WTO meet: India pushes tech transfer to boost developing nations’ trade.
Ahead of the upcoming ministerial of the World Trade Organization (WTO), India Tuesday asked developed countries to put in place measures to transfer relevant and advanced environmentally sound technologies so as to improve trade flows from the developing and least-developed countries.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Indian fruit, vegetable exporters a worried lot as Iran war upsets all calculations.
Ramzan and Easter, a critical season for Indian fruits and vegetables exporters catering to markets in West Asia and Europe, turned out to be time for major worry for them this year, The Times of India reported on March 4. Demand typically rises during this period. Several exporters even source seeds and cultivate produce specifically for Europe, where January to April is considered a lean cultivation season. However, ongoing disruptions have upended shipment plans and upset all calculations.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
US-India trade deal inches toward finish line, says Deputy Secretary Landau.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Thursday said a long-anticipated trade agreement between the United States and India is 'close to the finish line' and could unlock significant economic potential for both countries. Addressing the Raisina Dialogue 2026, Landau described the proposed deal as a major step forward in deepening bilateral ties, signalling that negotiations had entered their final stages. He suggested that once concluded, the agreement could expand trade flows and strengthen economic cooperation between the two democracies.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India, Finland sign MoUs as PM Modi and Alexander Stubb elevate ties to strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held bilateral talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb at Hyderabad House, with both leaders agreeing to expand cooperation in areas such as digitalisation, sustainability, clean energy, quantum computing and semiconductors, while also deepening engagement in defence and space. Addressing a joint press statement after the talks, PM Modi said India and Finland have decided to shape their bilateral ties into a strategic partnership focused on digitalisation and sustainability, which will accelerate collaboration across high-technology sectors.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Farm worries crop up as fertiliser companies fear a gas crunch.
The country is staring at a potential gas crunch after Qatar suspended LNG production, threatening to squeeze a key input for urea manufacturing and disrupting fertiliser supplies ahead of the summer and monsoon sowing seasons. While India currently holds about two months of buffer stocks of urea and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), according to industry estimates, executives warned that any prolonged disruption in gas availability could force a suspension in local manufacturing.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
NIFTEM-K Signs MoU with University of Saskatchewan, Canada to Strengthen Indo-Canadian Collaboration in Food Science and Technology.
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management-Kundli (NIFTEM-K), an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Saskatchewan (USask), Saskatoon, Canada, to foster academic and research collaboration in the areas of Food Sciences.
Source: pib.gov.in
7th India–Japan CEPA Joint Committee Meeting Held in Tokyo; Secretary, Department of Commerce Shri Rajesh Agrawal Co-Chairs Discussions.
The 7th Joint Committee Meeting under the India–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was held on 2 March 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. The meeting was co-chaired by Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Government of India, and the Senior Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Japan.
Source: pib.gov.in
Govt reviews impact with exporters, assures help to mitigate disruptions.
The government on Monday held inter-ministerial deliberations with exporters and logistics players to assess the impact of the war in West Asia on India's trade and assured all measures to mitigate any disruptions. At a meeting called by the department of commerce, stakeholders presented an assessment of the evolving operational environment including routing and transit-time changes, vessel scheduling adjustments, container/equipment availability, freight and insurance cost trends, and implications for time-sensitive exports.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India's castor seed production surges 11% to 17.6 lakh tonnes for 2025-26.
Castor seed production in the country is up by 11% to 17.6 lakh tonnes for 2025–26, according to a report released by the Solvent Extractors Association (SEA) on Monday. India produces around 18 to 20 Lakh tonnes of castor seed and meets over 90% of global castor oil demand. Exports of castor oil and its derivatives are estimated at over Rs 15,000 crore, or USD 1.8 billion annually which puts India in a globally responsible position, encouraging us to continuously improve productivity, quality, value addition, and global credibility.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India, US continue to work on agreement for enhanced market access: USTR.
The US and India continue to work towards an agreement that will enhance market access, reduce long-standing tariff and non-tariff barriers to American exports, even though gaps remain on sensitive issues, the United States Trade Representative said in its 2025 Annual Report Monday.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com