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India's engineering goods exports experienced a robust year-on-year growth of 11.28% in April 2025, reaching $9.51 billion, driven by increased shipments of electric machinery, motor vehicles, and copper products, despite a lower base effect. Key markets such as the US and UAE saw significant increases, with exports to the US rising by 17% to $1.66 billion and those to the UAE surging by 37.3% to $538.8 million. However, exports to China, Turkey, Mexico, and Italy faced declines, with shipments to China dropping by 21.7%. Pankaj Chadha, Chairman of EEPC India, highlighted the importance of government support and the recent India-UK Free Trade Agreement in bolstering export growth. Overall, engineering goods accounted for 24.71% of India's total merchandise exports in April 2025, with 28 out of 34 engineering panels reporting growth, although six categories, including aluminium and aircraft, saw declines. 
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May 22 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia is currently evaluating a request from the United States to relax restrictions on ethanol imports amid ongoing trade negotiations, a move that has sparked concern among domestic industry stakeholders. The US is urging India to eliminate barriers on fuel ethanol, primarily used for blending with gasoline, while India maintains import duties to protect its burgeoning domestic ethanol sector. Critics, including former IAS officer Daulat Desai, warn that unrestricted imports could jeopardize India's circular economy and undermine local producers, potentially eroding investor confidence and threatening the nation's bioeconomy. India has made significant strides in its ethanol blending program, achieving a blending rate of 19.6% in January 2025, well on track to meet its 20% target by October 2025. The program has not only bolstered energy independence but also provided economic benefits to rural communities, generating substantial revenue and jobs. As negotiations progress, the government faces the challenge of balancing trade concessions with the long-term interests of its agricultural sector.
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Jun 14 2025, 10 ameznews.inA high-level multi-disciplinary committee, led by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, has been established to investigate the causes of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which occurred on June 12, resulting in the deaths of 241 people on board and several others on the ground. The committee, which includes members from various governmental and aviation bodies, will not replace ongoing inquiries by other organizations but will focus on developing comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent future incidents. The panel will assess factors such as mechanical failure, human error, and regulatory compliance, and will also evaluate emergency response efforts. It is tasked with reviewing existing guidelines and past crash records, and will recommend policy changes and operational improvements. The committee is expected to publish its findings within three months and will have access to all relevant records, including flight data and maintenance logs.
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Jun 14 2025, 10 ameznews.inIn 2025, the global fertiliser trade is navigating a complex landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, currency fluctuations, and government interventions, with India's fertiliser market projected to grow from $45.89 billion to $62.83 billion by 2030. As the world's largest fertiliser importer, India faces significant challenges due to its heavy reliance on imports for key nutrients like urea, phosphatic fertilisers, and potash. Factors driving price volatility include the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, a weakening rupee, rising freight costs, and government subsidies that complicate market dynamics. Traders must adapt by ensuring competitive pricing, diversifying sourcing, managing inventory effectively, and complying with regulatory changes. The push for sustainable alternatives like nano fertilisers adds another layer of complexity. Success in this volatile market will depend on traders' agility, strategic planning, and alignment with local agricultural needs.
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Jun 14 2025, 10 ameznews.inAs World Ocean Day passed on June 8, attention turns to India's fishing and aquaculture sector, which, despite a 11,098 km coastline and significant contributions to GDP and employment, remains largely subsistence-based. With over 30 million livelihoods tied to fishing and seafood exports reaching ₹60,523.89 crore in 2023-24, the sector faces challenges of income stagnation and a fragmented value chain. To transform fishermen into entrepreneurs, the establishment of Fish Producer Organisations (FFPOs) is crucial for collective bargaining and cost reduction. Additionally, enhancing capacity through education on value addition and sustainable practices is essential. Infrastructure improvements, such as cold chains and processing units, alongside better access to financing, are needed to support innovation. The government must align existing schemes to foster integrated development in the fisheries sector, enabling fishermen to transition from mere survival to entrepreneurial success.
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Jun 14 2025, 9 ameznews.inIsrael's recent military action against Iran has raised concerns among Indian exporters about potential disruptions to trade routes and rising freight rates, compounding existing global uncertainties and US tariff challenges. As both Israel and Iran are key economic partners for India—Israel supplying defence equipment and Iran facilitating connectivity through the Chabahar port—this conflict presents a diplomatic dilemma for New Delhi. Experts warn that the escalation could impact vital shipping lanes, including the Suez Canal and Red Sea, affecting shipments to the US, Europe, and beyond. Additionally, the closure of airspace in Iran and Pakistan complicates logistics for Indian exporters. Analysts emphasize the need for India to navigate this delicate situation carefully, as any broader regional conflict could significantly disrupt global trade and adversely affect India's economic interests. The situation underscores the complexities of India's foreign relations amid rising geopolitical tensions.
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Jun 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's job market is showing signs of recovery, with job postings rising by 8.9% after eight months of decline, according to data from Indeed. Despite being 1.8% lower than last year and 16% below peak levels, current postings are nearly 80% above pre-pandemic figures. Notably, 1.5% of job postings now explicitly mention generative AI, a significant increase from the previous year, with 12.5% of data analytics roles highlighting this technology. The largest job gains were observed in sectors such as childcare, personal care, education, and manufacturing, while software development saw a decline of 4.2%. Callam Pickering, Indeed’s APAC Senior Economist, noted that India's transition to a more formal economy is driving job creation, outpacing other countries like the UK and New Zealand. In Karnataka and Telangana, generative AI mentions in job postings are particularly high, reflecting the growing demand for tech-related skills.
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Jun 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAs tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, Indian airlines are exploring new technical stops in the Gulf region, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, to facilitate refuelling for flights to Europe. This decision follows Iran's closure of its airspace in response to Israeli strikes, further complicated by Pakistan's airspace restrictions. Air India has already implemented technical stops in Vienna and Copenhagen for its long-haul flights, while some flights from western India can still operate directly to Europe. However, flights from northern India will require refuelling at domestic airports or stops in the Middle East. On Friday, several flights were diverted due to the airspace closures, with Air India rerouting services to cities like Vienna and Sharjah. The airline is accommodating affected passengers and offering refunds or rescheduling options, while IndiGo has also announced delays and rerouting for its flights to Istanbul. The situation remains fluid as Iraq has also closed its airspace.
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Jun 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn a strategic move to enhance its mineral exploration capabilities, India has amended the Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Rules, 2015, introducing new guidelines for the exploration and extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) such as neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium, which are vital for electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, and high-tech electronics. Effective immediately, the amendments refine exploration classifications and introduce precise specifications for borehole spacing, particularly at the detailed exploration stage, aiming to improve the accuracy of mineral content estimations. This initiative aligns with India's goal to reduce dependency on imports, especially from China, which currently dominates over 60% of global REE production. The policy is expected to attract investment in India's mining sector, particularly in states like Odisha and Rajasthan, while also positioning the country as a potential player in the global REE market amidst rising international demand and geopolitical shifts.
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Jun 13 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a significant diplomatic meeting in New Delhi, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong agreed to expedite the resumption of direct air services between India and China, which have been suspended since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The discussions, which focused on stabilizing bilateral relations, also included commitments to facilitate visa processes and enhance exchanges between media and think-tanks. Both nations recognized the importance of strengthening economic ties and agreed to hold dialogues to address specific trade concerns, particularly regarding China's export controls on rare earth magnets impacting India's automobile supply chains. The meeting, part of a two-day official visit by the Chinese minister, also highlighted planned activities to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
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Jun 13 2025, 8 pmeznews.inRajesh Varrier, EVP and Global Head of Operations at Cognizant, has asserted that India is on track to become the world's AI hub, capable of contributing significantly across the AI spectrum, from research and development to enterprise solutions. Speaking during a _businessline_ webinar, Varrier acknowledged the dual nature of AI's impact on industries, noting that while it enhances productivity—particularly among entry-level workers—it also raises concerns about job displacement. He emphasized that recent layoffs cannot be solely attributed to AI, as workforce changes often stem from strategic shifts within organizations. Varrier highlighted the importance of upskilling and cross-skilling to meet evolving technological demands, particularly in smaller cities rich in talent. He anticipates substantial growth in India's IT sector, currently valued at $250 billion, driven by AI adoption, which will create high-paying job opportunities and necessitate a skilled workforce adept in AI technologies.
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Jun 13 2025, 8 pm
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