Author: Malavika Subramanyan

India’s trade partnerships in 2026 reflect a decisive shift toward deeper global economic integration, underpinned by a growing network of modern, outcome-oriented trade agreements that are expanding market access, boosting exports, attracting investment and generating employment across multiple sectors. A landmark agreement with the European Union, alongside strengthened partnerships with major global economies, has emerged as a cornerstone of this transformation. These trade frameworks are complemented by domestic policy, financial and regulatory measures aimed at enhancing exporter competitiveness, making India’s trade ecosystem more resilient and globally integrated. Several major economies are currently engaged in active negotiations with India to deepen…

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, emphasized that quality must form the cornerstone of India’s manufacturing and export growth. Speaking at the National Quality Conclave, organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in collaboration with the Quality Council of India (QCI), he highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” vision is central to driving the nation’s development objectives. Goyal stated that India’s ambition to become a $30–35 trillion economy by 2047 hinges on producing high-quality goods and achieving inclusive growth. He underlined the importance of building “Brand India” around three…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level roundtable with CEOs and founders of India’s leading AI and deeptech startups at Seva Teerth, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and establishing India as a global technology leader. The session included executives from Abridge, Adalat AI, BrainSightAI, Credo AI, Eka Care, Glean, Innogle, Invideo, Miko, Origin, Prophaze, Rasen, Rubrik, SatSure, Supernova, and Sypha AI. Senior government officials, including Principal Secretary Shri P K Mishra, Principal Secretary-2 Shri Shaktikanta Das, and Minister of State Shri Jitin Prasada, provided guidance on policy frameworks and public-private collaboration. Startups presented innovations across healthcare, agriculture, cybersecurity,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a human-centered approach to artificial intelligence (AI), introducing the ‘MANAV’ vision at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026. Emphasizing responsibility alongside innovation, the Prime Minister called on the global community to guide AI in ways that prioritize humanity. Speaking at the summit, Modi noted that the world faces both great opportunities and responsibilities in the AI era. He stressed the importance of considering not just what AI can achieve in the future, but how it is used today. Drawing parallels to nuclear technology, he highlighted that AI, like other transformative innovations, can either benefit society or…

Ishan Kishan delivered a match defining performance to steer India into the Super Eight stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup, earning the Man of the Match award after a commanding 61 run victory over Pakistan in Colombo. His explosive 77 from just 40 deliveries laid the foundation for India’s imposing total and ensured the high pressure clash never slipped out of their control. Coming in after an early setback, with Abhishek Sharma dismissed for a duck, Kishan immediately shifted the momentum. He took on Pakistan’s pace attack with confidence, launching Shaheen Shah Afridi for a towering six and maintaining…

India and South Korea held the 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) in Seoul, co-chaired by Secretary (East) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs P. Kumaran and South Korea’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Yoon-joo. The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, covering high-level political exchanges, economic and commercial issues, security and defence cooperation, science and technology collaboration, and cultural and people-to-people ties. Both countries agreed to work towards enhancing their Special Strategic Partnership, reaffirming a shared commitment to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest and global significance. Discussions also included perspectives on regional…

India’s trade balance with the United States could witness a dramatic expansion over the next year, potentially crossing ninety billion dollars annually, according to a recent assessment by the State Bank of India. The projection is largely driven by a substantial increase in outbound shipments from India, coupled with a structured rise in imports from the United States following tariff adjustments under the evolving trade framework. The report estimates that Indian exporters could significantly scale up shipments of the top fifteen product categories to the US market, adding nearly ninety-seven billion dollars in incremental export value within a year. When…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the new Seva Teerth complex tomorrow, bringing together the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Cabinet Secretariat, and National Security Council Secretariat in a single, modern facility, the PMO announced. Situated on Dara Shikoh Road, this project is a central part of the government’s larger Central Vista redevelopment plan. During the inauguration, PM Modi will officially unveil the name “Seva Teerth” and open the two office buildings, Kartavya Bhawan 1 and 2. A public programme is planned in the evening. Since India’s independence, the PMO has operated from South Block, and the move to…

A recently unveiled trade framework between the United States and India is drawing enthusiastic support from American legislators, particularly those representing regions tied to agriculture and distilled spirits. Early indications suggest that farmers in Kansas and bourbon producers in Kentucky stand to benefit significantly as India expands access to key US goods. Representative Derek Schmidt of Kansas described the agreement as closely aligned with priorities he raised with federal trade officials last year. He had pushed for greater entry for grain sorghum, dried distillers’ grains, and soybean-based products into the Indian market. According to Schmidt, India’s growing demand and shifting…

Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, met with Fiji’s Minister for Finance, Commerce, and Business Development, Esrom Immanuel, in New Delhi on February 10, 2026. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, shared priorities, and exploring opportunities for collaboration in digital infrastructure. Margherita highlighted that the discussions covered the full spectrum of India-Fiji relations, emphasizing development partnerships, capacity building, and ongoing digital cooperation initiatives. This recent engagement follows a series of high-level interactions between the two nations. On February 2, India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, met with Fiji Parliament Speaker Filimone Jitoko to discuss ways…