Windfall tax on petroleum exports revised, with lower diesel and ATF levies and a higher petrol export duty.
Windfall gains tax on petroleum exports was revised for the fortnight beginning July 1, with the levy on diesel exports reduced and the levy on ATF exports reduced, while the duty on petrol exports was increased. The revised special additional excise duty applies to exports only, and there is no change in the existing duty rates on petrol and diesel cleared for domestic consumption. The exemption earlier available for exports of petrol, diesel and ATF by Public Sector Oil Companies to Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was extended to similar exports to Mauritius and Maldives.

Customs duty exemption on critical petrochemical imports extended to support supply chains and domestic availability.
Full Customs Duty exemption on imports of critical petrochemical products has been extended until 15 July 2026 as temporary and targeted relief in view of the conflict in West Asia and disruptions in global supply chains. The extension is intended to ensure sufficient availability of petrochemicals in the domestic market, with the list of covered products unchanged from the earlier notification. The exemption is expected to support sectors dependent on petrochemical feedstock and intermediates and provide relief to consumers of final products.

Rice export incentives aim to open overseas markets, support quality-compliant industries, and improve returns for farmers and millers.
Telangana is considering incentives and a dedicated policy framework to boost rice exports and help rice producers access overseas markets. Government support would extend to industries meeting export quality standards, including speedy approvals and necessary clearances, along with support for value-added rice products to improve returns for farmers and rice millers.

Manufacturing growth in China gains pace as AI hardware exports lift factory activity and external demand remains key.
China's manufacturing sector expanded in June as the purchasing managers' index moved above the neutral threshold, supported by stronger new orders, production and robust exports driven by demand for artificial intelligence hardware. The report said external demand remained the main engine of growth, while domestic consumption stayed sluggish amid continued caution after the property sector downturn.

Indian food exports gain global showcase as the India Pavilion highlights premium products, mangoes and basmati at Summer Fancy Food 2026.
India's largest-ever participation at North America's Summer Fancy Food Show 2026 was showcased through the inauguration of the India Pavilion, jointly presented by APEDA and ITPO. The pavilion brought together Indian food brands, exporters and innovators across categories including basmati rice, spices, ready-to-eat foods, beverages, organic products, frozen foods, snacks and value-added agricultural products, reflecting rising global demand for Indian food products and the strength of India's processed food sector.

Seafood skill development advances through MPEDA's National Seafood Skill Olympiad and value-added export training programmes.
MPEDA will organise the second National Seafood Skill Olympiad during Seafood Expo Bharat 2026 to promote innovation, quality standards, skill recognition and value addition in marine exports. As preparation, MPEDA conducted 50 nationwide Seafood Value Addition Training Programmes for more than 2,500 workers and professionals, followed by preliminary, State-Level and Regional Skill Olympiads to shortlist finalists for the national finale. Seafood Expo Bharat 2026 will also provide a platform for business meetings, technical sessions and industry exchange across the seafood value chain.

Renewable energy expansion gains momentum as new solar parks and industrial projects support cleaner power and investment.
Renewable energy development in Madhya Pradesh was highlighted through the inauguration of two solar power projects with a combined capacity of 950 MW, including a 500 MW solar park in Neemuch and a 450 MW solar park in Shajapur. The Neemuch Solar Park was described as a vanilla solar project, meaning a solar facility using only solar panels without battery storage, and its tariff was said to be possibly among the lowest globally for such projects. Officials stated that the Neemuch project would supply clean electricity to Indian Railways and the state grid.

Restricted import of firecrackers exposed through misdeclaration, cargo concealment, and clandestine removal from a container freight station.
Restricted import of firecrackers under the Foreign Trade Policy requires valid licences from both the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization. Enforcement operations detected mis-declared containers concealing Chinese-origin fireworks and firecrackers, as well as clandestine removal of contraband from a Container Freight Station without Customs authorisation. The smuggling activity involved cargo substitution, active connivance of CFS staff, seizure of substantial quantities, and arrests of multiple persons.

Export promotion through buyer-seller meets is aimed at expanding market access and building export capacity for local producers.
Export promotion through an international buyer-seller meet was highlighted as a means of strengthening outward trade by bringing foreign buyers to Jammu and Kashmir and connecting them with local artisans, exporters and prospective exporters. The initiative was also described as including training and assistance to help existing exporters expand and encourage non-exporters to start exporting, with the broader aim of market access, commercial linkage and export capacity-building.

Export controls on dual-use goods tighten as China targets Japanese entities over alleged remilitarisation.
China imposed new export controls on 40 Japanese entities, placing 20 on a control list that prohibits exports of China-made dual-use items and 20 more on a watch list subject to licensing, risk assessment and written assurances. The controls target entities said to be contributing to Japan's remilitarisation and apply to goods that may be used for both civilian and military purposes.

AI governance certification under ISO/IEC 42001:2023 establishes audited controls for lifecycle risk, accountability, and deployment practices.
Certification under ISO/IEC 42001:2023 requires an independent external audit and establishes auditable requirements for AI governance across the full lifecycle, including risk management, accountability structures, data practices, deployment controls, and incident response. The standard cannot be self-attested and is described as addressing enterprise, procurement, and vendor-risk expectations for AI systems used in regulated environments. The certified scope covers the organisation's AI practice for production-grade systems, extending its independently audited governance framework to AI operations.

Free Trade Agreement drives deeper UK-India cooperation across investment, innovation, services and future industries.
The UK-India Free Trade Agreement was presented as a major milestone in India's trade strategy and as the most comprehensive agreement India has entered into so far, with implementation expected to begin in July. The Agreement was described as a platform for deeper bilateral cooperation across goods, services, investment, innovation and future industries, and as part of a broader reset in UK-India relations aimed at reducing barriers and strengthening long-term economic engagement. The Forum emphasised the Agreement as the basis for a new phase of investment, innovation and strategic partnership.

Electronics manufacturing expansion drives Amber Group's localisation and import substitution strategy through large Uttar Pradesh investments.
Amber Group is expanding its manufacturing footprint in Uttar Pradesh through large-scale investments in electronics, consumer durables and allied component production. The proposed projects at YEIDA include a high-density interconnect printed circuit board and semiconductor substrate manufacturing unit through a 70:30 joint venture, together with an expanded air-conditioner and components complex, with funding to be executed in phases through internal accruals, debt, equity and foreign direct investment from Korea. The expansion is positioned as a backward-integration and localisation strategy, supported under the Centre's Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme and incentives from the Uttar Pradesh government.

Horticulture export expansion opens overseas market access for Himachal Pradesh stone fruits through air cargo shipment to Oman.
First export consignment of cherries and plums was flagged off from Chandigarh to Oman by air cargo, marking an initial international market entry for Himachal Pradesh's stone fruits. The initiative was undertaken through collaboration between the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority to support grading, packing, quality testing and related export arrangements for farmers.

Manufacturing expansion and electronics growth drive Amber Group's near-term revenue target and major Uttar Pradesh investments.
Amber Group expects to reach the USD 2 billion revenue level in the near term, supported by growth in consumer durables, electronics, railway and defence businesses. It is investing about Rs 6,785 crore in manufacturing projects at YEIDA, including a joint venture unit for HDI printed circuit boards, flexible printed circuit boards and semiconductor substrates, and an expanded air-conditioner and components complex. The projects aim at backward integration, localisation, domestic supply and eventual exports.

UK-India FTA leadership recognised as awards celebrate trade, finance, education and social impact across the bilateral partnership.
The UK-India Awards 2026 recognised individuals and institutions for contributions to the UK-India corridor and the broader bilateral partnership, including trade, finance, consulting, lifesciences, education, social impact and sports. The UK-India FTA negotiating teams and Piyush Goyal received the Exceptional Leadership in Elevating UK-India Ties award for advancing the historic UK-India Free Trade Agreement, while other honourees were recognised for sustained contributions to specific areas of the relationship.

Digital governance and land allotment enforcement drive Uttar Pradesh's push for online services, investment promotion, and project monitoring.
The Uttar Pradesh government set the fourth edition of the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show for September 25 to 29 in Greater Noida, presenting it as a platform to showcase the state's manufacturing strength, attract foreign buyers and facilitate business-to-business and business-to-consumer engagement as well as export orders. The Chief Minister also directed the Noida Authority to move all services online, monitor projects through an Integrated Command and Control Centre, and take action against land allottees who have not developed allotted land within the stipulated period.

Geographical Indication exports gain momentum as Rewa Sundarja Mangoes enter overseas markets through coordinated export facilitation.
APEDA facilitated the first commercial export of GI-tagged Rewa Sundarja Mangoes from Madhya Pradesh to the United Arab Emirates through coordinated work with horticulture authorities, exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations, pack house operators and farmers. The consignment was sourced, graded, sorted, packaged and cleared under export-quality and phytosanitary requirements before shipment, and the initiative is described as strengthening the export potential of GI agricultural products and improving income realisation for growers in the Rewa region.

India-UK CETA expands market access, eases professional mobility, and grants eligible professionals social security exemption.
Deployment of 1,000 advisory personnel and upgradation of the trade portal are announced to help businesses maximise benefits under the forthcoming India-UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement. The agreement is described as India's most comprehensive free trade agreement, expected to improve market access, competitiveness of Indian enterprises and mobility for professionals. For eligible Indian professionals in the United Kingdom, it provides a five-year exemption from social security contributions and allows the savings to be placed in interest-bearing, tax-free provident fund accounts in India.

Tariff threat over digital services taxes escalates pressure on countries taxing American technology companies abroad.
A threatened tariff response targets countries that impose digital services taxes on United States companies, with the stated aim of deterring foreign taxation of American technology businesses. The measure is described as applying broadly to imports from countries adopting such taxes and as overriding previously negotiated trade arrangements. The text also notes that digital services taxes remain a trade sticking point and that the issue has been examined through United States trade investigations.