1.   

Barack Obama to meet Manmohan Singh in September

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet US President Barack Obama at the White House next month, where the two leaders will chart a course seeking enhanced bilateral ties and defence cooperation between the two countries, US officials said. Dr Singh will visit the White House on September 27. The announcement of his visit came as renewed tensions along the Kashmir border threaten to sabotage efforts by India and Pakistan to improve bilateral ties.

2.   

India raises trade imbalance issue with China

India on Tuesday raised the issue of heavy trade imbalance with China and sought immediate steps to facilitate Indian exports of pharmaceutical and agricultural products, buffalo meat and Information Technology (IT) services. Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, who is in Brunei to attend economic summits, drew the attention of Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng to India’s pending requests.

3.   

Anand Sharma Attends First RCEP Ministerial Meeting in Brunei

The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Anand Sharma attended the first meeting of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministers in Brunei on 19th August, 2013. Speaking on the occassion, Shri Sharma emphasised the significance of regional economic integration in the changing global scenario underscoring the benefits of larger integrated market extending from Indian Ocean to Pacific.

4.   

India’s exports up 11.64% in July

Exports during July, 2013 were valued at US $ 25834.46 million which was 11.64 per cent higher in Dollar terms (20.25 per cent higher in Rupee terms) than the level of US $ 23140.43 million during July, 2012. Cumulative value of exports registered a growth of 1.72 per cent in Dollar terms and growth of 6.31 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period last year, the best in two years — propelled by higher demand for pharmaceuticals, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, and a falling rupee.