1.   

Boost exports to tackle trade deficit, Chidambaram says

Finance minister P Chidambaram on Saturday asked exporters to boost exports to help lessen the trade deficit. "The second half of the fiscal is better in terms of economic activity. If we can bridge our trade deficit to $150 billion-$155 billion this fiscal, then we are on a good wicket," Chidambaram said at an interactive session organised by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations here.

2.   

India-Pakistan business forum to discuss trade framework in Lahore

Business representatives of India and Pakistan will discuss setting up a trade dispute-related framework, covering transshipments of goods at border points and non-tariff barriers, at its next meeting in Lahore. The India-Pakistan Joint Business Forum will meet in February, 2014 to move further under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA).

3.   

India seeks permanent WTO safeguard on farm support

The government has decided not to accept the proposed ‘peace clause’ until a permanent safeguard measure is provided to give it the freedom to extend to its farmers subsidies prohibited under the World Trade Organization (WTO). On Monday, the Cabinet Committee on WTO Matters, under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will firm up a strategy on these lines.

4.   

‘India-Iran talks create new atmosphere for Peace Pipeline via Pakistan’

When they hold their next Foreign Office consultations on Monday, India and Iran will review the same list of issues in new circumstances brought about by the promise of easing U.S. sanctions. “Relations with Iran have been held up due to the U.S. sanctions. The talks have created a new atmosphere for the Peace Pipeline via Pakistan,” says Chintamani Mahapatra of the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.