India launches 1st round of FTA talks with Israel, inks joint statement for GCC pact.
India and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Tuesday signed the Joint Statement for the India–GCC free trade agreement (FTA), formally launching negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Reduced RoDTEP rates not applicable to exports of agri, processed food products: Govt.
The government on Tuesday clarified that the reduced rates and value caps under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme are not applicable to the export of agricultural and processed food products.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Government allows export of 25 lakh tonnes of wheat.
The government on Tuesday permitted exports of 25 lakh tonnes of wheat, according to a commerce ministry notification. The decision was taken earlier this month, but the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) notified it on Tuesday. 'The export policy of Wheat ...continues to remain prohibited. However, export of 25 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of Wheat is permitted,' the DGFT said.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Piyush Goyal virtually interacts with Canada Minister Maninder Sidhu, discusses Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal virtually interacted with Canada Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu and held a discussion related to India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). They also discussed strengthening business ties on both sides through regular delegation-level engagements.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India halves remission benefits to exporters.
The government on Monday halved the benefits given to exporters under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme. In a notification, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said that 'RoDTEP benefits shall be restricted to 50% of the notified rates and value caps with immediate effect', prompting exporters to urge the government to review the decision amid slowing demand and heightened uncertainty.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
'India, Israel may sign FTA by this year,' Israeli envoy to India.
Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar on Monday said that Israel is excited to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week, noting that the two nations will move forward decisively during his visit. Further, he said that both India and Israel were moving towards a Free Trade Agreement, and it could get finalised this year.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India sees more options on US trade deal after tariff ruling.
India is studying the implications for its bilateral trade deal with Washington after the US Supreme Court scrapped President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs, a move that gives New Delhi room to reassess its strategy, people familiar with the matter said. The South Asian nation is not considering backing away from the agreement struck earlier this month, under which it secured lower US tariffs on its exports and signaled intent to buy $500 billion of American goods over five years, they said, asking not to be named because the matter is sensitive.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India–Africa ties enter a new phase of strategic collaboration amid changing global order.
Africa has often been called 'The Continent of the Future,' a phrase that reflects both its demographic dynamism and its expanding economic and strategic relevance in global affairs. For India, engagement with Africa is rooted in a shared history of anti-colonial struggle, South–South solidarity, and inspired the principles articulated at the 1955 Bandung Conference.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Progress of Area coverage under Summer crops as on 20.02.2026.
Progress of Area coverage under Summer crops as on 20.02.2026.
Source: pib.gov.in
Nine FTAs with 38 Developed Nations Cover Two-Thirds of Global Trade; Shri Goyal Urges Industry to Leverage Market Access with High-Quality Standards.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal today emphasised that quality must become the defining mantra of India’s manufacturing and export ecosystem, asserting that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of 'zero defect, zero effect' will serve as the cornerstone of India’s growth story in the Amrit Kaal. Aligning the initiative with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the Minister said India’s ambition to become a $30–35 trillion economy by 2047 rests on three pillars — zero defect (quality), zero effect (sustainability), and equitable opportunity (inclusivity).
Source: pib.gov.in