarshan and DD the reduction, no final agreement has
vision beyond traditional television esports integrations across Asia. Sports. been reached.

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