1.   

We can be great partners, Modi tells ASEAN leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that a new era of economic development, industrialisation and trade has begun in India and they can be “great partners” for each other, asserting that there are “no irritants” in the India-Asean relationship. As India seeks to deepen its engagement with the 10-nation bloc of small and medium economies, Modi said both India and the Asean are keen to enhance their cooperation in advancing balance, peace and stability in the region.

2.   

India agrees with U.S. on food stockpiling, clears way for WTO deal

A breakthrough is expected in talks between India and the World Trade Organization to end a deadlock on implementing a deal struck last year to facilitate global trade, sources close to the talks said on Thursday. Trade minister Nirmala Sitharaman was due to give a statement shortly, a government official in New Delhi said.

3.   

Infra sector to be main focus area for Indo-US commerce ties: US Commerce Department official

A lot of "good ground work" has been covered, post Obama-Modi meet in the US, and now is the execution time, with infrastructure going to be the focus of the Indo-US commerce ties, a top official has said. "In the joint statement, one of the big focus areas is infrastructure sector," Arun M Kumar, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the US and Foreign Commercial Service in the US Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, said.

4.   

India 'only major economy' to see improved momentum: OECD

India is the "only major economy" that is projected to see a pick up in growth momentum whereas mixed trends are predicted for the developed world, Paris-based think tank OECD said today. Most of the major economies -- developed and developing -- including the United States, Brazil, China and Russia, are expected to witness stable growth momentum. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said indicators point to weak growth in Europe.