Daily News - Tuesday, 15 July 2025

GJEPC targets Saudi Arabia to grow gems and jewellery exports (The Hindu)

India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is tapping into Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing $8.34 billion jewellery market by launching SAJEX 2025, the Kingdom’s first dedicated B2B gem and jewellery exposition, to be held in Jeddah from 11–13 September 2025. With support from the Indian government and diplomatic missions, the event will feature over 200 exhibitors and 2,000 buyers from India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Hong Kong, and Lebanon, showcasing everything from 18K–22K gold to diamond-studded and lab-grown jewellery. This initiative not only strengthens India’s $32 billion gem and jewellery export sector but also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by deepening economic and cultural ties through high-end craftsmanship and strategic partnership. 

Japanese E-10 bullet trains to run on Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor (The Economic Times)

⁠India is set to conduct trial runs using the Japanese E5 Shinkansen bullet trains before adopting the next-generation E10 variants for full commercial operations on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor by around 2030, aligning the launch with Japan. The 508 km corridor, backed by Japanese technology, has already completed 310 km of viaduct construction, with prototype runs expected in 2026 and full operations beginning 2027. While Japan remains a key partner, India is diversifying its tech base—recently awarding signalling contracts to Indian-European consortia and tasking the Integral Coach Factory and BEML to co-develop a 280 kmph indigenous bullet train.

India has trade gap with 5 of 7 key FTA partners (The Economic Times)

An analysis has revealed that India has consistently run merchandise trade deficits with five of its seven major FTA partners, contributing nearly 37% of India’s total trade deficit in FY25, despite improved utilisation of newer FTAs like those with the UAE and Australia. While the trade gap with ASEAN widened sharply to $45.2 billion in FY25 (up from $25.8 billion in FY22), exports to the bloc declined by 5.4% even as imports rose 5.6%, prompting India to seek a review of the agreement—though ASEAN has been resistant. Meanwhile, preferential certificate issuance under FTAs with the UAE and Australia rose by 24.7% and 19% respectively, suggesting better usage of newer trade deals compared to older ones like those with Japan, Korea, and ASEAN, where utilisation in many sectors remains between 4% and 25%.

10 old thermal plants to be converted into nuclear power units by 2047 (The Economic Times)

⁠As part of its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the Indian government is planning to repurpose 10 old or retired thermal power plant sites into nuclear power units, aiming to scale nuclear capacity from the current 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047, with an interim target of 22 GW by 2032. The shortlisted sites, including Gujarat’s Wanakbori plant, are under preliminary evaluation based on factors like seismic stability, water access, and population density, given the stricter criteria for nuclear facilities. Officials noted that existing land, infrastructure, and water at these thermal sites offer strategic advantages, and the plan may include small modular reactors depending on site suitability.

⁠Govt to give best of attention to promote GCCs: FM Nirmala Sitharaman (Business Standard)

⁠Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed the government’s strong support for India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs), promising policy, tax, and administrative reforms to accelerate their growth—especially in Tier-II cities—with a proposed national framework outlining 16 key measures to enhance talent, infrastructure, and collaboration. Highlighting India’s competitive edge, she noted that the country hosts over 32% of global GCC talent, with a STEM workforce that makes up 28% of the global pool and talent costs 30–50% lower than in the US, UK, and Australia. India’s GCC ecosystem, now adding one centre per week, is rapidly evolving into a hub for high-value roles, with global leadership positions projected to rise from 6,500 to 30,000 by 2030.