Economy
US drops pulses, digital services tax from fact sheet on India trade deal
The US has revised its interim trade deal fact sheet with India, removing pulses from tariff talks and softening language on India's $500 billion purchase plans, even as negotiations continue
 "US drops pulses, digital services tax from fact sheet on India trade deal")
US-Bangladesh trade agreement unlikely to dent India's auto exports
The US-Bangladesh reciprocal trade pact is unlikely to materially affect India's auto and auto component exports, analysts say, despite tariff concessions and wider market access for Dhaka
 "US-Bangladesh trade agreement unlikely to dent India's auto exports")
Datanomics: $500 billion imports in five years need 3.75x increase
Despite tariff cuts, india's plan to import $500 billion of us goods in five years far outpaces historical trade flows
 "Datanomics: $500 billion imports in five years need 3.75x increase")
On India-US table: Locking in duty-free electronic transmissions
Under a WTO moratorium, countries do not levy Customs duties on cross-border e-commerce transactions such as the download of software, e-books and similar products
 "On India-US table: Locking in duty-free electronic transmissions")
India-US trade deal: India gets expanded market access for agri exports
During 2024, India's agricultural exports to the US stood at $3.4 billion - excluding marine products, while imports were $2.1 billion
 "India-US trade deal: India gets expanded market access for agri exports")
'Certain pulses' could be new flashpoint for India under trade deal with US
Pulses were not part of the items mentioned in the joint statement for the interim framework, and the fact-sheet too does not clarify which pulses are being included
 "'Certain pulses' could be new flashpoint for India under trade deal with US")
January retail inflation likely to hit 2.4-3%: Business Standard poll
The old-weight estimates place January CPI inflation at 2.5 per cent- 2.6 per cent, while the new-weight estimates span 2.45 per cent to 3.2 per cent
 "January retail inflation likely to hit 2.4-3%: Business Standard poll")
India-EU trade deal brings together one-fourth of world economy: Comm Secy
He said that the two sides offer a lot of synergies, which is important in today's world, where people are facing a lot of turmoil and challenges in global trade
 "India-EU trade deal brings together one-fourth of world economy: Comm Secy")
Power sector reforms central to tackling India's climate finance problem
Accounting for nearly half of India's $22.7 trillion net zero investment needs, the power sector has emerged as the biggest challenge in mobilising long-term climate finance
 "Power sector reforms central to tackling India's climate finance problem")
India's net-zero drive to require $300 bn annual investment: StanChart
India will require annual investments of up to $300 billion from corporates to meet net-zero goals, even as most companies have adopted climate strategies, a Standard Chartered report said
 "India's net-zero drive to require $300 bn annual investment: StanChart")
India's net zero roadmap sees coal demand peaking by 2050 before steep fall
Niti Aayog's Net Zero reports project coal demand rising till 2047 even as India scales up clean energy, electrifies industry and transport, and targets net zero emissions by 2070
 "India's net zero roadmap sees coal demand peaking by 2050 before steep fall")
Bringing urea under NBS scheme faces farmer income, pricing challenges
Pilot trials using Agri Stack and farmer IDs to rationalise urea use have shown promise, but issues of bringing urea under the Nutrient Based Subsidy and rationalising retail prices remain
 "Bringing urea under NBS scheme faces farmer income, pricing challenges")
US claims India will remove digital services tax: Here's what it means
India has already abolished existing equalisation levies by April 2025, which were highlighted as a concern by the United States Trade Representative
 "US claims India will remove digital services tax: Here's what it means")
India likely to pursue critical minerals deals with Brazil, Canada, Europe
The focus would be on lithium and rare earths, and India would also seek access to mineral-processing technologies
 "India likely to pursue critical minerals deals with Brazil, Canada, Europe")
Bangladesh textile exports to US go 'tariff-free': What it means for India
Bangladesh's key export-earning ready-made garments made from cotton and synthetic fibres imported from the US will enjoy zero reciprocal duty under a new trade deal
 "Bangladesh textile exports to US go 'tariff-free': What it means for India")
Fall in outward remittances gives temporary relief to India's CAD
Investments in foreign equity/debt only major category with gains
 "Fall in outward remittances gives temporary relief to India's CAD")
'Historic' trade deal will open Indian markets to US goods: White House
The fact sheet highlights key terms of the agreement, including that India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and a wide range of US food and agricultural products
 "'Historic' trade deal will open Indian markets to US goods: White House")
National cyber norms for academia: Securing India's campus innovation
India's schools and universities face cyberattacks at more than twice the global average, raising concerns over data security, intellectual property and resilience of the country's knowledge economy
 "National cyber norms for academia: Securing India's campus innovation")
Datanomics: India's agricultural trade with US remains marginal
Two-thirds of India's imports of tree nuts (such as almonds and pistachios) came from the US alone
 "Datanomics: India's agricultural trade with US remains marginal")
India announces special economic package of $175 million for Seychelles
Package includes food security support, infrastructure, health, defence and maritime cooperation as India and Seychelles sign agreements to deepen ties in the Indian Ocean region
 "India announces special economic package of $175 million for Seychelles")