International Relations
Bilateral ties, multilateral forums, treaties and India's foreign policy
India-US trade deal to be signed after Trump administration decides new global ‘tariff architecture’
India has indicated it will sign its interim trade agreement with the United States only after Washington finalises a new global tariff architecture — a time...
India seeks safe passage for 6 LPG tankers through Strait of Hormuz amid conflict
India is seeking safe passage for six vessels carrying 270,000 tonnes of cooking gas (LPG) through the Strait of Hormuz, identified as the government's top d...
India negotiating with Iran to move six LPG tankers through Hormuz
India's government is actively negotiating with Iran to secure safe passage for six LPG tankers currently stranded in the Persian Gulf, carrying a combined 2...
West Asia tensions unlikely to dent India’s basmati exports, says CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings assessed that West Asia tensions will not cause a structural decline in India's basmati rice exports, even though Iran — a key market accounti...
Merchandise exports stay flat in February, Commerce Secretary warns of dip in March
India's merchandise exports contracted marginally in February 2026 — falling approximately 0.8% year-on-year to $36.61 billion — the first monthly contractio...
Watch: Allies reluctant as Trump urges ships to secure Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump called on NATO allies — including the UK, France, Germany, Japan, and South Korea — to deploy warships to forcibly reopen the Strai...
In Brussels, Jaishankar discusses Iran with EU counterparts
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on March 16, 2026 — the first time an Indian minister has...
India plans support package for exporters hit by West Asia disruptions
India's government is considering a support package of approximately ₹500 crore to assist exporters adversely affected by the ongoing West Asia conflict, whi...
The environment, another casualty of war in West Asia
A peer-reviewed study published in the journal *One Earth* (2026) found that the Israel-Gaza conflict generated approximately 33.2 million tonnes of CO₂ equi...
LPG tanker Shivalik reaches Gujarat’s Mundra Port after crossing Strait of Hormuz
The Indian LPG tanker Shivalik safely arrived at Gujarat's Mundra Port after successfully navigating the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing West Asia conflict...
India in talks for six FTAs with Australia, Sri Lanka, Peru, Chile and others
The Commerce Ministry confirmed that India is currently in active Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with six countries: Australia (CECA), Sri Lanka (ET...
EU, UN discussing Black Sea type initiative for Strait of Hormuz: Kaja Kallas
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on March 16, 2026, that the European Union and the United Nations are discussing a "Black Sea model" initiative...
India ‘engaged’ with U.S. on trade deal, says Commerce Secretary as officials warn of delays
India's Commerce Secretary confirmed that India remains "engaged" with the US on a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), but government officials are warning of d...
India, US trade deal to be signed once tariff architecture is in place: Official
A senior Indian government official stated in March 2026 that the interim trade agreement between India and the United States will be formally signed once th...
DPIIT notifies changes in FDI norms for China, other land border sharing countries
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) notified amendments to India's FDI policy under Press Note 3, relaxing investment restric...
EU, India focus on implementing FTA, defence deal: Ursula von der Leyen
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar focused on implementing the India-EU Free Tr...
Shipping wars stitch higher costs into India’s apparel exports
India's apparel exporters are absorbing sharply higher logistics costs due to the West Asia conflict, with war surcharges and route diversions adding Rs 12 t...
India’s basmati rice exports to stay steady despite Middle East conflict: Crisil
CRISIL Ratings projects India's basmati rice export volume to remain broadly stable in the current and next fiscal year, with growth of up to 2% over the 6.0...
India's trade deficit narrows on month to $27.1 billion in Feb; Tariff uncertainty, Iran conflict loom
India's merchandise trade deficit for February 2026 stood at USD 27.1 billion — narrower than January 2026's USD 34.68 billion but sharply higher than Februa...
India’s exports to US fall 13 pc in Feb; trade gap with China crosses USD 100 bn
India's merchandise exports to the United States declined approximately 12.88% year-on-year to USD 6.88 billion in February 2026, attributed to the impact of...