BUSINESS
India calls for trust, consensus at WTO’s MC14, pushes action on ‘past mandates’
Piyush Goyal said restoring confidence among members was essential to revitalise the WTO’s functioning
BUSINESS
More cooking gas raises hopes of stemming worker migration in India's largest textile cluster
For Surat’s vast textile workforce, migration is usually seasonal and predictable. This year, however, the cycle was disrupted as many workers left earlier amid a fuel crunch
INDIA
Piyush Goyal urges careful reconsideration of e-commerce moratorium, pushes for WTO reforms
In a statement circulated at the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) on March 26, Goyal flagged the 'potentially significant implications' of the moratorium
BUSINESS
WTO's MC14 kicks off in Cameroon tomorrow amid divisions over, e-commerce, farm subsidies
India is expected to take a firm stand on agriculture, oppose an e-commerce moratorium, which prevents countries from imposing customs duties on digital trade and push for WTO reforms
INDIA
India’s FTAs boost exports but trade deficits persist with UAE, Australia
New Delhi remains engaged with the US and is studying the recent tariff developments, the government said
BUSINESS
From ships to skies: How India is keeping Gulf markets stocked amid Iran war
With shipping routes disrupted, exporters are turning to air freight and exploring alternative corridors to keep food flowing to import-dependent Gulf nations
BUSINESS
Govt restores RoDTEP rates after brief 50% cut
In a notification issued on March 23, the DGFT rolled back the 50 percent reduction in RoDTEP rates that had come into effect on February 23, offering relief to exporters grappling with rising costs and global trade disruptions.
BUSINESS
Global trade to slow to 1.9% in 2026, may drop to 1.4% if West Asia crisis persists, says WTO
Under a high energy price scenario, energy-importing regions such as Asia and Europe would face the sharpest reductions in trade growth, while fuel-exporting economies could see some offsetting gains
BUSINESS
UK, EU FTA implementation on track; Israel, Gulf talks delayed amid West Asia conflict
The proposed free trade agreement with the UK, signed on July 2025, is likely to be implemented by April-end or early-May of this year.
ECONOMY
More measures likely after RELIEF package to aid exporters hit by West Asia crisis
Despite the disruptions, a government official indicated that the overall impact on India’s exports in March may be limited
ECONOMY
14th Ministerial to debate e-commerce moratorium, WTO reforms
The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) is scheduled to be held from March 26 to 29, 2026, in Yaoundé, Cameroon
BUSINESS
Government launches RELIEF Scheme to shield exporters hit by West Asia crisis
The scheme will provide targeted support to exporters, particularly MSMEs, helping them overcome operational bottlenecks and ensure smoother trade flows.
BUSINESS
India looks to settle trade with Gulf countries in local currencies amid global uncertainties
Officials said enabling trade in domestic currencies would help avoid routing transactions through the US dollar, thereby lowering conversion costs and limiting the impact of currency volatility
BUSINESS
India-Gulf bloc FTA talks likely only in second half of the year as Iran war rages
India and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, signed the Terms of Reference February to launch FTA negotiations
BUSINESS
India, Canada likely to hold first round of FTA talks in April or May
Both governments have also set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to about $50 billion by 2030 as part of the proposed CEPA framework.
BUSINESS
India to announce steps within this week to support exporters hit by West Asia disruptions
The government has set up an inter-ministerial group under the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to monitor the situation closely and address exporters’ concerns.
BUSINESS
India will sign US trade deal after Washington readies new tariff structure: Source
The agreement had initially been expected to be signed in March, but the US court’s ruling rendered earlier reciprocal tariffs invalid, prompting the Trump administration to work on a new tariff framework for global trade.
BUSINESS
India's trade deficit narrows to $27 billion in February
However, on a year-on-year basis, the trade gap in goods in February was significantly wider from $14.42 in the same month last year
BUSINESS
Experts see US’s Section 301 probe as a bid to gain upper hand in trade deal talks
Section 301 empowers the USTR to examine whether foreign industrial policies, such as subsidies, state-owned enterprise activity, or overcapacity are unreasonable or discriminatory.
BUSINESS
Experts see US’s Section 301 probe as a bid to gain upper hand in trade deal talks
Section 301 empowers the USTR to examine whether foreign industrial policies, such as subsidies, state-owned enterprise activity, or overcapacity are unreasonable or discriminatory.
BUSINESS
India may wait for clarity on Section 301 probe before moving ahead with US trade talks
The United States has launched a fresh investigation into global industrial overcapacity, targeting certain sectors across 16 economies, including India
BUSINESS
Press Note 3 easing to apply prospectively, but some pending FDI proposals may benefit
DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia said the government expects the easing of norms to boost foreign investments.
BUSINESS
"A major boost for investors": Experts hail clarity on beneficial ownership and expedited approvals under Press Note-3
The announcement appears broadly aligned with India’s ongoing push to strengthen electronics manufacturing and semiconductor supply chains, which are also priorities under policies such as Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme and related production-linked incentive initiatives, say experts.
BUSINESS
Govt open to adding more sectors under eased Press Note 3 regime, says DPIIT Secretary
Bhatia said the government is examining ways to expand the sectors eligible for expedited approvals for investments coming from land-bordering countries (LBCs), except Pakistan.
