International Relations
Bilateral ties, multilateral forums, treaties and India's foreign policy
WTO members try to close gap between US, India on e-commerce tariff moratorium
At WTO MC14 in Yaounde, several member countries attempted to act as mediators between the United States and India to resolve the impasse on extending the e-...
FCRA Bill emerges as poll issue in Kerala; UDF, LDF seek withdrawal
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha on 25 March 2026 by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, ...
India proposes “new approaches” for farm talks at WTO consistent with Doha mandate
At the Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, India called for a permanent solution on Public Stockholding (PSH) for food securit...
WTO MC: Members intensify talks on e-commerce duty moratorium extension at Yaounde
On the final day of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, member countries intensified efforts to bridge differences over the e-co...
Piyush Goyal meets UK, EU, NZ, Canada trade ministers at WTO MC14 sidelines
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a series of bilateral meetings with trade ministers from the UK, EU, New Zealand, and Canada on the sideline...
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to visit Canada in May for trade talks
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed he will lead a major Indian business delegation to Canada in May 2026 for trade talks, following a meet...
WTO talks near deal on reform roadmap amid US-India e-commerce deadlock
At the Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, trade ministers were close to agreeing on a reform roadmap for the World Trade Orga...
Israel-Iran war: Remittances, rupee at risk; fiscal strain may rise, warns SBI Funds Management report
An SBI Funds Management report warned that the West Asia conflict poses multi-dimensional risks to India's external sector and public finances, affecting rem...
IONS MARITIME EXERCISE (IMEX) TTX 2026 HELD AT SOUTHERN NAVAL COMMAND, KOCHI
The Indian Navy hosted the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Maritime Exercise (IMEX) Tabletop Exercise (TTX) 2026 at the Maritime Warfare Centre, Southern...
Israel-Iran war: India’s economy shows early strain; CEA warns of 'significant' hit to growth, inflation, balances in March review
Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran's March review has flagged that the Israel-Iran war poses a "significant" combined risk to India's growth, inflat...
Indus Water Treaty suspension speeding up projects, govt says J-K hydropower capacity to rise 46%
The Government of India has stated that the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan is accelerating hydropower development in Jammu & Kashm...
Strait of Hormuz: Who gets through, who doesn’t — and can Iran charge ships for passage?
Iran has drafted legislation to impose tolls on vessels seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with reports of individual fees reaching $2 millio...
France to host ‘No Money for Terror’ conference later this year as part of its G7 presidency
France will host the fifth edition of the 'No Money for Terror' (NMFT) Ministerial Conference on Counter-Terrorism Financing on May 19, 2026, in Paris, as pa...
Two ships with petroleum products for India crossing Strait of Hormuz, more expected to follow: Sources
Two India-flagged merchant vessels carrying petroleum products for India are crossing the Strait of Hormuz, with more expected to follow, according to Indian...
India signals openness to extending tariff-free deal on e-commerce, two diplomats say
At MC14 in Yaoundé, Cameroon (March 26–29, 2026), Indian diplomats privately signalled openness to extending the WTO moratorium on customs duties on electron...
Thailand PM says reached deal with Iran for vessels to transit Hormuz Strait
Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on March 28, 2026, that Thailand has reached a diplomatic agreement with Iran allowing Thai oil tanke...
India relaxes rules for some state-run firms to procure critical equipment from China
The Government of India issued an order on March 27, 2026, allowing select state-run companies to procure critical equipment from Chinese suppliers, partiall...
WTO is relevant, necessary guardrails must in place before plurilaterals’ inclusion: India
At the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) held in Yaoundé, Cameroon (March 26–29, 2026), India articulated its position that plurilateral agreements can ...
Prolonged disruption in West Asia to have global credit implications: Moody’s
Moody's has warned that a prolonged disruption in West Asia — particularly to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz — would trigger sustained global credit...
Rs 2.38 lakh cr-defence push: DAC clears 5 S-400 missile systems from Russia, transport aircraft
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on March 27, 2026 approved acquisition proposals worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore, one of the largest single-day clearances in ...