Boosting trade ties to be focus of German Chancellor Merz’s India visit next week.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will undertake a two-day visit to India next week that is expected to focus on shoring up bilateral cooperation in a range of areas, including trade, investment, defence and technology. Merz’s first trip to India as the chancellor from January 12-13 is taking place as New Delhi focuses on boosting its overall economic engagement with Europe against the backdrop of Washington’s punitive tariff on Indian goods.
Source: millenniumpost.in
ICAR directed to set up a laboratory for turmeric testing in Erode.
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said in Erode, Tamil Nadu, that the ‘Viksit Bharat – G Ram G’ law is a significant step towards building self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) villages. Addressing workers and labourers in Erode, the Union Minister explained various provisions of this ambitious initiative, and said that the law is a concrete effort to strengthen employment generation, expand basic facilities, and promote self-sufficiency in villages. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed confidence that the goal of developed and prosperous villages would be achieved only through public participation.
Source: pib.gov.in
India’s wheat acreage rises to a record high as farmers see the crop as most remunerative.
Wheat acreage has increased to a record high during the current rabi season, exceeding last year’s final area of 328 lakh hectare (lh). Farmers have preferred the key winter cereal in view of a bearish price trend in most other crops. If the current conducive weathe continues for another two-three months, India is well poised to harvest another record crop, potentially help lift a four-year-long ban on export.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
AYUSH gets recognition in India's free trade pacts with Oman, New Zealand.
The commerce ministry on Sunday said India's traditional medicine system - AYUSH - has received formal recognition in bilateral trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand. Both the agreements, which were finalised last year in December, have dedicated annexures on health-related services and traditional medicine.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
GI-tagged Marcha Chura from West Champaran becomes Makar Sankranti favourite for many.
The delightful 'Marcha Chura' from West Champaran is not just a local treasure anymore; its recent GI tag has catapulted it into the national and international limelight. Renowned for its distinctive fragrance and flavor, this flattened rice is a staple during Makar Sankranti.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Hyderabad to host Udyan Utsav flower, horticulture festival from January 3–11.
Hyderabad is set to witness a rich diversity of flora and fauna, along with eco-friendly products and indigenous plant nurseries, as Rashtrapati Nilayam hosts Udyan Utsav, a flower and horticulture festival, from January 3 to 11. The event is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, with the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) as a key knowledge partner.
Source: newindianexpress.com
2026 Outlook: FTA-powered India will look for bigger trade engagement globally this year.
Trade tariffs, supply chain disruptions, sanctions and currency fluctuations defined the nature of global trade in general in 2025. India was among the worst hit in terms of high tariffs slapped by the country’s biggest trade partner, the United States, during the year. The domestic industry was hit by the supply disruptions in the critical mineral segment triggered by its largest import source China, the country was penalized for sourcing oil from Russia through secondary tariffs by the US and Rupee was amongst the currencies that depreciated the most against US dollar during the year.
Source: fortuneindia.com
Co-op kiwifruit effort bears fruit in India FTA.
Zespri’s CEO sees the new India-New Zealand free trade agreement offering the potential to increase kiwifruit sales there tenfold over the coming decade. The agreement, announced last month, has been welcomed by Jason Te Brake and comes after Zespri initiated a co-operative agreement with the Indian fruit-growing sector over seven years ago.
Source: farmersweekly.co.nz
India-EU FTA talks: Piyush Goyal to visit Brussels this week; talks enter final phase.
Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Brussels this week for high-level discussions with the European Union on the long-pending India-EU free trade agreement, with negotiations now in their final and most challenging phase.According to an official, Goyal will be in Brussels on January 8 and 9, where he is scheduled to meet Maros Sefcovic, executive vice-president and European commissioner for trade. The minister is expected to leave India on Tuesday night. Commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal will also be in Brussels for the talks.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
India's exports may reach $950 billion in FY27 on West Asia trade pacts.
India's goods and services exports could reach $840-850 billion in FY26 and rise to about $950 billion in 2026-27, driven by free trade agreements particularly with West Asian countries and strength in services and technology-led sectors such as electronics, exporters said. Rising tariff barriers and climate-linked trade restrictions, however, are expected to pose significant challenges to sustaining export growth, they added.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com