Commerce Ministry

Govt focusing on automation of explosive units for safety: DPIIT official

The Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is focusing on moving towards 'automation' in processes involved in manufacturing explosives to make operations safer, a senior government official has said. The department, which functions under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has undertaken major regulatory reforms to strengthen safety and ease of doing business, DPIIT Joint Secretary Dr Kajal said on Thursday. Talking to PTI in Nagpur on the sidelines of 'Awareness workshop on reforms undertaken by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)', she asserted DPIIT is making concerted efforts to prevent accidental blasts at explosives manufacturing factories. Asked what safety precautions DPIIT and PESO, which comes under the department, are taking to prevent blasts at explosives manufacturing units, the official said both agencies are making their best efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future. She was asked specifically in the contex

Govt rebuts US claims of excess capacity in steel and textile sectors

Low domestic consumption levels belie overcapacity allegations, says commerce ministry

India's engineering exports rise to $122 bn in FY26: Govt official

India's engineering exports have leapt from $70 billion in the financial year 2014-15 to $122.43 billion in FY 2025-26, which is a powerful validation of the country's development and progress, a senior official said on Monday. Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Vimal Anand, Joint Secretary of Department of Commerce, said that the remarkable rise in the sector over the past 12 years reflects growing strength, competitiveness and resilience of the country's manufacturing and export ecosystem. He said that engineering exports have expanded from nearly $70 billion in fiscal 2015 to $122.43 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2026. Their share in India's merchandise exports has steadily increased from about one-fifth of total exports to nearly 28 per cent, reaffirming the sector's position as the largest contributor to the country's merchandise export basket, the official said. He said that this growth has been achieved despite an increasingly complex global trade ...

India-US discuss trade, non-tariff measures; reaffirm commitment to BTA

Negotiators held four days of discussions on goods, customs, trade facilitation and economic security, while fresh US tariff proposals emerged during the talks

New USTR tariff threats deepen trade uncertainty for India and beyond

After the courts struck down the Donald Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs imposed under emergency powers, Washington turned to alternative legal routes

Engaged with US on Section 301 probe over forced labour concerns: Govt

India is engaged with the US on the Section 301 investigations over concerns related to forced labour and excess industrial capacity, the government said on Wednesday. The country is also "parallelly" engaged with the US for finalisation of an interim trade agreement, a framework for which was announced through a joint statement on February 7. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) launched two separate Section 301 investigations on March 11 and 12, 2026, covering 60 economies over concerns related to forced labour and excess industrial capacity. The USTR on June 2 issued its findings in the forced labour investigation and proposed additional tariffs on imports from 60 economies. The proposal includes a 10 per cent tariff on imports from Canada, Ecuador, the European Union, Indonesia, Mexico, and Pakistan, and a 12.5 per cent tariff on imports from 54 other economies, including India and China. Pakistan and Indonesia are India's competitors in the trade front.

Commerce ministry to launch PPI and a revamped WPI series on June 15

The new PPI framework is being built on supply and use tables, which officials said makes it more consistent with national accounts and reduces double counting

India, US begin 3-day talks to finalise details of trade agreement

The chief negotiators of India and the US on Tuesday began a three-day round of talks here to finalise the details of the proposed interim trade agreement, an official said. The framework for the pact was finalised in February. The US team is led by its chief negotiator Brendan Lynch. India's chief negotiator is Darpan Jain, who is an additional secretary in the Department of Commerce. The talks are underway at Vanijya Bhavan here, the headquarters of the Commerce and Industry Ministry. The two sides are looking to finalise the details of the interim trade agreement and take forward the negotiations for the broader bilateral trade agreement (BTA). On February 7, India and the US issued a joint statement finalising the contours or framework of the first phase of the BTA or an interim trade deal. According to the framework, the US had agreed to reduce tariffs on India to 18 per cent from 50 per cent. It had removed the 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods for buying Russian oil and

India bans exports of raw, white and refined sugar with immediate effect

The ban applies to raw, white and ‌refined sugar and marks a shift in policy from "restricted" to "prohibited", according to a notification

West Asia crisis: Rice exports dip 7.5% to $11.53 billion in 2025-26

The country's rice exports dipped 7.5 per cent to USD 11.53 billion in 2025-26 due to a contraction in shipments to major destinations including the middle east countries, according to the commerce ministry data. The exports in March declined 15.36 per cent to USD 997.53 million. Shipments to middle east region nations, including Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman have been impacted due to the war between US-Israel and Iran. Iran is India's top basmati rice export destination, but the shipments are witnessing growing stress on order flows, payment cycles, and ship schedules due to the prevailing instability. As per reports, importers have conveyed their inability to honour existing commitments and remit payments to India, creating uncertainty for exporters. In 2024-25, India exported 20.1 million tonnes of rice valued at USD 12.5 billion, reaching more than 172 countries. India is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of rice. It produced around 150 million tonnes of r

Datanomics: Overdependence on China, US plagues India's pharma sector

Govt urges pharma firms to cut import reliance, boost domestic production and diversify exports as data shows rising foreign value addition and heavy dependence on China and the US

Ficci appoints Anant Swarup as Secretary General with immediate effect

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Wednesday said it has appointed Anant Swarup as its Secretary General with immediate effect. His appointment strengthens FICCI's senior leadership, with Jyoti Vij continuing to serve as Director General, a statement from FICCI said. Swarup has over three decades of experience in public policy, trade remedies, logistics, regulatory reform, and international negotiations, having served in various leadership positions across the central government and recently, in the private sector. A 1992-batch Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) officer, Swarup has served as Additional Secretary in Department of Commerce and Director General of Trade Remedies; Executive Director to the Union Minister of Railways, and First Secretary representing India at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. He holds a Masters' Certificate in Sustainable Infrastructure and Finance and degrees of MBA, LLB, and MSc.

Parliament passes Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill to amend 784 provisions

Parliament on Thursday passed a bill to amend 784 provisions in 79 central laws for decriminalising and rationalising minor offences to further improve the country's business environment. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, was passed in the Rajya Sabha with a voice vote after Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal replied to a discussion on the legislation. The minister said the legislation will help citizens and MSMEs. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. These laws are administered by 23 ministries, including coal, commerce and industry, shipping, urban development, and transport. Out of 784, 717 provisions are being amended for decriminalising minor offences and 67 to facilitate ease of living.

RoDTEP benefits for exporters extended till Sep 30 amid Iran crisis

The government has extended fiscal benefits under the RoDTEP scheme for exporters by six months, until September 30, amid disruptions to global trade caused by the ongoing West Asia crisis. The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme, launched in 2021, provides for a refund of taxes, duties and levies that are incurred by exporters in the process of manufacturing and distribution of goods, and not being reimbursed under any other mechanism at the Centre, state or local level. Refunds under the scheme range from 0.3 per cent to 3.9 per cent. The scheme was valid till March 31, this year. "Eligible exports made during the period from April 1 to Sep 30, 2026 shall continue to be entitled to RoDTEP benefit at the rates and value caps in force as on March 31, subject to the existing terms and conditions of the scheme," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said in a notification. The budget allocation under the scheme for 2025-26 was Rs 18,232 ..

DGTR recommends anti-dumping duty on rayon yarn imports from China

DGTR recommended anti-dumping duties on viscose rayon filament yarn above 75 deniers imported from China, a type of man-made fibre widely used ‌in textiles

India, US set to clash on WTO reforms ahead of 14th ministerial meeting

India and the US are set to clash over WTO reforms ahead of the MC14 meeting, with New Delhi defending core principles like consensus decision-making and the MFN rule

India, US remain engaged for a mutually beneficial trade pact: Govt

The commerce ministry on Friday said India and the US remain engaged in discussions for a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement. The ministry has denied reports about a hold off on bilateral engagement. "We have noted a media report regarding ongoing trade talks with US. It is denied that there is any hold off in bilateral engagement. It is reiterated that the two sides remain engaged for a mutually beneficial trade agreement," the commerce ministry said in a statement. The remarks assume significance as the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on March 11 launched a fresh round of Section 301 trade investigations targeting policies and industrial practices of 16 economies, including India and China. Following a decision of the US Supreme Court striking down sweeping tariffs of the US administration, President Donald Trump has announced 10 per cent tariffs on all countries for 150 days from February 24.

Comm ministry assures full RoDTEP benefits to exporters from Apr 1: FIEO

The commerce ministry has assured that full benefits under the export support scheme RoDTEP will be restored from April 1 this year, providing major relief to exporters facing challenges due to the West Asian crisis, FIEO said on Saturday. Barring agri and processed food products, the government on February 23 halved the rate of duty benefits under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme. "Good news for exporters. The current 50 per cent RoDTEP rates are applicable only up to 31st March 2026. The full restoration of RoDTEP rates will take effect from 1st April 2026, which should provide much-needed support to the exporting community," Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President SC Ralhan said. The assurance was given by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a meeting with FIEO. The exporting community had expressed disappointment over the cut in the rates and had urged the commerce ministry to reconsider the decision. The

Centre reviewing Rodtep scheme to assess and justify its continuation

Reassessment is a part of exercise to rationalise central-sector schemes to enhance efficiency

India-US trade deal will be 'rebalanced' if situation changes: Piyush Goyal

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that Indian trade authorities are closely tracking developments after the US Supreme Court ruling against country-specific tariffs