News for 'Commerce Ministers'

How Digital India Has Redefined Governance And Empowered Citizens

How Digital India Has Redefined Governance And Empowered Citizens

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated 11 years of the Digital India initiative, highlighting its role in redefining governance, empowering citizens, and accelerating all-round development. He emphasised its impact on digital payments, direct benefit transfers, and expanding digital public infrastructure, making technology a powerful instrument for 'Ease of Living' across India, including tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Iran blames UAE after BRICS ministers fail to agree on joint declaration

Iran blames UAE after BRICS ministers fail to agree on joint declaration

Rediff.com16 May 2026

The BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi concluded without a joint statement due to disagreements over the West Asia conflict, with Iran blaming the UAE for the lack of consensus. India, as the host, issued a chair's statement highlighting the differing views.

Delhi High Court Upholds Abhishek Sharma's Personality Rights Against Misuse

Delhi High Court Upholds Abhishek Sharma's Personality Rights Against Misuse

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

The Delhi High Court has issued an interim order protecting India cricketer Abhishek Sharma's personality rights, restraining third parties from misusing his name, image, and AI-generated content for commercial or personal gain. The court directed online platforms to remove infringing material, citing the spread of false and obscene content that damages his reputation and commercial value.

Delhi High Court Upholds Abhishek Sharma's Personality Rights Against Misuse

Delhi High Court Upholds Abhishek Sharma's Personality Rights Against Misuse

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

The Delhi High Court has issued an interim order protecting India cricketer Abhishek Sharma's personality rights, restraining third parties from misusing his name, image, and AI-generated content for commercial or personal gain. The court directed online platforms to remove infringing material, citing the spread of false and obscene content that damages his reputation and commercial value.

India Post's Biggest Makeover in 150 Years

India Post's Biggest Makeover in 150 Years

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

India Post is reinventing itself from a traditional mail service into a modern logistics, e-commerce, and real estate powerhouse. Several post offices situated inside major university campuses, called Gen Z post offices, have received a facelift, with cafe-like decor and wi-fi availability.

India-UK Trade Deal to Kick Off July 15, PM Modi Confirms

India-UK Trade Deal to Kick Off July 15, PM Modi Confirms

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will come into effect on July 15, 2026, anticipating a significant boost to bilateral trade and investment.

Pak commerce minister to travel to India later this month

Pak commerce minister to travel to India later this month

Rediff.com6 Feb 2013

Weeks after calling off a scheduled visit to India amidst mounting tensions over ceasefire violations along the Line of Control, Pakistan's Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim will travel to New Delhi later this month for bilateral talks.

Piyush Goyal rejects reports on India holding off US trade deal

Piyush Goyal rejects reports on India holding off US trade deal

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

Piyush Goyal on Friday rejected reports suggesting that India is planning to hold off trade deal with the United States for several months.

India to prioritise maritime security during UNSC bid

India to prioritise maritime security during UNSC bid

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has affirmed India's commitment to ensuring issues like a free, open, and rule-based maritime order, seafarer safety, and countering terror financing receive due attention at the UN Security Council during its 2028-29 term.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy pledges $13 billion additional investment in India for AI, cloud infrastructure

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy pledges $13 billion additional investment in India for AI, cloud infrastructure

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announced the company's intention to invest an additional USD 13 billion in India by 2030, focusing on expanding AI and cloud infrastructure.

Farmer groups slam India-US trade deal, call nationwide strike on Feb 12

Farmer groups slam India-US trade deal, call nationwide strike on Feb 12

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Several farmer organisations in India are protesting the proposed India-US trade deal, expressing concerns about its impact on the agriculture sector and demanding the resignation of the Commerce Minister.

India, US 'Very Close' to Historic Trade Deal

India, US 'Very Close' to Historic Trade Deal

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

The United States and India are on the verge of finalising a landmark bilateral trade deal, aiming to boost trade to USD 500 billion by 2030, according to US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bethany Poulos Morrison. The agreement seeks to open India's 1.4 billion-strong market to American goods on reciprocal terms, with ongoing high-level discussions to recalibrate the pact after recent changes in US tariff policy.

Enforcement Directorate Investigates Punjab Minister Arora for Forex Violations

Enforcement Directorate Investigates Punjab Minister Arora for Forex Violations

Rediff.com17 Apr 2026

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at premises linked to Punjab industries minister Sanjeev Arora as part of a FEMA probe into alleged foreign exchange violations, insider trading, and round-tripping of funds.

Why Indians Thrive Overseas

Why Indians Thrive Overseas

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

India too can rise to the top if the 1.4 billion Indians back home are given better opportunities to use their innate talent and capacity to work hard, with right incentives in a more meritocratic rules-based system, asserts Ajay Chhibber.

LoC tension: Pak commerce minister calls off India visit

LoC tension: Pak commerce minister calls off India visit

Rediff.com20 Jan 2013

Pakistan Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim has called off a scheduled visit to India to attend a business meet later in January, against the backdrop of tensions between the two countries over ceasefire violations along the Line of Control.

'US Thought They Could Pressurise India'

'US Thought They Could Pressurise India'

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

'They talked bad about our leaders. They said India was a dead economy. They were not sensitive to the Indian psyche.'

India to supply BrahMos, Astra missiles to Indonesia; backs Indo-Pacific peace

India to supply BrahMos, Astra missiles to Indonesia; backs Indo-Pacific peace

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have significantly advanced the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, securing crucial agreements on defence, critical minerals, and maritime security, including BrahMos missile supply and Sabang port development.

Ford India's new Coimbatore hub to drive data science, enhance global resilience

Ford India's new Coimbatore hub to drive data science, enhance global resilience

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

Ford Business Solutions (FBS) India, the global capability centre for Ford Motor Company, has inaugurated a new office in Coimbatore, its third location in India. This expansion is a strategic move to strengthen the resilience of Ford's global operations, with nearly 50 per cent of its future growth in India expected to be in technology, data science, and data analytics.

No word on India-US interim trade deal as tariff deadline looms

No word on India-US interim trade deal as tariff deadline looms

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

India and the United States have reviewed progress on a proposed interim bilateral trade agreement, discussing market access, digital trade, and non-tariff barriers, as they race to finalise a deal before a temporary 10 per cent US tariff regime expires on July 24.

India aims to operationalise 9 FTAs in 10 months, eyes more pacts: Piyush Goyal

India aims to operationalise 9 FTAs in 10 months, eyes more pacts: Piyush Goyal

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that India expects to operationalise nine free trade agreements (FTAs) within the next 10 months, with plans for an additional three to four significant pacts over the coming year, reinforcing India's ambition to become a global manufacturing and investment hub.

'Traitor, gimmick': Rahul targets Modi over economy, 'Melody'

'Traitor, gimmick': Rahul targets Modi over economy, 'Melody'

Rediff.com20 May 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for gifting 'Melody' toffees to Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, calling it a 'gimmick' while India faces an 'economic storm'. He accused Modi of prioritising public relations over addressing the struggles of farmers, labourers, and youth, a sentiment echoed by other Congress leaders.

Why China's Bangladesh Push Should Worry India

Why China's Bangladesh Push Should Worry India

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

Beijing clearly intends to extend the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor to Bangladesh as part of its larger Maritime Belt and Road Initiative to boost its Indian Ocean presence.

India may seek sunset clause in US trade pact

India may seek sunset clause in US trade pact

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

India may press for an automatic review mechanism in its proposed interim trade deal with the United States (US), mirroring a sunset clause introduced by the European Parliament in its trade agreement with Washington, people aware of the negotiations said. The European Parliament last week approved the EU-US trade deal but inserted a sunset clause requiring the arrangement to expire on December 31, 2029, unless both sides agree to extend it.

Airbound, Andhra sign MoU to build large-scale drone delivery network

Airbound, Andhra sign MoU to build large-scale drone delivery network

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

The initiative is expected to begin with operations in Guntur, with both parties working towards enabling 10,000 daily drone flights across Andhra Pradesh over the coming year, a scale that could position the state among the largest commercial drone delivery networks globally.

India-US ties momentum intact, will emerge stronger in future: Rubio

India-US ties momentum intact, will emerge stronger in future: Rubio

Rediff.com24 May 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says relations between India and the US have not lost momentum and are set to strengthen, with hopes for a trade deal soon.

Rupee Exchange Rate Is Not Just A Number

Rupee Exchange Rate Is Not Just A Number

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

If we really want to curb the further depreciation of the rupee and make the rupee appreciate, we want to come out of the mindset that the exchange rate is merely a number, bring policy corrections to help reduce the outflow of foreign exchange by imposing suitable tariffs to discourage imports and bring self reliance, discipline FPIs, and correcting rules governing royalty outflows, suggests Dr Ashwani Mahajan, National Co-Convenor, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch.

Nagpur Factory Blast: Negligence Suspected, Minister Says

Nagpur Factory Blast: Negligence Suspected, Minister Says

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule suspects negligence and safety lapses at SBL Energy Limited in Nagpur, where a blast killed 19. An investigation is underway to determine accountability.

Pakistan PM: US-Iran peace deal 'on verge of finalisation' within 24 hours

Pakistan PM: US-Iran peace deal 'on verge of finalisation' within 24 hours

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that a US-Iran peace deal is on the verge of finalisation, potentially within the next 24 hours, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough after months of intense negotiations.

India-UK trade pact: 85% of India's exports out of British steel measures

India-UK trade pact: 85% of India's exports out of British steel measures

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

India has successfully negotiated the protection of its steel export interests under the free trade agreement with the UK, ensuring 85 per cent of its outbound shipments remain outside Britain's steel safeguard measures. This consensus addresses a key sticking point ahead of the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) coming into force on July 15.

Walmart's India Sourcing Crosses $40 Billion Mark, Bolstering Export Push

Walmart's India Sourcing Crosses $40 Billion Mark, Bolstering Export Push

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Retail giant Walmart has announced that India has become one of its fastest-growing sourcing hubs globally, with the company having procured over $40 billion worth of goods from the country. This initiative aims to expand supplier capabilities, improve compliance standards, and help Indian manufacturers scale exports worldwide.

India must focus on long-term growth, not short-term challenges: Citi CEO

India must focus on long-term growth, not short-term challenges: Citi CEO

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Despite current headwinds, India remains the world's fastest-growing major economy and should not allow near-term challenges to obscure its long-term growth potential, said Jane Fraser, Citi Chair and Chief Executive Officer.

Posco issue will be resolved: Commerce Minister

Posco issue will be resolved: Commerce Minister

Rediff.com21 Jan 2011

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma today assured Korean trade minister Kim Jong-Hoon that the stalled $12 billion-project of Korean steelmaker Posco would soon be resolved by obtaining the pending approvals.

India Post To Modernise Logistics Infrastructure

India Post To Modernise Logistics Infrastructure

Rediff.com7 May 2026

The government is planning a postal logistics infrastructure upgrade for India Post to modernise parcel facilities, aligning them with those in developed nations, according to Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Trump praises Modi, says India 'took advantage' of US policies

Trump praises Modi, says India 'took advantage' of US policies

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

Responding to a question on the trade deal being negotiated between the two countries, Trump said India had taken advantage of US policies for years and charged tremendous tariffs.

India, New Zealand sign FTA to boost trade, investment

India, New Zealand sign FTA to boost trade, investment

Rediff.com27 Apr 2026

India and New Zealand have signed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at significantly boosting bilateral commerce and investments, providing duty-free access for 100 per cent of India's exports to New Zealand and securing duty-free inputs for India's manufacturing sector.

Eye on China: Quad ramps up Indo-Pacific surveillance

Eye on China: Quad ramps up Indo-Pacific surveillance

Rediff.com27 May 2026

The Quad grouping has expanded cooperation in critical minerals and energy, while unveiling new measures to boost maritime surveillance and port infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific. This move comes against the backdrop of China's growing military posturing in the region, with ministers reiterating strong opposition to destabilising actions and expressing serious concerns over militarisation of disputed features.

India-EU's FTA perfect answer to 'hegemons' using tariffs: Canadian minister

India-EU's FTA perfect answer to 'hegemons' using tariffs: Canadian minister

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

In a veiled attack on US President Donald Trump, Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson on Tuesday said India's free trade agreement with the European Union is a "perfect" answer to global hegemons that use tariffs and economic integration as tools of coercion.

Doval hosts Khalilur Rahman as India, Bangladesh move to reset ties

Doval hosts Khalilur Rahman as India, Bangladesh move to reset ties

Rediff.com8 Apr 2026

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval hosted Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman for a dinner meeting, signalling efforts to repair bilateral ties after a period of heightened diplomatic tension.

US Navy attacked 3 merchant ships, India lodges strong protest

US Navy attacked 3 merchant ships, India lodges strong protest

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

India has strongly protested to the United States after three merchant ships with Indian crew members were attacked by the American military off the coast of Oman, resulting in the deaths of three Indian nationals.

No trade deal as Modi didn't call Trump: US commerce secy

No trade deal as Modi didn't call Trump: US commerce secy

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claims a trade deal with India failed because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not call then-President Donald Trump, despite requests.