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India advances trade pact negotiations with Peru, Chile

India has made significant strides in its free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Peru and Chile, aiming to enhance cooperation in critical sectors such as minerals, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. A government statement highlighted the recent discussions held by India's negotiating team in both countries from October 27 to November 5, which focused on goods, services, and investments, paving the way for future agreements. The FTAs are strategically vital for India, particularly following the imposition of steep tariffs by the US on Indian exports. Peru's Trade Minister, Teresa Stella Mera Gómez, expressed optimism about concluding negotiations, emphasizing the economic complementarity between the nations. Meanwhile, India and Chile also advanced their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) talks, with both sides committed to enhancing market access and economic integration. India's bilateral trade with Peru and Chile has shown promising growth, indicating substantial potential for future expansion in the Latin American market. sources

Published:
Nov 06 2025, 1 pm

India's October US crude imports may continue in November 2025

India's crude oil imports from the United States have surged, with September 2025 figures reaching a record 568,000 barrels per day (b/d), marking the highest level since March 2021. This increase has allowed the US to surpass the UAE as India's fourth-largest crude supplier, a position the UAE held for six months prior. Analysts from Kpler anticipate that imports will stabilize at 450,000 to 500,000 b/d in November, driven by favorable market conditions rather than recent US sanctions on Russian oil companies. The US Energy Information Administration reported that cumulative crude exports to India from January to August 2025 hit 2.20 million b/d, a record high. The rise in US crude imports reflects India's strategy to diversify its energy sources and enhance supply security, while also aiming to reduce its trade deficit with the US and strengthen bilateral energy cooperation. sources

Published:
Nov 06 2025, 12 pm

US Tariffs Impact Indian Solar Exports, Causing Supply Glut

Tariffs imposed by the United States on solar imports have significantly impacted Indian solar module exporters, compelling manufacturers to shift their focus to the domestic market, according to a report by ICRA. This shift exacerbates an existing oversupply in India's solar module industry, which is projected to see manufacturing capacity soar to over 165 gigawatts (GW) by March 2027, driven by government initiatives. However, with domestic installations expected to remain around 45-50 GW, the production capacity will likely outstrip demand, leading to pricing pressures and potential consolidation among smaller firms. ICRA warns that while India is enhancing its manufacturing capabilities, it remains heavily reliant on China for key components, posing strategic risks. The upcoming implementation of the ALMM List-II in June 2026 is anticipated to boost domestic cell manufacturing, but stabilizing this capacity will be crucial for long-term sustainability in the sector. sources

Published:
Nov 06 2025, 12 pm

October Services PMI Growth Hits Five-Month Low

India's services sector experienced a notable slowdown in October, with HSBC's India Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dropping to 58.9 from 60.9 in September, marking the slowest expansion since May. This decline, which closely aligned with the preliminary estimate of 58.8, reflects emerging challenges for the economy, despite a projected growth rate of 6.7% for the fiscal year. While new business continued to rise, it did so at a five-month low, attributed to increased competition and adverse weather conditions, including floods and landslides. International demand also weakened, leading to a dip in business optimism and muted hiring activity. However, input costs rose at the slowest rate since August 2024, allowing firms to pass on some savings to customers, potentially easing retail inflation further. The HSBC Composite PMI, which includes manufacturing, also fell to a five-month low of 60.4, driven primarily by the services sector's deceleration. sources

Published:
Nov 06 2025, 11 am

Guntur to host fourth National Spice Conference on November 14

The World Spice Organization (WSO) will host the 4th National Spice Conference (NSC) on November 14-15, 2025, at ITC Welcom in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, under the theme “The Spice Route Ahead: Safe, Sustainable and Scalable.” This two-day event aims to unite government officials, industry leaders, and academics to discuss the evolving dynamics of India’s spice sector. The conference will include business sessions, a curated exhibition of innovative technologies and indigenous agri-products, and a buyer-seller interface. Ramkumar Menon, Chairman of WSO, emphasized the conference's role in shaping the future of the spice industry, focusing on food safety, environmental responsibility, and inclusive growth. With over 400 participants expected, including farmers under the National Sustainable Spice Program, NSC 2025 will build on previous discussions about quality, sustainability, and market linkages, addressing the industry's challenges amid rising global demand and technological advancements. sources

Published:
Nov 06 2025, 11 am

US airports reduce flights by 10% due to shutdown

The U.S. government shutdown, now in its 36th day and the longest in history, has led Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to announce a 10% reduction in flights at 40 major airports starting Friday, should Congress fail to reach a funding agreement. The shutdown has left 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents working without pay, exacerbating staff shortages and causing significant flight delays. The cuts are expected to impact the busiest airports, including those in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, potentially reducing up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats. Duffy warned that continued shutdown could lead to "mass chaos" in air traffic, with the FAA indicating further restrictions may follow. As lawmakers remain deadlocked over funding, the aviation industry has expressed growing concerns about safety and operational impacts, with over 3.2 million passengers affected by delays or cancellations. sources

Published:
Nov 06 2025, 6 am

Gemini AI enhances Google Maps with conversational features

Google Maps is set to undergo a significant transformation, integrating Gemini AI to evolve into a conversational travel assistant. Announced on Wednesday, the redesign aims to enhance user experience by allowing hands-free interaction, enabling users to ask for directions and receive recommendations for nearby dining, shopping, and sightseeing. Google promises that the AI will improve navigation accuracy by identifying landmarks for turns rather than relying solely on distance cues. With safeguards in place to prevent misinformation, the AI will utilize data from Google Maps' extensive database of 250 million places, built over two decades. The new features will be available on both iPhone and Android devices, potentially reaching over 2 billion users. This move follows the rise of AI chatbots like ChatGPT, as Google seeks to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. sources

Published:
Nov 05 2025, 10 pm

US-Bangladesh Deal to Affect Indian Soymeal Exports

In a significant development for the Indian soymeal export market, Bangladesh's recent agreement to purchase $1 billion worth of soybeans from the United States is raising concerns among Indian exporters. Traditionally a major buyer of Indian soymeal, Bangladesh's imports plummeted by 46% during the 2024-25 oil year, totaling just 1.63 lakh tonnes. DN Pathak, Executive Director of the Soybean Processors Association of India, highlighted that the influx of cheaper US soybeans is likely to further diminish Indian exports. While shipments to European nations have surged, particularly to Germany and France, the overall export outlook remains bleak, with Indian soymeal being priced higher due to its non-GM status. Additionally, geopolitical tensions have hindered trade with Iran, compounding the challenges faced by Indian exporters. The industry is now focusing on compliance with upcoming European Union regulations to sustain its market presence. sources

Published:
Nov 05 2025, 9 pm

Jaishankar: India-Japan partnership should prioritize AI and clean energy

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of the India-Japan partnership during his address at the 8th India-Japan Indo-Pacific Forum in New Delhi on Wednesday. He highlighted the need to leverage strengths, enhance supply chains, and invest in key sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, clean energy, and space. Jaishankar noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan in August established a joint vision for the next decade, with an ambitious investment target of 10 trillion yen and a focus on eight priority pillars. He also pointed to significant developments in security cooperation, next-generation mobility, and economic security initiatives as indicators of the evolving bilateral relationship. Furthermore, he mentioned an action plan for human resource cooperation aimed at boosting people-to-people exchanges, underscoring the commitment of both nations to deepen their collaboration in response to a changing global landscape. sources

Published:
Nov 05 2025, 8 pm

LED TV prices rise due to increasing flash memory costs

A significant shortage of flash memory is set to drive up prices of LED televisions, with manufacturers warning that the situation may persist for up to a year. The cost of flash memory has surged by over 50% in the past three months, primarily due to increased demand from AI data centres, which have diverted production away from consumer electronics. Experts indicate that chip manufacturers are prioritizing higher-margin AI applications, leading to a scarcity of DDR3 and DDR4 memory sets essential for devices like televisions and laptops. As a result, companies are reassessing their sourcing strategies and inventory management to mitigate rising costs. OEMs are advising that the repercussions of this supply crunch will be felt for six months to a year, prompting a temporary increase in television prices until the flash memory supply stabilizes. sources

Published:
Nov 05 2025, 8 pm

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