Delayed wages at a garment export unit spark worker protest over unpaid salaries and financial hardship.
Delayed salary payments at a garment export unit prompted a protest by more than a thousand workers, mostly women, outside the factory gate in Ranchi. The workers alleged non-payment of wages for prior months and complained of hardship caused by unpaid salary, while the company's HR management acknowledged that wages for the last two months were pending and said steps were being taken to clear the dues.

Battery innovation and green energy development take centre stage at CIBF 2026 in Shenzhen.
CIBF 2026, the 18th China International Battery Fair, is presented as a global platform for battery innovation, industrial cooperation and sustainable energy development. The fair will cover power batteries, energy storage systems, consumer batteries, advanced materials, intelligent manufacturing, recycling and circular economy technologies, and will include new product launch areas, business matchmaking zones and high-level forums on advanced battery technology, carbon footprint management, supply chain security and green recycling.

India-Korea economic cooperation gains momentum as CEPA upgrade, industrial township and sectoral partnerships move forward.
India and the Republic of Korea have reaffirmed a commitment to expand bilateral economic engagement through a fast-track upgrade of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with focus on non-tariff barriers, rules of origin, market access and ease of doing business. The parties also highlighted the India-Korea Industrial Cooperation Committee, multiple MoUs, and a proposed Korea-specific industrial township in India to support investment and market entry. Priority sectors include semiconductors, electronics, advanced manufacturing, e-mobility, green energy, shipbuilding, digital trade and artificial intelligence.

Bilateral trade agreement talks advance as India seeks preferential market access and tariff reductions with the US.
India and the US are negotiating finer details of a bilateral trade agreement after the US Supreme Court's decision against sweeping reciprocal tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The framework already announced contemplates preferential access to the US market for India and tariff reductions on Indian goods, including removal of the tariff linked to Russian oil purchases and a further reduction in the remaining tariff burden, as both sides work toward expanded bilateral trade.

Infrastructure and power-supply works launched ahead of Godavari Pushkaralu, alongside tariff reduction and rooftop solar support.
Development works worth nearly Rs 500 crore were launched in East Godavari district in the run-up to Godavari Pushkaralu, with electrical infrastructure and power-supply arrangements prioritised for the pilgrimage. The account also notes statewide power-sector works, including transmission infrastructure, substations, underground cabling, and a renewable energy scheme providing free rooftop solar systems to SC and ST households.

Trade diversification and market access face strain as West Asia instability pressures India's macroeconomic stability.
West Asia geopolitical instability poses risks to India's trade and macroeconomic stability by widening the current account deficit and pressuring the exchange rate, while slowing the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement and affecting trade diversification and market access. The report also recommends upgrading the gems and jewellery sector through design-led manufacturing, GI-branded products, stronger trade facilitation, improved raw material access, easier finance, simplified customs procedures, and better sector-specific data systems.

Preferential market access shapes India-US trade talks as tariff changes prompt recalibration of the bilateral framework.
India is seeking a mechanism for preferential market access in the US for domestic goods as part of the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement, with officials discussing tariff treatment and related framework changes in light of altered US tariff conditions. The agreed framework had contemplated tariff reductions on Indian goods and reciprocal tariff concessions by India on a wide range of US industrial, food and agricultural products, alongside proposed Indian purchases of US energy products, aircraft, precious metals, technology products and coking coal. The pact is being recalibrated because all US trading partners now face a uniform tariff environment.

Fast-track investment facilitation strengthens India-Austria trade ties, with focus on market access, MSMEs and green technologies.
A bilateral Fast-Track Mechanism was launched to facilitate investments between India and Austria by providing a dedicated platform for investors in both countries, addressing issues, supporting timely resolution and improving ease of doing business. The forum also highlighted the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement, priority cooperation in sustainable development, advanced manufacturing and green technologies, and opportunities for labour-intensive sectors, MSMEs and innovation-driven enterprises.

Export logistics support expands as RELIEF adds new eligible destinations and widens insurance coverage for exporters.
The Government has expanded the eligible destination coverage under RELIEF, a time-bound export support measure under the Export Promotion Mission, in response to geopolitical disruption in West Asia and its impact on maritime logistics. Egypt and Jordan have been added for shipments meant for delivery or transhipment, while the framework continues to address extraordinary freight escalation, higher insurance premia and war-related export risks affecting Indian exporters, including MSME exporters. RELIEF is implemented through ECGC and includes insurance support, facilitation of cover for upcoming shipments and reimbursement assistance for eligible exporters.

Trade and investment cooperation under TEPA deepens India-Norway economic ties through wider business, sectoral, and investment collaboration.
India and Norway reviewed trade and investment cooperation in the 3rd Session of the Dialogue on Trade and Investment after the entry into force of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). The sides described TEPA as the key framework for stronger trade, investment, technology collaboration, capacity building, and wider business partnerships, while also emphasizing resilient supply chains, energy security, climate transition, and trade diversification. They noted growing bilateral trade and services trade, duty-free access for agricultural and allied products, and wider participation opportunities for women entrepreneurs, MSMEs, farmers, fishermen, and innovation-driven businesses. The dialogue also addressed tariff reductions, SPS measures, certification, compliance costs, origin certification, and sectoral cooperation across energy, mobility, maritime, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and MSMEs.

Food security concerns intensify as West Asia disruptions raise logistics costs, freight volatility and supply chain risks.
Food security was identified as a central policy concern amid disruptions arising from the West Asia crisis. Experts warned that higher logistics costs, energy prices, fertiliser costs, shipment delays and working capital stress were increasing risks across India's food ecosystem, with maritime route disruptions affecting imports of essential commodities and export competitiveness. Policy support was advocated through freight stabilisation, alternative trade routes, diversified sourcing, stable export policies, logistics resilience, domestic production, working capital support and real-time monitoring of global supply disruptions.

Electricity tariff hike draws statewide protests amid claims of consumer burden, regulatory objection, and broken welfare promises.
Opposition protests were reported across Jharkhand against the state government's electricity tariff hike, with demands for withdrawal of the revised rates. The criticism focused on the burden on ordinary consumers, alleged inconsistency with promises of free electricity and welfare measures, and reported objections from the State Electricity Regulatory Commission. The protests were also tied to broader allegations of administrative failure, corruption, and excessive electricity billing.

Coal import probe prompts Special Presidential Commission to review procurement procedures, state loss, and energy sector oversight.
Sri Lanka appointed a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry to examine coal imports for power generation by Lanka Coal Ltd from the commencement of imports up to 16 April 2026, including whether the imports caused loss to the state and whether accepted procurement procedures were followed. The commission was constituted under the Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry Act and its special provisions. The inquiry followed concerns raised over coal procurement and alleged irregularities in the state supply chain for thermal power generation.

Norms Committees reform under DGFT aims to streamline duty-free import approvals and improve trade facilitation for exporters.
Strengthening of Norms Committees under the Directorate General of Foreign Trade has been undertaken to improve the administration of the Advance Authorisation and Duty-Free Import Authorisation schemes under the Foreign Trade Policy. These schemes permit duty-free import of inputs physically incorporated in export products, with authorisations ordinarily issued against notified Standard Input Output Norms and, where such norms are unavailable, against self-declared input-output norms later examined and finalised by sector-specific committees. The reforms are directed at improving turnaround time, enabling earlier approvals, and making the norms fixation process more transparent and predictable.

Integrated Management System certification reinforces quality, safety, sustainability and facility management across a large office park portfolio.
Panchshil Realty's 12 office parks have obtained an Integrated Management System certification covering quality management, environmental management, occupational health and safety management, and facility management. The certified portfolio spans IT, SEZ and mixed-use office parks and extends to end-to-end Integrated Facility Management services, including engineering operations and maintenance, soft services, safety and security systems, civil upkeep, and digital FM enablement. The certifications are presented as internationally accredited and tied to standardised systems, stronger operational frameworks, and global ESG-aligned service delivery.

India-US partnership gains momentum as diplomatic talks continue alongside bilateral trade agreement negotiations.
Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra discussed issues of mutual interest with Congressman Pete Sessions and appreciated his support for a stronger India-US partnership. The meeting formed part of ongoing diplomatic engagement as India and the US negotiated the finer elements of a bilateral trade agreement, following earlier finalisation of a framework for the first phase.

Special Economic Zone reforms support semiconductor manufacturing, with Dholera notified for India's first chip fabrication plant.
Government has notified a Special Economic Zone to be established by M/s. Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited at Dholera, Gujarat, exclusively for electronic hardware and software, including IT/ITES. The project is described as India's first chip fabrication plant and is set over 66.166 hectares with projected employment of 21,000 persons. The SEZ is intended to support semiconductor and electronics manufacturing through enabling infrastructure and a dedicated approval mechanism designed to streamline operations and logistics. The notification forms part of wider SEZ reforms that reduced land requirements, relaxed encumbrance norms, included free-of-cost supplies in Net Foreign Exchange calculations, and permitted domestic sales in the Domestic Tariff Area on payment of applicable duties.

Apricot export expansion boosts Ladakh farmers through international market access, value addition and reduced post-harvest losses.
Ladakh Administration signed an MoU with Lulu Retail, through APEDA and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, to export at least 1,000 tonnes of Ladakhi apricots this season. The exporter will procure, pluck, sort, process, package, transport and market the produce in international markets while preserving the identity of Ladakh-origin apricots. The initiative is aimed at reducing post-harvest losses, improving value addition and providing farmers better pricing and direct market access.

Asia growth outlook stays resilient as the IMF warns an energy shock may fuel inflation and tighten policy space.
Asia is projected to remain the main driver of global growth, with India and China contributing about 70 per cent of regional expansion. Growth in the region, after reaching about 5 per cent in 2025 despite US tariffs and trade uncertainty, is expected to moderate in 2026 and 2027. The IMF warned that the Gulf crisis energy shock could raise inflation, weaken external balances, tighten financial conditions and narrow policy space, requiring agile monetary policy.

Sustainable in-house glass bottling solutions support premium hospitality operations through training, hygiene compliance and plastic reduction.
Export order for sustainable in-house glass bottled water solutions was secured by PBP EcoAqua from a Kenyan hospitality group for premium hotel operations. The arrangement includes automated glass bottling and water treatment systems, together with installation, technical training, operational familiarisation and dispatch planning. The project emphasises hygiene compliance, operational efficiency and sustainability performance benchmarks, and is intended to reduce dependence on single-use plastic bottles through reusable glass packaging and safe, premium drinking water services.