India-GCC free trade agreement terms of reference set to guide negotiations for trade, services and investment liberalisation.
Terms of Reference for the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement were signed by the chief negotiators to establish the procedural framework that will define the FTA's scope and negotiation modalities. The ToR mandates negotiations focused on liberalising trade in goods and services, facilitating investment flows, and creating predictable rules to support seamless cross border movement of goods and services, with priorities including market access, investment facilitation, and measures to bolster food and energy security.

Umbrella imports now subject to minimum import price of Rs 100 per piece; imports below that level are prohibited.
A minimum import price of Rs 100 per piece for finished umbrellas prohibits imports with CIF value below that floor and reclassifies finished umbrella imports from free to restricted, while exempting Advance Authorisations, Export Oriented Units and Special Economic Zones; concurrent tariff increases apply to umbrellas and to parts, trimmings and accessories.

India and GCC launch formal FTA negotiations under agreed terms of reference to expand trade and investment.
India and the Gulf Cooperation Council signed terms of reference to formally launch free trade agreement negotiations, defining the scope, modalities and negotiating mandate. The ToR aim to address elimination or reduction of tariffs and non tariff barriers, facilitate trade in goods and services, and promote investment and sectoral cooperation-notably in infrastructure, petrochemicals, ICT, and energy and food security-under appointed chief negotiators and as a resumption of earlier halted talks.

India US trade agreement will cut US tariffs on Indian goods to 18% and link reciprocal Indian tariff changes to a legal pact.
The first tranche of a bilateral trade arrangement will reduce US tariffs on Indian exports from 50% to 18% via a US executive order after a joint statement is signed; Indian tariff reductions will follow only after a formal legal agreement, with Indian duties treated as MFN levies and US duties as executive tariffs.

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council sign terms to launch FTA negotiations to expand trade and investment ties.
The terms of reference set the scope and modalities to commence negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council, providing a procedural and substantive roadmap to address market access, tariff and non tariff measures, investment facilitation and trade in goods and services, informed by existing bilateral pacts and prevailing trade patterns, including substantial energy imports, exports of manufactured goods, and significant trade deficits with key GCC partners.

India US trade pact to begin with a joint statement leading to tariff cuts and no investment commitments.
A first-tranche bilateral trade arrangement will begin with a joint statement to be signed imminently and converted into an exhaustive legal agreement by mid March; the United States will issue an executive order reducing its tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent and India will reciprocally cut tariffs on specified US goods upon signature. The first tranche contains no investment commitment and focuses on tariff adjustments and reciprocity rather than investment liberalisation.

US-China leaders discussed isolating Iran, a 25% tariff on Iran-linked trade, Taiwan arms sales, and critical minerals supply chains.
US-China discussions during a bilateral call focused on isolating Iran-combining diplomatic engagement, envoy talks, and an announced 25 percent tariff on imports from countries doing business with Iran-while addressing defense-related trade with Taiwan after a multibillion-dollar US arms package and considering inclusion of China in future nuclear-arms limitation talks as New START lapses. The leaders also discussed initiatives to diversify critical minerals supply chains away from China, indicating coordinated use of tariffs, arms transfer policy, export controls, and multilateral trade measures as state instruments.

Critical minerals trading bloc to stabilize prices, enforce minimum tariffs, and reduce reliance on Chinese supplies.
The administration proposes a critical minerals trading bloc among allies to stabilise prices via tariffs and sourcing rules, coupled with a US strategic stockpile funded by Export-Import Bank loans and private capital, plus direct government investments and procurement measures to diversify production and reduce reliance on dominant foreign processors.

India-US trade deal expands market access, boosting Indian manufacturing, exports, and MSMEs, including textiles, pharma and gems sectors.
The India-US trade agreement reinforces the "Make in India, Make for the World" policy by expanding export opportunities for textiles, pharma, chemicals, petroleum, gems and jewellery, and by positioning Gujarat's manufacturing and MSME sectors to benefit directly. The announcement highlights a stated US tariff position of 18% on Made in India products as a stimulus for production, exporters and job creation, framing the deal as strengthening bilateral economic ties and India's global economic presence.

U.S. seeks allied critical minerals trading bloc using tariffs and stockpiles and financing to counter China.
The United States proposes a multilateral critical minerals trading bloc among allies to secure supply and stabilize prices by using tariffs to maintain price floors, preventing members from buying cheap Chinese materials, and providing access to financing. Complementary domestic measures include a USD 10 billion Export-Import Bank loan to create a Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve, direct investments in producers, and procurement controls for defense contractors to ensure reliable sourcing and to attract private investment in mining and downstream manufacturing.

India oil purchases remain diversified; replacing Russian crude faces technical blending and volume limits amid tariff tensions.
Kremlin spokespeople rejected assertions that India agreed to stop buying Russian oil, stating India may freely diversify suppliers; analysts warned U.S. light shale cannot directly replace Russia's heavier Urals without costly blending and that U.S. export volumes are insufficient to match Russian shipments. The report also highlights U.S. tariffs on India tied to Russian energy purchases and notes recent declines in India's Russian crude imports.

India-US trade deal lacks details; government says agriculture safeguarded while opposition calls it a non-statement.
The government asserts the India-US trade arrangement reduces tariffs for Indian exports to 18 per cent and enhances export competitiveness while stating that core sensitivities in food and agriculture have been fully safeguarded. Negotiations over the prior year are said to have protected sensitive domestic sectors even as the pact provides comparative advantage to labour intensive exporters. Opposition parties describe the announcement as a "non statement," faulting lack of disclosed details, potential concessions on agricultural imports, and conflicting public messages from US officials.

India-US trade deal will hurt Indian farmers and weaken agriculture due to tariff disparities and lack of parliamentary notice.
The India-US trade arrangement is alleged to create a tariff disparity disadvantaging Indian farmers-US imports at zero duty while Indian exports face 18%-and its public announcement by the US President rather than the government is characterised as an affront to parliamentary oversight. The critique links this trade impact to broader governance concerns: erosion of social justice and democratic accountability, labour law reforms favouring corporate interests, reduced support for disadvantaged groups, and failures in addressing communal violence and inequality.

India-US trade deal framework to cut tariffs to 18% fuels mixed markets as IT stocks sell off.
Benchmark indices closed marginally higher while IT shares plunged amid global tech weakness and AI-driven disruption concerns. Foreign institutional investors were net buyers and domestic institutions participated, the rupee depreciated modestly, and precious metals rose as safe-haven flows increased. The key policy development was an India-US trade deal framework proposing a reduction of US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent, a factor expected to influence market direction alongside upcoming domestic monetary policy decisions.

India-US trade deal will hurt Indian farmers amid concerns over tariff asymmetry and lack of parliamentary notice.
The India-US trade agreement is alleged to harm Indian agriculture by allowing American farm imports at effectively zero tariff while Indian exports face an 18% reciprocal tariff, creating tariff asymmetry that benefits US farmers and threatens domestic farm incomes; the Opposition also asserts that learning of the deal from the US President rather than the government undermines parliamentary notice and accountability.

India will cut tariffs on most US industrial and agricultural goods to 0% under a new trade agreement.
India will reduce tariffs to zero on approximately 98-99% of US industrial goods and on a broad array of agricultural products, while retaining protections for certain sensitive sectors. The United States will lower its tariff on Indian imports to 18%. The agreement further establishes a process to address non tariff barriers through recognition of certain US technical standards, and includes commitments on energy procurement shifts away from Russian oil and major Indian investments into US sectors.

Road infrastructure projects evaluated to strengthen multimodal connectivity, last mile access, and regional logistics efficiency.
The Network Planning Group evaluated seven MoRTH road projects for conformity with PM GatiShakti, prioritising integrated multimodal infrastructure, last mile connectivity, and a whole of government approach to enhance freight movement, reduce travel time and emissions, and promote regional economic development. Projects include six lane and greenfield corridors, ORR development, strategic border and bypass works, and lane widening/upgradation to strengthen links with ports, airports, rail terminals, ICDs, SEZs and industrial clusters.

SIAL Shanghai 2026 opens registration, showcasing large-scale food innovation, market access, and AI matchmaking for buyers.
SIAL Shanghai 2026 opens registration and presents itself as a large-scale commercial platform for immediate supplier qualification and market entry, citing 5,000+ exhibitors, 350,000 market-ready products including nearly 10,000 new launches, 18 specialised vertical sectors, expanded Visa Free Entry policies for nearly 80 countries, and an AI-enabled MATCH ME matchmaking system to pre-qualify suppliers and schedule meetings.

Indo-US trade deal questioned over tariff commitments, agricultural access, oil ties, and lack of parliamentary transparency.
Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the announcement of the Indo US trade framework outside Parliament, alleging lack of parliamentary disclosure and asking whether India conceded under US pressure, agreed to zero tariffs on US imports, opened its agricultural sector to US market access, and altered oil procurement from Russia; the framework reportedly reduces US tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50%.

India-US trade deal protects agriculture and dairy and cuts US tariffs to 18%, boosting exports and supporting MSMEs.
The India-US trade arrangement protects agriculture and dairy from concessions while reducing US tariffs on Indian goods to 18% (from 50%), aiming to boost labour intensive exports, skilled employment and MSME opportunities; technical processes remain to be completed to operationalise the agreement and support broader objectives including energy security for sectors such as aviation and nuclear.