India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
New Delhi: India is looking at customs and trade facilitation on the review negotiations of the existing free trade agreement in goods with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations or Asean bloc, months before the Asean-India Summit, scheduled for October this year. Besides, some issues on technical cooperation, sanitary and phyto-sanitary, technical barriers to trade collaborations are on focus too, a top government official said. The review of the agreement is a long-standing demand of the domestic industry and India is looking forward to an upgraded pact, which will address the current asymmetries in bilateral trade and make trade more balanced and sustainable. "The 10th and 11th rounds of talks between the two sides are likely in August in New Delhi and further in October in Malaysia," said special secretary in the department of commerce Rajesh Agrawal. "We are engaged in such negotiations and nine rounds of talks have been concluded so far. The progress till now has been chequered, it is not what we could have been like, but the good part is that we are moving on many aspects, especially on customs and trade facilitation. Further, talks are also moving on issues like technical cooperation, sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT) collaborations," Agrawal said. "We also hope there is going to be one physical round in August here and another in October in Malaysia. So we hope that in these two rounds, we should be able to make good progress and try to reach some kind of conclusion when the Asean-India Summit takes place in October-end. The endeavour is towards that direction. Let's see how much we can achieve," he added. After the implementation of the agreement, India's exports stood at only about $38-39 billion annually, while imports from the 10-nation Asean bloc jumped to $86 billion. However, Asean countries have opened fewer tariff lines or product categories for India. India has offered duty concessions on over 71 per cent of the tariff lines to Asean countries. The members of the Asean bloc include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Indonesia has opened 41 per cent of its tariff lines, while Vietnam 66.5 per cent and Thailand 67 per cent. A free trade agreement in goods between India and the 10-nation bloc Asean bloc was signed in 2009
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): India's export status is expected to remain unchanged, as the trade data indicates strong growth opportunities in selected key product categories, according to the quarterly trade watch by government think tank, NITI Aayog. "The data suggests strong growth opportunities in targeted product categories while highlighting areas where India's export status is expected to remain unchanged," the report added. Also Read | Female Planet Warriors - Committed to Sustainable Futures Through Aura Farming. NITI Aayog further stated that India stands to gain a significan ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) YouTuber Samay Raina appeared before the National Commission for Women (NCW) in Delhi on Tuesday, months after he was summoned in connection with allegedly offensive and sexist content aired during his show "India's Got Latent", officials said. Raina was also among the five social media influencers who appeared before the Supreme Court in a case seeking action against them for ridiculing persons suffering from disabilities. Raina submitted his statement in response to the allegations to NCW officials. Officials said further steps will be considered after reviewing his ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: India has seen limited success so far in capturing the 'China Plus One strategy', while Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia have become bigger beneficiaries, according to a report of government think tank Niti Aayog. It said that factors such as cheaper labour, simplified tax laws, lower tariffs and pro-activeness in signing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have played a critical role in helping these countries expand their export shares. The US has implemented stricter export controls and higher tariffs on Chinese goods to limit China's growth and expenditure towards technologi ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, June 3 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile attendance at a global airlines conference this week underscores how much India is banking on a boom in aviation to support wider development goals, but headwinds to its ambitions are gathering force. Undeterred by the uncertainty gripping the aviation sector globally due to trade tensions and shaky consumer confidence, India's biggest airlines are ploughing ahead with orders for new planes, following record deals two year ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Trade talks between India and the US appear to be back on track, as President Donald Trump hinted that a "very big" agreement with India will be forthcoming soon. In a presser at the White House, Trump said, "Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it. Remember a few months ago, the press was saying, 'You really have anybody of any interest? Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we're going to open up India, in the China deal, we are starting to open up China.""We're not going ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 5 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, today took a swipe at the Modi government over the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, alleging that the Prime Minister will "meekly bow" to the pressure from US President Donald Trump's tariff deadline. "Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants, mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline," Gandhi wrote on X, targeting the Union Commerce and Industry Minister. Notably, Goyal had reiterated India's steadfast approach to international trade, stressing that the country negotiate ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a move to mutually protect and promote investments in each other's countries, India is actively negotiating bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with over a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, Oman, European Union, Switzerland, Russia, and Australia. Apart from these nations, talks are also underway with Tajikistan, Cambodia, Uruguay, Maldives, Switzerland and Kuwait, according to a source. Amid uncertainties over US President Donal Trump's reciprocal tariff, India is making its all-out efforts to remain in the fastest growing economy in the world. With India ...Read More >
New Delhi: An Indian commerce ministry team has reached Washington for another round of talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), which will begin on Monday, an official said. Chief negotiator of India and special secretary in the department of commerce Rajesh Agrawal will join the team on Wednesday. The four-day talks will end on Thursday. India's deputy chief negotiator for the proposed BTA has reached Washington for the talks on the first phase of the BTA, the official said. The visit assumes significance as both sides have to iron out issues in sectors, like agriculture an ...Read More >
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Import tariffs expected to be implemented by the administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could lower economic growth and inflation in the 20 nations sharing the euro, European Central Bank board member Piero Cipollone said on Tuesday. Most economists agree that the possible tariffs would impact growth, though views diverge on the effect on consumer prices. Some argue the U.S. trade barriers will push up the value of the dollar, making imports of key commodities more expensive, while likely retaliation from Europe will also raise costs. Cipollone, speaking i ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) In a significant enforcement action, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized goods worth Rs 9 crore under 'Operation Deep Manifest', targeting illegal imports of Pakistani-origin goods routed through Dubai. The operation has thus far led to the seizure of 39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of goods in blatant violation of import policy conditions and prohibitions imposed by the government on direct or indirect import or transit of Pakistani-origin goods, the finance ministry said in a statement on Thursday. One of the partners of an importing ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Two people died and four others were injured after a fire broke out at a house in east Delhi's Old Govindpura area on Tuesday evening, an official said. Police have identified the deceased as Tanveer (28) and Nusrat. A call was received at Jagatpuri police station at 8.46 pm regarding a fire incident at Band Gali, Old Govindpura, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam said. When a police team reached the spot, it found that 10 people were trapped inside a residential building that caught fire, the DCP said. With the help of police personnel and fir ...Read More >
Ahmedabad, June 27: Union Home Minister Amit Shah began his Gujarat visit on a spiritual note early Friday morning by participating in the Mangala Aarti at the historic Shri Jagannathji Temple in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad. The visit coincides with the auspicious occasion of the annual Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra, a major religious event that draws thousands of devotees every year. Arriving at the temple at 3:15 a.m., HM Shah joined in the sacred rituals and offered prayers to Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Sharing his experience on social media platform X, he posted, "On the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra, par ...Read More >
New Delhi: India could benefit from relatively lower US tariffs than many countries in the Asia Pacific, which would help India attract further investment flows and support its development as a global manufacturing hub, Moody's Ratings said on Thursday. The finalisation of a free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK in May and ongoing negotiations for a similar pact with the European Union are expected to further support such progress, it added. However, the ratings agency cautioned that the US' efforts to reshore certain manufacturing segments could challenge the extent to which India gains. ...Read More >
New Delhi: India could be among the countries expected to finalise a trade deal with the US soon, as President Donald Trump steps up pressure by issuing formal tariff letters to several nations, but New Delhi must tread carefully, economic think tank GTRI said on Tuesday. "Trump's model isn't a free trade agreement, it's a YATRA - Yielding to American Tariff Retaliation Agreement," the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. The US has extended the deadline for countries to finalise bilateral trade deals with the US from July 9 to August 1, giving a final three-week window before sweepi ...Read More >
The US is reportedly working towards an interim trade deal with India, potentially setting tariffs below 20%, a favorable position compared to other Asian nations. This arrangement allows for continued negotiations, aiming to resolve outstanding issues before a broader agreement expected this fall. The US is working toward an interim trade deal with India that may reduce its proposed tariffs to below 20%, people familiar with the matter said, putting the South Asian nation in a favorable positio ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): India export status is expected to remain unchanged, as the trade data indicates strong growth opportunities in selected key product categories, according to the quarterly trade watch by government think tank, NITI Aayog. The data suggests strong growth opportunities in targeted product categories while highlighting areas where India export status is expected to remain unchanged, the report added. NITI Aayog further stated that India stands to gain a significant edge in the US export market, which highlights strong growth potential in key product categories ...Read More >
New Delhi, May 26 (PTI) Alcoholic beverage maker's body CIABC has urged the government to adopt a phased reduction in import duties on liquor products under the proposed India-EU free trade agreement (FTA), while calling for strong safeguards to prevent misuse of trade concessions under the pact. In a submission to the commerce ministry, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has proposed slashing the effective customs (or import) duty on bottled products like wines and spirits from the current 150 per cent to 100 per cent immediately and then down to a resting customs d ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): After a federal court of the United States struck down a reciprocal tariff announced by US President Donald Trump, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that India should proceed cautiously in its ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the US. A Manhattan-based federal court on May 28 struck down Trump's move to impose reciprocal tariffs on the trading partners of the US and ruled that he can't use emergency power to impose tariffs on foreign countries; it has to come from Congress. The order of the court determined that the tariffs, ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jul 5 (PTI) With the Congress mocking the BJP-led NDA government over the proposed trade deal with the US, Union minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said India negotiates from a position of strength and not under deadlines. He also accused the Congress of "negotiating and signing agreements that were not in the national interest" during that party-led UPA government's tenure. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi had attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Indo-US trade deal, claiming the PM will "meekly bow" to the tariff deadline set by President Trump adminis ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said he had a productive meeting with Tzafrul Aziz, Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, during which he discussed the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). "Looking forward to fast-tracking discussions with ASEAN member states to ensure fair trade and balanced growth," Piyush Goyal said in a post on X. "We also held discussions on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between both countries," the minister further stated. Malaysia is India's perman ...Read More >
India prioritizes mutual benefits and national interests over deadlines in trade agreements, according to Minister Piyush Goyal. He emphasized fairness and a win-win approach, especially with the US, amidst looming reciprocal tariffs. While negotiations continue with the US, EU, and other nations, India remains firm on securing favorable terms before finalizing any deals.Days ahead of the US' July 9 deadline for reciprocal tariffs, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said India ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 14 (PTI) The negotiations between India and the US for a proposed trade agreement are going at a fast pace, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. The Indian team has reached Washington for the next round of talks on the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement. Also Read | Prime Minister Narendra Modi Condoles Demise of Kota Srinivasa Rao Garu, Remembers Actor-Politician's 'Cinematic Brilliance' and 'Social Service' (See Post). "Negotiations are going on at a very fast pace and in the spirit of mutual cooperation so that we can come out with a win- ...Read More >
New Delhi: Negotiations with the US are going at a "very fast pace and in the spirit of mutual cooperation" to come out with a win-win trade complementing agreement, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said Monday. His statement came amid Indian trade negotiators reaching Washington for another round of talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), which will begin Monday, an official said. The four-day talks are likely to be held on all 19 chapters of the trade pact. Speaking on the sidelines of an event on One District One Product event, Goyal also said New Delhi will cont ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) The coming months will be crucial for India's global trade relations, as the government intensifies negotiations with major partners such as the European Union (EU), the United States, and the ASEAN bloc, officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Tuesday. During a press briefing, Special Secretary Satya Srinivas said that significant progress has been made in some talks, while others are moving more slowly than expected. "The 12th round of negotiations with the EU was held last week and was very productive," Srinivas stated. He said bot ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) India should remain open to investments from China as other developed countries like the US and Germany, with the exception of a handful of sectors, 16th Finance Commission Chairman Arvind Panagariya said on Thursday. He also cautioned that one has to be careful about investments from potentially "unfriendly countries" that might damage the interest of the nation. However, developed countries are accepting investments from China in any particular sector, India can also welcome such investments. "If the US is taking investment from China, if Germany is taking, I would ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 6: Indian and U.S. officials engaged in high-level trade negotiations here to arrive at an interim deal on tariff cuts, ahead of the July 9 deadline, have decided to extend their ongoing talks into next week, according to a senior official. India's negotiating team, headed by Additional Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, has held talks over two days with senior officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), who arrived in Delhi for weekend talks. "The two countries are actively engaged in focused discussions to facilitate greater market access, reduce tari ...Read More >
New Delhi: British Foreign Secretary David Lammy will pay a two-day visit to India beginning Saturday to review bilateral ties in areas of trade as well as defence and security. Lammy will hold wide-ranging talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, and is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials said on Friday. The British foreign secretary will also meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Lammy's visit to New Delhi comes over a month after the two countries finalised an ambitious free trade agreement (FTA). It is learnt that his visit is also expected to focus on prepa ...Read More >
New Delhi: Global ratings agency Moody's Ratings on Thursday said that India may be subject to lower tariffs than many countries in the Asia Pacific, which could help the economy attract further investment and become a global manufacturing base. India is expected to be in a good position with reduced tariffs in the coming days though many export-reliant Asia Pacific economies were hit with very high US tariffs in April. In its outlook on Asia Pacific sovereigns, Moody's Ratings said while negotiations will likely lead to some reduction in tariffs and other trade barriers on a bilateral basis, ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 10 (PTI) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said discussions are underway with ASEAN to review the existing trade pact, and he is looking forward to fast-track the negotiations. The issue figured during the meeting between Goyal and his Malaysian counterpart T Zafrul Aziz. "Had a productive meeting with @Tzafrul_Aziz, Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry. Malaysia is India's permanent coordinator from ASEAN on economic matters," Goyal said in a post on X. The ministers discussed the ongoing review of ASEAN India Trade of Goods Agreement (AIT ...Read More >
New Delhi: India's goods exports in June fell a tad from a year earlier, but a sharper drop in imports aided the trade deficit to narrow to a four-month low. Exports reduced 0.05% year-on-year to $35.14 billion, a seven month low, while imports fell 3.71% to $53.92 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $18.78 billion compared with $20.84 billion in June last year. Exports to the US in the past month rose sharply to $25.52 billion from $20.89 billion, despite the base tariff on Indian goods shippe ...Read More >