Share of trade with FTA partners rose from 4.6% in 2006 to 28.8% in 2024. India is currently negotiating or advancing agreements with US, Israel, GCC, Canada & Mexico.
American objectives are unmet. They neither have muscle nor motivation to resume the war. As for Iran, the regime didn’t just survive, it’s now led by more radical individuals.
Gulf nations have borne the brunt of Iran’s retaliation, using its inexpensive Shahed 136 drones, to US-Israel attacks. Ukraine has repelled such attacks from Russia for years.
War in Middle East can affect India’s strong growth, which IMF forecast at 6.4% earlier and also push inflation higher from 2.75% recorded in January, global media predicts.
PM Modi & Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal are expected to visit Muscat next week for signing of FTA. Trip coincides with discussions on India purchasing spare parts for its Jaguar fleet.
EAM Jaishankar met with his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani Monday and indicated new areas of cooperation that 'hold considerable promise' for ties.
Among other foodtech initiatives in the GCC, Qatar is investing heavily in alternative, sustainable protein technology, from insect farming to cultured meat production.
According to the senior officials at SEBI, the new system is just facing teething issues and they are confident that it will improve as participation rises.
Agreement follows nearly year of negotiations. Its signing in Mecca lends symbolic significance. Earlier reports had indicated Egypt too would sign it, but it did not.
The young people broke the self-imposed silence among the elite not to speak a word critical of the Modi government, except to whisper on the sidelines, looking left, right and behind.
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