BUSINESS
Year Ahead: Worst may be over for rupee, yet US trade deal key for stability in 2026
Major research and brokerage houses expect the rupee to exit its current depreciating phase in 2026, but much will depend on the progress of the trade deal between India and its largest trading partner, the US.
BUSINESS
Aravallis Explained: Supreme Court’s verdict, public outcry and what the government says
Supreme Court’s acceptance of a government committee’s new definition of the Aravallis has sparked concerns among activists and the general public, who fear that lower hills and connecting landforms could be left unprotected despite assurances on monitoring and conservation.
BUSINESS
FTA with New Zealand offers India a $2-billion chance to replace Chinese imports
Gains from tariff concessions are likely to be gradual, as exporters will need time to adjust to supply chains, secure buyers and expand their presence in New Zealand.
BUSINESS
India sees $3.6 billion in tariff-free exports to Oman under CEPA, with a $21.2 billion market potential
Labour-intensive goods such as textiles, transport equipment, precision instruments, processed food, and gems and jewellery, which currently face tariffs of over 50 percent in the United States, are expected to benefit from diversification opportunities arising from the trade deal with Oman.
BUSINESS
India can leverage Oman trade deal to boost fuel exports to Sudan, Turkey amid tightening sanctions
Experts say the free trade agreement also allows Indian exporters to diversify goods at a time when many face steeper US tariffs, positioning Oman as a strategic link to the Gulf and African markets.
BUSINESS
India–Oman CEPA likely to kick in within 3 months, pharma approvals to be fast-tracked
“The Oman-United States trade agreement, signed in 2006, took nearly three years to be implemented. Learning from that experience, India and Oman have decided to operationalise this agreement much faster,” Goyal said during a briefing.
BUSINESS
India sees $2 billion export boost to Oman within 2 years of trade deal
This would raise India’s exports to Oman to over $6 billion, up from $4.1 billion in 2024–25, once the tariff concessions under the trade agreement take effect.
BUSINESS
CEPA to boost Indian meat, dairy exports with greater access to Oman's $6 billion agri market
On the other hand, India has granted phased tariff concessions for products such as sweet biscuits, rusks, toasted bread, pastries and cakes, papad, and dog and cat food, with duties to be eliminated over a period of five to ten years.
BUSINESS
India-Oman CEPA grants 100% FDI to Indian firms in key services, paves way for social security talks
Both sides have agreed to hold future discussions on social security coordination once Oman’s contributory social security system is implemented, reflecting a forward-looking approach to facilitating labour mobility and worker protection.
BUSINESS
India keeps dairy, key agri goods, gold out of Oman trade deal
As part of the trade deal, India will cut duties on about 78 percent of its tariff lines, covering nearly 95 percent of imports from Oman, with sensitive products given access mainly through tariff-rate quotas.
BUSINESS
India, Oman sign trade pact, to allow duty-free access for over 99% of Indian exports
India and Oman began trade talks in November 2023 and concluded them in August 2025 after five rounds of negotiations
BUSINESS
Over $3 billion of Indian exports could become tariff-free under FTA with Oman
New Delhi and Muscat are set to sign a trade deal on December 18 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Gulf nation.
BUSINESS
FY26 CAD could fall as low as 0.9% as trade deficit narrows to 5-month low in Nov
Economists say that the outcome of the negotiations for a trade deal between India and the US continues to be crucial, as the absence of an agreement could have negative implications for India’s current account deficit in the next fiscal year
BUSINESS
India adds a billion dollars to China exports, US shipments up 22% despite tariffs
Merchandise exports to China from India increased by a whopping $1.05 billion in November 2025, growing over 90 percent year-on-year, while outbound shipments to the US rose more than 22 percent to $6.98 billion during the same period.
BUSINESS
India–Oman FTA ready for signing, New Zealand deal nears, EU talks narrow gaps
In addition, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said there have been discussions on reviving talks with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), an issue that was raised during recent G20 engagements with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
BUSINESS
India, US 'very close' to interim deal to lower reciprocal tariffs, says Commerce Secy
There's a fair expectation that both countries (India, US) will be able to agree to a deal to lower reciprocal tariffs, says Agrawal
BUSINESS
India proposes limited trade deal with Mexico to offset tariff hikes
The commerce ministry added that Indian exports worth around $2 billion to Mexico, particularly automobiles, two wheelers, auto parts, textiles, among others could be affected by the proposed tariffs.
BUSINESS
India’s goods trade deficit shrank to a 5-month low of $24.5 billion in November
Merchandise exports for November 2025 stood at $38.13 billion, while goods imports came in at $62.66 billion
BUSINESS
10 and counting: India's 2026 FTA playbook to tackle tariffs, secure minerals
India is ramping up its trade efforts heading into 2026, with a free trade deal with the EU on the horizon and negotiations advancing with the US, Oman, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Israel and more. These moves aim to diversify export markets, reduce reliance on any single economy, and secure critical minerals amid global supply constraints.
BUSINESS
Mexico’s 50% tariff hike spurs Indian exporters to seek FTA amid rising pressure on steel, auto sectors
Certain exporters have formally urged the Commerce Ministry to pursue a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Mexico to cushion the blow, with a source adding that industry leaders have even flagged the issue directly to Minister Piyush Goyal.
BUSINESS
India-EU FTA aims to ease entry of Italian wines, auto; boost Indian whisky, textiles exports: Goyal
Goyal acknowledged that some pending issues still need to be ironed out to conclude India-EU FTA talks
BUSINESS
Credit guarantee scheme for exporters in last leg of consultations, rollout likely by December-end
Meeting with key export promotion councils scheduled for December 10; interest rates, moratorium, eligibility, and processing mechanism under discussion.
BUSINESS
Budget FY27: Gold import duty unlikely to be changed amid stable CAD outlook
The government has tightened checks on 'mis-declared' gold and platinum imports. The basic customs duty on the yellow metal has been cut from 15% to 6% in July 2024
BUSINESS
As IndiGo chaos continues, consumer affairs ministry steps up watch on airlines, refund compliance
Consumers affairs and aviation ministries have begun discussions on structural fixes to prevent a repeat of IndiGo fiasco and ways to better protect consumers
