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NZ, Kenya deny India's request for basmati GI protection

New Zealand and Kenyan courts have dismissed India's attempts to secure exclusive marketing rights for Basmati rice under the World Trade Organisation's Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) sought trademark recognition for Basmati rice, arguing that it holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. However, both courts ruled that TRIPS does not obligate member states to recognize GIs registered in other countries unless they meet local legal requirements. In New Zealand, Justice John Boltd stated that existing laws already protect consumers from misleading geographical claims. Similarly, the Kenyan Court of Appeal emphasized that TRIPS must be implemented through national law, rejecting Apeda's direct invocation of the treaty. The rulings highlight the complexities of international trade law and the varying approaches to GI protection across jurisdictions. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 4 pm

DHL Supply Chain leases 430,000 sq ft in Chennai

DHL Supply Chain India Private Ltd has secured a lease for 430,000 square feet at the Indospace Industrial & Logistic Park in Chennai, committing to a monthly rent of ₹96.64 lakh. The lease, which began in October, includes a deposit of ₹5.80 crore and spans one year, as revealed by documents from Propstack. This move follows DHL's recent acquisition of 417,000 square feet of warehouse space in Bhiwandi, near Mumbai, for over ₹32 crore. The DHL Group has announced plans to invest €1 billion in India by 2030, focusing on enhancing supply chains and warehouses to support sectors such as e-commerce, clean energy, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, DHL Express has expanded its operations at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, increasing its operational area to 130,000 square feet with a ₹35 crore investment in a new service centre. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 5 pm

Solapur poised to become India's new onion hub

A Maharashtra government committee has proposed the establishment of a large onion terminal in Solapur, aiming to enhance the city’s role as a vital trading hub between North and South India. During a recent meeting chaired by Pasha Patel, president of the Agriculture Costs and Prices Commission, members discussed the terminal's potential to support farmers and bolster both domestic and international onion trade. Solapur, alongside Lasalgaon in Nashik, is a key player in onion pricing and trading, with the proposed terminal designed to include advanced storage facilities to mitigate post-harvest losses. The committee emphasized the economic significance of the onion trade, which is crucial to India's agricultural landscape, particularly with rabi onions comprising 70% of annual production. Solapur APMC chairman Dilip Mane expressed readiness to spearhead the terminal's development, which could further position Maharashtra, responsible for over 35% of India's onion output, as a leader in the sector. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 5 pm

Indian Seafood Exporters Benefit from China's Japanese Import Ban

Indian seafood exporters experienced a notable surge of up to 11% on Wednesday, following reports that China plans to suspend imports from Japan, potentially redirecting demand towards alternative suppliers like India. This shift could provide much-needed relief to Indian exporters facing challenges from high tariffs imposed by the United States, the largest market for Indian seafood, which includes major retailers such as Walmart and Kroger. Last year, India's total seafood exports reached $7.4 billion, with shrimp comprising 40% of that figure. Analysts, including Vincent K Andrews from Geojit Financial Services, view this development as a positive opportunity for the sector, which has been actively seeking to diversify its markets. Notably, shares of shrimp exporter Avanti Feeds rose 11%, marking its largest intraday gain in over two months, while Coastal Corporation, aiming to boost exports to China, saw a 5% increase, its highest since late October. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 4 pm

US tariffs cost Kerala coir exports ₹400 crore this quarter

Coir exports from Kerala generated ₹4,343 crore in revenue during 2024-25, with total shipments reaching 1.34 million tonnes. However, a recent increase in US tariffs has resulted in a ₹400 crore loss for the state's coir industry, prompting exporters to call for urgent government intervention. Sajan B Nair, Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Coir Exporters Association, highlighted that the tariff hike has diminished the competitiveness of Kerala's coir products, which constitute 57% of US imports. The peak export season around Christmas is at risk, with potential cancellations leading to significant financial strain and job losses, particularly affecting rural women who rely on this industry. Nair urged the state government for direct assistance and called for export subsidies, interest-free loans, and transport subsidies to mitigate the crisis and protect livelihoods, as discussions on India-US trade agreements continue. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 4 pm

Peru explores India's request for critical minerals FTA chapter

India is seeking a dedicated chapter on critical minerals in its ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with Peru, as highlighted by Peruvian Ambassador Javier Manuel Paulinich Velarde. He emphasized the importance of these minerals for India and confirmed that Peru is considering the proposal. The ambassador noted that India has a significant opportunity to invest in Peru's mining sector, which is currently dominated by China, and that Peru is keen to cooperate with India in this area. FTA negotiations, which began in 2017 but were stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are now on a fast track, with the ninth round recently concluded in Lima and the tenth scheduled for January 2026 in New Delhi. Trade between the two nations currently stands at USD 6 billion, with a target of USD 7 billion for 2025, as Peru seeks to diversify its trade and attract more Indian investment, particularly in IT services and digital expertise. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 4 pm

Russia pledges full support for India's Su-57 fighter jets

Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to India's fighter aircraft ambitions by offering unrestricted technology transfer for the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter. This announcement, made during the Dubai Air Show 2025, follows discussions between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Russian President Vladimir Putin, ahead of Putin's upcoming visit to India. Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec, emphasized the enduring defense partnership, stating that Russia has consistently supported India, even during sanctions. The offer includes the potential for local production of the Su-57 in India, along with technology transfer covering advanced systems such as engines and radar. Additionally, Russia is open to developing a two-seat version of the aircraft. This collaboration aims to enhance India's defense capabilities while ensuring resilience against supply chain disruptions due to sanctions. The ongoing dialogue reflects a robust bilateral relationship, with both nations exploring new avenues for cooperation in various sectors. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 4 pm

PM Modi meets farmers, launches natural farming exhibition in Coimbatore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a natural farming exhibition and attended the South India Natural Farming Summit in Coimbatore on Wednesday, where he engaged with local farmers and explored displays highlighting sustainable agriculture. Accompanied by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, Modi announced the release of the 21st instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme, amounting to over ₹18,000 crore, aimed at supporting nine crore farmers nationwide. The summit, organized by the Tamil Nadu Natural Farming Stakeholders Forum, runs from November 19-21, 2025, and focuses on promoting eco-friendly, chemical-free agricultural practices. It aims to foster market linkages for farmer-producer organizations and rural entrepreneurs while showcasing innovations in organic inputs and indigenous technologies. Modi emphasized the importance of sustainable farming as a climate-smart model for India's agricultural future, reflecting on the principle of "Seva Parmo Dharmah" during his earlier visit to Andhra Pradesh for the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 3 pm

India's Saudi Oil Purchases Raise Concerns About Russian Shortfall

OPEC has announced plans to increase oil production by 137,000 barrels per day next month, aligning with similar increases in October and November. This decision comes as India seeks to boost its oil imports from Saudi Aramco, moving away from Russian crude amid US sanctions, although it still faces a potential shortfall of up to 1.2 million barrels daily. In contrast, China has unexpectedly reduced its imports from Saudi Arabia, attributed to refinery maintenance and increased purchases from other regions. Demand from Asian countries, including India, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, has surged, with requests for an additional 18 to 20 million barrels in December. While Indian imports rose by about five million barrels month-on-month, they remain insufficient to fully compensate for the loss of Russian oil. OPEC's strategy aims to regain market share, but traders express skepticism about the actual increase in supply. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 1 pm

Treated wastewater can boost economy and create jobs: CEEW

India is poised to tap into a burgeoning treated used-water economy, potentially unlocking ₹3.04 lakh crore ($35 billion) in economic opportunities by 2047, according to a study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). The new Liquid Waste Management Rules 2024 mandate that bulk users, including industries and utilities, treat and reuse at least 20% of wastewater, increasing to 50% by 2031. This regulatory shift aims to address the rising water demand while reducing freshwater extraction and enhancing local resilience. Currently, only 28% of used water is treated, with over 80% of cities lacking functional reuse infrastructure. CEEW emphasizes the need to view used-water as an asset, advocating for public-private partnerships and innovative financing to transform waste into wealth. The report suggests that scaling up treated used-water reuse could create over one lakh jobs and significantly meet industrial and irrigation demands by 2047. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 1 pm

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