Germany’s Merz heads to India to bolster trade, security ties

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is in India to boost economic and security ties. This visit comes ahead of a planned EU-India free trade agreement. Discussions will cover trade, defense deals, and skilled labor recruitment. India seeks broader partnerships to reduce dependence on other nations. German companies see significant opportunities in India’s growing market.

India is aggressively seeking trade deals to open markets for exporters and soften the blow of steep US tariffs, as efforts to secure an agreement with Washington remain elusive. And while a free trade agreement (FTA) with New Zealand added little to Indian export growth, it secured $20 billion in foreign investment, increased visa access […]

India’s exports to European Union are showing strong growth. Spain is a standout market with significant export increases. Germany continues to be a stable destination for Indian products. Belgium and Poland also show positive export trends. These developments are occurring as India and the EU negotiate a free trade agreement, promising further bilateral trade growth.

A think tank argues that trade deals hinge on policy alignment, not leader calls. This challenges US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s claim that the India-US trade agreement stalled due to a missed phone call. GTRI asserts that complex negotiations break down over substantive issues like tariffs and market access. The trade impasse reflects hard policy […]

India and the European Union are moving closer to a free trade agreement. Discussions in Brussels showed good progress with fewer issues remaining. Both sides are committed to a fair and ambitious deal. Negotiations are speeding up to finalize the pact soon. This agreement is crucial for economic ties between India and the EU.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the state will actively promote its Telangana Rising 2047 vision and aim for a $3 trillion economy at the World Economic Forum in Davos 2026. The delegation will showcase the state’s transformative growth plans, revisit past investment commitments, and highlight opportunities in innovation, technology, and inclusive development.

Modi and Trump have spoken on the phone “on eight occasions during 2025, covering different aspects of our wide-ranging partnership”, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday. Lutnick had said that India was given “three Fridays” to clinch a trade deal with Washington last year and that Modi had to call Trump to […]

India and the European Union are in talks for a Free Trade Agreement. Discussions focus on a modern economic partnership. Both sides aim to safeguard farmers and MSMEs. Negotiations are ongoing to bridge differences. The goal is to conclude the talks soon. This pact could boost Indian exports to the EU market.

The Chief Economic Adviser has spotlighted key industries such as semiconductors, defence production, and critical industrial chemicals for self-sufficiency. Targeting a decrease in import reliance, this plan aspires to elevate India’s economic influence internationally.

In a striking political maneuver, US President Donald Trump is endorsing legislation that would impose a staggering 500% tariff on Russian oil purchasers. Indian oil executives perceive this as a tactical pressure play in ongoing trade negotiations rather than a serious ultimatum. The intention appears to be to coerce India while nudging Russia towards a […]