Bangladesh to import more rice as domestic prices soar.
With domestic prices for rice at an all-time high, Bangladesh is expected to increase its imports in 2025-26, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture. Imports are estimated at 1.2 million tonnes, up 100% from the initial estimate and up from the 1.1 million tonnes imported in 2024-25.
Source: world-grain.com
Finland President speaks to PM, discusses ties, India-EU FTA.
With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating that Europe could soon host talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Finland President Alexander Stubb on Tuesday spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and shared his assessment on the recent meetings held between European leaders on the Russia-Ukraine war. This also comes days ahead of PM Modi’s likely meeting with President Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in China’s Tianjin. During the call, the two leaders also discussed bilateral ties and the conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), as per a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Source: indianexpress.com
India hopeful of resuming BTA talks with US soon; tariffs key.
India is hopeful of resuming negotiations with the US on the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), officials said Thursday, adding that resolving the issue relating to the steep 50% tariffs on Indian goods will be key to striking the deal. The government is considering support measures for exporters, including speedy roll out of the export promotion mission and a possible restoration of some old schemes.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to visit Karnataka on August 29.
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be on a day visit to Karnataka on Friday, August 29, where he will participate in several programmes. In the morning, the Union Minister will attend the 110th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji at Suttur Math, Mysuru. On this occasion, he will take part in a tree plantation programme and interact with devotees. Later, Shri Chouhan will visit Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutions in Bengaluru. He will first visit the National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (ICAR–NBAIR), where he will participate in a tree plantation activity, view the National Insect Museum and Live Insect Repository, and visit exhibitions showcasing ICAR–NBAIR’s latest technologies in biological pest control.
Source: pib.gov.in
In a strategic shift, government eyes exports beyond US.
India is strategically shifting its export focus beyond the US, aiming for diversification due to concerns about over-reliance on specific markets and weaponized supply chains. The government is actively pursuing trade agreements with Europe, exploring opportunities in Africa and CIS countries, and devising strategies for 50 nations to reduce dependence on China and enhance global value chain participation.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
India-EU to hold next round of negotiations for FTA from Sept 8-12.
India and the European Union (EU) are racing to finalise their free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025, with the 13th round of negotiations set for September 8-12, an official said. In the previous round, both sides exchanged offers on goods and services liberalisation.
Source: tribuneindia.com
FM holds inter-ministerial meet on exporters amid US tariffs.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday held an inter-ministerial meeting to discuss possible support measures for exporters to cushion them against the impact of US tariffs, sources said. Senior officials from different ministries including finance, commerce, textiles, MSMEs, chemicals, and fisheries attended the meet, they said.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Impact of US tariffs will be short-term: Commerce Ministry.
The Commerce Ministry on Thursday acknowledged that fact that 50 per cent tariff by the US will have an immediate impact on Indian exporters, but said that it will be short-term for sectors including as textiles, chemicals, and machinery. The an official from the ministry said that the long-term effect on overall trade and GDP will remain limited.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India, Japan eye trade boost with nearly 100 MoUs as Modi, Ishiba meet in Tokyo.
The India Japan Annual summit in Tokyo on Friday led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba will seek to expand bilateral trade and investment partnership amid prevailing challenges in India-US trade ties and Japan-US trade deal that has also run into turbulence. On Friday an MoU could be signed at the summit on giving a big push to Japanese investments, ET has learnt. Modi will also engage with the Japanese entrepreneurs and investors during his visit. Indian businesses are likely to sign nearly 100 MoUs with their Japanese counterparts during the PM's visit. This is in the backdrop of the headwinds faced by New Delhi and Tokyo following unconventional decisions on trade matters by the US.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Australia Raises Tariff Concerns With US, Calls For Closer Trade Ties With India.
Australia has openly voiced its opposition to US tariff measures, with the country’s Trade Minister Don Farrell confirming that Canberra has already raised the issue with Washington. Speaking to News18, Farrell said his government firmly rejects tariffs imposed on Australia and India, stressing that free and fair trade must remain the guiding principle. 'We believe in free, fair and open trade. We do not support tariffs, whether they are on Australia or on India. The 10 per cent tariff imposed on Australia is not the right way to proceed. We have communicated this to the US and will continue to press our case,' Farrell said.
Source: news18.com