Met coal imports from Russia jump nearly three-fold in last 3 fiscals

India’s metallurgical coal imports from Russia have increased by three-fold in the last three years, reaching 15.1 million tonnes in 2023-24, mainly due to lower prices. This increase is attributed to lower prices, which are cheaper for domestic steel players. Australia, a major supplier of met coal to India, has seen a decline in its […]

India and Ghana aim to link UPI and GHIPSS for instant fund transfers. Discussions include MOU, local currency settlement, and AfCFTA benefits. NPCI’s UPI may operate on GHIPSS in 6 months. Bilateral trade focuses on gold, cocoa, and cashew nuts.

In early December, the central government allowed duty-free imports of yellow peas until March 2024, later to be extended till April and then June. It was part of New Delhi’s intervention to cool the prices of the overall pulse basket.

India has lifted the ban on onion exports after almost six months. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade set the Minimum Export Price at $550 per tonne. Onions have historically influenced India’s political landscape during elections.

India raised concerns on pharmaceutical pricing control in Australia during a recent bilateral meeting, focusing on market access, people-to-people contacts, and trade decline. JCM addressed MRAs on organic products, okra, pomegranate, grapes, cottage cheese.

India dilutes pesticide norms for herbs and spices, raising MRL to 0.1mg/kg. Activists fear harm to exports. Concerns include health risks, cumulative pesticide effects, and harm from unknown pesticides on imports.

Currently, the export of onion is banned. However, the government allows shipments to India’s friendly nations. It has permitted a specified quantity of onion exports to UAE and Bangladesh.

India’s Spices Board has made testing for ethylene oxide (ETO) mandatory for all spices being exported to Hong Kong and Singapore, where authorities last month stopped sales of some products of two Indian spice brands on the ground that they contained high levels of ETO, a carcinogen. Testing has been made mandatory from May 6.

Uzbekistan positions itself as a regional investment hub amid reforms and a focus on the market economy, attracting foreign investments, including from India. The Third Tashkent International Investment Forum, held on May 2-3, aimed to boost investments. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated, along with representatives from various countries. The forum has become a platform for bilateral […]

India’s path to becoming a developed country hinges on boosting exports, as demonstrated by China’s growth. Leveraging bilateral agreements and FTAs, India is expanding into new markets like Africa and Latin America. Yet, quality issues and trade restrictions pose challenges, such as recent bans on Indian spices in Hong Kong and Singapore. Additionally, green trade […]