Windfall gains tax on petroleum exports is revised to curb export incentives and protect domestic fuel availability.
Windfall gains tax on exports of petroleum products has been revised for the fortnight beginning 16 June 2026, with the special additional excise duty on diesel exports increased and the duty on aviation turbine fuel exports also raised. The levy on petrol exports remains unchanged, and the existing duty rates on petrol and diesel cleared for domestic consumption are unchanged. The stated purpose of the windfall tax is to support domestic availability of petroleum products by discouraging exports when international crude prices and geopolitical conditions create a price advantage for exporters.

Electricity tariff revision retains consumer concessions while raising rates across categories and adjusting rebates and surcharge terms.
Electricity tariffs in Chhattisgarh were revised upward by an average of 6.23 per cent across consumer categories from 1 July 2026, with the regulator stating that the revised tariff was approved to meet the estimated revenue requirement for the year. Several concessional and protective measures were continued for women's self-help groups, hospitals, tribal regions, agricultural pump connections, and other specified consumer classes, while the advance payment rebate and delayed payment surcharge were also revised.

Engineering exports growth reflects resilience, trade facilitation and product diversification amid external market disruptions.
India's engineering goods exports showed strong growth in May 2026 and during April-May 2026-27, despite trade disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict. The sector's resilience was attributed to adaptability, government support and trade facilitation measures, while continued momentum was said to require focus on market conditions and product diversification.

Industrial policy incentives drive manufacturing, innovation, start-up support and green growth under Gujarat's five-year development roadmap.
Gujarat's new industrial policy sets a five-year roadmap to attract investment, strengthen advanced manufacturing and innovation, and support inclusive industrial growth through differentiated incentives. It provides a flexible incentive framework for MSMEs, large projects, thrust sectors, start-ups and R&D centres, while also encouraging industrial relocation, green production and infrastructure support for housing, skill centres and modern industrial parks.

Trade deficit widens as exports hit a six-month high, with petroleum imports, West Asia tensions and rupee depreciation shaping flows.
India's merchandise exports rose to a six-month high in May, while the trade deficit widened as import growth outpaced export growth, largely due to higher petroleum and gold imports and elevated crude prices. Export gains were led by electronic goods, petroleum products, engineering items and pharmaceuticals, while several sectors recorded negative growth. The report notes that exports to West Asia remained close to the previous year's level despite regional disruptions, and that easing geopolitical tensions and any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would be positive for trade, shipping, freight stability and supply chains.

Comprehensive Partnership between India and Slovakia expands trade, mobility, defence and counterterrorism cooperation.
India and Slovakia elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation in migration, digital technology, defence, higher education, quantum communication, energy, and labour mobility. They also supported the early implementation of the India-European Union free trade agreement, welcomed a memorandum on labour migration, and agreed to work towards an early Social Security Agreement. The two sides further reaffirmed support for multilateral reform and strengthened counterterrorism cooperation.

Soybean meal exports weakened as high prices and the West Asia crisis disrupted shipments to key markets.
Soybean meal exports declined sharply in May because Indian prices remained higher than those in major exporting countries and the West Asia crisis disrupted shipments. The reduction was attributed to weakened export competitiveness and the halt in supplies to Iran and the UAE, with exports to Kuwait and Oman also severely affected.

Comprehensive Partnership deepens India-Slovakia cooperation across trade, defence, labour migration and energy security.
India and Slovakia elevated their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership and finalised agreements covering labour migration, defence, digital technologies, higher education and quantum communication. The talks also focused on energy security, strategic cooperation and support for the earliest implementation of the India-European Union free trade agreement. Both sides endorsed orderly, safe and legal mobility of skilled professionals and agreed to work towards an early Social Security Agreement to support welfare and social protection for mobile workers.

India's external trade growth trends show higher exports, rising imports, and expanding services surplus in May 2026.
India's external trade for May 2026 and April-May 2026-27 showed growth in merchandise and services exports, but imports also rose and trade deficits persisted. Total exports were estimated at US$ 81.96 billion in May 2026 and US$ 162.69 billion for April-May 2026-27, while imports were estimated at US$ 92.47 billion and US$ 182.83 billion respectively. Services exports, non-petroleum exports, and several commodity categories recorded positive growth, with petroleum products, engineering goods, chemicals, electronic goods, and gems and jewellery identified as major drivers of merchandise export growth.

Wind energy capacity expansion and supply chain transparency drive India's domestic manufacturing and export competitiveness.
India's wind energy sector is being positioned for rapid capacity expansion, with the stated target of reaching 100 GW of installed wind capacity by 2030 and 155 GW by 2035. The sector has already crossed 56.1 GW of installed capacity and added a record 6.1 GW in FY 2025-26, while stakeholders have identified more than 100 GW as necessary for an affordable and sustainable energy transition. The industry is also described as supporting the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat objective through a resilient domestic supply chain and increasing manufacturing capability.

Exports and imports data show higher trade deficit amid strong export growth and rising petroleum-driven imports.
Exports rose to a six-month high in May, while imports also increased, causing the trade deficit to widen on a year-on-year basis even though it eased slightly from April. Export growth was driven by electronic goods, petroleum products, engineering items and pharmaceuticals. For April-May 2026-27, exports and imports both recorded double-digit growth, leaving a larger cumulative trade deficit. Gold and crude oil imports rose sharply during the period, while exports to West Asia remained close to the previous year's level despite regional disruption.

Fertiliser supply security remains comfortable as government finalises urea imports and reviews Kharif-season availability.
The government said it is finalising imports of 17 lakh tonnes of urea to strengthen domestic supply while maintaining that fertiliser availability for the ongoing Kharif season remains comfortable. The Department of Fertilizers said stocks are above the usual level, domestic production and imports have supplemented supply after the West Asia crisis, and more than 50 lakh tonnes of urea and P&K fertilisers have been secured from multiple countries. The department also said subsidy bills are being paid weekly and adequate budget support is available.

India-US trade talks advance as both sides seek to finalise an interim framework amid shifting tariff conditions.
Interim India-US trade agreement discussions are scheduled to continue, with talks centred on finalising the framework deal and advancing the broader bilateral trade agreement. The framework covers trade in goods, non-tariff measures, customs and trade facilitation, economic security alignment and related areas of mutual interest. The article also notes that changes in the US tariff landscape may require recalibration of the agreement, while Section 301 investigations and a proposed tariff measure linked to forced labour remain under consideration.

Merchandise exports rise as imports climb further, widening the trade deficit in May.
Merchandise exports increased in May, while imports also rose, resulting in a larger trade deficit. Commerce ministry data showed exports at USD 45.2 billion and imports at USD 73.41 billion for the month. For April-May 2026-27, merchandise exports rose to USD 88.91 billion, reflecting growth over the corresponding period of the previous year.

India-UK collaboration in innovation and technology advances alongside talks on trade pact implementation challenges.
India and the UK discussed strengthening bilateral collaboration in innovation, technology, research, startups, and emerging technologies. The meeting also covered issues linked to implementation of the free trade agreement, including British steel safeguard measures that have created obstacles to operationalising the pact.

Russian crude imports rise in India as refiners expand discounted purchases despite sanctions-related pressures.
India's purchases of Russian crude increased in May as refiners expanded imports of discounted barrels, with Russian hydrocarbons accounting for a substantial share of the country's fossil fuel imports. Several major refining hubs recorded higher Russian crude arrivals, reflecting renewed buying by state-run refiners and continued dependence on Russian supply despite sanctions-related pressures. The report also notes that refineries using Russian crude continued to export oil products to sanctioning countries, underscoring the continued circulation of Russian-origin crude through international refining and product-trade channels.

Economic growth and external resilience define India's expanding macroeconomic strength, despite recession concerns and debt repayment fears.
India's macroeconomic position is described as having strengthened through robust growth, high foreign exchange reserves and expanding external resilience. The text states that concerns about recession were dismissed on the basis that India continued to record the highest growth rate among major economies, with GDP growth remaining strong in the latest quarter and the fiscal year. It also notes that India had become the world's fourth-largest economy and was on course toward a USD 5 trillion economy. The article further highlights external sector stability by stating that India's foreign exchange reserves were sufficient to cover nearly 11 months of imports and that the country had the capacity, if required, to repay 94 per cent of its foreign debt in a single day.

Economic resilience and strong growth keep India ahead of recession forecasts amid robust GDP and reserves.
India's economic performance was described as resilient despite recession forecasts, with the current growth rate stated to be the highest in the world. GDP growth was reported at 7.8 per cent in the January-March quarter and FY26 expansion at 7.7 per cent, while India was said to have become the world's fourth-largest economy and to be moving towards a USD 5 trillion economy. The account also highlighted large foreign exchange reserves, claimed debt-repayment capacity, and strong digital payment adoption through UPI.

Precision engineering scale strengthens customer embedment as Unimech Aerospace reports order-book growth and a sharp quarterly recovery.
Unimech Aerospace & Manufacturing Ltd. reported a rebound after tariff-related ordering delays, with its order book tripling to about ?314 crore and Q4 FY26 showing a sharp recovery in revenue, EBITDA and PAT. The company said more than 200 first-article qualifications were completed, several converting into production, and described its integrated manufacturing and qualification platform as the basis of stronger customer embedment and switching costs. It also highlighted the Hobel Bellows acquisition, nuclear orders, indigenous micro gas turbine development, and a Saudi joint venture as part of its growth strategy.

India-EU free trade agreement seen as boosting Germany-India trade, manufacturing, IT and renewable energy cooperation.
The proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement is expected to strengthen Germany-India trade relations and create additional opportunities for German companies to expand their presence in India. The focus includes manufacturing and information technology, with interest extending beyond established hubs such as Pune and Bengaluru to other regions of the country. Cooperation is also described in the fields of renewable energy, solar energy, environment and sustainable development, supported by the Indo-German Green and Sustainable Development Partnership.