Trade

Budget 2026: Centre may overhaul export-certification to cut port delays, rope in private players

The proposal seeks to open up export quality and compliance certification to private players to reduce clearance timelines at ports from about 10 days to three

Budget 2026 likely to overhaul SEZ norms to boost local sourcing

A Rajiv Gauba-led committee has recommended easier domestic market access for SEZs, with suggestions to reduce duty distortions to enable smoother sourcing and sales

OPINION | Why the India–EU Free Trade Agreement is critical for Indian industry

India–EU FTA represents the scaffolding for India’s next industrial leap. It offers the regulatory foundation, external confidence, and investment pipeline needed for Indian industry to move up the value chain and integrate more deeply with the world’s most advanced markets

India–EU FTA talks to spill into 2026, next round set for early January

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he hopes the FTA could be concluded in the first six months of 2026, though he clarified that he is not directly responsible for trade negotiations.

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

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

India-EU kick off fresh round of FTA talks as clock tick on year-end deadline

Carbon tax and market access for automobiles and steel, rules of origin, and barriers in services are the remaining sticking points, officials have said

Putin's India visit spotlights trade, rupee-ruble payments, and crude oil deals

The visit comes amid a fall in India’s Russian crude oil purchases and ongoing efforts to settle trade in local currencies, alongside talks on energy cooperation and boosting bilateral commerce.

India’s exports to US fall, but niche products from smartphones to golf balls show surprising gains

Electronics, speciality chemicals and machinery components offset part of the decline even as labour-intensive sectors struggle

Indian CEOs, exporters set to meet Russian delegation during Putin’s Delhi visit

The engagement could take the form of a roadshow or an exhibition featuring select exporters on December 4, and the next day will include meetings between 75 Indian business leaders and a similar number of Russian executives, sources say.

India pushing for FDI-linked FTAs to attract global investors, says Commerce Secy Rajesh Agrawal

Rupee weakness isn’t a concern for exporters, but October’s wider trade gap was driven by a spike in precious metals imports, said Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal.

India begins trade talks with Russia-led EAEU today

India is also eyeing a trade pact with Africa’s oldest customs union - SACU - to expand market access and diversify export routes.

India’s exports bounce back in November after October slump

On special economic zones (SEZs), Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said inter-ministerial discussions are "going on very actively" to make the units in these zones competitive. Surplus capacity in SEZs can be used to reduce imports from countries such as China and ASEAN, he said.

India–Canada ties warm up with a $50 billion trade plan — why it matters now?

The reset marks a shift from strained political ties to renewed economic cooperation, with both sides eyeing deeper trade, technology and energy partnerships.

Jan Vishwas Bill-3 will decriminalise at least 275 more business offences: Piyush Goyal

The recently enacted labour codes will provide substantial benefits to unorganised workers and gig workers, said Union minister for commerce and industry Piyush Goyal. He said these workers previously had to navigate numerous forms, inspections and complex regulations, whereas the new framework simplifies processes and ensures access to proper facilities, social security and better working conditions.

Govt working to boost investment in India, boost FDI and FII: Piyush Goyal

Goyal says “good news” on an India–US trade deal will come once the agreement is fair and balanced, saying ties remain strong and strategic despite differing paces across issues.

Cabinet clears Rs 20,000 crore additional funds for credit guarantee scheme to aid exporters

The scheme shall be implemented by DFS through National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd to provide additional credit support by MLIs to the eligible exporters including MSMEs

Cabinet clears Rs 25,060 crore Export Promotion Mission to support sectors hit by tariff hikes

The Union Cabinet also expanded the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters with an additional support of Rs 20,000 crore

OPINION | Reimagining India’s ASEAN trade strategy

India’s long-standing economic and strategic relations with Southeast Asian countries has been tested by the region's increasing dependency on China. That should not blind policy makers to the potential trade with ASEAN offers

India moves to streamline quality control orders amid FTA talks

The Centre is unlikely to issue any new QCOs while the review is underway, which also aims to ease the regulatory burden on MSMEs, who face higher costs and sourcing difficulties due to existing orders being heavily focused on raw materials.

'Significant progress' in critical minerals talks in latest rounds of FTA negotiations with Peru, Chile

India and Peru agreed to hold intersessional meetings to address pending issues ahead of the next round of negotiations to be held in New Delhi in January

FTA delayed, India to expand preferential trade agreement with Brazil-led Mercosur: Govt officials

Currently, the preferential trade agreement (PTA) with the Mercosur trade bloc covers about 450 tariff lines. Talks are on to expand the PTA further to cover more items across agriculture, industrial goods, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, government officials told Moneycontrol.