Daily News - Tuesday, 14 October 2025
India and Canada agree on actions to expand ties (The Economic Times)
India and Canada have decided to reset their strained ties by launching fresh ministerial-level talks on trade, investment, energy, and technology, marking a renewed phase of cooperation following a meeting between Foreign Minister Jaishankar and Canadian Minister Anita Anand. Both sides agreed to revive key partnerships such as the Energy Dialogue, the Joint Science and Technology Committee, and deeper collaboration in areas like AI, renewables, and critical minerals, reflecting a shared intent to strengthen economic and strategic links. Emphasising trust and complementarity, Jaishankar and Anand underscored that the partnership is grounded in common democratic values and Indo-Pacific priorities, with Prime Minister Modi expressing optimism that this renewed engagement will accelerate long-term bilateral progress.
Conditions conducive in Afghanistan for enhancing economic ties: Muttaqi to India Inc (The Economic Times)
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, during his visit to India, assured Indian industry leaders that peace and stability have returned to Afghanistan, creating a favourable environment for expanding economic cooperation with India. Speaking at a FICCI-organised session, he highlighted that bilateral trade has already touched USD 1 billion and invited greater Indian participation in rebuilding Afghanistan’s economy. However, Indian industry representatives stressed the need to urgently address visa hurdles and improve the movement of goods to facilitate smoother business operations and timely project execution between the two nations.
India, US hopeful of concluding first tranche of Trade Agreement by fall deadline: Govt Sources (The Economic Times)
India and the United States are nearing the completion of the first phase of their Bilateral Trade Agreement, with a high-level Indian delegation set to visit Washington to resolve remaining issues and expand cooperation in key areas such as energy, technology, and market access. The talks align with India’s strategy to boost clean energy imports from the US, including natural gas and renewable technologies, as part of its broader goal to diversify energy sources and strengthen economic resilience. Simultaneously, India’s negotiations with the European Union for a Free Trade Agreement are progressing, though differences persist over sustainability and tariff-related issues, reflecting New Delhi’s dual-track effort to deepen global trade partnerships amid evolving geopolitical and economic shifts.
Textile exporters see up to 50% drop in US business: Survey (Financial Express)
India’s textile and apparel exporters are facing a severe downturn, with many reporting up to a 50% decline in US business after the Trump administration’s imposition of 50% import duties from August 27, leading to mounting inventories, delayed orders, and deep financial strain. A CITI survey revealed that most exporters are offering heavy discounts, enduring extended credit cycles of up to six additional months, and grappling with a 30% rise in working capital needs amid plummeting liquidity. To ease the crisis, the industry has urged the government for urgent relief through loan moratoriums, higher export tax refunds, interest subvention, and new market diversification schemes to offset losses from the US market, which accounts for nearly a third of India’s textile exports.
Culture must become pillar of economic growth, says Shekhawat (Financial Express)
At the Maitri Cultural Economy Summit in New Delhi, policymakers, economists, and cultural leaders emphasised that India’s arts, heritage, and traditions should be seen not as relics of the past but as engines for future economic growth. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a culture-rooted economy, calling for an “Orange Economy” where traditional industries generate jobs, innovation, and sustainable development. The summit introduced the 5Ps Framework—Performance, Potential, Path, Plan, and Policy—proposed by Gopal Krishna Agarwal, outlining how India can integrate cultural capital into national policy to build a globally competitive, heritage-driven economy.
