Exports rise 1.87% in December 2025; imports climb, widening the trade deficit and lifting the nine month merchandise gap.
Merchandise exports rose 1.87% to USD 38.5 billion in December 2025 while imports increased 8.7% to USD 63.55 billion, widening the monthly trade deficit to USD 25.04 billion; cumulatively (April-December) exports grew modestly and imports grew faster, producing a nine month trade deficit of USD 248.32 billion, with engineering, electronics, marine and pharmaceuticals cited as main export drivers and a government projection that goods and services exports may exceed USD 850 billion this fiscal year.

Merchandise exports rose 1.87% to $38.5bn in December; imports and the monthly trade deficit increased.
Merchandise exports rose 1.87% to USD 38.5 billion in December 2025, imports increased to USD 63.55 billion, and the monthly trade deficit was about USD 25 billion. Cumulative April-December exports rose 2.44% to USD 330.29 billion, and the Commerce Secretary projected fiscal-year exports of goods and services likely to exceed USD 850 billion.

India's GDP growth projected at 7.2% for FY26 amid strong domestic demand and trade headwinds.
World Bank raises India's GDP forecast to 7.2% for FY2025/26, citing robust domestic demand, strong private consumption, tax reforms, and improved rural earnings; the projection assumes a 50% US import tariff remains in place and foresees growth slowing to 6.5% in 2026-27 and rising to 6.6% in 2027/28, with export resilience and investment pickup partially offsetting tariff-related headwinds while the rupee has depreciated amid related capital outflows.

Foreign news briefs: allegations limited to individuals, human-rights report, arrests, stablecoin payments MoU, and signals of expedited trials.
Allegations linking a state to a killing are characterized as actions against specific individuals rather than the government. A UN report finds conflict-related sexual violence largely unaddressed, leaving survivors without remedies. Reports detail arrests and detention of foreign nationals and fishermen, implicating criminal process and consular protection. An MoU to explore stablecoin cross-border payments raises regulatory and oversight questions, while trade data show a record bilateral deficit. Reports of mass protest crackdowns and signals of expedited trials and executions highlight due-process concerns.

Record China trade surplus and rising bilateral trade with India spark allegations of political capitulation amid high level party meetings.
Allegation of capitulation to China follows China's record USD 1.2 trillion trade surplus and a surge in bilateral trade with India to USD 155.62 billion. Indian exports to China rose to USD 19.75 billion (9.7% increase) even as the trade deficit widened to USD 116.12 billion. Political controversy centers on a CPC delegation's meetings with leaders of Indian political organisations, which the opposition says occurred with government approval and links to the trade outcomes.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visits China to pursue trade diversification and address reciprocal tariffs affecting key exports.
The visit focuses on trade-policy recalibration to diversify Canada's export markets and address reciprocal tariffs: Ottawa seeks to negotiate rollbacks of Chinese retaliatory duties on canola, seafood and pork that followed Canadian tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and metals, while balancing geopolitical concerns and calls for strategic autonomy from U.S. alignment.

India China trade: India's exports to China rose while the bilateral trade deficit hit a record high of USD 116 billion.
India's exports to China rose by USD 5.5 billion in 2025 to USD 19.75 billion while the bilateral trade deficit widened to a record USD 116.12 billion as Chinese exports to India climbed to USD 135.87 billion; sectoral gains for India included oil meals, marine products, telecom instruments and spices, and China's export resilience was attributed to diversification and supportive domestic policies despite external tariff measures.

India CBAM Registry enables EU buyers to identify verified low carbon Indian suppliers through a standardized, secure verification platform.
The Registry creates a centralised, industry-led digital directory for CBAM-covered suppliers, applying standardized assessments and verification to align Indian exporters with EU CBAM reporting structures while protecting confidential emissions data; CleanCarbon.ai operates the platform and listings follow supplier application and verification under the Registry's assessment framework to enable EU buyers to identify verified low carbon suppliers.

Export Preparedness Index 2024 ranks states by export readiness, stressing stronger domestic export ecosystems for FTA opportunities.
The Export Preparedness Index 2024 ranks states by export readiness using a composite, data-driven framework that evaluates export policies, business environment, infrastructure quality, and export outcomes; indicators are sourced from state and central agencies and weighted by importance, with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat topping the overall list and Uttarakhand leading among smaller states.

China's record USD 1.2 trillion trade surplus underscores export-driven growth and calls for economic rebalancing.
China recorded a near USD 1.2 trillion trade surplus in 2025 with exports of USD 3.77 trillion and imports of USD 2.58 trillion; December exports rose 6.6% and imports 5.7% year-on-year. Exports to the United States fell sharply but were offset by shipments to other regions. Strong exports sustained near-target growth, while the IMF called for reducing export reliance by boosting domestic demand and investment to fix economic imbalances.

Canada-China trade ties center on tariffs, retaliation, and Beijing's call for Canadian strategic autonomy in trade policy.
The visit focuses on trade tensions and tariff measures, with China urging Canada to adopt strategic autonomy away from U.S. alignment. Canada imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and steel and aluminum; China retaliated with tariffs on canola, seafood and pork. Chinese state media frame reengagement as a cautious diversification of markets to reduce U.S. dependence. Negotiations may advance trade dialogue but are unlikely to immediately eliminate existing tariffs, reflecting reciprocal tariff regimes and political constraints.

Tariffs on countries trading with Iran could raise US import prices and strain trade ties.
The administration announced a 25% tariff on imports from countries that do business with Iran to pressure Tehran; it did not clarify whether this levy would be stacked on existing tariffs, whether exemptions would apply, or the precise legal authority to be used, and the measure could raise U.S. import prices and disrupt the fragile U.S.-China trade truce.

India-US ties: ministers discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation and defence, agreeing to stay in touch.
Senior India and US officials held a telephone conversation agreeing to remain in contact to advance cooperation on trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy, defence and energy, set against ongoing bilateral trade negotiations and recent US tariff measures that have strained commercial ties; Indian sources judged a new tariff on trade with Iran to have minimal impact due to low trade volumes.

US tariff threat on Iran-linked trade likely minimal for India due to negligible trade ties and limited exposure.
A newly announced tariff on Iran-linked trade, described as 25 per cent on any country doing business with Iran, is assessed to pose minimal direct risk to India because bilateral trade with Iran is small (about USD 1.6 billion, ~0.15% of India's total trade) and focused on food and pharmaceuticals; India stopped importing Iranian oil in May 2019. Implementation remained uncertain without formal notification, and India maintains a 10 year Chabahar port terminal agreement with a six month US sanctions exemption beginning October 2024.

Prior-sanction requirement in anti-graft law referred for determination; agency contends political appointments fell outside official duties.
A split judicial decision on the constitutional validity of Section 17A-mandating prior sanction before probing government servants-was referred to the Chief Justice for resolution. The investigative agency maintains that certain ministerial appointment decisions did not constitute official duties and has opposed challenges to its FIR while issuing further summonses. Allegations of mass deletions from draft electoral rolls raise procedural fairness concerns, and reported visa revocations and proposed trade tariffs illustrate administrative enforcement tools with cross-border legal effects.

India's exports to Iran face uncertainty whether humanitarian food and pharma shipments will trigger a proposed 25% tariff.
Proposed extra-territorial trade restriction would impose a 25 per cent tariff on countries doing business with Iran, creating uncertainty whether consignments characterized as humanitarian trade-notably food and pharmaceuticals exported from India-would be covered; the announcement currently lacks a formal Executive Order or implementing notification defining its scope, exemptions, or operational treatment.

Iran protests: activists report at least 2,000 dead amid communications blackout, mass detentions, and heavy security operations.
Reported nationwide unrest in Iran left at least 2,000 dead, with activists attributing most fatalities to protesters and reporting over 10,700 detentions. Heavy security deployments, burnings of state property and searches for satellite terminals were described. An effective Internet Shutdown and restrictions on external communications impeded independent verification. Uniformed and plainclothes forces, including volunteer paramilitary units, were reported to employ firearms and crowd-control weapons, while government statements warned against foreign intervention and private diplomatic communications with the United States continued.

US tariffs on countries trading with Iran may disrupt global trade; China warns retaliation and visa revocations reported.
The United States announced a 25% tariff on imports from any country trading with Iran, a trade restrictive measure prompting warnings of countermeasures from China and concern for major partners such as India and the UAE; related reports noted large scale US visa revocations and intensified UK enforcement against illegal working, framing the tariff within broader immigration, security, and supply chain resilience concerns.

Reduction in import duty on New Zealand apples risks local growers; Himachal CM will press central government for protective measures.
The Chief Minister will press the Union finance and commerce ministries to protect local growers from tariff reductions in recent trade negotiations that reduce apple duties from 50% to 25%, set pears at 16.5% and kiwis at zero, arguing these tariff reductions under the Free Trade Agreement will allow cheaper imports to flood the market and threaten livelihoods, and growers may pursue coordinated marches and political measures if exclusions or remedies are not secured.

US 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran risks China's cheap oil imports and prompts retaliation threats.
The 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran is a unilateral trade measure with extraterritorial effect that China says threatens its lower cost oil imports and outbound investments, prompting warnings of countermeasures and a strategic reassessment of energy procurement, investment protection and trade relations.