Bilateral trade

July 28, 2026 8:01 PM

India’s exports hit record $863.1 billion in FY26 as FTAs boost trade with UAE, UK and Australia

India's total exports reached a record US$863.1 billion in the financial year 2025-26, driven by strong growth in both merchandise and services exports and supported by expanding market access under the country's free trade agreements (FTAs), the government informed Parliament on Tuesday. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, merchandise exports stood at US$441.8 billion, while services exports reached US$421.3 billion, reflecting the combined strength of both sectors in driving I...

December 5, 2025 6:56 PM

India, Russia push for stronger trade, connectivity and Far East cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday underscored their commitment to strengthening economic ties and expanding strategic cooperation across multiple sectors under their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. In a joint statement after the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, the two leaders reaffirmed their shared goal of boosting bilateral trade, enhancing connectivity, and exploring new opportunities in the Russian Far East and Arctic regions. Trade...

November 20, 2025 8:40 PM

Jaishankar meets Afghan Trade Minister Azizi to review cooperation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met Afghanistan’s Industry and Commerce Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi in New Delhi during the latter’s five-day official visit to India. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both ministers discussed bilateral trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. The talks also covered avenues for expanding economic cooperation and supporting development initiatives. In a post on X, Jaishankar said he reiterated India’s continued...

November 17, 2025 6:42 PM

India, US near closure on first tranche of proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement

India remains in discussions with the United States on the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), and the first tranche of the deal -- focused on resolving reciprocal tariff issues -- is “near closure,” Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Monday while releasing the October trade data. Agrawal said virtual negotiations on the BTA have been underway for several months. The agreement has two components: a broader segment that will require deeper negotiations, and an initial tranche de...

October 23, 2025 9:01 PM

Piyush Goyal, German Minister discuss commitment to finalising India-EU FTA

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche in Berlin on Thursday to discuss ways to strengthen trade and investment ties between India and Germany, with both sides reiterating their commitment to finalising the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Goyal, who is on an official visit to Germany, held wide-ranging discussions focused on deepening Indo-German cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, green energy, a...

October 8, 2025 4:28 PM

UK PM Keir Starmer calls India–UK Free Trade Agreement “hugely important”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday described the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as the “biggest deal” the United Kingdom has struck since leaving the European Union, terming it “hugely important” for both nations. Addressing business leaders during an interaction in Mumbai, Starmer said, “This is the biggest trade mission that the United Kingdom has ever sent to India.” He added that his visit marks the “return leg” following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s...

September 18, 2025 9:57 AM

India’s exports growing steadily, trade talks underway with several nations: Piyush Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said that India’s exports have grown by 6 per cent in the first five months of the financial year and expressed confidence that the year will close “on a positive note.” “As far as exports are concerned, I have consistently said that India’s exports are growing every year, and this year too, I expect exports to grow. Currently, we are seeing a growth of about six per cent compared to the corresponding five months of last year. I...

September 3, 2025 10:05 PM

Piyush Goyal meets German Foreign Minister; trade and investment ties in focus

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal held talks with visiting German Foreign Minister Dr. Johann David Wadephul in New Delhi on Wednesday, with discussions centred on expanding bilateral trade, strengthening investment flows, and identifying new areas of cooperation in innovation, sustainability and technology. Dr. Wadephul was accompanied by a high-level business delegation comprising leaders from major German companies including Thyssenkrupp, Siemens Mobility, Allianz and Flix...

July 25, 2025 1:27 AM

From Trade to Technology: India-Maldives cooperation set to expand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a landmark visit to the United Kingdom on Thursday, setting the stage for the next phase of his two-nation tour as he departed for the Maldives. This marks his third visit to the island nation and the first by a head of government during the tenure of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. The visit is expected to deepen the growing partnership between India and the Maldives, especially under the framework of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensiv...

July 24, 2025 10:35 PM

PM Modi, UK PM Keir Starmer hold ‘chai pe charcha’ at Chequers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a 'Chai Pe Charcha' with his UK counterpart Keir Starmer at Chequers, the countryside retreat of the British Prime Minister. A photo shared by PM Modi in a post on X showed the two leaders engaged in a deep conversation over tea. In his post, PM Modi said, “‘Chai Pe Charcha’ with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers... brewing stronger India-UK ties!” At the same venue, the two leaders also interacted with business leaders, highlighting the importan...