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Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), inaugurated the second phase of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on January 24, 2026, marking a significant investment of ₹16,000 crore. This expansion will extend the container berth from 800 to 2,000 metres and increase the breakwater to approximately 3,900 metres, with completion expected by 2028. The port's capacity is projected to rise from 1 million TEUs to 5.7 million TEUs by 2029, part of a larger ₹30,000 crore investment in Kerala. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted the port's potential to become a key international transshipment hub for Africa and the Middle East, enhancing Kerala's maritime competitiveness. Notably, Vizhinjam has already established itself as the fastest Indian port to handle one million TEUs, achieving this milestone within just 15 months of operations. 
Published: Jan 24 2026, 10 pmeznews.inKaran Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), announced a significant investment of ₹30,000 crore for the development of the Vizhinjam port in Kerala, during the inauguration of its second phase. This investment, which includes an additional ₹16,000 crore for phase two, aims to boost the port's capacity from 1.2 million TEUs to 5.7 million TEUs by 2029. Adani emphasized that this commitment marks the largest investment by any business in Kerala, positioning Vizhinjam as the largest transshipment port in the Indian subcontinent and a technologically advanced maritime hub. He credited the late Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and current Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for their pivotal roles in the project's success, highlighting Vijayan's unwavering support as crucial for transforming the port into a significant national and global maritime asset.
Published: Jan 24 2026, 9 pmeznews.inUS Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has suggested a possible rollback of the 25% tariffs imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil, citing a significant decline in India's imports from Russia. While he indicated a potential path to lifting these tariffs, he did not specify if a complete halt to Russian oil purchases was necessary, a condition India has been reluctant to accept. The removal of these tariffs is crucial for Indian exporters, particularly in labor-intensive sectors burdened by a cumulative 50% tariff since late 2025, and could pave the way for a long-awaited India-US bilateral trade agreement. Despite Bessent's claims of a collapse in Russian oil purchases, data shows that India continues to import Russian crude, albeit at reduced levels. Indian officials have emphasized that ongoing tariffs hinder trade negotiations, as a reduction in US reciprocal tariffs would still leave Indian exports at a competitive disadvantage compared to countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh.
Published: Jan 24 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIndia is set to make a significant impact at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, where it is the Partner Country, showcasing its growing role in global agri-food trade. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is leading this initiative with the BHARATI Pavilion, aimed at promoting export-ready agri-food and agri-tech start-ups. Spanning 1,434 square metres, the Indian Pavilion will feature 161 exhibitors from 25 states, highlighting a diverse array of products including processed foods, grains, and organic produce. Key national institutions, such as NAFED and the Spices Board, will also participate, emphasizing India's commitment to food security and resilient supply chains. Additionally, a Culinary Area will host live demonstrations of Indian cuisine by a renowned chef. Gulfood 2026 will take place from January 26-30, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai.
Published: Jan 24 2026, 4 pmeznews.inIn a significant development for India-US trade relations, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated the possibility of lifting a 25% tariff on Indian imports, contingent on a notable decrease in India's purchases of Russian oil. This announcement follows a sharp decline in Indian imports of Russian crude, which fell to their lowest levels in two years as of December, allowing OPEC to capture an 11-month high share of India's oil imports. Bessent's comments, made during an interview at the World Economic Forum, come amid escalating trade tensions, particularly after President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% last August, citing concerns over India's Russian oil purchases. Bessent acknowledged the reduction in imports as a success but noted that the tariffs remain in place for now, with potential for future negotiations depending on India's compliance.
Published: Jan 24 2026, 4 pmeznews.inAir India is set to launch its new Boeing 787-9 aircraft on the Mumbai-Frankfurt route starting February 1, but with certain limitations pending regulatory approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This aircraft, the first custom-made Dreamliner for Air India since the Tata Group's acquisition in January 2022, features 296 seats, including 30 in business class, 28 in premium economy, and 238 in economy. However, 18 economy seats will remain unavailable for use until the FAA grants approval, and the sliding privacy doors in business class will be fixed in the open position. An airline spokesperson confirmed that while the seat product is certified, specific regulatory interpretations are delaying the use of these features. Air India currently operates 188 planes and plans to add five more wide-body aircraft by 2026, while other airlines, including Lufthansa, are also awaiting similar approvals for their new Boeing 787-9s.
Published: Jan 24 2026, 1 pmeznews.inIndiGo has launched direct flights between Delhi and Athens, marking a significant milestone as the first Indian airline to establish direct connectivity between India and Greece. The inaugural flight from Mumbai to Athens took off on January 23, 2026, followed by the Delhi service commencing the next day. Utilizing its new A321 XLR aircraft, which features 12 IndiGoStretch and 183 economy seats, the airline will operate three flights weekly on both routes. IndiGo has expressed intentions to expand its services to additional destinations in Greece in the future, enhancing travel options between the two countries. This development is expected to bolster tourism and business ties, reflecting the growing demand for direct international flights from India.
Published: Jan 24 2026, 1 pmeznews.inThe Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) has allocated 115 returnable plots to farmers who contributed land for the greenfield capital city of Amaravati through an e-lottery process. Initially, 145 plots were set to be distributed across 16 CRDA units, but farmers associated with 30 plots requested a postponement, leading to the allotment of only 115 plots. The APCRDA confirmed that all allotted plots were within the pooled land designated for the capital. The distribution of the plots includes five in Kurugallu, ten each in Velagapudi and Malkapuram, 15 in Mandadam, and 58 in Nidamarru, among others. The Amaravati project has seen a total of 54,000 acres pooled, with 34,281 acres contributed by nearly 30,000 farmers from 29 villages. The government has also initiated a second phase of land pooling to further expand the land bank.
Published: Jan 24 2026, 1 pmeznews.inFresh snowfall blanketed the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, January 24, 2026, leading to significant disruptions in flight operations at Srinagar airport. After a day of suspension due to heavy snow accumulation on the runway, the Airports Authority of India, in collaboration with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), successfully cleared the apron and taxiways, allowing flights to resume. Officials confirmed that operations were back to normal following a joint inspection, with the first flight landing shortly after. However, an Indigo flight was cancelled due to adverse weather, and several others faced delays or cancellations linked to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued in Delhi. Despite these setbacks, authorities expressed optimism for smooth operations moving forward as weather conditions improved.
Published: Jan 24 2026, 12 pmeznews.inThe Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman A Sakthivel has called on the Indian government to implement a Focus Market Scheme for apparel exports to the US, proposing freely transferable duty credit scrips worth 20% of the FOB value. This appeal follows the US's imposition of additional tariffs on Indian goods, which has hindered competitiveness against rivals like Bangladesh and Vietnam. Speaking at the 74th India International Garment Fair in Delhi, Sakthivel also urged the removal of the ₹50 lakh annual cap per exporter under the interest equalisation scheme and an increase in the interest subvention rate to 5%. Despite global challenges, the Indian apparel sector has shown resilience, with exports reaching $12 billion from April to December 2025-26, a 2.4% increase year-on-year. Sakthivel expressed optimism about the upcoming India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which could enhance India's market position and help achieve the $40 billion apparel export target by 2030.
Published: Jan 24 2026, 11 am
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