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India and the European Union (EU) are preparing for a decisive round of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) , with the 13th round of talks set to begin in New Delhi on September 8, 2025 . These discussions come as both sides aim to finalise the deal by the end of this year, amid growing concerns over global trade disruptions triggered by U.S. tariff policies. Strategic Importance of the Talks The FTA has gained renewed urgency as tariff wars led by the U.S. are reshaping global trade flows. According to officials, both India and the EU see the deal as a mechanism to “de-risk” supply chains and provide stability for businesses across critical sectors. To give political momentum to the negotiations, EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic and agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen are expected to visit New Delhi for discussions with commerce minister Piyush Goyal . Progress Achieved So Far The two sides have already closed 11 out of 23 chapters of the agreement, in...

India-China Talks at a Critical Juncture Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a significant bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin , marking Modi’s first visit to China in seven years. The discussions carried immense weight as the two leaders stressed the importance of border peace, strategic autonomy, and mutual cooperation amid ongoing global economic uncertainty and geopolitical shifts. This meeting was the second between the leaders since both nations agreed in October 2024 to end a prolonged standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) , which had begun in April-May 2020 and caused bilateral relations to plummet to their lowest point since the 1962 border war . Border Peace as a Foundation for Progress Modi firmly conveyed India’s position that peace and tranquillity on the border are critical for the further development of bilateral ties . Both leaders expressed satisfaction with t...

Trump: “Russia Lost an Oil Client, Which is India” US President Donald Trump has escalated his criticism of India’s oil trade with Russia, linking it directly to his administration’s tariff and sanctions policy. In an interview with Fox News aboard Air Force One, Trump remarked that Russia had “lost an oil client, which is India,” highlighting New Delhi’s reduction of crude oil purchases from Moscow. He stated that India accounted for around 40% of Russia’s oil trade, but warned that the imposition of secondary sanctions could be “devastating” for Moscow. “If I have to do it, I’ll do it, maybe I won’t have to do it,” Trump said, suggesting that harsher economic penalties remain an option. US Tariffs on Indian Imports Trump’s remarks come on the heels of a sharp increase in tariffs on Indian imports. On August 7, the US imposed an additional 25% tariff , effectively raising the total duty to 50% on Indian goods . The White House justified this action on grounds of national securit...

In a remarkable milestone, India has officially overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy , according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) . The announcement was made by BVR Subrahmanyam , CEO of NITI Aayog , during the 10th Governing Council Meeting held in New Delhi , chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi . India Touches the $4 Trillion Mark BVR Subrahmanyam stated that India’s economy has reached the USD 4 trillion level , marking a significant advancement in its global economic standing. Citing the IMF’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook , Subrahmanyam said: "We are a $4 trillion economy as I speak, and this is not my data. This is IMF data. India today is larger than Japan. Only the United States, China, and Germany are ahead." India has now moved up from being the fifth-largest economy in 2024 to its current fourth position, overtaking Japan with marginal differences in nominal GDP projections. IMF Projections Confirm India’s Lead ...

Massive Tariff Hike by China in Retaliation In a sharp escalation of the ongoing trade conflict, China has announced an increase in tariffs on US goods—from 34% to a steep 84%—starting April 10. The move comes directly in response to US President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 104% tariff on Chinese imports, declared during the US "Liberation Day" address. The tariff war between the two largest economies has been intensifying. President Trump warned that unless China rolled back its 34% tariff within 24 hours, the US would impose additional duties and halt all ongoing talks. China’s decision to raise tariffs by 50 points—mirroring the US move—signals a strong and calculated response. White House’s Aggressive Stand White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the 104% tariff, asserting that retaliation was expected and that the US would “punch back harder.” She emphasized that the Trump administration is no longer willing to tolerate trade practices that, in its ...

IMF Director Advocates for Continued Reforms in India for Sustained Growth and Investments Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the Asia-Pacific Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has underscored the importance of ongoing reforms in India to ensure sustained economic growth and attract investments. In a recent statement, Srinivasan highlighted India's remarkable economic performance amidst global uncertainties, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to fully capitalize on the country's demographic advantages. Sustained Growth Path and Investment Opportunities India's economic trajectory, with a projected growth rate of 6.8% in 2024-25, primarily driven by private consumption and public investments, has garnered attention. Srinivasan commended India's resilience in navigating various challenges, including the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, while stressing the imperative of reforms to optimize growth potential. Emphasis on Reforms for Productivity a...