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IndiGo has resumed direct flights between India and Mainland China after a five-year hiatus, marking a significant milestone in air connectivity. The airline commenced daily non-stop services from Kolkata to Guangzhou, a major global business hub, catering to the rising demand for passenger and cargo movement between the two nations. IndiGo's Chief Executive, Pieter Elbers, emphasized the importance of this route for enhancing bilateral ties and supporting trade, tourism, and investment opportunities. Additionally, flights from Delhi to Guangzhou are set to begin on November 10, 2025. The resumption follows a period of suspended services due to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, but recent political agreements have facilitated this reopening. Industry experts predict that the introduction of direct flights could triple annual passenger traffic between India and China, which currently stands at about one million, significantly benefiting both countries' economies. 
Published: Oct 27 2025, 11 ameznews.inA recent Finance Ministry report highlights global uncertainties as potential risks to the economic outlook, while expressing optimism that structural reforms, including the newly implemented GST 2.0, will alleviate some external challenges. The revised GST structure, effective from September 22, reduces tax rates from four to two, aiming to lower the tax burden on consumers and businesses, thereby stimulating demand and investment. The report notes a robust performance in the industries and services sector, alongside a stable labour market, which is expected to bolster domestic demand. However, it cautions that global uncertainties may still impact external demand. Additionally, the report indicates that recent RBI measures are enhancing credit allocation efficiency, while inflation is projected to remain moderate, with a forecast of 1.8% for Q3. On the agricultural front, kharif sowing has been successful, supporting a positive outlook for food production despite some challenges. 
Published: Oct 27 2025, 2 pmeznews.inAt the inauguration of 'India Maritime Week 2025' in Mumbai, Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal outlined the government's ambitious plans to enhance India's merchant fleet and reduce reliance on foreign vessels. Emphasizing the need for self-reliance, Sonowal noted that increasing the number of Indian-flagged ships could save the country ₹4-5 lakh crore, given that 95% of external trade is conducted via sea. The minister highlighted recent successes, including foreign shipping companies like CMA CGM and Maersk reflagging vessels in India, and MSC's plans to do the same. Sonowal described the maritime sector as a cornerstone of the "Viksit Bharat" vision, citing significant growth in port capacity and cargo handling over the past decade. The event, featuring delegates from 85 countries and 500 exhibitors, is set to facilitate agreements worth ₹10 lakh crore across various maritime sectors. 
Published: Oct 27 2025, 2 pmeznews.inExternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, amid rising tensions over US sanctions on Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, which could impact India's oil sourcing from Moscow. Jaishankar expressed appreciation for the discussions on bilateral relations and broader regional issues via social media. The meeting is crucial as India and the US strive to finalize a bilateral trade agreement, hindered by a 25% penalty tariff on Indian imports due to its Russian oil purchases. Despite US pressure to halt these imports, India has increased its reliance on Russian oil, which is sold at a discount following Western sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal criticized the perceived double standards in sanction enforcement, highlighting exemptions granted to European nations while India faces scrutiny. 
Published: Oct 27 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's electricity demand is projected to grow by 4-4.5% in FY26, according to ratings agency ICRA, despite a 5% year-on-year decline in the first 20 days of October 2025, as reported by the Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO). Ankit Jain, Co-Group Head of Corporate Ratings at ICRA, noted that a sluggish 1% growth in the first half of FY26, attributed to an early monsoon and an unfavorable base, is expected to be offset by a strong recovery in the second half. While the full-year demand growth forecast lags behind the GDP growth estimate of 6.5%, coal inventory levels at domestic power plants remain comfortable, sufficient for 14.7 days of requirement as of October 10, 2025. Additionally, the renewable energy sector has shown remarkable growth, with a 24.8% year-on-year increase in generation during the first five months of FY26, bolstered by a strong project pipeline and government support. 
Published: Oct 27 2025, 12 pmeznews.inGlobal aviation software provider Ramco Systems has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The ePlane Company (Ubifly Technologies) to implement Ramco Aviation Software for the comprehensive lifecycle management of ePlane's e200X fleet, which includes air taxis, air ambulances, and cargo aircraft. As the e200X advances through certification and regulatory processes, the partnership will facilitate a phased deployment of the software, aligning with the aircraft's journey towards manufacturing and commercial service. The software suite will support various operational aspects, including engineering, maintenance, safety, and compliance. Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, Founder of The ePlane Company, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in managing operational complexity and ensuring agility. Ramco's EVP, Sam Jacob, highlighted the initiative's potential to transform urban mobility, underscoring the software's role in enabling scalable, innovative aviation solutions. Ramco Aviation Software is currently utilized by over 24,000 users worldwide. 
Published: Oct 27 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Telangana Government has urged the Union Government to increase the upper limit for cotton moisture levels from 12% to 20%, citing adverse weather conditions affecting farmers. In a letter to Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao highlighted that the moisture content in kapas typically ranges between 12% and 20%, yet the Cotton Corporation of India currently procures cotton with a moisture content of only 8% to 12%. This restriction is reportedly hindering farmers' access to the Minimum Support Price (MSP), which is set at ₹8,110 per quintal, reflecting a ₹589 increase from the previous year. While Telangana has cultivated cotton across 18.59 lakh hectares, yielding an estimated 28.29 lakh tonnes, global cotton production is projected to decline by 1.5 million bales this year, with major producers like China, India, and the US expected to contribute less. 
Published: Oct 27 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's maritime sector has made notable strides in infrastructure, trade facilitation, and human capital development over the past decade, positioning the country as a potential global maritime powerhouse. With a coastline exceeding 7,500 km and 12 major ports, approximately 95% of India's trade by volume is conducted via sea routes, contributing around 4% to the national GDP. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is set to host India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai from October 27-31, showcasing new technologies and fostering global partnerships. Key initiatives include the Sagarmala Programme, aimed at modernising ports and enhancing connectivity, and the Maritime India Vision 2030, which seeks to attract investments of ₹3 to ₹3.5 lakh crores. Additionally, the sector is focusing on sustainability through digitisation and green initiatives, targeting 60% renewable energy use by 2030, while private investment in port development continues to grow, accounting for over 50% of capacity at major ports. 
Published: Oct 26 2025, 6 pmeznews.inCyclone Montha has formed over the south-west and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, intensifying unexpectedly from a deep depression on Sunday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that the cyclone will strengthen into a severe storm with wind speeds of 90-100 km/h, gusting up to 110 km/h, making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam on Tuesday evening. Residents can expect extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm in Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, with heavy to very heavy rain also predicted for coastal Odisha and parts of Chhattisgarh. The cyclone's projected path indicates it will move north-northwest, avoiding the Tamil Nadu coast. Gale winds of 60-70 km/h are already affecting the region, with squally weather expected along the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal over the next few days. Meanwhile, a separate depression in the Arabian Sea is expected to shift towards the east-central region. 
Published: Oct 27 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia is poised to gain from a proposed grain exchange among BRICS nations, which aims to serve as an alternative to the US-based CME futures trading platform. Brazil is advocating for a multilateral grain stockpile within BRICS to lessen reliance on external markets. The US's recent tariff hikes have spurred BRICS to expedite the rollout of Russian and Brazilian proposals, with a pilot launch anticipated next year and full implementation by 2027. During a September meeting, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Patrushev discussed the grain exchange with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting potential annual savings of $2.5 billion. Brazil is urging India to support its Food Security Reserve plan to enhance resilience against global supply disruptions. While the proposals aim to bolster food sovereignty within BRICS, experts caution that challenges remain, including legal frameworks for cross-border sharing and the need for binding commitments. 
Published: Oct 26 2025, 6 pm
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