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The 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue, themed "Kalachakra: People, Peace, Planet," commenced in New Delhi on March 17, 2025, co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event, with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delivering the keynote address. The conference, running until March 19, is India's premier forum on geopolitics and geoeconomics, attracting nearly 3,700 attendees, including over 800 speakers from around 130 countries. Participants range from heads of state and diplomats to business leaders and policy experts. Discussions will revolve around six thematic pillars, including "Politics Interrupted" and "Investing in Peace." Additionally, the Raisina Ideas Pod, in collaboration with _Firstpost_, will feature curated sessions addressing global issues, such as Europe's role in the Indo-Pacific and the African Union's influence within the G20. 
Published: Mar 17 2025, 8 ameznews.inIndia's goods exports fell by 10.85% year-on-year in February 2025, totaling $36.91 billion, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline amid US tariff threats, fluctuating petroleum prices, and sanctions impacting the gems and jewellery sector. Despite this downturn, the trade deficit narrowed to $14.05 billion, the lowest in over three years, as imports dropped 16.3% to $50.96 billion, driven by reduced gold and petroleum purchases. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal expressed optimism about reaching $800 billion in combined goods and services exports for FY25. The US remained India's top export market, with shipments rising 10% to $7.1 billion, partly due to exporters expediting orders before potential tariffs take effect. The gems and jewellery sector saw a significant 20.74% decline in exports, attributed to sanctions on Russian diamonds. Economists noted that the narrowing trade deficit could lead to a current account surplus of approximately $5 billion in Q4 FY2025.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAs of December 2024, India has 32.89 crore active domestic LPG customers, served by 25,542 distributors, according to the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG). Since 2016, the government has promoted the "Give It Up" campaign, encouraging consumers who can afford it to forgo subsidies; approximately 1.15 crore, or 3.5%, have opted out. The retail price for a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder in Delhi is ₹803, but beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) pay an effective price of ₹503 after a targeted subsidy. Despite a 63% rise in international LPG prices, the effective price for PMUY consumers has decreased by 44% since August 2023. India's LPG imports increased by 10.3% year-on-year to 1.82 million tonnes in January 2025, although there was a slight monthly decline, reflecting ongoing fluctuations in the global market.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inHindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is enhancing its beauty and personal care portfolio through the acquisition of a 90.5% stake in Uprising Science Private Ltd, a deal recently approved by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). HUL plans to acquire the remaining 9.5% over the next two years, aiming for full ownership. This strategic move aligns with HUL's goal to strengthen its position in the high-growth beauty sector, where it already boasts well-known brands like Lakmé and Dove. Uprising Science, which specializes in skincare, body care, baby care, and hair care products, complements HUL's existing offerings and is expected to foster synergies in innovation and distribution. As Indian consumers increasingly seek premium, science-backed personal care solutions, this acquisition positions HUL to capture a significant share of the expanding market, further solidifying its leadership in the competitive consumer goods landscape.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inDuring the Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the launch of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and investment. Modi highlighted key sectors for cooperation, including dairy, food processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and critical minerals. The leaders also agreed to facilitate the mobility of professionals and skilled workers, addressing irregular migration, and to advance cooperation in digital payments. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding for defence cooperation was signed to strengthen bilateral ties. This marks a significant resumption of FTA talks after nearly a decade, previously stalled over dairy trade issues. In FY 2024, New Zealand ranked as India's 87th largest trading partner, with exports valued at $538 million and imports at $335 million, primarily in pharmaceuticals and mineral fuels.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inCoffee growers in Karnataka, the largest coffee-producing state in India, are increasingly investing in irrigation infrastructure to prepare their farms for future challenges, particularly in light of erratic rainfall and record-high coffee prices. Pradeep Pooviah, a prominent coffee grower, is spending approximately ₹80,000 per acre on enhancements such as underground pipelines and sprinkler systems. Experts like Suryaprakash Rao from Jain Irrigation note a shift towards more durable HDPE pipes, while the use of rainwater harvesting and gravity irrigation is gaining traction. Despite these investments, agri-economist P.G. Chengappa warns that gross capital formation in the coffee sector remains low, urging growers to focus on processing facilities to capitalize on premium markets for washed and specialty coffee. As growers clear debts and reinvest, the sector is poised for a transformation, although infrastructure repairs from past rainfall damage will take several years.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inGoa-based regional airline FLY91, which commenced operations on March 18, 2024, is set to expand its fleet from three to ten aircraft within a year, according to Managing Director Manoj Chacko. Currently operating a reduced schedule due to two planes being unavailable for maintenance and regulatory reasons, the airline plans to increase its daily flights from 12-16 to 24 by mid-May. FLY91 has successfully raised ₹250 crore in equity and maintains a debt-free status, allowing for future growth without additional fundraising. Despite facing challenges such as supply chain delays and competition from established carriers like IndiGo, FLY91 aims to enhance its route offerings, including new destinations like Solapur and Hubli. Chacko emphasized the importance of smart revenue management to navigate the competitive landscape, as the airline seeks to solidify its presence in the domestic air travel market.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian Power Ministry anticipates peak power demand to reach 270 gigawatts (GW) this season, up from 250 GW in May 2024, as preparations for the summer months intensify. To meet this demand, the ministry has operationalised 1,744 megawatts (MW) of gas-based power capacity, primarily through state-run NTPC, effective from March 16 to October 15. As of January 31, 2025, the total capacity of monitored natural gas-based plants stands at 23,636 MW. Additionally, coal stocks at thermal power plants have reached a five-year high of 55.9 million tonnes, sufficient for 19 days of operation at 85% capacity. The ministry has also directed imported coal-based plants to maximize output and has implemented measures to ensure hydro-based generation conserves water for peak demand periods. These initiatives aim to bolster power supply during the anticipated high-demand months of April to June and August to October.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has raised concerns regarding the Indian Army's underutilization of 33.6% of its capital budget by the third quarter of FY24-25, despite 66.4% being spent. Led by BJP MP Radha Mohan Singh, the Committee urged the Defence Ministry to provide a clear plan for utilizing the remaining funds before the financial year ends. It highlighted a persistent imbalance in spending, with revenue expenditure consistently exceeding capital expenditure, noting a 65:35 ratio for 2025-26. The Committee emphasized the importance of balancing these expenditures for operational readiness and called for accelerated procurement processes to prevent technological obsolescence, especially in light of rapidly changing international dynamics. The panel expressed hope that the Defence Ministry would adopt a pragmatic approach in future budget allocations, aligning with the government's reform agenda for 2025.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 7 pmeznews.inKnam Group, based in Noida, is significantly expanding its rice milling operations in Ladwa, Haryana, with plans to increase processing capacity to 600 tonnes per day by June 2025. CEO Amit Goel revealed that the company, which operates Goyal Rice Mill, has invested in advanced machinery from Japan and is also cultivating in-house seedlings to support local farmers. With an annual turnover of ₹700 crore, Knam aims to package and distribute its pesticide-free rice brands globally. Additionally, the company is venturing into barley, quinoa, and couscous production, while also focusing on research and development, including a low glycemic index rice. In its paper trading division, Knam is prioritizing market expansion and innovation, producing specialized products for the Middle East and Europe, including paper for wrapping shawarma. The company exports to 37 countries and has strategic investments in three paper mills in Gujarat.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's sugar production has plummeted by 16.13% to 23.71 million tonnes (MT) for the 2024-25 season, according to the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF). This decline poses significant challenges for the government's export policy, as only 0.15 MT of the 1 MT allocated for export by September 30 has been shipped, primarily due to high domestic prices. The NFCSF noted that the crushing season is set to conclude by the end of March, with mills in Uttar Pradesh operating until mid-April. Major sugar-producing states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have reported substantial drops in output, exacerbated by pest infestations and adverse weather conditions. The NFCSF has revised its total sugar output forecast for the season to 25.9 MT, down from 31.9 MT last year, highlighting a critical supply-demand mismatch as the industry grapples with lower-than-expected production figures.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 6 pm
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