eznews.inIndia's small tea growers are calling for a 100% import duty on low-cost tea imports from countries like Nepal and Kenya, as they seek to protect their livelihoods and enhance competitiveness. The Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers’ Associations (CISTA) has also requested a minimum sustainable price (MSP) for green tea leaves to ensure economic viability. A recent meeting with officials from the Union Commerce Ministry highlighted the challenges faced by the 2.5 lakh small tea growers, who contribute over 53% of the nation's tea production. In response, the Ministry has agreed to conduct a cost study and establish a National Pricing Committee to ensure fair MSP implementation. CISTA president Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty expressed optimism about the discussions, emphasizing the importance of policy reforms to secure the future of small tea growers and enhance the global standing of Indian tea. 
Published: Sep 05 2025, 9 pmeznews.inTrade experts and exporters are advocating for international market diversification as a viable solution to the challenges posed by high tariffs in the US, which have significantly impacted sales. However, they caution that this transition cannot occur overnight and requires substantial government support. Sanjay Jain, Chairman of the ICC National Textiles Committee, highlighted the difficulties of redirecting exports to the domestic market due to oversupply and existing market stress. While some sectors, like footwear, could benefit from rationalized GST rates, others, such as diamonds and high-value items, face limited domestic demand. Exporters emphasize the importance of maintaining relationships with foreign brands to avoid losing them, as noted by Mithileshwar Thakur from AEPC. Biswajit Dhar from the Council for Social Development stressed that the domestic market cannot replace exports, urging the government to facilitate diversification into emerging markets in Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia.
Published: Sep 05 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's logistics and mobility sector is witnessing a positive recovery in truck rentals, buoyed by stable freight rates, increased digital toll collections, and a rise in electric vehicle adoption, despite weather disruptions affecting trucking in Northern states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, according to the September Shriram Mobility Bulletin. As the festive season approaches, truck rentals on key routes have shown month-on-month growth, with Bengaluru-Mumbai increasing by 1.5% and Delhi-Kolkata by 1.3%. However, vehicle sales present a mixed picture; while Earth Moving Equipment sales rose by 7%, car sales fell by 3%, and commercial tractor sales plummeted by 29%. The electric vehicle segment thrived, particularly electric four-wheelers, which saw a 14% increase. YS Chakravarti, CEO of Shriram Finance Ltd., noted the steady truck rentals as manufacturers prepare for heightened demand, although challenges remain due to stagnation at some export hubs.
Published: Sep 05 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAs harvests of pulse crops like tur and chana from regions such as Africa and Australia lead to falling prices, the Indian pulses trade is urging the government to impose a 50% duty on yellow pea imports to protect domestic farmers. The landed cost of pulses at Indian ports has decreased recently, with yellow peas now priced around ₹30 per kg, down from last year's ₹380-400 per tonne. Bimal Kothari, Chairman of the India Pulses and Grains Association, highlighted that the good harvests in countries like Mozambique and Australia are driving prices below the minimum support price (MSP) of ₹80, which could harm local farmers. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has echoed these concerns, advocating for protective measures. Meanwhile, the area under pulses cultivation has slightly increased this kharif season, although excessive rainfall may pose risks to crop yields. A clearer impact assessment is expected by the end of the month.
Published: Sep 05 2025, 8 pmeznews.inBudget airline SpiceJet reported a net loss of ₹238 crore for the first quarter of 2025-26, a stark contrast to the ₹150 crore profit recorded in the same period last year. The airline attributed this downturn to geopolitical tensions with a neighboring country and airspace restrictions, which dampened leisure travel demand. Additionally, delays in returning grounded aircraft to service, exacerbated by global supply chain issues and engine overhaul challenges, significantly impacted results. Despite these setbacks, SpiceJet's Passenger Load Factor (PLF) remained robust at 86%, highlighting customer loyalty. The airline's net worth improved to ₹446 crore from a negative ₹2,398 crore in Q1FY25, reflecting successful financial restructuring. Chairman Ajay Singh acknowledged the extraordinary challenges facing the aviation sector but expressed confidence in a strong recovery, emphasizing ongoing efforts to enhance fleet reliability and expand the network amid India's rapidly growing aviation and tourism markets.
Published: Sep 05 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's recent strategic alignment with Russia and China has drawn sharp criticism from the United States, with President Donald Trump describing the shift as a move towards the "deepest, darkest" side of geopolitics. US Trade Representative Howard Lutnick warned that India would "be sorry" for its choices and would eventually return to negotiations with Washington. This tension complicates ongoing discussions regarding a bilateral trade agreement and the imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, which were recently doubled in response to India's purchase of Russian oil amid the Ukraine conflict. Lutnick asserted that India's resistance to US demands is mere bravado, predicting that economic pressures would soon compel New Delhi to seek a deal with the US. Meanwhile, India's Ministry of External Affairs dismissed recent US comments as "inaccurate" and "misleading," indicating a firm stance against external criticism.
Published: Sep 05 2025, 8 pmeznews.inFrench aerospace giant Dassault Aviation has acquired a 2 per cent stake in the Indian joint venture Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) from Reliance Aerostructure Ltd (RAL), increasing its ownership to 51 per cent and officially making it the majority partner. This transaction, valued at ₹176 crore (approximately $20 million), will reduce RAL's stake to 49 per cent, designating it as the minority partner in a venture aimed at bolstering India's defence manufacturing under the 'Make in India' initiative. The deal is expected to be finalized by November 1, 2025. As part of this transition, DRAL has been designated a Centre of Excellence for Dassault's Falcon 2000 business jets, with production set to begin in 2028 at its Nagpur facility. This move aligns with India's liberalised Foreign Direct Investment policy, which allows foreign firms to hold up to 74 per cent in defence ventures, fostering local manufacturing and foreign investment.
Published: Sep 05 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's foreign exchange reserves increased by $3.5 billion to reach $694.2 billion for the week ending August 29, as reported by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This rise follows a previous decline of $4.4 billion. Notably, foreign currency assets rose by $1.68 billion, totaling $583.9 billion, while gold reserves also saw an increase of $1.76 billion, reaching over $86.77 billion. The foreign currency assets reflect fluctuations in the value of non-US currencies, including the euro and yen. Additionally, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) stood at $18.7 billion, with the reserve tranche position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at $4.7 billion. The RBI typically intervenes in the forex market to manage liquidity and mitigate volatility in the rupee, although experts suggest it may refrain from aggressive actions to maintain export competitiveness amid tariff concerns with China.
Published: Sep 05 2025, 7 pmeznews.inHeavy clouds loomed over West and North-West India on Friday evening as a well-marked low-pressure area over north-west Madhya Pradesh and east Rajasthan is expected to develop into a monsoon depression by Sunday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The Gujarat Region has already experienced extremely heavy rainfall, particularly in Valsad, Surat, Bharuch, and Vadodara. The IMD has issued warnings for further heavy rain across various regions, including east Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch, with exceptionally heavy rainfall anticipated in some areas. Additionally, a western disturbance is expected to impact West Rajasthan. Fishermen have been alerted to hazardous conditions in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal due to strong monsoonal winds and wave action, with warnings extending across multiple coastal regions. The IMD forecasts continued heavy rainfall across several states in the coming days.
Published: Sep 05 2025, 5 pmeznews.inReliance Infrastructure announced on Friday that its subsidiary will sell a 2% stake in its Indian joint venture to Dassault Aviation, resulting in the French aerospace firm becoming the majority owner with a 51% stake. The transaction is valued at 1.76 billion rupees (approximately $20 million) and is expected to be finalized by November 1. Following the deal, the Anil Ambani-led group will retain a 49% stake in the venture. Dassault Reliance Aviation is currently engaged in manufacturing components for the Rafale fighter jets utilized by the Indian Air Force, as well as parts for Dassault's Falcon 2000 business jets. This strategic move underscores the growing collaboration between Indian and French aerospace sectors. The announcement was made in an exchange filing, highlighting the ongoing developments in the logistics and defense industries.
Published: Sep 05 2025, 4 pm
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