Disproportionate assets probe leads to recovery of cash, vehicles and property documents from senior officials.
Police action against two senior Bihar government officers for alleged possession of disproportionate assets led to searches at multiple locations and recovery of property documents, cash, luxury items and vehicle records. The Economic Offences Unit registered separate FIRs against Kishanganj SDPO Gautam Kumar and Saharsa DRDA director Vaibhav Kumar after preliminary findings indicated assets allegedly far in excess of their known income, with suspected benami properties and investments traced to family members and associates. Searches yielded documents relating to numerous land parcels, residential property, insurance and financial investments, bank deposits, cash, luxury watches, high-end vehicles and other valuables.

Free trade agreements and apple imports raise concerns over Himachal orchardists' economic interests and market competitiveness.
Himachal Pradesh's apple sector was discussed in the context of free trade agreements with the European Union, the United States, New Zealand and other countries, with concern that lower import duties on apples could affect the economic interests of local growers. A private resolution urged the central government to frame a policy to safeguard orchardists, and the government accepted the resolution. The debate also noted that Himachal apples must improve in quality to compete with imports and that the state lags behind those markets in quality standards.

Sanctions waiver revives Iranian crude trade as a cargo heads to Gujarat amid refinery inventory pressures.
India's crude oil trade may see a renewed shipment of Iranian oil after a sanctions waiver allowed oil "on the water" to be purchased for a limited period. A vessel carrying about 600,000 barrels of Iranian crude has reportedly been observed heading toward Vadinar in Gujarat, marking the first such delivery since imports stopped in 2019 after sanctions tightening. The development is linked to Indian refiners' need for cargoes amid tightening inventories, while the government has stated that any resumption of purchases will depend on techno-commercial feasibility.

Manufacturing activity rebounds as energy costs, supply-chain risks, and weak demand cloud China's growth outlook.
China's manufacturing activity returned to expansion in March as the official purchasing managers index rose above 50, ending two months of contraction. Analysts said the outlook remains vulnerable to higher energy costs, possible supply-chain disruption, a prolonged property-sector slump, and weaker global demand, while exports continue to play a key role in supporting growth.

E-commerce moratorium and TRIPS safeguard lapse as WTO ministers fail to reach consensus on digital trade rules.
Failure of the WTO ministerial conference to reach consensus on the extension of the e-commerce moratorium left unresolved the commitment not to impose customs duties on electronic transmissions. The deadlock reflected differing positions on the duration of the extension, and the lapse raises the prospect that members may impose import duties on digital transmissions. The same impasse also ended the safeguard against non-violation complaints under the TRIPS Agreement, increasing the risk that WTO-compliant measures may be challenged for affecting expected commercial gains.

E-commerce duty moratorium ends unresolved as WTO members defer tariff and TRIPS safeguards talks.
The World Trade Organization meeting ended without consensus on extending the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, leaving the issue of tariffs on digital downloads and streaming unresolved. The lapse of the moratorium also coincided with the expiry of the TRIPS non-violation complaint safeguard, increasing the possibility of challenges to WTO-compliant measures and reducing policy space for developing countries. Related WTO reform and e-commerce work programme discussions were also deferred for continued negotiation in Geneva.

WTO e-commerce duty moratorium remains unresolved as members fail to agree on extension and talks continue
Failure to agree at the WTO Ministerial Conference on extending the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions leaves the issue unresolved, with negotiations to continue in Geneva. The moratorium on e-commerce duty bans, together with the related TRIPS non-violation and situation complaints moratorium, is due to expire at the end of the month. The conference also advanced WTO reform, fisheries subsidies negotiations, and decisions on small economies and special and differential treatment under the SPS and TBT Agreements.

E-commerce customs duty moratorium extension faces split views as members debate digital trade and revenue implications.
World Trade Organisation members are negotiating whether to extend the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, including digital downloads and streaming, as the current extension is due to expire. Members remain divided on the duration of any further extension, with some opposing renewal or preferring a short extension and others seeking a longer period. The issue is linked to ongoing concerns over the treatment of digital imports and the scope of the duty ban that has been periodically renewed since 1998.

Misdeclared import consignment leads to seizure of hydroponic marijuana at airport and arrest of one person.
Customs authorities at Pune International Airport seized a consignment of hydroponic marijuana that had been declared as food items and packed in boxes labelled as "Mandarin orange sacs". The goods arrived from Bangkok, and inspection revealed sealed tin cans containing a vacuum-sealed pack of hydroponic marijuana. The entire consignment yielded 76.58 kg of the contraband, and one person was arrested in connection with the seizure.

Trade agreement negotiations advance as India discusses Canada, UK, EU and New Zealand economic cooperation priorities.
India and Canada discussed expediting negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, alongside cooperation in high-tech sectors, clean energy transition, nuclear energy, agriculture, and critical minerals. India and the United Kingdom reviewed implementation of the comprehensive economic and trade agreement, with both sides completing their respective approval processes and looking forward to its entry into force. India and the European Union reviewed progress on the recently concluded free trade agreement, while India and New Zealand discussed preparations for the prime minister's upcoming visit.

Strait of Hormuz shipping disruption eases as Indian LPG tankers safely transit and support domestic fuel supply.
Safe transit of Indian-flagged LPG tankers through the Strait of Hormuz has been maintained despite conflict-related disruption to shipping in the region. The passage of additional carriers, together with earlier arrivals of LPG, crude oil and gasoline vessels, has helped support India's fuel supply chain at a time when the country depends heavily on imported LPG for domestic cooking gas demand. Continued maritime monitoring, coordination for vessels remaining in the western Persian Gulf, and repatriation of Indian seafarers have also been facilitated.

Tea land transfer concerns prompt calls for clear guidelines, labour law harmonisation, and protection of industry liabilities.
Tea planters' body has sought clear guidelines before implementation of the amended law for transfer of housing line land to tea garden workers, citing administrative, financial and legal complications where land is mortgaged and labour quarters are company-built assets. It has also pointed to continuing management responsibility for housing and welfare amenities under labour law, urged full recognition of in-kind benefits for wage computation, requested release of pending subsidy payments, and called for policy support, market diversification, quality control, and a minimum sustainable price for made tea.

National unity and aviation expansion drive highlighted as leaders urge restraint amid global crises and promote regional growth.
Prime Minister urged unity and restraint in responding to global crises, warning political parties against divisive remarks that may harm national interests. He linked the inauguration of Noida International Airport, its cargo terminal and MRO facility to a broader push for connectivity, regional growth and lower travel costs. The address also highlighted aviation expansion, the UDAN scheme, logistics development, transport infrastructure and self-reliance in the MRO sector.

Aviation and infrastructure policy drive regional growth, affordable travel, domestic maintenance capacity and reduced import dependence.
Government policy on aviation, infrastructure and energy is presented as part of a broader strategy to advance economic development, improve citizen convenience and strengthen national resilience amid global disruption. The address emphasised safeguarding the interests of families and farmers, reducing costs and saving time, while maintaining calm and unity during external crises. It also highlighted the inauguration of Noida International Airport as a transport and logistics hub, the expansion of the UDAN scheme, development of domestic maintenance, repair and overhaul capacity, and ethanol blending as a measure to reduce crude oil imports and foreign exchange outgo.

Trade transparency and WTO reform need capacity-building, not retaliation, to ensure fair compliance and multilateral balance.
Trade transparency under the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade framework requires members to share information on trade policies, subsidies and regulatory measures, but India has cautioned that transparency must not be weaponised to justify trade retaliation or challenge legitimate domestic policies. It stressed that disclosure obligations should be backed by sustained capacity-building support so all members, especially developing countries, can meet them fairly and effectively. India also supported time-bound WTO reform with milestones, robust evidentiary analysis and a member-driven consensus process.

Trade agreement framework balances market access with farmer safeguards, calibrated tariff concessions, and export opportunities across key sectors.
India and the United States have agreed on a framework for an interim trade agreement intended to expand reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade while protecting domestic sensitivities, particularly in agriculture and dairy. The framework contemplates improved market access, rules of origin, action on non-tariff barriers, and cooperation on standards, digital trade, economic security, technology, supply chain resilience, energy and manufacturing. Limited and calibrated tariff concessions have been offered on select agricultural products through quota-based mechanisms, phased concessions and partial duty reductions, with the quotas kept within existing import levels to avoid adverse impact on domestic farmers.

Bilateral trade agreement negotiations advance as India and the US discuss WTO issues, tariffs, and next steps in talks.
India and the United States continued discussions on the next steps in the bilateral trade agreement negotiations, covering the WTO agenda, the India-US BTA, and ways to deepen bilateral economic cooperation and trade ties. A framework for the first phase has been finalised, but the legal text remains unsigned, and the chief negotiators' meeting was postponed because of changes in the US tariff architecture and the need to await the revised global tariff framework before the interim trade agreement is signed.

Energy supply stability assured as government rules out lockdown, citing adequate fuel stocks and anti-hoarding measures.
The government ruled out any lockdown and said India has adequate stocks of petrol, diesel and LPG, with fuel retail operations continuing normally despite energy supply disruptions linked to the war in West Asia. Officials said rumours have caused panic buying, while alternative sourcing, higher domestic LPG production, excise duty cuts, export levies, export diversion directions and intensified anti-hoarding enforcement are being used to stabilise supplies and protect consumers.

Production Linked Incentive schemes strengthen domestic manufacturing, expand exports, and build supply chain resilience across key sectors.
Production Linked Incentive schemes across 14 sectors are being implemented to strengthen domestic manufacturing, attract investment, promote exports and generate employment. As of 31 December 2025, the schemes had cumulatively attracted investments of over Rs.2.16 lakh crore, generated production and sales of over Rs.20.41 lakh crore, supported exports of over Rs.8.3 lakh crore and created employment for more than 14.39 lakh persons across the covered sectors. The electronics and automobiles sectors have received incentive disbursements and reported incremental production through participating companies. The schemes are said to expand domestic manufacturing capacity, reduce import dependence and improve supply chain resilience. The policy framework is supplemented by initiatives for semiconductor development, electronics component manufacturing, logistics efficiency, rare earth magnet manufacture and critical mineral supply security.

Trade retaliation escalates as China opens investigations into US restrictions on goods, technology, and green energy exports.
China launched two investigations into US trade practices in response to recent tariff-related investigations announced by the United States. One probe concerns US policies restricting Chinese goods and advanced technology exports, while the other concerns barriers affecting Chinese green energy exports. The investigations are expected to last six months, with a possible three-month extension if necessary.