Trade deal talks with US may end this year, says Economic Survey.
India’s ongoing negotiations for a trade agreement with the United States are expected to conclude during the year, which could help reduce uncertainty on the external front, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26. The Survey said global conditions currently pose external uncertainties for India rather than immediate macroeconomic stress. It noted that slower growth in major trading partners, tariff-related disruptions to trade, and volatility in capital flows could at times affect exports and investor sentiment.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Local MSMEs seek export diversification, GST relief in Union Budget.
Ahead of the Union Budget to be presented on Feb 1, Rajasthan's leading industry bodies called for wide-ranging reforms to ease compliance, strengthen exports, and prepare Indian industry for technology-driven growth amid global uncertainty. While CII Rajasthan said the Budget must focus on translating ease-of-doing-business intent into time-bound execution, the Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry (FORTI) urged the Centre to facilitate industry to expand exports to African markets. Sanjay Agarwal, chairman, CII Rajasthan, outlined key proposals for Union Budget 2026–27, focusing on regulatory reforms, technology readiness, and manufacturing resilience. He suggested incentivising states to grant approvals only through the National Single Window System (NSWS), with real-time ranking to drive accountability.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
India needs stable agri-export policy to achieve $100 billion goal: Economic Survey.
India must align its policies to boost agricultural exports and avoid ad hoc trade restrictions that disrupt supply chains and damage the country's reputation as a reliable supplier, the Economic Survey said on Thursday. Agricultural exports represent 'low-hanging fruit with immense export potential' and carry international leverage for India, the survey said, calling for policies that balance domestic demand with export growth.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
'Economic Survey documents the strength of Indian agriculture and rural India': Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday reacted to the Economic Survey and said that the survey’s data clearly demonstrates that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country has made unprecedented progress on both, the agriculture and rural development, fronts.
Source: pib.gov.in
Turkish products excluded from India, EU FTA benefits.
Indian products can enter Turkiye via Europe, but Turkiye cannot send goods to India under the India-European Union free trade agreement (FTA) terms, officials said. Under the EU-Turkey Customs Union, Turkiye has to match the EU's common external tariff. So, when the EU lowers its tariffs for an FTA partner such as India, Turkiye would have to extend the same benefit to India.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India, EU working to make FTA operational at earliest.
India and EU are working on an accelerated timeframe and have political will for the free trade agreement to become operational at the earliest, according to people in the know. Sources here said FTA does not need approval by each of 27 EU member states. Before being operational, FTA will undergo legal scrubbing, followed by its presentation to EU Council and then EU Parliament, sources said, adding there is political commitment on both sides to make FTA operational at the earliest. FTA can be operational within a year, it is expected. Sources said India is in touch with various stakeholders in the EU for early operationalisation of FTA.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India-US trade talks continue in cordial atmosphere: Official.
The negotiations between India and the US on a proposed bilateral trade agreement are continuing in a 'very, very' cordial atmosphere, an official said on Wednesday. A delegation from the office of the US Trade Representative, led by Deputy US Trade Representative Ambassador Rick Switzer, was here in December 2025 for trade talks.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India-EU FTA could increase bilateral trade by up to 65%: Report.
A new analysis by the Kiel Institute for World Economy shows that 'deeper EU-India integration could boost bilateral trade by 41 to 65 per cent,' significantly expand economic ties between the European Union and India at a time of rising global trade fragmentation. Together, these regions account for 21.1 per cent of global GDP and 23.4 per cent of the world's population. The analysis by the Institute shows that this deeper integration could not only boost bilateral trade but also expected to raise real incomes by 0.12 to 0.13 per cent of GDP on both sides while limiting dependence on riskier markets.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India’s pulses imports likely to drop by 30% during FY26 to 5 million tonnes.
India’s pulses will likely decline by about a third to around 5 million tonnes during the current financial year against 7.3 million tonnes the previous fiscal year on higher carried forward stocks, weakening rupee against the dollar and levy of duty on yellow peas. 'India imported 7.3 million tonnes last year. I think this year we will end up with around 5 million tonnes. The imported quantity has come down significantly. A lot of quantity got carried over the last year and I think that is also a reason for decline in imports,' said Bimal Kothari, Chairman, India Pulses & Grains Association (IPGA), the apex trade body for the sector.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
India puts quantitative limit, minimum price, 20% duty on apple imports from EU.
The Centre has said it will allow import of apples from the European Union countries at a Minimum Import Price (MIP) of Rs.80 per kg besides 20 per cent duty (against 50 per cent now). Further, there is also a quantitative restriction of a maximum of 50,000 tonnes, to be raised to 1,00,000 tonnes over 10 years, it said and added that all these safeguards will protect the domestic apple growers.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com