WORLD
UK launches 14-week public consultation on proposed trade deal with India
The UK government began seeking the views of businesses and civil society from 25 May onwards on the proposed trade pact between Britain and India, that is keenly being pushed by both governments. The Boris Johnson-led government has publicized the deal as an opportunity to gain access to India's 1.4 billion people strong market.
TRENDS
Interview | Exporters remain flush with global orders as major markets reopen: FIEO DG Ajay Sahai
India's exports are set to go up, supported by a continuous rise in commodity prices and opening of key markets in the United States and United Kingdom. But as profitability shrinks and pending refunds mount, the fortunes of the sector remain tied to how long the current wave of the pandemic continues in India.
INDIA
Exclusive | Securing vaccines, deal to remove COVID copyrights to top Jaishankar’s talks in US
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reached the US on Monday for a crucial five-day visit. This is the first official trip by a foreign minister from either side, after the Biden administration took charge.
TRENDS
COVID-19 vaccine coverage in India likely to remain under 35% by 2021-end: Report by IMF's Ruchir Agarwal, Gita Gopinath
On May 21, the Health Ministry said the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has exceeded 19 crore.
INDIA
Exclusive | Commodity exports stopped India's trade from falling further in FY21
Latest data from the Commerce department for FY21 shows that relatively low value commodities, including both unprocessed raw materials and processed bulk goods, managed to hold their own throughout the pandemic-ridden year. A rise in global commodity prices and unused capacity due to drop in local manufacturing meant many commodity exports even managed to grow in 2020-21.
WORLD
Exclusive | India to submit updated proposal on TRIPS waiver to WTO council by May 30
New Delhi is working with South Africa and other nations to quickly submit by month-end a new, updated draft on its proposal to temporarily suspend parts of the global intellectual property rights agreement. But before it can save lives, the waiver proposal needs to see detailed text-based discussions at the earliest, making it tight deadline
WORLD
COVID-19 | Here's the list of all foreign medical aid that have reached India till now and where they are headed
To help India battle COVID-19, foreign aid is pouring in. As the second wave of the pandemic continues to extract a hefty toll and leads to a crippling shortage of medical supplies, we track the assistance from the world over, and what more is soon expected to reach.
WORLD
Exclusive | Government has not restricted vaccine makers and will not ban commercial exports, say officials
As the debate on allowing vaccine exports in the face of local shortage gains momentum, senior officials across key ministries say companies are free to honour their contractual obligations and sell abroad if they have enough doses
WORLD
Delhi CM cannot decide on civil aviation policy, foreign variants: India to Singapore
On May 18, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal asked the government to immediately ban flights from Singapore owing to a new COVID-19 variant in the South East Asian country that was disproportionately affecting children. Singapore has strongly reacted against the statement and the ensuing diplomatic drama saw the Centre distance itself from Kejriwal.
INDIA
EXCLUSIVE | Exporters wait for Centre to release tax refunds worth Rs 40,000 crore as liquidity crisis continues
The government's largest export incentive policy, the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme, was discontinued on January 1, 2021. Covering up to 75 per cent of India's total exports, it was crucial support to exporters. Now, while tax refunds under MEIS remain stuck with the government, there is no clarity on its it's replacement, the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products scheme
ECONOMY
April wholesale inflation reaches 10.49% as high fuel costs continue to hurt
Fuel inflation has doubled for two straight months now, hitting 21 percent in April, up from 10.2 percent in March, and just 0.6 percent in February. Further pushed up by a 9 percent rise in manufacturing prices and a continuing uptick in food prices, wholesale inflation reached near-record levels in April.
WORLD
COVID-19 | Here's the list of all foreign medical aid that have reached India till now and where they are headed
To help India battle COVID-19, foreign aid is pouring in. As the second wave of the pandemic continues to extract a hefty toll and leads to a crippling shortage of medical supplies, we track the assistance from the world over, and what more is soon expected to reach.
TRADE-2
April exports up three times on low base effect; imports soar 163%
The large rise is due to the extremely low volume of trade beginning in March, 2020 when the nationwide lockdown had been first instituted.
WORLD
COVID-19 | Here's the list of all foreign medical aid that have reached India till now and where they are headed
To help India battle COVID-19, foreign aid is pouring in. As the second wave of the pandemic continues to extract a hefty toll and leads to a crippling shortage of medical supplies, we track the assistance from the world over, and what more is soon expected to reach.
ECONOMY
IIP: High industrial output figures may not reflect real growth due to low-base effect from 2020 lockdown
While March IIP figures, and those over the coming months, could be encouraging only due to low-base effect, CPI inflation is not expected to stay in sub-5 per cent territory either, analysts say
ECONOMY
As vaccines become scarce, states adopt different strategies to secure supplies
While some municipalities are, or will issue tenders to procure vaccines, others are directly talking to manufacturers. The smaller provinces seem to be depending on distribution by the central government.
WORLD
COVID-19 | Here's the full list of foreign medical aid that have reached India till now and where they are headed
To help India battle COVID-19, foreign aid is pouring in. As the second wave of the pandemic continues to extract a hefty toll and leads to a crippling shortage of medical supplies, we track the assistance from the world over, and what more is soon expected to reach.
ECONOMY
March IIP expands 22.4% over low base, recovery in manufacturing
Cumulatively, India's industrial output shrunk 8.6 percent in FY21, as compared to a 0.9 percent contraction in FY20. Output shrank during 9 months in 2020-21.
WORLD
Here's the full list of foreign medical aid that have reached India till now and where they are headed
To help India battle COVID-19, foreign aid is pouring in. As the second wave of the pandemic continues to extract a hefty toll and leads to a crippling shortage of medical supplies, we track the assistance from the world over, and what more is soon expected to reach.
INDIA
Moody's cuts India FY22 GDP growth forecast sharply to 9.3%
The ratings agency also ruled out an upgrade in India's sovereign ratings in the near future. Moody's has said India's credit profile remains constrained by obstacles to economic growth such as a high debt burden and a weak financial system.
TRADE-2
Explained | Why is US considering major retaliatory tariffs against India?
A hearing by the USTR on May 11, attended by respondents from Indian industry, gathered feedback on whether additional tariffs of up to 25 percent should be imposed on India’s major exports to the US such as sea food, basmati rice, diamonds and jewellery. The US move was provoked by India's decision to stick to its digital tax for foreign entities.
WORLD
Here's the full list of foreign medical aid that have reached India till now and where they are headed
To help India battle COVID-19, foreign aid is pouring in. As the second wave of the pandemic continues to extract a hefty toll and leads to a crippling shortage of medical supplies, we track the assistance from the world over, and what more is soon expected to reach.
TRADE-2
India likely to offer EU lower duties on wines, automobiles, seek data-secure nation status
The EU wants significantly lower customs duties on various European goods, while India is seeking the status of a data-secure nation that will open up huge business opportunities in outsourcing.
WORLD
Here's the full list of foreign medical aid that have reached India till now and where they are headed
To help India battle COVID-19, foreign aid is pouring in. As the second wave of the pandemic continues to extract a hefty toll and there is a crippling shortage of medical supplies, we track the assistance from the world over, and what more is soon expected.
