GAGA B2B - CONNECTING IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS

[ad_1] New Delhi [India]: India occupies a relative middle ground following the latest tariff developments by the United States, but any uniform tariff hike under Section 122 could increase its tariff exposure and erode some of the advantages gained through earlier negotiations, according to a report by Union Bank of India.The report noted that countries which had previously negotiated bilateral trade agreements with the US may face some short-term disadvantages, while those without comprehensive agreements could be relatively better positioned in the current environment."Meanwhile the countries that negotiated bilateral trade deals with the U.S. appear slightly disadvantaged in the short term, whereas countries which have not yet concluded comprehensive agreements emerge as relatively better positioned," the report stated.India, according to the report, has so far maintained a relatively balanced position compared to its Asian peers."India occupies a relative mid...

[ad_1] Mumbai: Nepal's soybean oil exports to India jumped more than tenfold ​in 2025 to a record ​high, boosted by duty-free access that helped the Himalayan nation double total ​exports to its neighbour, industry officials told Reuters.The surge narrowed Nepal's trade deficit with India but pressured edible oil prices in border regions, making it harder for Indian refiners paying import duties to compete ‌with cheaper supplies.India ⁠imported a ⁠record 694,153 metric tons of soyoil from Nepal in 2025, up from 65,138 tons a year ago, ​according to data compiled by India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry.The world's largest importer of vegetable ​oils raised import duty on refined soyoil to 35.75% in September 2024 from 13.75% previously.The hike prompted Nepali refiners to boost imports of crude soyoil from Brazil and Argentina, ​process it locally, and ship the refined oil into India ⁠duty-free under ‌the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).Live EventsSo...

[ad_1] Mumbai: India has concluded nine free trade agreements (FTAs), covering 38 nations, enabling the country's shipments to get preferential access to nearly two-thirds of global markets, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday.Addressing the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards ceremony here, Goyal said that these pacts will help Indian goods, services, agricultural and fisheries products, and labour-intensive sectors reach new markets, integrate into global value chains and enhance talent mobility. He said that every country wants to enter into a trade deal with India and added that "I have had an engagement with Chile, which wants to conclude the FTA this week. We are launching (FTA talks with) Canada, hopefully when the prime minister (Mark Carney) is here on Monday." He said that India should be able to finalise the Terms of Reference and launch FTA negotiations with Canada.Goyal underscored that India's youth and human capital are ...

[ad_1] New Delhi: The US announced a preliminary countervailing duty (CVD) of 125.87% on Indian solar cells and modules that's expected to further limit exports to the key market, although some manufacturers had already begun reducing shipments after an investigation was initiated in August. Shares of major Indian solar manufacturers such as Waaree Energies, Premier Energies and Vikram Solar fell sharply on the bourses as investors priced in potential export headwinds. The US Department of Commerce announced, on February 24, preliminary affirmative determinations in its CVD investigations into crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules from India, Indonesia and Laos, concluding that producers in these countries benefited from government subsidies that allegedly distorted competition in the US market. The final determination in these CVD investigations is scheduled to be issued on July 6. Solar imports from India in 2024 were valued at $792.6 million, more than nine t...

[ad_1] India has secured zero-duty access for a wide range of its exports to the United States under the interim trade deal framework, with agriculture, pharmaceuticals and high-value manufactured goods among the biggest beneficiaries, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said at a press briefing.Putting farmer interests at the centre, Goyal stressed that the agreement opens the US market to several Indian agricultural products without imposing reciprocal tariffs, while ensuring domestic farmers are not harmed.Also Read: India-US trade deal: America has stopped short of Indian red lines“In agriculture too, many products from India will now be exported to the United States at zero duty,” Goyal said, adding that items such as tea, spices, coffee, coconut oil, copra and vegetable wax will face no import tariffs in the US.He said a wide range of fruits, vegetables and farm produce — including banana, mango, guava, avocado, kiwi, papaya, pineapple, mushrooms, vegetable roots, ...

[ad_1] India has successfully defended its key trade “red lines” in the landmark agreement with the United States, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday, reiterating that the deal does not compromise the interests of the country’s farmers. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Goyal said that no genetically modified (GM) products from the United States will enter India, addressing a key concern of the farming community.Contrary to fears that the entire agriculture sector would be opened up, Goyal said the government has taken care not to harm farmers.Zero duty, open market: Goyal says US doors open tariff free for India’s farmers and pharma India's red lines: Where it didn't budgeWhile certain agricultural products such as tea, spices, coffee, coconut oil, vegetable wax, areca nuts, chestnuts, and a wide range of fruits and vegetables will now enjoy zero additional tariffs when exported to the United States, the agreement provides no relief for sta...

[ad_1] India has granted the United States selective access to its market under the landmark trade agreement, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday, allowing certain products to enter duty-free while carefully protecting domestic interests.Speaking at a press conference, Goyal described the deal as a calibrated approach aimed at boosting trade and accelerating economic growth. “This agreement will provide an opportunity to take India’s economy forward at a faster pace,” he said, adding that the pact ensures that the country’s 140 crore citizens will benefit and celebrate its success.Also read: Piyush Goyal says farmers safe in US trade deal; India didn't budge on its red linesIndia opens doors selectivelyUnder the deal, several US products will now enter India with zero duties, including Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), a feed product widely used in animal husbandry. Live EventsA few wines and spirits have also been allowed, with adjustments such as the e...

[ad_1] The framework for an interim trade agreement between India and the US sends a strong signal of confidence to global investors and offers a timely boost to competitiveness, technology access, and supply chain resilience, India Inc said on Saturday.India and the US on Saturday announced they have reached a framework for an interim trade agreement under which both sides will reduce import duties on a number of goods to boost two-way trade.FICCI President Anant Goenka said it marks a pivotal step forward in advancing economic synergy between two of the world's largest democracies.Also read: What India gave the US to seal a $500 billion interim trade deal"This strategic partnership is designed to lower tariffs, ease regulatory bottlenecks, and unlock new opportunities across sectors. As India strengthens its position as a global manufacturing hub, this agreement offers a timely boost to competitiveness, technology access, and supply chain resilience".While the US...

[ad_1] Bengaluru: The Indian government is closely engaged with the US for electronics and IP-related matters, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday, as the two nations announced that they have finalised a framework for an interim trade agreement. The US-India joint statement on the interim agreement for trade deal has called for addressing non-tariff barriers that affect bilateral trade.It specifically mentions barriers related to the trade in US medical devices, US Information and Communication Technology (ICT) goods. Asked about views on the statement and its expected impact, Vaishnaw said the commerce ministry is the nodal body to share details but as far as electronics is concerned India is closely engaged in the discussion."We are very closely engaged from our side as far as electronics and IP is concerned. We believe in co-development, co-creation, we believe in IP, respecting IP. We believe that India has a lot to offer to the entire world in terms of new...

[ad_1] The supply of cost-effective vaccines from India that stopped after the May 2025 conflict has put a strain on Pakistan's economy, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said on Saturday. Pakistan earlier procured the cheap vaccines through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), a global public-private health partnership working to provide vaccines for children from the world's poorest countries."Right now, Pakistan imports vaccines at an annual cost of around USD 400 million, out of which 49 per cent of the cost is covered by international organisations that operate through GAVI," Kamal said. "Pakistan contributes 51 per cent of the cost now, and unless we start local production of vaccines, we will face an annual import bill of USD 1.2 billion by 2031," he added.The minister also said that the international support for the provision of vaccines will end by 2031.Live Events Pakistan has traditionally procured cheap vaccines for immuni...

[ad_1] Mumbai : State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman CS Setty on Saturday said the India-US trade agreement, along with the other recently concluded Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are extremely positive for the Indian economy.While responding to a question by on the India-US trade deal at a press conference, Setty said, "It's not only the India-US deal, but also other trade deals, whether it is with the EU or the FTA with the UK in the past, all these are extremely positive for the Indian economy.""One big positive development is that there's no overhang of tariffs," he said, adding that the agreement opens up significant opportunities for both corporates and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to integrate with global supply chains.Further, on the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to keep the repo rate unchanged, Setty said, it was largely on expected lines, adding that the central bank's stance on liquidity management has boosted co...

[ad_1] New Delhi: India's exports worth about USD 44 billion to the US will enter the American market at zero reciprocal tariffs under the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement, which is expected to be signed by mid-March, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday.The two countries have announced that they have reached a framework for an interim trade agreement under which both sides will reduce import duties on a number of goods to boost two-way trade.While the US will reduce tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from the present 50 per cent, India will eliminate or cut down import duties on all US industrial goods and a wide range of American food and agricultural products, including dried distillers' grains, red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits."About USD 44 billion worth of Indian exports will go to zero reciprocal duty (to the US)," Goyal told reporters.While Indian good...

[ad_1] New Delhi: American goods ranging from wines and spirits to dry fruits will enter India either duty-free or at reduced import tariffs, a move expected to make these imports cheaper for domestic consumers. India and the US on Saturday announced that they have reached a framework for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement under which both sides will reduce import duties on a number of goods to boost two-way trade.The framework will be converted into a legal agreement, which is expected to be signed by mid-March. The duty concessions will take effect on the day of implementation. According to a joint statement, India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and a wide range of American food and agricultural products, including dried distillers' grains, red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, and wine and spirits.The other US goods which will enjoy duty concession by India include walnuts, almonds, pista...

[ad_1] New Delhi: India needs information and communication technology (ICT) goods from the US for developing data centres and promoting artificial intelligence initiatives, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday. Under the interim trade agreement between India and the US, New Delhi has agreed to address long-standing barriers to the trade in US medical devices; eliminate restrictive import licensing procedures that delay market access for, or impose quantitative restrictions on, US Information and Communication Technology (ICT) goods.It will also determine, with a view towards a positive outcome, within six months of entry into force of the Agreement whether US-developed or international standards, including testing requirements, are acceptable for the purposes of US exports entering the Indian market in identified sectors. The statement said India and the United States will significantly increase trade in technology products, including Graphics Processing...

[ad_1] New Delhi: India's exports from labour-intensive sectors such as apparel, footwear, plastics, rubber, organic chemicals and home decor will get a major fillip in the US market following a reduction in tariffs by the US under the interim trade pact. India and the US on Saturday announced that they have reached a framework for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement under which both sides will reduce import duties on a number of goods to boost two-way trade.According to a joint statement, the US will reduce tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent. The US has removed the punitive 25 per cent additional duty on Indian goods, and the 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs are expected to be reduced to 18 per cent soon. The duties will be cut down on Indian goods including textile and apparel, leather and footwear, plastic and rubber, organic chemicals, home decor, artisanal products, and certain machinery.Duties will also be reduced on gems and diamonds and aircraft parts....

[ad_1] Pune | New Delhi: Duty-free imports of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and red sorghum from the US would support India's poultry industry in procuring raw materials at internationally stable prices, helping escalate its competition in the global market for eggs and chicken. Imported DDGS also has comparatively lower levels of aflatoxins than Indian DDGS, according to poultry industry executives. Aflatoxins are a type of toxins produced by certain types of fungi found on agricultural crops like corn, and peanuts.There's no clarity yet on the level of import duty reduction by India on US tree nuts comprising walnuts, almonds and pistachios. The domestic industry however believes that any duty cut would lead to lower prices, driving consumption among Indian consumers.At the same time, duty-free access to the US market for spices, tea, coffee, mango, bananas, among various items is expected to boost exports. Wines and spirits from the US will also get con...

[ad_1] New Delhi | Mumbai: The interim agreement between India and the US marks a step towards a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with duty-free exports for many sectors, including most labour-intensive sectors such as textile, leather, handicrafts, toys, gems and jewellery, and a hi-tech sector like aviation.Boeing and Airbus are looking to India as its largest foreign OEM base for components going forward, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said Saturday."Already Boeing and Airbus are large buyers of aircraft parts from India. I am told both these companies are looking at India as the largest foreign OEM for parts going forward, and I have had conversations with the top boards and CEOs of both companies. There is a lot of excitement about the India-US partnership," he said.In response to ET's query sent to Boeing, the company's India and South Asia President Salil Gupte said, "The US-India trade agreement opens up multi-fold opportunities, and we...

[ad_1] Our BureauNew Delhi: India and the US announced a framework for an interim trade agreement under which tariffs on "originating goods of India" will be reduced to 18% from as much as 50%. Clearing the path for a full-fledged bilateral trade agreement (BTA), the interim pact covers tariff cuts and non-tariff barriers with a broader, legally binding BTA covering goods, supply chains and digital trade. This is in line with statements issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on February 2.India's exports of about $44 billion to the US will enter the American market at zero reciprocal tariffs under the first phase of the BTA, which is expected to be signed by mid-March. This will include spices, tea, coffee, copra, coconut oil, certain nuts, banana, guava, mango, bakery goods, and home decor.Indian goods worth about $30 billion will attract an 18% tariff, including those from labour-intensive sectors. There will be no change in duties o...

[ad_1] India and the US agreed on an interim trade framework that expands market access, lowers tariffs and sets the stage for a broader bilateral deal. The framework targets balanced trade, supply chain resilience and deeper technology cooperation. India intends to buy $500 billion of US energy & tech products, aircraft & parts, precious metals, tech products, coking coal over 5 years. ET takes a look:KEY GAINS FOR INDIA18% US tariff, below key competitors$44 b of Indian exports will get duty free access to the USLower duty on critical tech inputs, chips, semiconductor, aircraft, machineryZero duty on spices, tea, coffee, avocado, barley, canary seeds, bakery goods, cocoa & products, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, fruit jams & pastesNo additional duty on Section 232 goods, aircraft and machinery parts, generic drugs, pharma ingredients, elementary auto parts SECTORAL GAINSTEXTILE & APPAREL0% on silk; Market access of $13 billionEdge over others: China (35% tari...

[ad_1] Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias has said India has become an indispensable partner for Europe, underlining the growing strategic and economic importance of India for the European Union and Greece in particular. Speaking at the India-EU Forum 2026, Dendias said that perceptions in Europe about India had evolved significantly over time. "Maybe in the past, India was a nice-to-have but not a necessary-to-have. Now India is necessary-to-have," he said. Highlighting economic cooperation, the Greek minister expressed strong support for the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union and India, saying it would deliver substantial benefits."The Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India, I think, will serve a huge purpose, both for Europe, and individually for Greece as well," Dendias said. Live EventsThe inaugural India-EU Forum concluded in New Delhi on Saturday after two days of wide-ranging discussions on strengthenin...

[ad_1] India and the United Arab Emirates on Monday agreed to double bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032, unveiling a wide-ranging set of commercial and strategic outcomes covering energy security, defence cooperation, space, food exports, investment, and advanced computing.The agreements were inked during UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's one-day state visit to New Delhi.Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, briefing the media after talks between President Mahyan and PM Narendra Modi, said the trade target reflects the growing depth of the India-UAE economic partnership, which has expanded rapidly since the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) came into force. The UAE has now emerged as India’s second-largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG), he said.A key outcome on the energy front was the signing of a Sales and Purchase Agreement between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and ADNOC Gas. Under the agreement, India will rece...

[ad_1] New Delhi: India and the European Union are set to announce the conclusion of a free trade agreement, firming up of a defence partnership pact and a framework for mobility of Indian professionals at the summit talks next week, diplomatic sources said on Monday.European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be the chief guests at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, and the India-EU summit will be held the next day.A military contingent from the EU, featuring the military staff flag and flags of Operations Atalanta and Aspides, the naval operations of the grouping, will feature at the Republic Day parade.It will be the EU's first participation in such an event outside of Europe, the sources said.Pressing global challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in the Middle East and the political developments in Venezuela, will be among the global issues that the two sides are likely to delve into ...

[ad_1] New Delhi: China has requested the WTO's dispute settlement body to set up a panel in a case it has filed against India over New Delhi's incentive schemes for auto, battery and electric vehicles after bilateral consultations failed to resolve the dispute.In October last year, Beijing alleged that certain conditions in India's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for advanced chemistry cell batteries, automobiles and the policy to promote the manufacturing of electric vehicles violate global trade rules by discriminating against Chinese goods.In a communication to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), China has stated that consultations were held on November 25, 2025, and January 6, 2026, with a view to reaching a mutually agreed solution.Unfortunately, those consultations failed to resolve the dispute, it said."China therefore requests the Dispute Settlement Body to establish a panel to examine this matter," the communication dated January 16 said...

[ad_1] New Delhi: India and the 27-nation European Union (EU) will announce the conclusion of negotiations for the much-anticipated free trade agreement (FTA) at a landmark Summit in the capital on January 27. Both sides are also set to sign a security and defence partnership agreement to add momentum to the strong political ties, said people in the know.A small military contingent from the EU will also be participating in the Republic Day parade on January 26, marking the first time that such a contingent will be taking part in a parade, the people said.The EU leadership will grace the Republic Day celebrations as chief guests. President of the European Council Antonio Costa and president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will be on a state visit to India from January 25 to 27. The Summit will witness the announcement of conclusion of negotiations for the FTA that is expected to be signed in a few months after completion of legal procedures including endorsement b...