Industry-government collaboration drives reforms, export growth and digital infrastructure expansion for stronger competitiveness and resilient growth.
Industry-government collaboration is urged to improve ease of doing business, strengthen competitiveness and accelerate reforms through resilience, productivity, supply-chain strength and export growth. Investment in data centres, cloud services and digital infrastructure is promoted, with cloud services from India or Indian data centres to the rest of the world described as enjoying 100 per cent tax-free status till 2047. Export-led growth, value addition, industrial parks, a single-window system and integrated digital access are presented as key operational priorities.

EV charging and critical power growth drive Exicom's strongest FY26 quarter with EBITDA breakeven and expanding capacity.
Exicom Tele-Systems reported its strongest quarter of FY26, with standalone revenue and EBITDA margin improving sharply and consolidated EBITDA turning breakeven for the first time since the Tritium acquisition. The company linked the improvement to stronger domestic EV charging demand, rising exports and Tritium's commercial scale-up, while noting that the full-year consolidated loss reflected a longer period of Tritium operations in FY26. It also highlighted growth in the critical power business and the inauguration of an integrated Hyderabad manufacturing facility.

Trade confidence in SME family businesses remains strong, but worsening risk and governance tensions are dragging down export potential.
India's SME family business exporters show strong trade optimism, but that confidence is being reduced by a hostile and worsening risk environment. A study of 461 leaders uses four indices to measure forward-looking optimism, macro risk burden, risk momentum, and family governance risk, producing a modestly positive Net Trade Confidence Score. The report highlights a structural gap between business expectations and operating conditions and calls for targeted support on trade literacy, export finance, and family governance in internationalisation decisions.

Sanctions compliance settlement follows alleged Iran-linked LPG shipments, with cooperation, self-disclosure and remedial controls credited.
Civil sanctions liability arising from alleged Iran-related LPG shipments was settled with the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, without any admission of the allegations. The company's purchases from a Dubai-based trader were alleged to have involved LPG that originated from Iran, despite being represented as Omani and Iraqi supply. OFAC credited extensive cooperation, proactive self-disclosure, suspension of LPG imports, and strengthened sanctions compliance measures across the corporate group.

Sanctions compliance and voluntary self-reporting led to a reduced OFAC settlement for Iranian-origin LPG import allegations.
Adani Enterprises settled an OFAC sanctions matter involving apparent violations linked to imports of Iranian-origin LPG through Mundra Port by agreeing to pay USD 275 million. The company said the resolution did not constitute a finding of guilt or wrongdoing and resolved all related liabilities. OFAC reduced the amount after voluntary self-reporting, proactive disclosure, cooperation, and corrective compliance steps, including strengthened sanctions controls and enhanced internal measures across the corporate group.

Raw jute shortage and trade restrictions push jute mills toward closure, prompting demands for stock release and import relief.
Raw jute shortages, steep price escalation, and trade restrictions have disrupted jute mill operations in West Bengal, leaving mills without a transparent reference price or workable procurement conditions. Millers seek release of residual stocks, easing or withdrawal of stock and trade restrictions, permission for emergency imports, and restoration of a viable price corridor for raw jute. They also urge abolition of agricultural marketing fees and improved payment discipline to suppliers to stabilise supplies and protect employment across the jute belt.

Industrial policy incentives drive investment, jobs, exports and sector-specific manufacturing growth across Haryana's new policy framework.
Haryana approved the Make in Haryana Industrial Policy 2026 as the State's principal industrial policy, replacing the 2020 framework and reclassifying industrial areas into core, intermediate, sub-prime and prime/focus categories. The policy is designed to attract large-scale investment, expand employment, increase exports and extend financial incentives across all blocks, including capital subsidy, R&D support, recruitment-linked incentives, export promotion measures and green-industry facilitation. It also provides for net SGST reimbursement, sector-linked assistance for large, mega and ultra mega units, and interest on delayed investor payments after 1 April 2026.

Russian crude sourcing remains driven by commercial viability and energy security despite the expiry of a sanctions waiver.
India continues to source Russian crude oil on the basis of commercial viability, adequate supply availability and energy security, and the expiry of a temporary US sanctions waiver does not change that approach. Procurement is described as continuing so long as it remains commercially sensible and supply is available. Russian oil remains a core part of India's import basket, with sourcing structured to avoid sanctioned sellers, intermediaries and vessels and to use compliant financial, insurance and trading channels.

Silver import restrictions lift domestic prices as gold stays flat amid rupee weakness and global bullion pressure.
Gold prices remained flat in the domestic bullion market, while silver prices edged higher after fresh restrictions were imposed on imports of silver in nearly all forms. The market reaction reflected expectations that tighter import availability could raise local premiums and support domestic silver prices, even as global bullion markets weakened. Domestic gold prices stayed resilient despite international softness because the rupee weakened to a record low, cushioning the decline in local rates.

Export growth strategy links free trade agreements, import substitution, and Swadeshi to strengthen India's domestic manufacturing base.
India has set an export target of USD 1 trillion for the current year and USD 2 trillion over the next five years, supported by free trade agreements with nearly 38 developed countries, import substitution efforts, and promotion of Swadeshi. The statement also stresses quality, productivity, domestic manufacturing, MSME growth, and wider use of UPI and RuPay to strengthen exports and reduce import dependence.

Material support to Iran became the focus of US-China trade talks alongside broader negotiating terms and sector-specific trade understandings.
United States trade discussions with China centered on a commitment that China would not provide material support to Iran, while the United States did not seek direct Chinese action in relation to the Strait of Hormuz. Trade talks were also described as continuing at the officials' level, with consideration of a "Board of Trade" for negotiating trading terms on specific goods, alongside reported understandings on meat exports, biotechnology trade reviews, and aircraft purchases.

Investment and industrial collaboration with Swedish and European companies advances India's reform-led growth, manufacturing and clean energy push.
India encouraged Swedish and European companies to deepen investment and industrial collaboration in manufacturing, clean energy, green hydrogen, telecom, digital infrastructure, electronics, deep tech, AI, mobility, healthcare, life sciences, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. The engagement was linked to India's reform momentum, infrastructure growth, ease of doing business and young workforce. It also highlighted the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, connectivity initiatives and cooperation in resilient supply chains, skill partnerships, talent mobility, green transition and co-created technology solutions.

Strategic partnership expands India-Netherlands cooperation in defence, critical minerals, semiconductors and green hydrogen.
India and the Netherlands elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership and adopted a roadmap to expand cooperation across trade, investment, defence and security, critical and emerging technologies, green hydrogen, semiconductors, critical minerals, health, water, renewable energy, agriculture, culture and people-to-people ties. The two sides also agreed to explore a defence industrial roadmap involving joint manufacturing, technology transfer and joint ventures, and to strengthen links between the Dutch Semicon Competence Centre and the Indian Semiconductor Mission.

Rice industry infrastructure and export promotion drive calls for faster clearances, better logistics and stronger branding.
West Bengal rice industry has sought better infrastructure, faster clearances and stronger export promotion to support mill operations, warehousing and investment. Stakeholders have also pressed for a single-window clearance system, better rail and port connectivity, and a dedicated development board to coordinate farmers, mill owners, exporters and government agencies. Mill owners further said free rice distribution affects viability, while branding premium rice varieties could expand market share.

Export diversification drives India's merchandise trade as North America, Northeast Asia and Latin America lead broader market growth.
India's merchandise exports in 2025-26 showed a broader geographic spread, with North America, North-East Asia and Latin America together accounting for over 35 per cent of total exports. North America remained the largest destination, while North-East Asia recorded the fastest growth, and East Africa, North Africa and several smaller regions also posted steady gains, indicating a more diversified and resilient export pattern across Asia, Africa and Latin America. Export diversification also widened at the product level, with Indian exporters reaching 1,821 new principal commodities.

Import curbs on silver tighten trade controls as import policy shifts from free to restricted with licensing requirements.
Import policy for silver, including silver plated with gold and platinum, was revised from free to restricted with immediate effect, requiring a government licence for imports. The change followed an increase in customs duty on precious metals and reflects tighter controls on silver imports and related precious metal trade.

Cyber fraud through fake social media profiles allegedly targeted victims with gift and customs duty extortion.
Cyber fraud through fake social media profiles involved allegedly impersonating foreign nationals to befriend victims and induce payments on the pretext of expensive gifts and foreign currency. The operation allegedly escalated into posing as customs or income tax officials and demanding money toward customs duty, income tax, GST and related fees after claiming that parcels had been detained at airports. Mobile phones and SIM cards were seized, and a case was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.

Inflation and affordability pressures dominate as tariffs, supply shocks, and rising borrowing costs strain US households.
Rising consumer inflation in the United States is reducing purchasing power as prices outpace wages and are expected to increase further under supply-side pressures, including tariffs, labor constraints, and oil disruptions. The article links higher inflation to increased borrowing costs and notes that trade and foreign-policy claims have produced little concrete relief for domestic affordability concerns. Political debate is focused on whether there is a credible plan to lower costs and address inflation.

Windfall tax on petrol exports and lower levies on diesel and ATF reshape petroleum export duties.
Windfall gains tax was imposed on petrol exports, while the levy on diesel exports and aviation turbine fuel exports was reduced, effective 16 May. Road and infrastructure cess was made nil on exports of petrol and diesel, and the existing duty rates on petrol and diesel cleared for domestic consumption remained unchanged. The export-duty revisions were stated to increase domestic availability of petroleum products and discourage exporters from taking undue advantage of price differentials.

Energy security and defence cooperation deepen as India-UAE sign strategic pacts and expand trade and technology ties.
India and the UAE concluded agreements on strategic petroleum reserves, long-term LPG supply, defence industrial collaboration, shipping, trade facilitation and advanced technology, alongside a USD 5 billion UAE investment commitment in India. The energy arrangements aim to strengthen energy security and stable fuel supplies, while the defence framework covers technology sharing, innovation, training, exercises, maritime security, cyber defence, secure communications and possible joint development of military hardware.