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IndiGo has launched direct flights between Delhi and Manchester, commencing on November 15, following its inaugural long-haul service from Mumbai to Manchester earlier this year. The airline operates five weekly flights on this route using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring a two-class cabin with 56 IndiGoStretch and 282 Economy Class seats. This new service enhances connectivity between India and the UK, facilitating trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport serves as a key global gateway, while Manchester Airport is the primary hub for Northern England, connecting to cities like Leeds and Liverpool. The inaugural flight was celebrated with pre-flight festivities at Manchester Airport. Additionally, IndiGo plans to commence operations from the newly opened Navi Mumbai International Airport on December 25, connecting it to ten Indian cities, as part of its strategy to expand its network. 
Published: Nov 18 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia's goods trade deficit surged to a record $42 billion in October, up from $32 billion in September, raising alarm among analysts. Nuvama Research emphasized the need to monitor rising gold imports, which skyrocketed by 199% year-on-year to $14.7 billion, significantly contributing to the trade deficit. The gold deficit alone tripled over the past three months, reaching $17 billion, while the oil deficit also increased by $2 billion to $11 billion. Exports, however, contracted sharply by 11.8% year-on-year, reflecting a broader global slowdown, with notable declines in China's and Korea's exports. Despite stable overall imports at 16.6% year-on-year, core imports (excluding oil and gold) eased to 7%. Analysts warn that the trajectory of gold imports will be critical in assessing India's trade deficit, particularly as global trade shows early signs of deceleration.
Published: Nov 18 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia is poised to benefit from the US decision to roll back reciprocal tariffs on certain agricultural products, including tea, coffee, and spices, according to the Commerce Ministry. A White House Executive Order issued on November 12 exempts these items, along with tropical fruits and certain fertilizers, from the tariff regime that began on April 2, with the changes taking effect on November 13. This move is expected to create a level playing field for Indian exporters, who currently export these goods worth over $1 billion annually. However, think tank GTRI cautioned that the overall gains for India may be limited, as the country has minimal presence in several exempted categories like tomatoes and citrus fruits. GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava noted that while India's competitive position in spices may improve, major benefits will likely favor larger agricultural exporters from Latin America, Africa, and ASEAN unless India enhances its export capabilities.
Published: Nov 18 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched Exercise Garuda-25, a bilateral air exercise with the French Air and Space Force (FASF), aimed at enhancing defence cooperation between the two nations. Taking place from November 16 to 27 at Mont-de-Marsan, France, the exercise features IAF's Su-30MKI fighters and French Rafale aircraft engaging in complex air combat scenarios, including air-to-air engagements and coordinated strike missions. The IAF highlighted the importance of interoperability and mutual learning, facilitated by airlift support from C-17 Globemaster III and IL-78 refuelling tankers. This edition of Exercise Garuda underscores the longstanding strategic partnership between India and France, which has evolved since 1998 to encompass defence, civil nuclear, and space cooperation, now extending to the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise also fosters professional exchanges and best practices between the two air forces, reinforcing their commitment to collaborative air operations.
Published: Nov 18 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe State Bank of India's Economic Research Department has projected a robust 7.5% real GDP growth for the second quarter of FY26, potentially exceeding expectations. This optimistic outlook is bolstered by increased investment, a rebound in rural consumption, and strong performance in the services and manufacturing sectors, aided by structural reforms such as GST rationalisation. Following a five-quarter high of 7.8% growth in Q1FY26, the report highlights a significant rise in consumption indicators, with 83% showing acceleration in Q2. Notably, credit card transactions surged during the festive season, with over 1 crore transactions valued at ₹6,400 crore on September 23, and 1.23 crore transactions worth ₹7,328 crore on Diwali. Additionally, GST collections for November 2025 are expected to reach ₹1.49 lakh crore, reflecting a 6.8% year-on-year increase, driven by festive demand and improved compliance.
Published: Nov 18 2025, 11 ameznews.inAllcargo Terminals Ltd (ATL) is set to establish its second container freight station (CFS) in Chennai as part of a ₹550 crore expansion initiative aimed at enhancing capacity across its facilities nationwide. The new CFS will be strategically located near the Kattupalli-Ennore port, which currently manages nearly half of Chennai's container traffic. Managing Director R Suresh Kumar indicated that negotiations for the facility are nearing completion, with plans to finalize land acquisition in the next quarter and commence construction within six to nine months. ATL's expansion will increase its capacity from 8.5 lakh TEUs to 13 lakh TEUs, with ongoing projects at key ports including JNPT and Mundra. The Indian ports and shipping sector is experiencing significant growth, bolstered by government initiatives like Sagarmala, which aims to enhance capacity and technological advancements. ATL's shares closed at ₹31.02, reflecting a slight decline.
Published: Nov 18 2025, 9 ameznews.inSoybean prices have surged to a 16-month high, reaching $11.38 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade, following a thaw in US-China relations. This rebound was sparked by China's announcement to restore export eligibility for three US firms and sign agricultural purchase agreements during the China International Import Expo. However, analysts caution that the outlook remains uncertain, as US soybeans still face a 13% tariff compared to 3% for Brazilian and Argentine supplies, limiting their competitiveness. Despite expectations of increased US exports to China, the USDA forecasts a decline in overall US soybean exports due to lower supplies and heightened competition from South American producers. The recent agreements, while promising, lack official confirmation from China, leading to skepticism about their realization. Additionally, rising Brazilian prices and negative crushing margins in China pose further challenges, highlighting the economic burden on China's domestic soybean sector.
Published: Nov 18 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Indian government has tightened its controls on platinum jewellery imports by reclassifying them from the 'free' to 'restricted' category, effective immediately. This change mandates that importers obtain a government licence, a move aimed at curbing the misuse of free trade agreements (FTAs) by "bad actors" who exploit these agreements to evade full import duties. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced that these restrictions will remain in place until April next year. This action follows earlier restrictions on silver jewellery imports, which were also implemented to address a surge in imports from countries like Thailand under the ASEAN FTA. Officials emphasized the need for stricter rules of origin in trade agreements to prevent circumvention and ensure compliance with import regulations.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's sugar production has seen a significant increase this season, with 10.50 lakh tonnes produced by November 15, up from 7.1 lakh tonnes last year, attributed to more mills commencing operations and improved juice recovery rates. However, the start of the crushing season in Maharashtra was delayed due to rains, and ongoing cane price protests in Karnataka and Maharashtra have hindered operations, according to the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF). A total of 325 mills are now crushing sugarcane, compared to 144 last year, with an average recovery rate of 8.2%. Looking ahead, the gross sugar production for the 2025-26 season is projected at 350 lakh tonnes, primarily from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. The NFCSF has called for a revision of the minimum selling price of sugar and higher ethanol prices to support millers facing financial challenges while emphasizing the need for farmers to adopt AI in sugarcane farming for improved yields.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's unemployment rate remained stable at 5.2% in October, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). This figure mirrors September's rate and follows a slight decrease from 5.6% in May and June. The rural unemployment rate fell from 4.6% to 4.4%, while urban unemployment rose from 6.8% to 7%. Notably, female unemployment decreased to 5.4% from 5.5%, driven by a drop in rural female unemployment from 4.3% to 4%. Male unemployment held steady at 5.1%. The labour force participation rate (LFPR) increased to 55.4%, with rural participation rising from 56.1% in June to 57.8% in October. The overall Worker Population Ratio (WPR) also improved to 52.5%, bolstered by a growing female workforce in rural areas, which climbed to 36.9%.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 8 pm
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