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India urges climate justice, support for small-scale fisheries at FAO

India has called for climate justice in fisheries governance during a three-day regional capacity building meeting for Bay of Bengal countries, co-organised by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO). Union Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi highlighted that nations least responsible for climate change should not bear the brunt of its impacts, particularly as small-scale fishers play a crucial role in local economies and food security. He noted that extreme weather and rising sea temperatures threaten fish stocks and the livelihoods of vulnerable fishing communities. Likhi urged regional cooperation on climate adaptation and early warning systems, while India considers National Plans of Action (NPOAs) for small-scale fisheries. FAO analyst Lena Maria Westlund emphasised the importance of small-scale fisheries, which contribute nearly half of Asia's fish production and employ over 46 million people. sources

Published:
Sep 17 2025, 4 pm

Teak Conference: Experts urge science and global trade collaboration

The inaugural World Teak Conference, hosted in India, has commenced, bringing together delegates from over 40 countries to address the challenges and opportunities in teak production and trade. Keynote speakers, including Kerala’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Rajesh Ravindran, emphasized the sector's struggles with climate change, inadequate planting materials, and market access barriers. Ravindran advocated for scientific methods and international collaboration to transform these challenges into opportunities. KB Singh from the Ministry of Environment highlighted the importance of sharing experiences from teak cultivation to avoid past mistakes and announced the introduction of a national transit permit system to facilitate timber movement. The conference will feature sessions on economic assessments, value addition, market development, and the establishment of legal and sustainable supply chains for teak, with calls for comprehensive discussions on the sector's future and the livelihoods it supports. sources

Published:
Sep 17 2025, 6 pm

GST cuts to lower rooftop solar costs and boost adoption

India's rooftop solar sector, which currently accounts for nearly 17% of the nation's total solar power capacity of 1.2 lakh MW, is poised for significant growth following the recent GST reform. The reduction of the GST rate from 12% to 5% is expected to lower capital costs for companies and provide savings for consumers, with estimates suggesting a decrease in costs by 4-5%. As of August 2025, India's installed rooftop solar capacity reached 20,850 MW, marking a 37% increase year-on-year, with Gujarat leading in capacity. Industry experts predict that the upfront investment for households will decrease by 5-7%, translating to savings of around ₹10,000 for a typical 3-kilowatt system. Additionally, the government’s strategic tax shift, which raises GST on coal and non-renewable products, underscores its commitment to promoting solar energy as a more affordable and sustainable alternative. sources

Published:
Sep 17 2025, 5 pm

EU's CBAM endangers Indian steel exports, says Steel Secretary

At the ‘FT Live Energy Transition Summit India’ in New Delhi, Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik highlighted the potential impact of the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on Indian steel exports. Set to be fully implemented by 2026, the CBAM will impose a carbon price on imports from countries with less stringent environmental regulations, initially affecting sectors like iron and steel. With two-thirds of India's steel exports, approximately 4.5 million tonnes, destined for Europe, Poundrik emphasized the need for the Indian steel industry to adapt, particularly as it predominantly relies on the higher-emission blast furnace route. He noted that India's steel sector contributes 12% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, exceeding the global average. In response, the steel ministry has introduced a taxonomy for "green steel," aiming to reduce emissions and encourage sustainable production practices within the industry. sources

Published:
Sep 17 2025, 4 pm

AI may boost global trade by 34-37% by 2040

Global trade is expected to surge by 34-37% by 2040, driven by effective policies that harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) for enhanced productivity and reduced trade costs, according to the World Trade Organization's (WTO) latest report. However, the report warns that non-tariff measures, such as antidumping duties and export restrictions on AI-enabling goods like semiconductors, could hinder the global spread of AI. It emphasizes the necessity for policies that bridge the digital divide, invest in workforce skills, and ensure a stable trading environment. With global trade in AI-related goods reaching $2.3 trillion in 2023, the report highlights the increasing number of quantitative restrictions, which have risen from 130 in 2012 to nearly 500 in 2024, predominantly imposed by high-income economies. The WTO calls for international cooperation to balance data protection with the need for open trade, aiming to make AI benefits more inclusive across all economies. sources

Published:
Sep 17 2025, 3 pm

IndiGo appoints Amitabh Kant as additional director after approval

IndiGo has announced the appointment of Amitabh Kant as an additional director on its board, effective September 15, 2025, following the receipt of necessary security clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). Kant, who previously served as the CEO of Niti Aayog and as India's G20 Sherpa, was initially announced for the position on July 3. In a regulatory filing, InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo's parent company, confirmed that Kant will serve as a Non-Executive Non-Independent Director. This appointment marks a significant addition to IndiGo's leadership team as the airline continues to navigate the evolving aviation landscape in India. The announcement was made public on September 17, 2025. sources

Published:
Sep 17 2025, 2 pm

Tea Exports Increase Slightly in Early 2025: Board Reports

India's tea exports saw a slight increase in the first half of 2025, reaching 125.01 million kg, up from 124.57 million kg during the same period in 2024, according to the Tea Board of India. Exports from North India rose significantly to 79.42 million kg, compared to 71.77 million kg last year, while South Indian tea exports fell to 45.59 million kg from 52.80 million kg. The total export value surged to ₹3,639.45 crore, a notable rise from ₹3,129.31 crore in the first half of 2024. Additionally, the unit price realization for tea exports improved to ₹291.13 per kg, up from ₹251.21 per kg in the previous year. In 2024, India's total tea exports amounted to 256.17 million kg, an increase from 231.69 million kg in 2023. sources

Published:
Sep 17 2025, 2 pm

Adani to double Colombo terminal capacity early, despite funding drop

India's Adani Group is set to double the capacity of a $840 million container terminal in Colombo, with completion expected by late 2026, ahead of the February 2027 deadline. The Colombo West International Terminal will handle 3.2 million containers annually, enhancing Sri Lanka's strategic role in India-linked trade amid rising geopolitical tensions with China. Despite a financial crisis that has stifled foreign investment, the terminal's first phase became operational in April, with the second phase progressing rapidly. Adani recently withdrew a $553 million funding request from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation following bribery allegations against its chairman, which the group has denied. While Adani has exited two wind power projects in Sri Lanka due to tariff disputes, the government remains optimistic about future investments in renewable energy, highlighting the ongoing partnership with Adani in the Colombo port project. sources

Published:
Sep 17 2025, 1 pm

Cochin Port's Vallarpadam Terminal to Expand, Says Minister Sonowal

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, has highlighted Kerala's pivotal role in India's ambition to become a maritime superpower by 2047. Under the Sagarmala initiative, 54 projects worth ₹24,000 crore are underway in the state, with 20 already completed. Key developments include the expansion of Cochin Port and the operational Vizhinjam International Seaport, India's first fully automated transhipment hub, which has handled over 10.6 lakh TEUs and nearly 500 ships since its launch in 2024. The Kochi Water Metro, Asia's largest integrated water transport system, is enhancing urban connectivity, while National Waterway 3 and the International Cruise Terminal in Kochi are boosting tourism and logistics. The broader Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aims to attract ₹80 lakh crore in investments and create over 1.5 crore jobs, positioning India as a global maritime leader. sources

Published:
Sep 17 2025, 1 pm

Cotton output expected to rise despite reduced area, rain

India's cotton production for the 2025-26 season is projected to improve despite a 2.53% reduction in acreage, particularly in key states like Maharashtra and Gujarat, where farmers have opted for more lucrative crops. The overall cotton area has decreased to 109.64 lakh hectares, with Gujarat and Maharashtra seeing significant declines. However, timely rains and lower pest incidences have raised yield expectations, with estimates suggesting a total crop size of 325 to 340 lakh bales, up from 312 lakh bales last season. Southern states, particularly Karnataka and Telangana, are expected to see increased yields, potentially offsetting losses from the north. Despite this optimistic outlook, cotton prices are under pressure due to record imports and muted demand, prompting the Cotton Corporation of India to prepare for significant market intervention. The USDA anticipates a slight drop in imports as production rises, while global cotton production faces challenges from adverse weather conditions. sources

Published:
Sep 17 2025, 12 pm

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