Jaishankar, Rubio discuss ties amid bid to reach trade deal.
EAM S Jaishankar met his US counterpart Marco Rubio in Malaysia amid efforts to repair the India-US relationship, keeping high-level engagement between the two countries going despite differences over bilateral matters and geopolitical issues that have bogged down ties. There was no readout by either side of the meeting till late in the evening and Jaishankar only said in a post on X that he appreciated the discussion on bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues. Later, while delivering India's national statement at the East Asia summit, Jaishankar took a dig at the US and European countries as he said principles of energy trade were being applied selectively.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviews progress in the agriculture sector.
The Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on behalf of all farmers for approving a Rs.38,000 crore fertiliser subsidy under the Cabinet’s decision chaired by the Prime Minister. Additionally, during a review meeting chaired by Shri Chouhan, it was conveyed that sowing during the Kharif 2025 season has been highly satisfactory. The total sown area for paddy has reached 441.58 lakh hectares, higher than last year. The total area under oilseeds has been recorded at 190.13 lakh hectares, with soybean and groundnut being the major crops. Similarly, pulses have been sown on 120.41 lakh hectares, marking an important step toward nutritional security, while the sugarcane area stands at 59.07 lakh hectares, benefiting sugarcane growers directly.
Source: pib.gov.in
India-EU FTA talks productive, have narrowed gaps, says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal Tuesday said his talks with the EU have 'significantly reduced our outstanding issues' and laid the foundation for a robust and balanced agreement. The minister was on a visit to Brussels and met European commissioner for trade and economic security MaroS Šefcovic on the proposed India-EU free trade agreement (FTA).
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Govt eases Certificate of Origin for India-EFTA exports.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Tuesday said it has amended a provision to facilitate domestic exporters to obtain the Certificate of Origin (CoO) under the India-EFTA free trade agreement, through self-declaration. The FTA between India and the four-nation European Free Trade Association came into effect October 1. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are the EFTA members.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India's rice exporters seek deals with emerging markets after strong monsoon.
India's rice traders plan to seek export deals for the new season's crop with buyers in emerging markets such as Iraq, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, a top industry official said, after above-average monsoon rains boosted output. 'India is already a major player in the global rice trade, and our aim now is to tap buyers in less-served markets to further boost exports at a time when production and stocks are strong,' Dev Garg, vice president of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation, said on Monday.
Source: reuters.com
Nepal’s exports to India jump 138% in Q1 FY26 on soaring edible oil shipments.
Led by a sharp rise in the export of processed soybean oil, Nepal’s exports to India surged by nearly 138 per cent during the first quarter of the current fiscal year 2025–26, the country’s Department of Commerce has revealed. As per the foreign trade statistics released by the department, Nepal exported goods worth NPR 59.12 billion during the first three months of the current fiscal year, which began in mid-July. This represents a year-on-year increase of 137.9 per cent.
Source: sentinelassam.com
India sets sail on new rice odyssey, eyeing 26 fresh global markets.
India, already the world’s preeminent rice exporter, is now scripting the next chapter of its agricultural diplomacy — expanding its rice export footprint to 26 new markets across the globe. The announcement by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Chairman marks a defining stride in the country’s mission to diversify its agri-trade architecture, stabilise farm incomes, and strengthen India’s role in global food security amid shifting geopolitical and climatic headwinds.
Source: agrospectrumindia.com
American spices body seeks tariff relief as US-India trade talks gain momentum.
The American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) is pinning its hopes on the new trade deal between the US and India as the Trump administration’s tariffs have choked black pepper exports from India. The entire industry in the US such as food, culinary, pharmaceuticals, alcohol and even auto parts are definitely suffering because of these tariffs, said Laura Shumow, Executive Director, ASTA. For the spice sector and the black pepper industry in the US, it has been very difficult to navigate with all of these new tariffs.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Call to promote black pepper cultivation globally to boost consumption.
Experts call for collective efforts to promote black pepper cultivation globally to boost consumption and revitalising the sector. The global pepper industry converged in Kochi for the 53rd Annual Sessions and Meetings of the International Pepper Community (IPC) and the International Spice Exhibition.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
US and India discuss access for corn and soybeans in trade talks.
US President Donald Trump said that he held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week, the main topic of which was trade. Indian exports to the US are taxed with high tariffs – up to 50%, half of which are related to punitive measures for the purchase of Russian oil. This puts pressure on key industries – textiles, jewelry, fishing, leather and engineering, which employ millions of workers.
Source: ukragroconsult.com