Today's Best of BS Opinion explores India's trade deals, RBI's stance amid base-year revisions, co-operatives' regulatory dilemma, equity market challenges, and Russia's wilderness in history
Trade deals ease risks for Indian equities, but weak demand and stretched valuations raise questions over whether optimism-especially in smallcaps-can turn into a sustained bull run
India is pushing virtual trade corridors and paperless logistics with key partners as digital trade becomes central to FTA talks with the EU and the US
The India-EU deal is expected to reshape competitive dynamics and market access on both sides while providing better access to European markets for Indian auto and component exports, aiding the sector's long-term growth prospects, according to a report by Icra. It is expected to give a boost to premium vehicle imports, but have limited disruption to the mass market, it added. The sharp reduction in duties on EU-made vehicles (completely built units) is expected to drop from as high as 110 per cent to 10 per cent over time for a fixed quota/annum, above an import price of Euro 15,000/vehicle, the report said, adding that this will open India's car market to European original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). "Lower tariffs are expected to improve access for European brands like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Porsche, enabling competitive pricing and new growth opportunities in India's fast-expanding auto market," the report pointed out. It, however, said there will be a limited impact on th
The remarks come a week after the landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union was finalised and signed, as negotiations concluded on January 27
The Congress on Tuesday demanded that the Modi government should take Parliament into confidence on the details of both the EU and US trade deals, while alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "completely surrendered" to appease US President Donald Trump at the cost of India's farmers. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh hit out at the government over the announcement of the India-US trade deal, saying "India stands diminished by this unfortunate sequence of events." He said that from the information President Trump has provided, it is abundantly clear that Prime Minister Modi has "completely surrendered". Ramesh said that almost exactly a year ago, Prime Minister Modi landed at the White House to greet President Trump on his re-election. "His trademark huglomacy was on full display. India-US relations never appeared brighter. Negotiations for a trade deal started immediately thereafter.But ever since President Trump made the first announcement
The Congress on Tuesday demanded that the Modi government should take Parliament into confidence and the text of both the EU and US trade deals must be laid on the table of both Houses and debated. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that from the information President Donald Trump has provided, it is abundantly clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "completely surrendered". He said that almost exactly a year ago, Prime Minister Modi landed at the White House to greet President Trump on his re-election. "His trademark huglomacy was on full display. India-US relations never appeared brighter. Negotiations for a trade deal started immediately thereafter.But ever since President Trump made the first announcement of the halt to Operation Sindoor on the evening of May 10, 2025 things began to go downhill," Ramesh said on X. Subsequently, President Trump embraced Pakistan and Field Marshall Asim Munir enthusiastically, "exposing the hollowness of
The India-EU FTA grants zero-duty access across the full spectrum of textile and apparel tariff lines, thereby positioning Indian exporters on an equal footing with competitors
India's exports to the EU could double to $150 billion within five years of the FTA, says Piyush Goyal, stressing balanced market access while protecting sensitive sectors
India's defence industry sees the EU security pact as a turning point that could shift the country from buyer to industrial partner, unlocking co-development and supply chain opportunities
The EU deal could also revive appetite from foreign businesses looking to diversify their operations out of China, seeing India as a possible alternative to set up factories for export into Europe
The trade agreement with the European Union (EU) will help India diversify its trade relationships and provide greater market access to its exporters amid growing uncertainty due to high US tariffs, Moody's Ratings has said. The free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the EU was announced on January 27. It is likely to be signed and implemented this year only. "For India, the deal reflects its continued efforts to selectively diversify trade relationships while hedging against trade volatility arising from recent US tariff actions," Moody's said. It said that for the EU, the deal strengthens economic security by widening access to a fast-growing India while reducing vulnerability to disruptions in more concentrated trade relationships. "Although we expect limited near-term credit effects for India, the EU and individual member states, once ratified and implemented the FTA will be credit positive for both sides in raising trade volumes, enhancing the diversification of trade ..
After the India-EU FTA, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent slams Europe for prioritising trade over sanctions on Russian oil amid the Ukraine war
PM Modi calls the India-EU FTA a pact for an ambitious India, urging manufacturers to tap duty-free access to 27 European markets
India and the EU will set up rapid response and escalation mechanisms under the FTA to address regulatory measures like CBAM that could disrupt bilateral trade
Sula Vineyards sees limited impact only on premium range, lauds trade pact
India-EU FTA could transform India's CDMO sector by cutting pharma tariffs, easing regulations and deepening Indian integration into Europe's drug supply chains
Quantity will go up to 100,000 tonnes annually but only over the next 10 years
Look to use India's manufacturing cost advantage as carmakers from China have gained market share in EU in recent years
After RBI, EU authority to ink agreements with Sebi, IFSCA