Jan 06, 2026 News Image AYUSH gets recognition in India's free trade pacts with Oman, New Zealand.
The commerce ministry on Sunday said India's traditional medicine system - AYUSH - has received formal recognition in bilateral trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand. Both the agreements, which were finalised last year in December, have dedicated annexures on health-related services and traditional medicine.
 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
Jan 05, 2026 News Image GI-tagged Marcha Chura from West Champaran becomes Makar Sankranti favourite for many.
The delightful 'Marcha Chura' from West Champaran is not just a local treasure anymore; its recent GI tag has catapulted it into the national and international limelight. Renowned for its distinctive fragrance and flavor, this flattened rice is a staple during Makar Sankranti.
 Source:  timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Jan 05, 2026 News Image Hyderabad to host Udyan Utsav flower, horticulture festival from January 3–11.
Hyderabad is set to witness a rich diversity of flora and fauna, along with eco-friendly products and indigenous plant nurseries, as Rashtrapati Nilayam hosts Udyan Utsav, a flower and horticulture festival, from January 3 to 11. The event is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, with the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) as a key knowledge partner.
 Source:  newindianexpress.com
Jan 05, 2026 News Image 2026 Outlook: FTA-powered India will look for bigger trade engagement globally this year.
Trade tariffs, supply chain disruptions, sanctions and currency fluctuations defined the nature of global trade in general in 2025. India was among the worst hit in terms of high tariffs slapped by the country’s biggest trade partner, the United States, during the year. The domestic industry was hit by the supply disruptions in the critical mineral segment triggered by its largest import source China, the country was penalized for sourcing oil from Russia through secondary tariffs by the US and Rupee was amongst the currencies that depreciated the most against US dollar during the year.
 Source:  fortuneindia.com
Jan 05, 2026 News Image Co-op kiwifruit effort bears fruit in India FTA.
Zespri’s CEO sees the new India-New Zealand free trade agreement offering the potential to increase kiwifruit sales there tenfold over the coming decade. The agreement, announced last month, has been welcomed by Jason Te Brake and comes after Zespri initiated a co-operative agreement with the Indian fruit-growing sector over seven years ago.
 Source:  farmersweekly.co.nz
Jan 05, 2026 News Image India-EU FTA talks: Piyush Goyal to visit Brussels this week; talks enter final phase.
Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Brussels this week for high-level discussions with the European Union on the long-pending India-EU free trade agreement, with negotiations now in their final and most challenging phase.According to an official, Goyal will be in Brussels on January 8 and 9, where he is scheduled to meet Maros Sefcovic, executive vice-president and European commissioner for trade. The minister is expected to leave India on Tuesday night. Commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal will also be in Brussels for the talks.
 Source:  timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Jan 05, 2026 News Image India's exports may reach $950 billion in FY27 on West Asia trade pacts.
India's goods and services exports could reach $840-850 billion in FY26 and rise to about $950 billion in 2026-27, driven by free trade agreements particularly with West Asian countries and strength in services and technology-led sectors such as electronics, exporters said. Rising tariff barriers and climate-linked trade restrictions, however, are expected to pose significant challenges to sustaining export growth, they added.
 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
Jan 05, 2026 News Image India’s AYUSH Exports Surge to $689 Million in 2024–25, Up 6.1%.
India’s exports of AYUSH and herbal products grew 6.11 per cent, reaching $688.89 million in 2024–25, up from $649.2 million the previous year, the government said on Sunday. The growth comes after the establishment of the AYUSH Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL), which has been promoting Indian traditional medicine and wellness products globally through trade facilitation, international exhibitions, B2B meetings, and regulatory support for exporters.
 Source:  indianewengland.com
Jan 05, 2026 News Image Two Key Interventions Launched to Strengthen MSME Exports under Export Promotion Mission.
As part of the initial rollout of the Export Promotion Mission, two key interventions under the NIRYAT PROTSAHAN sub-scheme have been launched to strengthen MSME exports and improve access to trade finance. The first intervention relates to interest subvention for pre- and post-shipment export credit, aimed at reducing the cost of export credit and easing working-capital constraints faced by MSME exporters.
 Source:  pib.gov.in
Jan 05, 2026 News Image 'India’s traditional systems of medicine are living traditions, not relics of the past': Vice President of India.
The Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today inaugurated the 9th Siddha Day celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai, underscoring the relevance of Siddha medicine as a comprehensive, preventive and sustainable healthcare system in the contemporary world. Addressing a distinguished gathering of policymakers, practitioners, academicians and students, he highlighted Siddha’s strong philosophical foundations, scientific depth, and its holistic integration of body, mind and nature.
 Source:  pib.gov.in