International Relations
Bilateral ties, multilateral forums, treaties and India's foreign policy
Trump threatens to strike Iran’s civilian infrastructure if no deal is reached
US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iran's civilian energy infrastructure — including electric power plants, oil wells, Kharg Island, and desalin...
WTO faces new reality of global trade
The World Trade Organization's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) was held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in late March 2026 — the first MC on African soil in over tw...
Every $10 rise in crude may add 60 bps to India's inflation: CareEdge Global
A study by CareEdge Global IFSC Limited found that every USD 10 rise in average crude oil prices during FY27 could increase India's headline inflation by 55–...
Non-violation complaints under WTO's TRIPS agreement: An explainer
The moratorium on non-violation complaints (NVCs) under the WTO's TRIPS Agreement has lapsed for the first time since it was established in 1995. WTO members...
ICRA expects India's GDP growth to moderate to 6.5% in FY27 amid West Asia conflict
ICRA, a domestic credit rating agency, projected India's GDP growth to moderate to 6.5% in FY2026-27 (FY27), down from approximately 6.8–7% in the current fi...
WTO fails to reach consensus on key e-commerce moratorium, reforms
The WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé (MC14) concluded without agreement on either the e-commerce moratorium extension or meaningful institutional reform...
West Asia conflict sparks 60 pc gas price hike for fertiliser plants
The ongoing West Asia conflict — which intensified around February 28, 2026 and has effectively disrupted Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes — has pushed natura...
Away from Middle East war zone, many battles unfold on the table
The WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé ended in deadlock, with the e-commerce moratorium lapsing, WTO institutional reforms stalled, and intellectual prop...
WTO meet concludes; no consensus on extension of e-commerce duty moratorium
The WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) concluded in Yaoundé, Cameroon, without reaching consensus on extending the moratorium on customs duties on elec...
India's invisible receipts grow 56% to $464.189 billion in April-Dec period
India's inward receipts from international trade in services, investment income, and remittances grew 56% year-on-year to $464.189 billion during April–Decem...
FCRA amendment bill draws opposition flak in Kerala ahead of polls
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging withdrawal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill,...
Israel, Iran war: ‘Situation very vulnerable,' Urea output impacted, India govt official says
The escalating conflict in West Asia has created a "very vulnerable" situation for India's domestic urea production, according to a senior government officia...
What is the World Trade Organization e-commerce moratorium?
The WTO's e-commerce duty moratorium — a standing agreement since 1998 that prohibits customs duties on electronic transmissions — came under review at MC14 ...
Donald Trump says U.S. negotiating with Iran directly and indirectly
US President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States is negotiating with Iran both "directly and indirectly," and expressed optimism: "I do see a deal ...
Trump suggests U.S. could take Iran's Kharg Island
US President Donald Trump publicly suggested the United States could seize Iran's Kharg Island — the offshore terminal that handles the vast majority of Iran...
China resumes direct flights to North Korea after six years
Air China resumed direct flights between Beijing Capital International Airport and Pyongyang Sunan International Airport on 30 March 2026 — the first regular...
‘Global order maker’ & a ‘disruptor’: China-Russia combo ‘powerful threat to West’—Australian think tank
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) released a report characterising the China-Russia combination as a "powerful threat to the West," casting Ch...
WTO talks conclude; no consensus on extension of e-commerce duty moratorium
The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) concluded in Yaounde, Cameroon after four days of talks, without reaching consensus on extending the moratorium on...
Australia seeks 'another crack' at trade deal with India in coming weeks
Australia is seeking to resume trade negotiations with India in the coming weeks, aiming to advance a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement ...
Will the Iran war lead to food inflation?
The US-Israel military strikes on Iran (February 28, 2026) and the subsequent disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz triggered a surge in global...