Daily News - Wednesday, 15 October 2025

India & Saudi Arabia explore investments in textile sector (Financial Express)

⁠India and Saudi Arabia held talks in New Delhi to boost cooperation in the textiles and apparel sector, with discussions centering on Saudi investments in India’s ready-made garments industry and joint efforts to expand production and trade. The meeting, led by Saudi Vice Minister Khalil in Salamah and India’s textiles secretary Neelam Shami Rao, explored synergies in man-made fibres and technical textiles, highlighting opportunities for technology exchange and raw material collaboration. Saudi Arabia showed strong interest in India’s PM MITRA Parks and PLI Scheme, aligning them with its own industrial goals, as India now stands as the kingdom’s second-largest textile supplier with an 11.2% market share.

⁠U.S. expects support from India, other allied nations in trade tensions with China: Bessent (The Hindu)

⁠Amid rising trade frictions over China’s rare earth export curbs, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington expects backing from India and other allies, framing the dispute as “China versus the world” and accusing Beijing of weaponising global supply chains. He warned that while the U.S. seeks peace, China is “financing war,” and noted that President Trump’s upcoming meeting with President Xi in South Korea could shape the next phase of talks after Trump threatened 100% tariffs on Chinese goods but later sought to calm markets, saying he wants to “help China, not hurt it.” Meanwhile, India has sharply criticised new U.S. tariffs totaling 50% on its goods—imposed partly over Russian oil imports—calling them unjustified even as Washington looks to New Delhi for cooperation against Beijing’s growing economic dominance.

French Army chief keen on Indian long-range weapons (The Economic Times)

⁠France has taken note of how Indian weapon systems performed in Operation Sindoor and is now actively exploring co-development and acquisitions — General Pierre Schill singled out long-range rockets (including a longer-range Pinaka), loitering munitions, and counter-drone systems, praising Indian industry’s adaptability and accuracy and flagging artificial intelligence and electronic warfare as promising areas for collaboration. He told Indian leaders he’s renewing France’s long-range artillery capability and has already seen demonstrations of Indian systems, and both sides agreed there’s real value in institutionalising more and more complex joint exercises (building on the Shakti series) that include UAV training, counter-drone drills and EW scenarios. In short, Delhi and Paris are moving from interest to concrete steps — talks, demonstrations and plans for deeper training and capability-sharing — to co-develop the tools and doctrines needed for the emerging battlefield.

⁠Canada may need India now more than ever as trade risks mount (The Economic Times)

Facing rising U.S. tariffs and growing uncertainty in global trade, Canada is urgently rebalancing its economic strategy by turning toward India to reduce overreliance on the American market, which currently absorbs three-quarters of its exports and supports millions of Canadian jobs. Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s visit to New Delhi marks a cautious but significant reset in relations after the 2023 diplomatic rift, with both sides unveiling a new roadmap to boost cooperation in trade, energy, technology, and security, positioning India as a vital partner in Canada’s diversification efforts. Economically, deeper engagement with India—now Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner—offers Ottawa a pathway to new markets, reduced vulnerability to U.S. and Chinese pressures, and a more stable footing in the Indo-Pacific, aligning with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push for a pragmatic, sovereignty-driven trade policy.