Economy & Policy News
India-EU FTA opens premium car mkt, gives Indian firms larger export quota
European carmakers get a first-year quota of 100,000 ICE and hybrid cars, while Indian-origin vehicles priced up to 50,000 euros get access to a 250,000-unit EU quota
 "India-EU FTA opens premium car mkt, gives Indian firms larger export quota")
US, India join hands to strengthen security of undersea cable networks
The partnership seeks to improve the resilience and diversification of subsea communication infrastructure as India strengthens its position as a global digital and technology hub
 "US, India join hands to strengthen security of undersea cable networks")
US finalises steep duties on solar imports from India, Indonesia, Laos
The US Commerce Department imposed anti-dumping and countervailing duties on solar imports from India, Indonesia and Laos, citing cheap exports and government subsidies
 "US finalises steep duties on solar imports from India, Indonesia, Laos")
Brics flags 'unilateral' tariffs, trade barriers as global risks
The reference to unilateral trade and finance-related actions is significant as the US has pursued sweeping tariff measures against trading partners
 "Brics flags 'unilateral' tariffs, trade barriers as global risks")
India relies on China for core electronic components in 71 product lines
China supplied at least 80 per cent of India's imports across 71 electronics product lines in 2025-26, with dependence concentrated in key upstream components
 "India relies on China for core electronic components in 71 product lines")
Datanomics: Threat to $ from Brics distant shot; euro a bigger challenger
Euro gives a challenge to dollar in export invoicing, while the US remains a far bigger player in forex transactions
 "Datanomics: Threat to $ from Brics distant shot; euro a bigger challenger")
OMCs' margins to be under pressure with crude above $100 per barrel: Report
Equirus Securities sees HPCL as the most vulnerable among major oil marketers, while BPCL is relatively better placed due to stronger integration and distillate yields
 "OMCs' margins to be under pressure with crude above $100 per barrel: Report")
Food prices may have pushed retail inflation to 4.5-5% in August
A Business Standard poll of 11 economists projects August retail inflation at 4.5-5 per cent, driven by higher food prices and a firmer core inflation reading
 "Food prices may have pushed retail inflation to 4.5-5% in August")
FM Sitharaman for AI safeguards to keep pace with rapid tech evolution
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman calls for stronger AI safeguards, human oversight and regulatory coordination while warning against emerging systemic risks
 "FM Sitharaman for AI safeguards to keep pace with rapid tech evolution")
India-EU FTA heads to EU Council for approval, signing likely in December
"If authorized by the Council, this will be the largest trade agreement ever concluded by both the EU and India," the European Commission said in a statement
RBI to drain ₹1 trillion through bond sales to tackle surplus cash
The move comes after surplus cash with banks rose to a record high of around 11 trillion rupees following massive inflows under the central bank's recent capital-raising windows.
 "RBI to drain ₹1 trillion through bond sales to tackle surplus cash")
Rupee falls 5 paise to close at 95.57 against US dollar on Friday
The rupee pared most of its initial losses and settled at 95.57 (provisional) against the USD, down by 5 paise, on Friday, helped by a correction in crude oil prices and suspected RBI intervention
 "Rupee falls 5 paise to close at 95.57 against US dollar on Friday")
MPC will reassess growth-inflation dynamics at next meeting: RBI Governor
Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee will reassess growth and inflation dynamics at its meeting next month amid rising prices of crude oil due to the ongoing West Asia crisis, Guv Malhotra said
 "MPC will reassess growth-inflation dynamics at next meeting: RBI Governor")
India's new-age economy to triple to nearly $300 billion by FY31: Redseer
Consumption-led sectors, including consumer goods, retail and leisure, are expected to remain the cornerstone of growth, reaching about $150 billion by FY31 at an annual growth rate of around 25%
 "India's new-age economy to triple to nearly $300 billion by FY31: Redseer")
Ideas of 1991 reforms started emerging by the late 1970s: Nitin Desai
Nitin Desai says India's reform ideas predated 1991, but the bigger challenge now is boosting manufacturing and new businesses to create jobs and move workers out of agriculture
 "Ideas of 1991 reforms started emerging by the late 1970s: Nitin Desai")
Food inflation threatens festive cheer as kharif, El Nino risks mount
Food inflation could remain elevated through the festive season as uneven monsoon rains, kharif crop uncertainties, El Nino risks and higher global food prices put pressure on household budgets
 "Food inflation threatens festive cheer as kharif, El Nino risks mount")
India launches online platform to connect exporters with US buyers
The move comes as India and the US continue negotiations on a trade deal, whose broad contours were agreed earlier this year
 "India launches online platform to connect exporters with US buyers")
Next-generation reforms should focus on deregulation: Rajiv Gauba
NITI Aayog member Rajiv Gauba called for a systematic review of laws and regulations, saying India's next-generation reforms must move away from the licence, approval and permission regime
 "Next-generation reforms should focus on deregulation: Rajiv Gauba")
OMCs may be losing ₹5/litre on petrol, ₹23 on diesel as Brent crosses $100
OMCs are losing ₹5 a litre on petrol and ₹23 on diesel as Brent crude crosses $100 a barrel, while escalating US-Iran tensions add to India's energy supply risks
 "OMCs may be losing ₹5/litre on petrol, ₹23 on diesel as Brent crosses $100")
US, EU strongly criticise India's tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers
Raise concerns over high tariffs, QCOs, digital trade curbs
 "US, EU strongly criticise India's tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers")