Export-led growth exposes weak domestic demand as high-technology manufacturing support raises trade imbalance and employment concerns. China's growth has become increasingly reliant on strong exports of high-technology manufactured products, while domestic consumption and investment remain weak. Household spending is constrained by the property-sector downturn and uncertainty over jobs and wages. Policy support and investment in artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced manufacturing have strengthened exports but raised concerns about trade imbalances, excess production capacity and employment creation. The policy direction identified is to strengthen the domestic market and maintain employment while pursuing higher-quality growth.
India-UK trade agreement enables tariff reductions, market access and digital trade facilitation for expanded cross-border commerce and investment. India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) entered into force, establishing tariff reductions, expanded market access and greater certainty for cross-border trade and investment. Its 30 chapters cover trade in goods and services, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, digital trade, intellectual property and government procurement. Trade-facilitation and digital provisions are intended to improve cross-border commerce, while the framework supports bilateral business, investment and collaboration across services, manufacturing, technology and healthcare sectors.
Equity market rebound follows softer United States inflation, supporting expectations of a less aggressive Federal Reserve policy stance. Indian benchmark equity indices rebounded in early trading, supported by bank and selected large-cap shares after the preceding session's decline. Softer-than-expected United States consumer inflation strengthened expectations of a less aggressive Federal Reserve monetary-policy stance and supported global risk sentiment. Stronger United States equities, generally positive Asian markets, Brent crude movements and foreign institutional investor equity sales were identified as relevant market factors.
Foreign exchange market conditions lifted the rupee early, but crude prices, investor outflows and geopolitical tensions restrained gains. Foreign exchange market conditions supported an early appreciation of the rupee against the US dollar, while elevated crude oil prices, foreign institutional investor outflows, higher US Treasury yields and West Asia tensions limited gains. A weaker dollar and positive domestic equity-market opening provided support. Intensified US-Iran conflict and risks to regional energy exports contributed to higher crude prices and dollar demand. Higher wholesale price inflation and growth in net direct tax collection formed part of the domestic economic backdrop.
Proposed geopolitical tariffs would target major purchasers of Russian oil, alongside broad sanctions on Russia's economic sectors. Proposed United States legislation would authorise tariffs of up to 100 per cent on India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan as major purchasers of Russian oil. It also contemplates broad blocking sanctions affecting Russia's energy, financial and defence sectors and designated persons. The tariffs would be narrowly targeted and subject to restricted waiver authority, while certain European purchasers of Russian gas would be exempted based on limited dependence and efforts to reduce reliance on Russia.
Video-conference statement request in PNB fraud case pending decision on approver plea, with prosecution reply sought Purvi Modi, an accused in the Punjab National Bank fraud case, has sought permission to record her statement before the special CBI court through video conference. She has applied to become an approver, and the CBI has stated that her statement should be recorded before that application is decided. The court has sought the prosecution's response. Purvi Modi and her husband have already become approvers in a related money-laundering investigation conducted by the Enforcement Directorate.
Rupee depreciation reflects crude oil pressures, safe-haven dollar demand, widening trade deficit, and rising global economic uncertainty The Indian rupee depreciated against the US dollar amid higher crude oil prices, renewed geopolitical concerns, increased safe-haven demand for the dollar, and rising global bond yields. Higher crude prices increased India's dollar-denominated import requirements, widened the trade deficit, and intensified foreign-exchange outflows. Merchandise exports increased year-on-year, but the trade deficit widened because of stronger imports. Wholesale price inflation also rose, while net direct tax collections increased on account of higher corporate tax receipts.
Advanced technology in banking requires cybersecurity, internal controls, fraud prevention, and safeguards against data misuse. Banks were encouraged to use advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to expand their reach, improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experience. This approach must be supported by robust cybersecurity, strong internal controls, and safeguards against fraud and misuse of data. The banking sector was also urged to serve all segments of the economy prudently, strengthen customer service, and consider developments involving the Central KYC Records Registry, counterfeit currency detection, MuleHunter, central bank digital currency, the Unified Lending Interface, Account Aggregator, FX Retail, and Retail Direct.
Textile investment opportunities: Punjab promotes integrated value chains, single-window approvals, infrastructure, and export-focused industrial growth. Punjab's industrial policy aims to attract textile investment, expand employment and exports, and provide an industry-friendly environment through time-bound approvals, single-window and single-pen systems, and reduced bureaucratic obstacles. Punjab is promoted as having a complete textile value chain covering cotton cultivation, spinning, yarn, fabrics, knitting, processing, garments, manufacturing and exports. Its investment ecosystem is described as offering power tariffs, land facilities, transparent approvals, infrastructure and the Right to Business Act, while industry participation is encouraged to strengthen innovation, exports and inclusive economic growth.
Betting proceeds laundering allegations link layered transactions and asset acquisitions to the Mahadev online betting syndicate investigation The Enforcement Directorate arrested Ebix Group chairman Vikas Garg under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in an investigation concerning alleged laundering of proceeds from Mahadev Online Book and Skyexchange betting operations. The agency alleges that betting proceeds were routed through hawala entries, shell entities and layered transactions into entities owned or controlled by Garg, and used to acquire shares, securities and other assets. It further alleges that Garg acquired a controlling stake in EbixCash using such funds. The investigation concerns a franchise-based betting syndicate operating through multiple online platforms.
Corporate tax growth strengthens direct tax collections, reflecting resilient profitability, advance tax payments, and improving compliance Net direct tax collections rose by 16.40 per cent to over Rs 6.51 lakh crore up to July 13, driven mainly by a 22 per cent increase in net corporate tax collections. Net non-corporate tax collections also increased, while Securities Transaction Tax collections grew by 48 per cent. Gross direct tax collections rose by 16.11 per cent, and refunds increased by 14.57 per cent. The collection trend was associated with resilient corporate profitability, stronger corporate advance tax payments, continued compliance and increasing formalisation.
PMLA territorial jurisdiction in homebuyer fraud permits concurrent forum competence where alleged proceeds were acquired and concealed across locations Money-laundering proceedings arising from alleged cheating of homebuyers in a Gurugram real-estate project were transferred to the Special PMLA Court at Saket, Delhi, with prosecution continuing from its existing stage. The jurisdictional issue involved alleged acquisition of proceeds of crime at Gurugram and concealment of attached proceeds in Delhi, creating simultaneous jurisdiction for the PMLA courts at both locations. The underlying allegations include collection of funds before project licensing, fraudulent bookings, diversion of project funds, undervalued land transfers during insolvency, and diversion of public-sector bank loans.
Forced-labour import ban strengthens trade controls, with DGFT inquiry procedures and government power to restrict identified goods. The Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 prohibits the import of goods produced or manufactured, wholly or partly, through forced labour. The central government may prohibit specific goods where an inquiry or other relevant evidence indicates forced-labour production. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade will conduct inquiries under the procedure prescribed in the Handbook of Procedures, 2023. Forced labour is defined by reference to the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930, as work or service exacted under threat of penalty without voluntary offer by the person concerned.
Police leadership reshuffle strengthens economic-offences investigations and reallocates senior officers across intelligence, security, and district policing West Bengal reorganised its police leadership by transferring 28 IPS officers and five WBPS officers across investigative, intelligence, telecommunications, correctional, traffic, cyber and district-policing assignments. N R Babu became head of the Criminal Investigation Department while retaining additional charge of prisons, and Supratim Sarkar moved from the CID to Telecommunications. K Jayraman was appointed Director of the Directorate of Economic Offences in the context of the government's stated focus on alleged financial irregularities. Other changes included new leadership for the Special Task Force, Intelligence Branch, Bidhannagar Police, the Narayani Battalion and several districts, including revised postings in Baruipur following serious criminal incidents.
Industrial collaboration platform combines policy advocacy, regulatory guidance and cross-border manufacturing partnerships to advance India's global industrial ambitions BGIF is presented as a Swadeshi-oriented industrial collaboration and policy platform connecting businesses, policymakers, investors, technocrats and innovators. Its functions include policy advocacy, regulatory guidance, sector-specific insights, investment access, fundraising support, deal structuring and business expansion. The forum operates through domestic chapters and an international network, and reports engaging in freight-related policy advocacy, participating in pre-Budget consultations, and facilitating a memorandum of understanding between an Indian manufacturer and an overseas partner for manufacturing cooperation and technology exchange. Its roadmap includes further chapters, international partnerships, industry conclaves and policy dialogues.
Integrated agricultural trade hub near Vadhvan Port aims to strengthen exports through cold chains, logistics, and transparent trading Maharashtra has approved an international-standard agricultural market at Dapchari in Palghar district near the upcoming Vadhvan Port. Developed by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board, the project will combine an international market, a market of national importance and Agricultural Produce Market Committees. Planned infrastructure includes wholesale and import-export facilities, cold chains, grading and packaging units, multimodal logistics, warehouses, testing laboratories, container terminals, railway siding, e-auctions and an export facilitation centre. The project aims to support transparent trading, post-harvest value addition, reduced losses and improved agricultural exports.
Bilateral trade expansion with China coincides with a widening deficit, as India seeks greater market access and investment Bilateral trade between India and China increased in the first half of 2026, while the trade imbalance widened in China's favour. Chinese exports included electronics, telecommunications equipment, semiconductors, batteries, machinery, computers, chemicals, plastics and polymers. Indian exports included minerals, refined fuels, chemicals, electronics, agricultural and marine products, metals, gems, jewellery and pharmaceuticals. India continues to seek improved Chinese market access for information technology, pharmaceutical and agricultural products, alongside greater Chinese investment in India. Discussions also focus on expanding the range of traded goods and applying consumer-protection mechanisms while enabling increased Indian exports.
Language-policy challenges and religious-practice arrangements highlight legal developments alongside deportation reform and criminal investigation measures. The Supreme Court sought responses on challenges to the CBSE three-language requirement for Class 9 students and directed that Muslims be provided a separate open space adjacent to the disputed Bhojshala site for Friday prayers. A special NIA court issued a non-bailable warrant against Hafiz Saeed in connection with an investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack. The United Kingdom initiated a legislative change intended to remove an obstacle to deporting a grooming-gang leader to Pakistan.
India-Maldives FTA negotiations advance market access, investment facilitation and broader economic cooperation through eight technical sessions The first round of India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement negotiations concluded after virtual, text-based discussions across eight technical sessions and eight policy areas. The parties made substantive progress and reached broad convergence on several issues. The proposed FTA is intended to enhance market access, facilitate investment, promote economic cooperation and support sustainable economic growth. Both sides are pursuing a broad-based, balanced and comprehensive agreement guided by fairness and reciprocity, while also seeking deeper cooperation in tourism, startups, digital payments, MSMEs and trade.
Business excellence recognition highlights Explore Touristhub Holidays LLP's personalized travel planning, service quality, and customer-focused holiday experiences. Explore Touristhub Holidays LLP received recognition as a leading travel agency for memorable holiday experiences. The recognition highlighted its personalized holiday planning, customer satisfaction, itinerary innovation, and contribution to India's travel and tourism sector. The company provides leisure holidays, corporate travel management, MICE services, educational tours, group departures, honeymoon packages, pilgrimage tours, and customized travel experiences. Its service approach emphasizes tailored itineraries, quality hospitality, safety, seamless execution, competitive pricing, reliable support, and assistance throughout the journey.
The ECB policy is regularly reviewed and modified by the Government in consultation with Reserve Bank of India, keeping in view the evolving macroeconomic condition, sectoral requirements and investment demand. The policy was reviewed in June, 2009. As per the extant ECB guidelines, units in the SEZ are permitted to access ECBs for their own requirements. However, based on review effective from June 30, 2009, SEZ developers have been permitted to avail of ECB under the Approval route for providing infrastructure facilities also, as defined in ECB policy, within the SEZ. However, ECB shall not be permissible for development of integrated township and commercial real estate within the SEZ. The infrastructure facilities as defined in the extant ECB policy include (i) power, (ii) telecommunication, (iii) railways, (iv) road including bridges, (v) sea port and airport (vi) industrial parks (vii) urban infrastructure (water supply, sanitation and sewage projects) and (viii) mining, refining and exploration.
ECB can be accessed under two routes. Viz. (i) Automatic Route as outlined in Section I(A) and (ii) Approval Route as outlined in Section I (B) of Master Circular dated July 1, 2009 on ECB issued by RBI under FEMA. Under the Automatic Route, the eligible borrowers may enter into loan agreement with recognized lender for raising ECB complying with the amount, maturity, all-in-cost, and end use etc. conditions in the ECB guidelines without prior approval of the Reserve Bank. However, the borrowers are required to obtain a Loan Registration Number (LRN) from the Reserve Bank before drawing down the ECB. The procedure for obtaining LRN has been outlined in Section II(i)(b) of Master Circular on ECB and Trade Credits issued by RBI under FEMA,
This information was given by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Lok Sabha today.
External commercial borrowings: SEZ developers may use the Approval route for permitted infrastructure financing, not real estate.
SEZ units may access ECBs for their own needs, and SEZ developers may obtain ECBs under the Approval route to provide defined infrastructure within SEZs; ECBs remain impermissible for integrated township and commercial real estate. ECBs are available under the Automatic Route or the Approval Route per the Master Circular: the Automatic Route permits eligible borrowers to contract with recognized lenders without prior RBI approval subject to amount, maturity, all-in-cost and end-use conditions and requires obtaining a Loan Registration Number before drawdown.
Note: It is a system-generated summary and is for quick reference only.
TaxTMI 
of 3352
Join Channel
TaxTMI 