Indian travellers give US a miss, EU on cards (Financial Chronicle)
Despite geopolitical concerns, Indian travellers are proceeding with their summer plans, with Europe emerging as the top international destination due to lower airfares—down 2–6% for Switzerland, France, and Scandinavia—and an increase in flight routes. Airlines like IndiGo and Air India are also expanding connectivity, fueling demand for destinations like Australia and New Zealand, while visa-easy countries remain especially popular. Domestically, cooler regions such as Kashmir and the Northeast are in demand, with a rising trend toward personalised experiences like forest healing in Uttarakhand and luxury wellness retreats in Araku Valley, even as India’s rank dropped to 85 on the Henley Passport Index 2025.
India flags aluminium, steel, duties with US (Financial Chronicle)
India has raised concerns with the US over the re-imposition of 25% and 10% tariffs on Indian steel and aluminium, respectively, effective from March 12, under national security grounds—an issue that will be discussed in an upcoming bilateral meeting. These duties were previously resolved through a mutually agreed solution (MAS) at the WTO in 2020, leading India to withdraw its retaliatory tariffs on 28 US products. India now seeks WTO consultations, arguing the tariffs are safeguard measures, while the US maintains they are based on national security, not subject to WTO safeguard rules.
India Eyes ₹1,000cr Rapeseed Meal Export Boost to China (The Economic Times)
India’s edible oil industry sees a ₹1,000-crore export opportunity to China for rapeseed meal, a by-product of mustard oil, as Beijing imposed a 100% tariff on Canadian rapeseed meal and Canola oil amid trade tensions, creating a supply gap. Currently, India can export an additional 0.5 million tonnes, with Indian rapeseed meal priced 35% lower than international rates, despite only two Indian firms meeting China’s strict import norms from 2016. The Solvent Extractors’ Association urges government intervention to ease these restrictions, as increased exports may help revive local mustard prices, which are under pressure due to domestic ethanol production substituting rapeseed meal in animal feed.
