eznews.inA significant weather system, driven by active western disturbances, has enveloped North-West and Central India, extending to West Madhya Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that a cyclonic circulation over central Pakistan has generated moisture, clouds, and precipitation across the region, with another disturbance following closely behind. This mid-February weather pattern is expected to bring isolated rain and snow to Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh, while thunderstorms and gusty winds may affect Haryana and Rajasthan. Hailstorms are also possible in parts of Punjab, Haryana, and East Rajasthan. Additionally, a low-pressure area over the south-west Bay of Bengal is anticipated to intensify, potentially bringing rain to southern India, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala, over the next few days. The IMD forecasts scattered rainfall across various regions, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Nicobar Islands. 
Published: Feb 18 2026, 11 ameznews.inAdani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with France’s Port of Marseille Fos to enhance collaboration on trade facilitation, port innovation, and energy transition, thereby bolstering the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The agreement aims to establish an IMEC Ports Club to coordinate key ports along the 6,000-km multimodal corridor, which integrates maritime routes, rail networks, and clean-energy pathways, ultimately streamlining cargo movement between India and the European Union. APSEZ’s Mundra and Hazira ports will serve as the eastern gateway, while Marseille Fos will enhance the western European gateway, adding 70 million tonnes of capacity. A significant aspect of the pact is the development of a Green Maritime Corridor focusing on sustainable practices. The MoU, signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India, positions both nations as pivotal players in a burgeoning transcontinental trade network.
Published: Feb 18 2026, 11 ameznews.inIndia faces significant challenges in exporting wheat due to domestic prices exceeding global market rates, according to traders and analysts. The government has set the minimum support price for wheat at ₹2,585 per quintal, a rise of ₹160 from the previous year. Following the lifting of a four-year export ban, India is permitted to ship 2.5 million tonnes of wheat, yet current domestic prices range from ₹25,200 to ₹25,500 per tonne, translating to $305-310 per tonne when factoring in freight costs. In contrast, global wheat prices hover around $260 per tonne. While Indian wheat has a premium in the Middle East, the price disparity makes it less competitive. The best export option may be to Bangladesh, where costs could be lower. With record stockpiles and a good upcoming crop, analysts question India's ability to compete in the international market without government subsidies.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 9 pmeznews.inBangalore's Kempegowda International Airport has reported a significant increase in rose stem shipments during the Valentine’s season, with over 60 million stems transported, reflecting a 38% year-on-year rise in volume and a 64% increase in tonnage. The total weight of shipments exceeded 2,700 metric tonnes, distributed across 26 international and 47 domestic destinations. Notably, international shipments reached 305 MT, with Singapore as the top destination, followed by Kuala Lumpur and New York. New routes this season included Los Angeles and London Gatwick. Domestic shipments surged to 2,402 MT, a 79% increase, with Delhi and Kolkata leading demand. The airport's enhanced cargo infrastructure, including cold chain facilities and real-time tracking, has facilitated this growth, underscoring its role in perishable exports. In 2025, the airport handled 520,985 MT of cargo and served over 43.82 million passengers, marking a milestone of 350 million cumulative passengers since its inception.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 9 pmeznews.inUnion Home Minister Amit Shah convened a significant 'Manthan Meeting' in Gandhinagar on Tuesday, bringing together Cooperation Ministers from all states and Union Territories to discuss the future of India's cooperative system. The meeting aimed to enhance the rural economy and double farmers' incomes through technological reforms and improved governance. Key topics included the digital integration of cooperative societies, enhancing transparency, and aligning state cooperatives with national economic goals. Shah emphasized that these reforms are vital for rural prosperity and sustainable growth. During the event, he laid the foundation for cooperative projects in Gujarat worth ₹265.30 crore, including an ethanol distillery and a power cogeneration plant. An exhibition showcased around 20 leading cooperative organizations, highlighting the importance of collaboration in the sector. The discussions underscored a commitment to modernizing cooperative institutions to create a more accountable and efficient ecosystem for farmers.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIn a significant move to enhance agricultural support, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the 'Bharat VISTAAR' initiative in Jaipur on Tuesday. This program, part of a broader AI strategy, aims to provide farmers with tailored guidance through a dedicated helpline, allowing them to access information about their land, crops, and available government schemes by simply calling from a registered mobile number. The initiative, announced in the recent budget, seeks to streamline access to agricultural data and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi emphasized that the system will eventually integrate with Agristack, enabling real-time, location-specific assistance. Currently available in Hindi and English, the service will expand to nine additional regional languages within six months. Chouhan noted that existing schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana will be incorporated, marking a transformative step towards improving farmers' incomes and decision-making.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 8 pmeznews.inNegotiations regarding the inclusion of pulses in the US-India interim trade agreement remain ongoing, despite the recent omission of the item from a White House factsheet. Sources indicate that while no agreement has been reached, discussions will continue when negotiating teams meet in Washington next week. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticized the Congress party for opposing the trade deal and the import of essential agricultural products, emphasizing India's current reliance on imports to meet pulse demand. The initial joint statement on the trade framework, issued on February 6, did not mention pulses, leading to the subsequent removal of the item from the White House factsheet. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted that India has a history of importing lentils from the US, suggesting that concessions may be part of the ongoing negotiations. Clarity on the matter is expected as talks progress.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's raw cotton and waste imports surged by 72% in dollar terms during the April-January period of the current financial year, reaching over $1.79 billion, as mills capitalized on a duty exemption to make record overseas purchases. The Commerce Ministry reported that the rupee value of these imports rose to ₹15,857 crore, an 81% increase from ₹8,771.96 crore the previous year. The Cotton Association of India (CAI) estimates that approximately 35 lakh bales have been imported so far in the 2025-26 cotton year, with expectations of total imports reaching 50 lakh bales by September. The government extended the duty-free status on cotton imports until December 31, 2025, to support the textiles industry, which faces challenges from high US tariffs. CAI also raised its crop estimate for 2025-26, projecting a surplus of 122.59 lakh bales, bolstered by record imports.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia has inaugurated its first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the Airbus H125 in Vemagal, Karnataka, a project led by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL). The virtual inauguration was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. This facility marks a significant milestone, as it allows the Indian private sector to handle the manufacturing, integration, testing, and maintenance of rotary-wing platforms. The FAL will assemble the civil H125 helicopter and its military variant, the H125M, which is designed for various missions, including reconnaissance and medical evacuation. Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran emphasized the facility's role in showcasing India's industrial capabilities, while Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even highlighted its potential to produce helicopters tailored for local conditions. The first "Made in India" H125 is expected to be delivered by early 2027, with plans for regional exports.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's Ready Made Garment (RMG) exports reached $13.13 billion during the April–January 2025-26 period, reflecting a 1.6% increase year-on-year and a notable 13.3% growth compared to the previous fiscal year, according to the Apparel Export Promotion Council. Despite a 3.8% decline in January 2026 compared to January 2025, exports showed resilience with a 7.2% rise from January 2024. The council attributed the January dip to high US tariffs and global market volatility, prompting some exporters to offer discounts to retain customers. India has signed Free Trade Agreements with 37 countries, enhancing market access for the textile sector. However, challenges persist for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which require targeted policy support. Council chairman A. Sakthivel has called for a dedicated export policy and an increase in the Interest Equalisation Scheme to bolster financing for smaller exporters.
Published: Feb 17 2026, 8 pm
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