Asian stocks plunged as AI-linked and semiconductor losses, US jobs data and regional tensions drove broad market volatility.
Asian equity benchmarks fell sharply as concentrated losses in AI-linked and semiconductor stocks produced violent intraday reversals; declines were broad-based across Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, mainland China, Australia and Taiwan. Strong U.S. jobs data raised the likelihood of delayed rate cuts, while Japanese fiscal spending plans, trade shifts and regional geopolitical friction added to bond, currency and export pressures, amplifying market volatility.

Proposed Israel-India free trade agreement aims to eliminate tariffs, ease customs, and boost investment and services.
A proposed free trade agreement between Israel and India has entered formal negotiations under signed terms of reference that exclude sensitive areas. The ToRs focus on market access by eliminating tariff and non tariff barriers, investment facilitation, simplification of customs procedures, cooperation on innovation and technology transfer, and easing rules to promote trade in services, with the aim of expanding bilateral trade and investment.

Japan's exports shift as US 15% tariffs reduce shipments to the US and push diversification toward Asian markets.
A 15 percent US tariff framework on Japanese imports is linked to a 3.1% decline in exports to the United States and sectoral falls in computer parts, machinery, buses and trucks, while Japan's overall exports rose 3.7% and imports from the US increased 20.9%, narrowing the trade deficit and prompting export diversification toward other Asian markets amid geopolitical tensions over Taiwan.

Tariff relief on Brazil exempts certain April and July tariffs for coffee, fruit and beef to lower consumer costs.
President Trump announced targeted tariff relief for Brazilian imports by exempting certain agricultural goods-notably coffee, fruit and beef-from the April and July tariffs so that neither set of measures applies to those products; the July levies had been characterised as punitive in response to Brazil's prosecution of a political ally, and ongoing bilateral negotiations may lead to further tariff reductions.

Reliance halts Russian crude at SEZ refinery to comply with EU sanctions, shifting exports to non Russian oil.
Reliance has stopped processing Russian crude at its export-only SEZ refinery from November 20, honouring pre-committed liftings arranged as of October 22 with the final such cargo loaded on November 12; cargoes arriving on or after November 20 will be processed in the domestic tariff area and, from December 1, all product exports from the SEZ refinery will be produced from non-Russian crude to comply with EU product-import restrictions taking effect January 2026.

Inland waterways modernization expands trade corridors, lowers logistics costs, and strengthens energy transport to neighbouring markets.
Modernisation of Inland Water Transport in the Northeast focuses on expanding cargo movement and multimodal links for petroleum and industrial consignments to Bangladesh and Southeast Asia through key jetties and terminals, with annual cargo on NW-2 nearing six lakh tonnes and capacity demonstrated for over-dimensional cargo. The programme comprises Rs 1,000 crore of projects including cargo terminals, a Rs 239 crore ship repair facility at Pandu, tourism and lighthouse development, and a Rs 188 crore Regional Centre of Excellence in Dibrugarh for maritime and logistics training to localise maintenance, reduce costs, and strengthen energy transport and cross-border trade.

India-Israel FTA negotiations launched under ToR to address market access, tariffs, investment facilitation, and customs simplification.
Terms of reference have been signed to formally launch negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and Israel, committing parties to address market access through elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers, investment facilitation, customs simplification, cooperation on innovation and technology transfer, and promotion of trade in services, with negotiation dates to be finalised; Israel has indicated it will not seek access in dairy, rice, wheat and sugar.

Trump threatened 350 percent tariffs on India and Pakistan to pressure them to halt hostilities and negotiate trade.
The President asserted he prevented escalation between India and Pakistan by threatening unilateral imposition of 350 per cent tariffs, conditioning tariff removal on cessation of hostilities and subsequent trade deals, and claimed direct calls with both prime ministers confirming de escalation. India denies third party intervention, maintaining the cessation arose from direct military talks between Directors General of Military Operations, creating a contested account of economic coercion as a tool for international de escalation.

Customs officer dies while trekking in Sikkim; rescue team retrieved the body and post mortem was conducted.
A 38-year-old CGST and Customs superintendent from West Bengal suffered severe headache, nausea, fatigue and breathlessness while ascending the Goechala route, lost consciousness and died at around 12,000 feet near Phedang. Rescue personnel and porters were mobilised to retrieve the body amid difficult terrain; the remains were taken to Gyalshing District Hospital for post mortem and then handed over to the family.

Oil exports resume after drone attacks; third-party engagement sought to protect pipelines and ensure seaport access.
South Sudan resumed crude oil exports after drone strikes on Sudanese processing facilities forced an emergency cross-border shutdown. Attacks damaged Heglig and Al Jabalyn sites, killed a staff member, and led firms to suspend output; technical teams restored pipeline flow to the Port Sudan terminal and production in Paloch, Unity, and Tharjiath. Leaders are engaging a third-party country to deter further RSF strikes and stressed protection of the pipeline and export corridor and the right to access seaports under international law.

Bengaluru customs seize five wild animals from arriving passengers; two arrested under Customs Act, investigation ongoing.
Customs officers at Kempegowda International Airport intercepted two passengers arriving from Bangkok and seized five wild animals for alleged violations of CITES and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; the passengers were arrested under the Customs Act and further investigation is underway.

Stylam Industries wins Export Excellence Awards for 2023-24 and 2024-25 for sustained export performance and manufacturing standards.
Stylam Industries Limited received the Export Excellence Award for 2023-24 and 2024-25 in recognition of sustained export performance and leadership in decorative laminates and premium surfacing, driven by global expansion, world class manufacturing standards, international certifications, robust supply chain capabilities, advanced R&D, and a diversified product portfolio across over eighty international markets.

Trade Intelligence & Analytics Portal provides open-access, automated trade data and analytics to support exporters, MSMEs and policy planning.
The Trade Intelligence & Analytics (TIA) Portal creates a centralized, automated analytics platform consolidating global and bilateral trade databases (including UN Comtrade) into one integrated system with API-driven data collation, over 270 interactive visualisations across 28+ dashboards, automated reporting workflows, and specialized tools (Trade Watch Tower, Champion Product identification, surge monitoring, Critical Minerals Dashboard) to support evidence-based policymaking, market diversification and enhanced FTA utilisation.

Rupee steadies as widening trade deficit and surging gold imports weigh on markets amid trade deal talks.
The rupee traded narrowly and settled nearly flat as a softer dollar and lower crude limited downside, while concerns over rising import bills and a record-wide trade deficit-largely driven by surging gold and silver imports and impacted by high US tariffs on exports-kept investors cautious amid attention to a proposed India-US trade deal and forthcoming economic data.

Free Trade Agreement prospects between India and Slovenia to deepen cooperation in green tech, pharmaceuticals and trade.
A prospective Free Trade Agreement between India and Slovenia is presented as the primary mechanism to expand bilateral trade and investment, with immediate collaboration planned on medical instrument production. The initiative targets sectoral cooperation in green technology, logistics and transport, pharmaceuticals, information technology, manufacturing, tourism, and education exchange, and promotes joint ventures, business delegations, and knowledge sharing as means to operationalize partnerships.

Trade negotiations must remain fair and balanced to protect domestic stakeholders while enabling calibrated market access.
Trade negotiations must remain fair and balanced, safeguarding domestic stakeholders such as farmers, fishermen, small industries and businesses while pursuing expanded bilateral commerce. Free Trade Agreements under negotiation or concluded should be calibrated to protect domestic interests alongside market access. Regulatory reforms - elimination of onerous compliances, reduction of procedural burdens, decriminalisation of minor offences and enhanced ease of doing business - are operative mechanisms to attract investment, support startups and enable technology partnerships.

Indian rupee edges lower as exports fall and trade deficit widens amid surging gold and silver imports.
The rupee fell to 88.61 per US dollar in range-bound trade, influenced by equity weakness, foreign fund inflows, lower crude prices and a softer dollar. Market volatility is expected around US economic releases. India's exports contracted while the trade deficit widened to a record, largely due to substantial increases in gold and silver imports and higher inbound shipments of commodities; crude oil import values declined year-on-year.

Bilateral trade agreement progress could remove punitive tariffs and address reciprocal trade sanctions, affecting market sentiment.
Proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations are reported as nearing closure, aimed at addressing substantial reciprocal tariffs and resolving US market access issues to secure tariff relief and improved market entry for Indian goods; the report links these trade-policy developments to contemporaneous equity-market volatility, institutional investor flows, and a modest decline in the global crude benchmark.

Rupee weakens to 88.67 amid widening trade deficit, surging gold imports and trade policy uncertainties affecting market sentiment.
Rupee weakened to 88.67 against the US dollar amid equity sell offs and global trade uncertainties, with intraday fluctuations around 88.67-88.69. October trade data showed exports down 11.8% to USD 34.38 billion and a record trade deficit of USD 41.68 billion driven by large increases in gold and silver imports and higher shipments of cotton raw/waste, fertiliser and sulphur, while crude import bills fell. These trade dynamics and ongoing trade negotiations dampened investor sentiment despite some foreign inflows.

Maritime security: drone strike on Turkish-flagged tanker disrupts energy shipments and prompts cross-border evacuations and safety measures.
A drone struck the Turkish-flagged MT Orinda during offloading of liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port; all 16 crew evacuated uninjured, the tanker and nearby civilian vessels were damaged, and the hazardous cargo led Romanian authorities to order evacuations near the border. The attack contributes to a pattern of strikes on Odesa ports and energy infrastructure that is disrupting energy imports and maritime trade.