Stock market falls as foreign fund outflows and tariff concerns amplify trade policy uncertainty and damp investor risk appetite.
Benchmark indices fell as persistent foreign institutional selling and concerns over potential US tariff actions linked to India's Russian oil imports amplified trade policy uncertainty and damped risk appetite; flows showed large FII outflows offset by DII purchases, and mixed global cues including higher crude added to fragile sentiment.

APEDA's BHARATI Startup Challenge supports export-ready agri startups with mentorship, market access and global exhibition opportunities.
APEDA organised the BHARATI Startup Challenge at IndusFood 2026 to identify and support export-ready agri and processed food startups through mentorship, market access and policy facilitation, with selected startups to gain international exposure at Gulfood (Dubai) and BIOFACH (Germany). The BHARATI Startup Zone showcased over 100 exhibitors offering innovations in value addition, agri-technology, processing, packaging, logistics, traceability and sustainability, while the APEDA Pavilion connected exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations, startups and global buyers to promote quality assurance, GI-tagged products and MSME empowerment in support of India's agri-export objectives.

India projected to grow 6.6% in 2026, driven by consumption, public investment and policy support despite tariff risks.
India's GDP growth is projected at 6.6% in 2026, supported chiefly by resilient private consumption, strong public investment, recent tax reforms and monetary easing, which together should largely offset the adverse impact of higher US tariffs; export setbacks from tariffs may be mitigated by exemptions for key products and by demand from alternative markets, while domestic expansion in manufacturing and services, moderated inflation, and strengthened public capital formation underpin the near term outlook.

District-Led Textiles Transformation Plan targets 100 export champions and 100 aspirational hubs using district scoring and resource convergence.
The District-Led Textiles Transformation Plan uses a data-driven scoring methodology based on Export Performance, MSME Ecosystem and Workforce Presence to classify districts into 100 Global Export Champions and 100 Aspirational Districts, applying tailored interventions. It mandates convergence of government resources with industry and academia to strengthen textile clusters, prioritises Purvodaya convergence in eastern and north-eastern regions, and advances tribal-belt development, connectivity and Geographical Indication tagging of handicrafts to boost export positioning.

Customs fraud: fugitive arrested after two-decade evasion for false duty drawback claim.
The case involves an alleged false duty drawback claim filed in the 1990s and a broader scheme resulting in alleged losses of around Rs 58 lakh; a firm partner was chargesheeted in 2003. The accused evaded trial for nearly 22 years by changing identity documents and was declared a Proclaimed Offender in 2004 with a reward offered; he was recently arrested in Noida while living under an assumed identity.

Agrifeeder will leverage USFDA certification to enter export markets and raise investor funds to expand manufacturing capacity.
Agrifeeder will use its USFDA certification as the enabling regulatory approval to enter export markets, and seeks investor funding to expand manufacturing capacity at its Bhagalpur plant. The strategy ties regulatory compliance and capital raising to projected revenue growth, relying on a broad agricultural supply network with maize as the principal current contributor to turnover.

Tariffs on countries buying Russian oil could reach 500% under a proposed US bill targeting resales by major buyers China India and Brazil.
The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 would authorize secondary tariffs and related sanctions, including a contemplated 500 per cent tariff on secondary purchases and resales of Russian oil, to penalize countries that continue importing discounted Russian energy and to increase presidential leverage to deter such purchases.

China probes Meta's acquisition of AI startup Manus over compliance with technology export and cross-border investment rules.
China will assess and investigate Meta's acquisition of Manus to determine compliance with Chinese laws on outward investment, technology exports, data transfers, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, with particular focus on whether technologies subject to export prohibition or restriction were transferred without required licenses; Meta asserts no continuing Chinese ownership and Manus will discontinue operations in China.

US-backed tariff threat on Russian oil fuels trade fears, pushing major Indian indices down amid foreign outflows.
US political backing for legislation that could impose 500 per cent tariffs on countries buying Russian oil is identified as a regulatory lever to deter purchases of discounted Russian crude; that prospective trade policy risk, together with persistent foreign institutional investor outflows, prompted near-1% declines in major domestic equity benchmarks and concentrated selling in metal, oil & gas, and commodity stocks while some financial and defense stocks gained.

Sanctions bill would impose up to 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil to deter purchases that fund Russia.
The proposed legislation authorises the President to impose extreme trade measures-including a 500 percent tariff-on countries or entities that purchase, resell, or otherwise facilitate secondary trade in Russian oil, using secondary tariffs and sanctions as the principal mechanism to deter purchases that finance Russia's military operations.

India-EFTA TEPA aims to facilitate $100 billion investment, expanded market access and tariff concessions across non agricultural products.
The visit focused on accelerating implementation of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) to convert tariff liberalisation and investment commitments into trade, manufacturing and technology partnerships. TEPA includes EFTA market access for 100% of non agricultural products and tariff concessions for processed agricultural products, India's coverage of 82.7% of tariff lines (95.3% of EFTA exports), preserved sensitivities for sectors like pharma and medical devices, and an ambition to facilitate USD 100 billion in investments and one million direct jobs.

Stock markets fall as foreign fund outflows and US tariff uncertainty weigh on investor sentiment despite strong GDP forecasts.
Market indices opened lower due to persistent foreign portfolio outflows and uncertainty over potential US tariff measures and the absence of an anticipated US-India trade agreement; FIIs were net sellers while DIIs bought, and commentators linked market weakness to continued FII selling and trade-policy uncertainty despite official GDP growth projections near 7.4 percent.

India EU ties expected to strengthen in 2026, focusing on an EU FTA and resolving non tariff barriers to market access.
India expects a strengthened relationship with the European Union in 2026, with Luxembourg aiding EU decision making and FTA negotiations. Progress depends on addressing non tariff barriers-product standards, residue limits, and procedural paperwork-as well as assessing product level experience over time. The government pursues tariff commitments alongside technical regulatory and standards arrangements to convert concessions into actionable market access, while focusing on sectoral cooperation in digital infrastructure and the space industry and leveraging diaspora support.

India-Europe relations can promote global economic and political stability through deeper strategic cooperation and coordinated visits.
India is strengthening its relationship with Europe to promote international economic and political stability, pursuing a substantive agenda across trade, technology, defence, railways and aviation. Talks with France emphasised preparing for high-level visits and multilateral cooperation, including Free Trade Agreement discussions, semiconductor collaboration and coordination in international organisations as mechanisms to stabilise global politics.

ICE officer fatally shot a motorist during an enforcement operation; mayor rejects self-defence claim and protests erupt.
An ICE officer shot and killed a motorist during a federal enforcement operation in Minneapolis; the mayor called the conduct reckless and rejected the officer's self-defence claim, an incident that escalated local protests and highlighted municipal-federal tensions over use of force and immigration enforcement presence.

US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor arriving in India to address tariffs and negotiate a trade deal to rebuild ties.
Sergio Gor, confirmed and sworn as US ambassador to India, is arriving to strengthen the strategic partnership and to focus on diplomatic and trade negotiations addressing recent US trade actions, including 50% tariffs on Indian goods and an additional 25% duty related to purchases of Russian crude oil, with efforts underway by both sides to firm up a proposed trade agreement to address India's concerns.

Indusfood 2026 showcases India launching the India UAE Food Corridor and APEDA's Bharati Initiative to boost agri food exports.
Indusfood 2026 will promote India's export competitiveness and supply chain integration by launching an India UAE Food Corridor to enhance food security and bilateral trade flows and by showcasing APEDA's Bharati Initiative to connect agri food start ups with global buyers. The exhibition pairs trade facilitation and logistics sessions with culinary diplomacy, skill certification programmes and innovation platforms to foster commercial linkages, investment and sustainable, traceable value added food processing.

Stock markets fall for third day as geopolitical tensions and tariff-hike fears weigh amid foreign fund outflows.
Equity benchmarks fell for a third straight session as elevated geopolitical tensions and tariff-hike threats reduced risk appetite, with sustained foreign institutional net selling weighing on headline indices while domestic institutional investors remained net buyers; sectoral divergences saw auto, utilities, banking and steel names lag and select technology and consumer-luxury stocks outperform, as market caution persisted ahead of Q3 earnings and key US jobs data.

Tariffs imposed on India include 50% general and 25% on Russian oil, and may be raised quickly.
The US has imposed tariffs up to 50% on India, including 25% on purchases of Russian oil, and stated it can increase tariffs quickly; the President also referenced an order and delivery timing for 68 Apache helicopters, linking tariffs to defence procurement and wider bilateral commercial relations.

AI management systems: Cactus Communications certified to ISO/IEC 42001:2023, strengthening AI governance, transparency and safety.
Cactus Communications obtained ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification for its enterprise AI management system, covering governance, risk and compliance, responsible AI, legal and engineering oversight, product and design, and aligning operational controls with the standard's Statement of Applicability across all brands and AI-enabled products including Paperpal.