Defence exports growth reflects India's indigenous manufacturing strength, wider global acceptance, and streamlined export regulation.
India's defence exports recorded a new high, driven by indigenous manufacturing strength, wider global acceptance of Indian defence products, and a collaborative ecosystem involving defence public sector undertakings and private industry. The exports reached more than 80 countries, while the number of exporters increased, reflecting growing participation in the sector. The ministry also noted that streamlined export regulatory processes, a revamped online portal, and simplified authorisation procedures supported this growth.

Export obligation discharge certificates see accelerated disposal under a special drive to clear backlog and ease exporter compliance.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade conducted a time-bound special drive for expeditious issuance of Export Obligation Discharge Certificates under the Advance Authorisation and Export Promotion Capital Goods schemes, with daily monitoring by senior officials to accelerate closure of export obligations and improve trade facilitation. The drive was designed to support an exporter-friendly ecosystem by enabling release of bank guarantees and bonds, reducing grievance burden, and strengthening compliance monitoring under the foreign trade framework. In view of the campaign's results, the special drive was extended for a further two months with fresh guidelines. The extension continues the administrative effort to expedite EODC disposal, support timely closure of export obligations, and reduce the operational burden on exporters.

Conditional customs duty concessions for SEZ to DTA clearances impose value addition, cap limits, and anti-double-benefit safeguards.
Conditional customs duty concessions are notified for clearance of goods manufactured in Special Economic Zones to the Domestic Tariff Area, subject to a ceiling of 30 per cent of the highest annual Free on Board export value in the preceding three financial years. Eligible units must satisfy minimum 20 per cent value addition, obtain a Development Commissioner's certificate, and comply with audit requirements, while export benefits such as duty drawback on inputs are barred to prevent double benefits.

Concessional customs duty relief for eligible SEZ units enables limited DTA sales with value addition and export-linked caps.
A one-time customs relief window allows eligible SEZ manufacturing units to sell manufactured goods in the Domestic Tariff Area at concessional duty rates for a limited period. Eligibility is confined to units that commenced production on or before 31 March 2025, and the goods must have undergone minimum 20% value addition over inputs. DTA sales under the relief are capped at 30% of the highest annual FOB value of exports in any of the three preceding financial years, with certain sensitive sectors excluded and faceless assessment applying to clearances.

Biomass tariff revision supports continued renewable power operations and revenue visibility for a Punjab-based 6 MW plant.
A revised tariff has been fixed for DEE Development Engineers Ltd's 6 MW biomass-based Malwa Power Plant under the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission, replacing the interim tariff applied during pendency of the petition. The revised arrangement includes annual escalation on the variable component and extends the plant's operating life for another 10 years after expiry of the earlier power purchase pact, supporting continued biomass-based power generation and revenue visibility.

Quality-controlled masterbatch manufacturing links R&D, regulatory compliance, and application-specific products across export markets.
Masterbatch and compound manufacturing is presented as a quality-controlled, export-oriented activity built on regulatory compliance, R&D support, and structured batch testing for colour consistency, dispersion, mechanical performance, and stability. The product range is described as application-specific, including laser marking masterbatches, flame retardant masterbatches meeting UL 94 ratings, long glass fibre reinforced compounds for metal replacement, and amber colour masterbatches for pharmaceutical packaging that comply with global regulatory requirements.

Trade barriers and tariff flexibility in India draw fresh US concerns over market access, standards and digital restrictions.
The report says India maintains high applied import duties and wide tariff flexibility, while also using numerous non-tariff barriers such as licensing requirements, Quality Control Orders, customs barriers, testing and certification mandates, and price controls. It further criticises opaque quantitative restrictions, burdensome import licensing for remanufactured goods, discretionary tariff changes, and complex customs exemptions. The report also flags concerns over standards, government procurement, foreign equity limits, digital trade barriers and internet shutdowns affecting market access and commercial operations.

Domestic satellite preference and internet shutdown controls are flagged as trade barriers affecting satellite services and digital commerce.
Preference for domestic satellites in direct-to-home television services, restrictions on direct foreign contracting, and procedural delays in accessing foreign satellite capacity are described as barriers to foreign trade. The report also urges an open skies satellite policy to expand market access. Localised internet shutdowns and increased takedown requests are said to impede the digital economy, while satellite communication providers face security instructions on interception, blocking, routing, registration, disclosure, geo-fencing, data localisation, and phased sourcing of ground infrastructure.

Disproportionate assets probe leads to recovery of cash, vehicles and property documents from senior officials.
Police action against two senior Bihar government officers for alleged possession of disproportionate assets led to searches at multiple locations and recovery of property documents, cash, luxury items and vehicle records. The Economic Offences Unit registered separate FIRs against Kishanganj SDPO Gautam Kumar and Saharsa DRDA director Vaibhav Kumar after preliminary findings indicated assets allegedly far in excess of their known income, with suspected benami properties and investments traced to family members and associates. Searches yielded documents relating to numerous land parcels, residential property, insurance and financial investments, bank deposits, cash, luxury watches, high-end vehicles and other valuables.

Free trade agreements and apple imports raise concerns over Himachal orchardists' economic interests and market competitiveness.
Himachal Pradesh's apple sector was discussed in the context of free trade agreements with the European Union, the United States, New Zealand and other countries, with concern that lower import duties on apples could affect the economic interests of local growers. A private resolution urged the central government to frame a policy to safeguard orchardists, and the government accepted the resolution. The debate also noted that Himachal apples must improve in quality to compete with imports and that the state lags behind those markets in quality standards.

Sanctions waiver revives Iranian crude trade as a cargo heads to Gujarat amid refinery inventory pressures.
India's crude oil trade may see a renewed shipment of Iranian oil after a sanctions waiver allowed oil "on the water" to be purchased for a limited period. A vessel carrying about 600,000 barrels of Iranian crude has reportedly been observed heading toward Vadinar in Gujarat, marking the first such delivery since imports stopped in 2019 after sanctions tightening. The development is linked to Indian refiners' need for cargoes amid tightening inventories, while the government has stated that any resumption of purchases will depend on techno-commercial feasibility.

Manufacturing activity rebounds as energy costs, supply-chain risks, and weak demand cloud China's growth outlook.
China's manufacturing activity returned to expansion in March as the official purchasing managers index rose above 50, ending two months of contraction. Analysts said the outlook remains vulnerable to higher energy costs, possible supply-chain disruption, a prolonged property-sector slump, and weaker global demand, while exports continue to play a key role in supporting growth.

E-commerce moratorium and TRIPS safeguard lapse as WTO ministers fail to reach consensus on digital trade rules.
Failure of the WTO ministerial conference to reach consensus on the extension of the e-commerce moratorium left unresolved the commitment not to impose customs duties on electronic transmissions. The deadlock reflected differing positions on the duration of the extension, and the lapse raises the prospect that members may impose import duties on digital transmissions. The same impasse also ended the safeguard against non-violation complaints under the TRIPS Agreement, increasing the risk that WTO-compliant measures may be challenged for affecting expected commercial gains.

E-commerce duty moratorium ends unresolved as WTO members defer tariff and TRIPS safeguards talks.
The World Trade Organization meeting ended without consensus on extending the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, leaving the issue of tariffs on digital downloads and streaming unresolved. The lapse of the moratorium also coincided with the expiry of the TRIPS non-violation complaint safeguard, increasing the possibility of challenges to WTO-compliant measures and reducing policy space for developing countries. Related WTO reform and e-commerce work programme discussions were also deferred for continued negotiation in Geneva.

WTO e-commerce duty moratorium remains unresolved as members fail to agree on extension and talks continue
Failure to agree at the WTO Ministerial Conference on extending the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions leaves the issue unresolved, with negotiations to continue in Geneva. The moratorium on e-commerce duty bans, together with the related TRIPS non-violation and situation complaints moratorium, is due to expire at the end of the month. The conference also advanced WTO reform, fisheries subsidies negotiations, and decisions on small economies and special and differential treatment under the SPS and TBT Agreements.

E-commerce customs duty moratorium extension faces split views as members debate digital trade and revenue implications.
World Trade Organisation members are negotiating whether to extend the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, including digital downloads and streaming, as the current extension is due to expire. Members remain divided on the duration of any further extension, with some opposing renewal or preferring a short extension and others seeking a longer period. The issue is linked to ongoing concerns over the treatment of digital imports and the scope of the duty ban that has been periodically renewed since 1998.

Misdeclared import consignment leads to seizure of hydroponic marijuana at airport and arrest of one person.
Customs authorities at Pune International Airport seized a consignment of hydroponic marijuana that had been declared as food items and packed in boxes labelled as "Mandarin orange sacs". The goods arrived from Bangkok, and inspection revealed sealed tin cans containing a vacuum-sealed pack of hydroponic marijuana. The entire consignment yielded 76.58 kg of the contraband, and one person was arrested in connection with the seizure.

Trade agreement negotiations advance as India discusses Canada, UK, EU and New Zealand economic cooperation priorities.
India and Canada discussed expediting negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, alongside cooperation in high-tech sectors, clean energy transition, nuclear energy, agriculture, and critical minerals. India and the United Kingdom reviewed implementation of the comprehensive economic and trade agreement, with both sides completing their respective approval processes and looking forward to its entry into force. India and the European Union reviewed progress on the recently concluded free trade agreement, while India and New Zealand discussed preparations for the prime minister's upcoming visit.

Strait of Hormuz shipping disruption eases as Indian LPG tankers safely transit and support domestic fuel supply.
Safe transit of Indian-flagged LPG tankers through the Strait of Hormuz has been maintained despite conflict-related disruption to shipping in the region. The passage of additional carriers, together with earlier arrivals of LPG, crude oil and gasoline vessels, has helped support India's fuel supply chain at a time when the country depends heavily on imported LPG for domestic cooking gas demand. Continued maritime monitoring, coordination for vessels remaining in the western Persian Gulf, and repatriation of Indian seafarers have also been facilitated.

Tea land transfer concerns prompt calls for clear guidelines, labour law harmonisation, and protection of industry liabilities.
Tea planters' body has sought clear guidelines before implementation of the amended law for transfer of housing line land to tea garden workers, citing administrative, financial and legal complications where land is mortgaged and labour quarters are company-built assets. It has also pointed to continuing management responsibility for housing and welfare amenities under labour law, urged full recognition of in-kind benefits for wage computation, requested release of pending subsidy payments, and called for policy support, market diversification, quality control, and a minimum sustainable price for made tea.