Trade Talks

To bridge trade gap, India and Russia may cut duties, ease barriers

Russia eyes mobility pact, duty cuts and sanctions-proof oil trade; major defence deals unlikely at annual summit

India set for 3rd-biggest tariff shock in global apparel and footwear trade

However, the other exporting countries, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Cambodia and Pakistan, will have a much lower incremental impact than India

US trade deals multiply but are offering little certainty or durability

A wave of new trade agreements under Trump 2.0 offers concessions to Asian partners, but their executive-order nature leaves room for renegotiation and continued uncertainty

New air freight corridors to connect Kabul with Delhi, Amritsar: MEA

The air freight corridors mark a return of direct trade links between the two nations that had slowed in recent years

India and Canada to reboot trade deal negotiations after 2 years

Govt calls for deeper ties in critical minerals and N-power

Piyush Goyal to convene the Board of Trade to assess US tariff hit

Piyush Goyal will review export challenges, logistics gaps and trade deal gains as industry seeks clarity on the new Export Promotion Mission

India offers major investment opportunities for Israeli firms: Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal said India presents strong investment prospects for Israeli companies across infrastructure, manufacturing, AI and emerging tech

Resilient domestic economy gives govt space to negotiate US trade deal

Indian exports to the US dropped 8.6 per cent year-on-year to $6.3 billion in October, the second month that the 50 per cent tariff on imports from the country was in place

Govt refining FDI, FII norms as India-US trade deal progresses: Goyal

Goyal said the government is holding regular consultations to streamline FDI and FII processes, boost investor confidence and advance fair, balanced India-US trade deal

First tranche of US-India bilateral trade agreement 'near closure'

India says the first tranche of the Indo-US trade deal is close to finalisation, with talks focused on easing reciprocal tariffs and boosting bilateral trade amid shifting export trends

COP30 at halftime sees EU pushback on India, China's CBAM, finance moves

Two issues on financial obligations of developed countries and unilateral trade agreements were dropped from the COP agenda after resistance from developed nations

Best of BS Opinion: Government must continue with trimming its QCO list

Today's Best of BS Opinion looks at Bihar's fiscal test after NDA win, pushback against QCOs, Trump's tariff stance and India's options, India Inc earnings vs GDP, and a biography of Francis Crick

India, EAEU review roadmap for proposed FTA to deepen trade, market access

India and the five-nation grouping Eurasian Economic Commission have reviewed the roadmap for their proposed free trade agreement in goods with an aim to boost economic ties between the two, according to an official statement on Sunday. On August 20 this year, India and the Eurasian Economic Union bloc inked terms of reference to start formal negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has visited Moscow last week to hold talks with Minister in charge of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission Andrey Slepnev and Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Mikhail Yurin. "In the meeting with Minister Slepnev, the Commerce Secretary reviewed the next steps for the India-EAEU FTA in goods. The Terms of Reference signed on 20 August 2025 outline an 18-month work plan aimed at diversifying markets for Indian businesses, including MSMEs, farmers and fishermen," the commerce ministry said on Sunday. The five members of the Eurasian Economic Unio

Canadian Trade Minister Sidhu seeks fresh start to revive ties with India

India is a priority market for Canada, with two-way goods and services trade reaching about $31 billion in 2024, largely in Canada's favour due to its $16 billion services exports

Centre monitoring US Supreme Court case against Donald Trump tariffs

Indian officials and experts are monitoring the US Supreme Court case challenging Donald Trump's tariff powers, assessing how the verdict may affect the proposed India-US trade agreement

Don't bet on the court: Tough US trade policy shifts are here to stay

Trump has used the decades-old emergency authorisation to effectively overturn America's longstanding trade policy

FTA to boost bulk Scotch imports, benefit India's IMFL makers: SWA chief

Import of bulk Scotch will increase in India after signing of Free Trade Agreement with the UK, which will be used by IMFL makers and bottling in India, according to Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive Mark Kent CMG. The FTA between India and the UK, which is awaiting ratification, will also see a variety of quality Scotch whisky coming into the country, especially from some of the smaller producers from Scotland, Mark Kent told PTI in an interview. "You will see more bulk whiskey coming into India as a result of the free trade agreement, both for bottling in India, and for incorporating into IMFL (India-Made Foreign Liquor)," he said. This is normal, because as the Indian market is growing year-on-year, the increasing demand will see greater quantities being imported, Mark Kent said. He is quite encouraged by the trend of premiumisation happening in India, the world's largest whisky market and is "optimistic" for the prospects of Scotch whisky here. India is the world's num

India, US working to resolve sensitivities in trade pact talks, says Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said India and the US are holding continuous discussions for the proposed bilateral trade agreement. "Talks are going well...and are continuously going on. ..kaee samvedanasheel mudde hai, kaee gambheer mudde hai, toh svaabhaavik hai ki thoda samay lagega (There are many sensitive issues, many serious issues, so it is natural that it will take some time)," he told reporters here. He was replying to a question about the progress on India-US negotiations on the pact. Goyal is here on a four-day official visit. He is leading a business delegation. Five rounds of talks have been completed so far for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement between the US and India. A team of Indian officials, headed by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, was in Washington last month to hold trade talks with their US counterparts. The three-day talks ended on October 17. In February this year, leaders of India and the US directed official

Make the most of free-trade agreements, PM Narendra Modi tells exporters

At a high-level meeting with export councils, PM Modi called on exporters to fully leverage India's FTAs amid US tariff hikes, while industry sought policy and financial relief

Piyush Goyal to discuss progress of India-New Zealand trade pact talks

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is visiting New Zealand to review the progress of the ongoing negotiations for the proposed trade pact, an official statement said. Goyal, will be in Auckland on November 5 to engage in discussions with Todd McClay, Minister for Trade of New Zealand, on the ongoing FTA (Free Trade Agreement) negotiations. "The visit reflects the shared commitment of both countries to expedite the FTA process and build a more comprehensive and mutually beneficial economic partnership," the commerce ministry said. The fourth round of India-New Zealand FTA negotiations commenced in Auckland on November 3 with an aim to strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties between the two nations, it said. During the visit, Goyal will participate in a series of engagements aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and innovation linkages between India and New Zealand. "These include a dedicated interaction with prominent members of the New Zealand business community