India and Russia to negotiate defence procurement, trade measures, energy supply arrangements and worker mobility agreements.
Summit talks will deepen defence cooperation-including procurement, logistical support and timely supply of military hardware-and formalise agreements to boost Indian exports and manage the trade deficit. Leaders will consider measures to secure energy procurement from Russia amid external sanctions pressure, explore a free trade agreement with a Eurasian economic bloc, and conclude accords to facilitate worker movement, customs cooperation and collaboration on civil nuclear projects such as small modular reactors.

Indian steel sector faces heightened energy security risks from strained overseas met coal supply, urging faster low-carbon transition.
India's heavy reliance on imported metallurgical coal-about 90% of needs-for blast furnace-driven steel expansion creates energy security risks. Supply constraints identified include methane emissions challenges, legal and financial barriers to mine expansion, rising costs, slowing mine development, and export forecast over-optimism. The report recommends accelerating adoption of scrap-based electric arc furnaces, green hydrogen steelmaking, and policy incentives for low-carbon technologies to reduce import dependence and mitigate price and supply volatility.

Hainan Free Trade Port to deepen opening-up, prioritize services, digital and green trade, and use customs-bonded operations to boost global integration.
The Hainan Free Trade Port is a strategic pilot for institutional innovation to deepen opening-up, improve the business environment, and attract global capital and talent, prioritizing services trade, digital trade, and the green economy. Coordination with regional hubs and deeper ties with Belt and Road and Global South partners will integrate Hainan into wider trade networks, while customs-bonded (sealed-port) operations are promoted as a mechanism to benchmark global free trade ports and enhance trade facilitation.

India-Russia summit to advance defence procurement and trade measures, address oil supply amid sanctions, and pursue a Eurasian FTA.
Defence cooperation will focus on procurement of S-400 systems, potential Su-57 supply, other military hardware, and logistical support under a broader defence framework, while economic measures will aim to address India's trade deficit by expanding exports in pharma, agriculture, food products, consumer goods and fertilisers, stabilising Russian crude oil supplies amid third-party sanctions, exploring a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, and concluding labour-mobility and energy cooperation instruments.

Rupee depreciation raises import costs and pressures input prices while policy focus shifts to boosting foreign investment.
Rupee depreciation supports exports but raises import costs, pressuring input prices in import-dependent sectors and potentially feeding inflation; drivers include fund outflows, higher crude and trade uncertainty. Policy priorities to increase foreign direct investment are addressing tax and non-tax barriers, infrastructure and last-mile connectivity, and responding to geopolitical shifts and localisation trends, with a stated expectation of FDI improvement and exchange-rate recovery next year.

India and Russia to sign trade, mobility and cooperation pacts including worker recruitment conditions amid export push.
India and Russia will sign multiple agreements to expand cooperation in trade, healthcare, agriculture and culture, including a mobility pact establishing conditions for recruitment of Indian workers; talks will pursue an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union, bolster fertiliser supplies and aim to increase Indian exports while addressing the bilateral trade imbalance.

India-EU FTA could transform Finland India trade, unlocking collaboration in cleantech, circular economy, digitalisation and investment.
The imminent India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to transform Finland-India commercial relations by expanding market access, facilitating investment, and opening avenues for cooperation in clean technology, circular economy and digitalisation, with Maharashtra positioned as a strategic regional entry point and the DESI framework guiding future collaboration.

India-Russia trade: Russia proposes insulating ties from third party pressure and using national currencies for settlement.
Russia proposes creating an architecture to insulate India-Russia trade and energy ties from third party pressure, including mechanisms to settle trade in national currencies rather than the US dollar. The Kremlin acknowledged a significant trade imbalance favouring Russia and is exploring measures to increase Russian imports from India to address India's concerns. Officials cautioned that Indian purchases of Russian crude might decline briefly under western sanctions but stated that steps are being taken to avert lasting reductions and preserve trade volumes.

Dakshina Kannada designated as District Export Hub to boost seafood and cashew exports and strengthen logistics support.
Dakshina Kannada has been designated a District Export Hub under the DEH initiative with seafood and cashew as focus products; a District Export Action Plan identifies logistics, warehousing, packaging, testing and first mile connectivity gaps and advances port linked infrastructure and value chain retention measures. A District Export Promotion Committee has been constituted to coordinate district authorities, customs, port and logistics providers, and industry stakeholders to operationalise the DEAP and pursue infrastructure, e commerce, postal export facilities, capacity building and monitoring interventions.

E-cigarette smuggling ring busted; nearly 46,000 devices seized and imports prohibited under law at Tuticorin Port.
DRI officers intercepted a container at Tuticorin, seized 45,984 concealed electronic cigarettes valued at about Rs. 10.41 crore (with 4,300 umbrellas valued at Rs. 4.30 lakh), and arrested three persons; the import of e-cigarettes is prohibited under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act and enforced under the Customs Act, 1962 and DGFT trade control notifications.

UK-US pharmaceutical deal eliminates US import tariffs on UK medicines in exchange for increased UK spending and US investment.
A bilateral trade arrangement establishes a zero-tariff regime for UK-origin pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical inputs, and medical technology exported to the United States for at least three years in exchange for UK firms' commitments to increase US investment and job creation; concurrently the UK will raise National Health Service spending on new and effective treatments by roughly 25 percent to facilitate approval and procurement of clinically significant medicines previously excluded on cost-effectiveness grounds.

P&K fertiliser domestic production must be increased to reduce import dependence and exposure to global supply shocks.
Parliamentary panel urges strengthening domestic production of phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers to reduce import dependence, noting domestic capacity (160 lakh tonnes) is insufficient against demand (240 lakh tonnes) and projected consumption (305 lakh tonnes by 2035-36). The Committee cites global price volatility, exchange rate movements and supply chain disruptions as risks to costs and directs the Department of Fertilisers to ensure timely completion of projects and capacity expansion. Separately, it recommends that the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority and the Department of Pharmaceuticals act to reduce stent prices and enforce price limits to prevent overcharging.

Pharmaceuticals trade deal secures zero tariffs on medicines for three years, tied to increased manufacturer investment commitments.
A bilateral arrangement grants a zero-tariff rate on UK-origin pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical ingredients, and medical technology exported to the United States for at least three years, conditioned on UK drug firms increasing investment and job creation in the United States and on the UK government increasing spending on new treatments.

FDDI graduates urged to link artisans, industry and consumers to boost exports, quality standards and self-reliant manufacturing.
FDDI convocation emphasises the institute's role in national industrial and trade policy as an Institute of National Importance supporting export growth, employment and Atmanirbharta; graduates are positioned to link artisans, manufacturers and consumers and to leverage free trade agreements. Policy implications include prioritising innovation, sustainable inputs, product durability and uncompromising quality and ethics to upgrade the value chain and meet global market conditions. Continuous re skilling and promotion of Swadeshi are advanced to align education with national trade and industrial objectives.

Rupee under pressure as trade deal delays and tariffs drive dollar demand, risking export competitiveness.
The rupee depreciated against the US dollar due to a widening trade deficit, delayed India US trade negotiations, and limited central bank intervention, producing a persistent dollar supply demand imbalance. Market indicators-firmer dollar index, higher Brent crude, equity declines, and net foreign institutional outflows-alongside a slowing manufacturing PMI, are said to reinforce external sector pressure and elevated dollar demand.

Footwear exports urged to expand via investment incentives, FTAs, and GI promotion to access new markets and boost trade.
The government aims to expand the footwear industry to boost exports by using support measures to attract investment, targeting sports and non leather segments, and leveraging free trade agreements to access new markets. Policy emphasis includes investment incentives, market diversification, and promotion of GI tagged traditional products such as Kolhapuri chappals as part of a value addition and market access strategy.

Rupee falls to record low as foreign outflows, importer dollar demand and tariff-driven trade uncertainty pressure the currency.
The rupee's record intraday decline is attributed to heavy foreign portfolio investor outflows, strong importer dollar demand, rising crude prices, and corporate and government repayments, producing exchange-rate volatility and tighter external financing conditions. Concurrent trade-policy friction-specifically the imposition of tariffs and ongoing negotiations over a bilateral framework trade deal-is identified as a regulatory factor that exacerbates capital movement pressures and affects exporter prospects, thereby interacting with currency depreciation.

India manufacturing PMI falls as US tariffs slow export growth and weaken business confidence amid ongoing trade talks.
US tariff measures have coincided with a deceleration in India's manufacturing activity, with the HSBC India Manufacturing PMI falling to 56.6 in November due to softer sales and production. New export orders rose at their weakest pace in over a year and the new export orders PMI hit a 13 month low, contributing to reduced business confidence. Indian authorities are pursuing a framework Bilateral Trade Agreement to address reciprocal tariff barriers, but officials acknowledge the BTA will take time and current tax cuts may not offset the tariff headwind.

Liquid coal tar pitch exported from New Mangalore to Middle East, opening a new western export corridor and scaling capacity.
Himadri executed a 3,600 tonne export of liquid coal tar pitch from New Mangalore Port to the Middle East, creating a second western export corridor alongside its Haldia terminal; the shipment evidences high volume export capability, port utilisation strategy, and supply chain readiness. The company's roadmap prioritises strengthening export corridors, optimising ports, expanding capacity, deepening market outreach in the Middle East and Americas, and positioning as a strategic supplier through integrated manufacturing and sustainable production.

U.S. food policy changes have increased food waste by disrupting labor, aid distribution, tariffs, and emergency funding.
Federal policy changes in the second Trump administration increased edible food disposal by disrupting labor, aid distribution, market access, and emergency response systems, resulting in unharvested crops, spoiled warehouse supplies, destroyed food aid, and heightened food safety risks that together compounded economic, resource, and public health costs.