Protecting Indian interests to be supreme in India-US BTA talks: Officials

India is set to engage in tough negotiations with the US for a Bilateral Trade Agreement, prioritizing its own interests. Discussions will cover both interim and initial phases of the BTA, aiming for completion by September-October. Key challenges include agriculture and dairy sectors, with the US seeking concessions on sensitive items like GM crops.

India is closely monitoring insurance and freight costs due to the West Asia conflict. Iran’s parliament considered closing the Strait of Hormuz. This could impact global oil shipments and raise costs. Exporters fear higher insurance premiums and freight charges. Alternative routes would be expensive. Industries relying on global supply chains may face shortages. Tensions are […]

Escalating tensions between Iran and Israel threaten India’s trade with West Asia, impacting exports and potentially disrupting key routes like the Strait of Hormuz. This could inflate oil prices, increase shipping costs, and strain supply chains, particularly affecting agricultural exports and energy security. Broader regional conflict poses significant risks to India’s economic interests and trade […]

Amidst the Iran-Israel conflict, Indian exporters are considering shifting cargo operations. Bandar Abbas port may become unreliable. Chabahar port is being explored as an alternative. Air freight rates have already increased. Further escalation could disrupt trade with Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Russia. The commerce ministry is assessing the situation. Feasibility of shifting to Chabahar is […]

India’s preferential certificates of origin for Australia and UAE saw a rise in 2024-25. Commerce ministry data shows increases of 19% and 24.7% respectively. This indicates greater use of free trade agreements by Indian exporters. Total certificates granted reached 7,20,996. Increased awareness and utilization of these agreements are expected to boost India’s global trade position.

India has suspended tea exports to Iran due to the escalating conflict with Israel, disrupting communication and business operations. This halt impacts premium orthodox tea shipments worth Rs 100-150 crore, with concerns rising over access to the Strait of Hormuz affecting overall West Asian tea trade.

India is actively pursuing free trade agreements with various countries. The focus is on developed nations, mineral-rich countries, developing economies, and neighboring countries. Negotiations are underway with the United States, the European Union, Chile, and others. The government aims to secure critical resources and boost exports.

Colloidal precious metals refer to mixtures where nanoparticles of gold or silver are suspended in a liquid. ​​Industry specialists have said that certain importers were exploiting this method to bring in goods from nations such as Thailand.

The Indian government has implemented anti-dumping duties for five years on aluminium foil, Pretilachlor, and Acetonitrile imports from China, Taiwan, and Russia. This action follows investigations by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies, which revealed that these countries were engaging in unfair trade practices by selling these goods at significantly lower prices, thereby harming domestic […]

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated India is prioritizing strong trade agreements with developed nations, citing deals with the UK, Australia, UAE, and EFTA. Goyal criticized past agreements with competitors like ASEAN, indirectly benefiting China. The focus now shifts to complementary economies like New Zealand and the Gulf region, alongside ongoing talks with Chile […]