The India–European Union free trade agreement (FTA), expected to be announced on January 27, is likely to lower costs and expand trade rather than harm domestic industry, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said on Sunday.In FY2025, India–EU goods trade crossed $136 billion. GTRI said tariff reductions under the FTA would primarily reduce input costs,…
External affairs minister S Jaishankar and US Congressional delegation met in New Delhi on Sunday, holding discussions on a range of issues including India–US relations, the Indo-Pacific region and the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The delegation comprised Congressmen Mike Rogers, Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis, and was joined by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. The…
India has transformed its crude sourcing strategy, reducing Russian crude barrels while increasing its Middle Eastern shipments. Though Moscow still has a share in New Delhi’s oil inflows, the volumes are down due to compliance risks. Data from analytics firm Kpler shows that in the first three weeks of January 2026, the country imported about…
While investments in infrastructure creation of track and rolling stock have been significant, average train speeds have remained 50–52 kmph for mail/express passengers. By Dhruv Gadh and Nitin KumarThe transport and logistics sector serves as the backbone for India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision. As our national carrier, the railways connect remote places, while providing a…
US air travel is seeing widespread disruptions as a powerful winter storm moves across large parts of the country, forcing at least 13,000 flight cancellations over the weekend and affecting major airports. Forecasters have warned that damage, particularly in areas hit by ice, could be catastrophic and comparable to a hurricane. By mid-morning on Saturday,…
The US government is set to acquire a 10% stake in Oklahoma-based USA Rare Earth, as part of Trump administration’s $1.6 billion investment. The package is aimed towards supporting the firm to develop a local mine and magnet production facility, according to two sources familiar with the deal.In addition to this government-backed investment, USA Rare…
For the Union Budget 2026-2027, India’s gems and jewellery industry is urging the government for a mix of GST cuts, customs reforms and policy changes to counter global trade headwinds and improve export competitiveness. In its pre-Budget memorandum submitted to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) highlighted measures aimed…
The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged when it meets in the coming week, holding firm despite President Donald Trump’s pressure to slash levels as it guards against threats to its independence.The central bank has cut rates three consecutive times since September as the jobs market weakened, bringing them to…
India’s residential real estate market moved into a phase of normalisation in 2025, with housing sales moderating from elevated levels even as prices stayed firm, reflecting a more disciplined and resilient market structure, according to a report by digital real estate transaction and advisory platform PropTiger.Across the top eight cities, all-India residential sales declined 12%…
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in New Delhi on Friday, beginning a four-day visit aimed at firming up a series of big-ticket initiatives to expand India–European Union ties, PTI reported.Von der Leyen’s visit comes ahead of summit talks between India and the EU, with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and…
