India at advanced stages of trade talks with both EU and US: Piyush Goyal

India is nearing trade agreements with the European Union and the United States. Meanwhile, Indian products face substantial import duties in the US. These tariffs, totaling fifty percent, have been described as unfair by New Delhi. Discussions are ongoing to resolve these trade matters.

The US has granted India a six-month sanctions waiver for its operations at Iran’s Chabahar Port, a move seen as a strategic concession amidst ongoing trade deal negotiations. This extension supports India’s regional connectivity plans, particularly its gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, signaling Washington’s willingness to accommodate New Delhi’s geopolitical interests.

Indian engineering exports saw a 2.93 percent rise in September, reaching USD 10.11 billion. This growth occurred even with a drop in shipments to the United States. Exports to China and other regions showed positive movement. The sector’s cumulative growth for the first half of the fiscal year stands at 5.35 percent. This indicates resilience […]

China has restarted supplying heavy rare earth magnets to India after a six-month halt. This brings relief to Indian companies in electric vehicle, renewable energy, and consumer electronics sectors. However, China has imposed conditions. These magnets cannot be re-exported to the US or used for military purposes. This development follows a meeting between US and […]

The United States has granted India a six-month exemption from sanctions for operations at Iran’s Chabahar port. This waiver is crucial for India’s regional connectivity plans, including trade with Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Russia, and bypasses Pakistan. India recently signed a 10-year agreement to operate the port.

Beginning November 1, a 30% import duty will be levied on yellow peas. Any shipments with a bill of lading dated on or before October 31 will avoid this charge. Previously, the government allowed duty-free imports until March 2026, but this new regulation significantly impacts future yellow pea imports.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that some Indian companies have received licences to import rare earths from China. The minerals, vital for industries such as electronics, renewable energy and defence, have faced global supply concerns after China imposed export restrictions.

India will now allocate tariff rate quotas for gold imports from the UAE through a competitive bidding process. This move aims to enhance transparency and efficiency. Eligible importers must be registered with the Bureau of Indian Standards for hallmarking and with GST.

India and the European Union are nearing a free trade agreement. Negotiations have concluded 10 chapters, with more broadly decided. Sensitive issues like steel and automobiles require further discussion. Both sides aim for a balanced pact, recognizing mutual strengths. The EU trade commissioner’s visit in November is expected to bring further breakthroughs.

Next week, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will embark on a visit to New Zealand to engage in productive discussions surrounding a proposed free trade agreement. The goal of the negotiations is to bring the FTA to a robust conclusion, enhancing the rapidly growing bilateral trade between India and New Zealand.