eznews.inIndia and New Zealand have successfully concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) in just nine months, set to provide zero-duty access for all Indian goods in New Zealand upon its implementation, expected in 2026. The FTA aims to facilitate $20 billion in foreign direct investment over 15 years and will be reviewed annually. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the agreement's benefits for various sectors, including textiles, engineering, and healthcare, while also introducing a new visa pathway for Indian service providers. Sensitive agricultural products, such as dairy and certain vegetables, will be shielded from tariff cuts. However, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters criticized the deal as unfavorable for New Zealanders, indicating potential opposition from his party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon jointly announced the agreement, emphasizing the strengthened bilateral ties. 
Published: Dec 22 2025, 4 pmeznews.inSurendar Singh Rawat, a farmer from Chatra village in Uttarakhand, has significantly improved his income through high-density apple farming under Project Unnati Apple, an initiative supported by Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation and Indo-Dutch Horticulture Technologies. As the nation observes National Kisan Day on December 23, Rawat's story exemplifies the impact of modern agricultural practices on farmers' livelihoods. After learning about the project in 2021, he established his first orchard, which began yielding fruit in its first year, thanks to the training and support provided. His daughter, Jiya, noted the importance of sustainable farming practices, which have led to healthy plants and strong yields. This year, Rawat anticipates earnings between ₹2.5 and ₹3 lakh and plans to expand his orchards. His success has attracted fellow farmers seeking to adopt similar techniques, underscoring the value of knowledge and guidance in agriculture.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe sugar crushing season in Maharashtra has accelerated this year, with significant increases in both cane crushing and sugar production by December 21. Official figures reveal that 191 sugar mills have processed 446.04 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, yielding 380.21 lakh quintals of sugar, a marked improvement from last year's output of 222.82 lakh quintals from the same number of mills crushing 268.67 lakh tonnes. The average sugar recovery rate has also risen to 8.52%, up from 8.20% last year, indicating enhanced efficiency in processing. Regional performance highlights include the Pune division leading with 109.34 lakh tonnes of sugarcane crushed, while the Kolhapur and Solapur divisions also reported strong outputs. Overall, the current season reflects a robust operational momentum across Maharashtra's sugar industry, suggesting a promising outlook for the remainder of the season.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAerospace startup Sarla Aviation has initiated ground testing for its electric air taxi programme at its Bengaluru facility, marking a significant step towards the rollout of electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft by 2028. The testing phase, which involves the half-scale demonstrator SYL-X1 with a 7.5-meter wingspan, signifies India's entry into a select group of nations developing advanced vertical flight systems. Sarla Aviation has raised $13 million across its Pre-Seed and Seed rounds in 2024, with a Series A round led by Accel and Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath set for January 2025. Founded in October 2023, the company aims to create a fully certified and operational aviation platform in India, focusing on safety and cost-efficiency through electric propulsion. Co-founder Rakesh Gaonkar emphasized the goal of establishing a sustainable aviation technology ecosystem in the country.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), will oversee an investigation into an in-flight engine shutdown involving Air India's Boeing 777-300ER on December 22, 2025. The incident occurred shortly after take-off on flight AI 887 from Delhi to Mumbai, when a low oil pressure warning was detected on the right engine, prompting the crew to execute an air turnback. Following standard procedures, the crew shut down the affected engine and safely landed back in Delhi. Air India confirmed that all passengers and crew disembarked without incident and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused. The airline is currently conducting inspections and rectifications on the aircraft, while its ground team is assisting affected passengers and arranging alternative travel plans. The investigation will be conducted by Air India's Permanent Investigation Board under the DGCA's supervision.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 2 pmeznews.inTwo flights from Srinagar airport were cancelled on Monday by IndiGo and SpiceJet due to dense fog affecting visibility in the region, as reported by the airport on X. IndiGo had previously issued a travel advisory on Sunday, warning that flight operations could be disrupted, with potential delays and cancellations depending on evolving conditions. Passengers were urged to check their flight status on the airlines' websites or apps and to visit goindigo.in/plan-b.html for rescheduling or refunds in case of cancellations. SpiceJet also cautioned that all flights could be impacted by the adverse weather. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) noted that fog in northern India might lead to further delays at various airports and advised travelers to allow extra time for airport procedures. AAI has deployed assistance teams at affected airports to ensure passenger safety and smooth operations during these challenging conditions.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia and New Zealand have successfully concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and investment. Announced on March 17, 2025, by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, the FTA will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 95% of New Zealand's exports to India, potentially increasing exports from $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion annually over the next two decades. The agreement underscores the strong ties between the two nations, with Luxon highlighting India's rapid economic growth and access to its 1.4 billion consumers. In the fiscal year 2025, bilateral trade reached approximately $1.3 billion, with India exporting a diverse range of goods, including fuels and textiles, while New Zealand's exports were primarily raw materials and agricultural products. Services trade also plays a crucial role, with significant contributions from both countries in sectors like IT, education, and tourism.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia has firmly maintained its stance on dairy imports, refusing to grant any duty concessions to New Zealand under their recently concluded bilateral free trade agreement, an official confirmed on Monday. The dairy sector remains a "red line" for India, which has consistently resisted opening its markets to large-scale dairy imports in previous trade negotiations. This issue is particularly sensitive due to the presence of millions of small dairy farmers in India who rely on market protection. New Zealand, a major player in the global dairy export market, has seen minimal trade with India, with exports totaling just $1.07 million in FY2025, primarily consisting of milk, cream, and cheese. The ongoing negotiations highlight the complexities and political sensitivities surrounding agricultural trade between the two nations.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 12 pmeznews.inAn Air India Boeing 777 aircraft, carrying approximately 335 passengers, made an emergency return to Delhi shortly after take-off due to a right engine issue on Monday morning. The flight, AI887, was airborne for nearly an hour before the crew decided to return as a precautionary measure, following standard operating procedures. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that the flight crew detected low engine oil pressure during flap retraction, which subsequently dropped to zero. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew disembarked without incident. Air India expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and confirmed that the plane is undergoing necessary inspections, with alternative arrangements made for passengers to continue their journey to Mumbai. The aircraft had taken off around 6:30 am and was tracked on Flightradar24.com.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's green hydrogen ambitions are ambitious, with pledged capacity nearing 12 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) across 158 projects. However, concerns linger regarding the actualisation of this capacity and the establishment of reliable long-term buyers. As of August 2025, only 0.3 mtpa is operational, while 9,770 tonnes are under construction, highlighting the industry's nascent stage. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) notes that despite strong investor interest—nearly 2.4 times the government's target—challenges such as high production costs and demand uncertainty persist. A significant issue is the lack of secured buyers, with only 6% of planned global capacity having an offtaker, which complicates financing and investment decisions. While India's National Green Hydrogen Mission aims for 5 mtpa by 2030, the absence of purchase obligations for existing users raises further concerns about demand sustainability and project viability.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 12 pm
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