News for 'Free Trade Zones'

India, Oman to ink free trade agreement during PM Narendra Modi visit

India, Oman to ink free trade agreement during PM Narendra Modi visit

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Next week's three-nation foreign tour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will see India and Oman sign a free trade deal. The visit will also pave the way for agreements with Ethiopia and Jordan to increase India's bilateral trade and investments.

Free trade: EU, US to launch negotiations

Free trade: EU, US to launch negotiations

Rediff.com14 Feb 2013

The negotiations on a EU-US FTA will set the standards not only for the future transatlantic trade and investment, including regulatory issues, but also for the development of global trade rules.

The Strategic Importance Of Pakistan's Gwadar Port For China

The Strategic Importance Of Pakistan's Gwadar Port For China

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

Gwadar is viewed as a critical pearl in China's maritime strategy as it would give a permanent logistical footprint near an important choke point - the Strait of Hormuz and the oil rich Persian Gulf, explains Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Why Taiwan Is At The Heart Of US-China Rivalry

Why Taiwan Is At The Heart Of US-China Rivalry

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

For the foreseeable future, the most likely outcome remains continuation of the status quo. Taiwan will remain self-governing without formally declaring independence, while China continues to apply sustained pressure short of war, predict Krishnan Srinivasan and Manoj Mohanka.

Israel defies US-Iran pact, refuses to withdraw from Lebanon

Israel defies US-Iran pact, refuses to withdraw from Lebanon

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that the Israeli military will not withdraw from its security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, directly opposing the newly announced American-led diplomatic framework with Tehran. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir further asserted Israel's sovereignty, stating, "Trump's agreement does not bind us. Israel is not subject to the United States, and we are an independent and sovereign nation!"

Gokulam Kerala, Aizawl FC Share Points In Relegation Battle

Gokulam Kerala, Aizawl FC Share Points In Relegation Battle

Rediff.com6 May 2026

Gokulam Kerala and Aizawl FC played to a 2-2 draw in a crucial I-League relegation stage match. The draw ensures Aizawl FC's safety from relegation, while Gokulam Kerala remains in the relegation zone.

Iran asserts control on Hormuz transit as US intensifies blockade

Iran asserts control on Hormuz transit as US intensifies blockade

Rediff.com31 May 2026

Tensions escalate between Iran and the US over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane for global oil supplies, as both sides discuss extending a fragile ceasefire.

Will Budget 2026 Fix The Customs-FTA Disconnect?

Will Budget 2026 Fix The Customs-FTA Disconnect?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Customs regimes can lead to labyrinthine legal disputes. Budget 2026 must recognise that an excessively defensive Customs posture can itself become a trade barrier, point out Mukesh Butani and Shankey Agrawal.

Trouble for India? Trump announces 25% tariff on Iran's trade partners

Trouble for India? Trump announces 25% tariff on Iran's trade partners

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Trump said that the decision would be "immediately" in effect and that the "order is final and conclusive."

'Deal is done': UK, EU clinch post-Brexit free trade agreement

'Deal is done': UK, EU clinch post-Brexit free trade agreement

Rediff.com24 Dec 2020

'We have got Brexit done and we can now take full advantage of the fantastic opportunities available to us as an independent trading nation, striking trade deals with other partners around the world,' Downing Street said in a statement.

Dubai to invest in trade zones worldwide

Dubai to invest in trade zones worldwide

Rediff.com23 Jan 2007

Dubai World, a government-owned holding company, will invest Dh 29 billion ($7,896,091,358) in setting up industrial parks in different parts of the world, including India.

Jebel Ali lines up 4 logistics zones

Jebel Ali lines up 4 logistics zones

Rediff.com15 Sep 2006

'India, US Close To Framework Deal'

'India, US Close To Framework Deal'

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

'...but I would not like to put a timeline to it'

Attacks on commercial, civilian ships unacceptable: India

Attacks on commercial, civilian ships unacceptable: India

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

Addressing the 36th extraordinary session of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) held on Thursday in London, the Indian envoy said, "India remains deeply concerned about the evolving situation and continues to call for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy, with utmost restraint and priority being given to the safety of civilians."

UP Police Prioritises Preventive Policing and Speedy Case Resolution

UP Police Prioritises Preventive Policing and Speedy Case Resolution

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna has directed officers to strengthen preventive policing and ensure timely disposal of investigations across the state.

TCS launches AI hub in London; to create 5K UK jobs in 3 years

TCS launches AI hub in London; to create 5K UK jobs in 3 years

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Friday announced the launch of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Experience Zone and Design Studio in London, and said its continued investments in the UK will create 5,000 new jobs across the country over the next three years. Currently, TCS supports over 42,000 direct and indirect jobs across the United Kingdom. In FY2024, TCS contributed 3.3 billion pounds to the UK economy, according to a regulatory filing by the company.

Gems & jewellery exports slipped 30% in October: GJEPC

Gems & jewellery exports slipped 30% in October: GJEPC

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

India's gems & jewellery exports witnessed 30.6 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) contraction in October to $2.17 million, amid the imposition of a steep 50 per cent tariff by the United States (US) on several Indian products.

Will Trump's 5 Day Pause End The War On Friday?

Will Trump's 5 Day Pause End The War On Friday?

Rediff.com24 Mar 2026

'Was the five-day pause ever meant to hold, or was it simply another instrument of signaling, of positioning, of buying time in a war where even the pauses are tactical?' asks Prem Panicker in his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

The US Rescue That Raises More Questions Than It Answers

The US Rescue That Raises More Questions Than It Answers

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

The 'rescue' operation occurred within kilometres of Iran's underground tunnel complex at Isfahan, assessed by the IAEA and US intelligence as holding a substantial portion of the country's 60 per cent enriched uranium stockpile. Retired senior US military officers have highlighted that the mission's footprint -- hundreds of special operators, multiple heavy-lift aircraft deep inside Iran -- appears outsized for recovering a single airman. Prem Panicker continues his must read blog on the Iran War.

Budget 2026's tax proposals weave a strategic vision

Budget 2026's tax proposals weave a strategic vision

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The proposals outlined in Budget 2026-27 represent a carefully crafted, multi-year strategy designed to strengthen India's big bets on the path to Viksit Bharat 2047, says Sameer Gupta.

Modi unveils India's first nature-themed airport in Guwahati

Modi unveils India's first nature-themed airport in Guwahati

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

The Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati has inaugurated a new nature-themed terminal building, designed to handle 13.1 million passengers per year and serve as a key aviation hub for the northeast and a gateway to Southeast Asia.

IT recovery key for Info Edge as Q2 growth lags on weak hiring trends

IT recovery key for Info Edge as Q2 growth lags on weak hiring trends

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

Hit by a slowdown in information technology (IT) hiring, Info Edge (India)'s results for the July-September quarter (Q2) of 2025-26 (FY26) fell short of brokerage expectations. What helped the online recruitment major offset the weak IT hiring trend was broad-based growth across other sectors.

Trump once again delays tariffs on Mexico and Canada

Trump once again delays tariffs on Mexico and Canada

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

President Donald Trump delayed tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a short-term period for certain products before the 'big one' from April 2.

India's exports marginally up; trade deficit narrows

India's exports marginally up; trade deficit narrows

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

Snapping the two months slide, the country's merchandise exports rose marginally by 0.5 per cent to $34.58 billion in September while trade deficit narrowed to $20.78 billion. According to official data released on Wednesday, imports increased by 1.6 per cent to $55.36 billion in September compared to $54.49 billion in the year-ago period. The trade deficit, or the gap between imports and exports, was $20.8 billion during the same month last year.

Modi hails Trump's Gaza peace plan efforts amid strained ties

Modi hails Trump's Gaza peace plan efforts amid strained ties

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated US President Donald Trump on the success of the first phase of a US-brokered peace plan for Gaza and reviewed trade negotiations during a phone conversation.

Trump's Tariffs: 3 Million Tamil Nadu Jobs At Risk

Trump's Tariffs: 3 Million Tamil Nadu Jobs At Risk

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

The textile and apparel sector is India's second-largest employment provider, after agriculture, and it is now caught in a wave of uncertainty following the Donald Trump administration's tariff policy.

From Badla To Jane Street: Market Tricks Haunt Again

From Badla To Jane Street: Market Tricks Haunt Again

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

Jane Street could do what they did because of the most fundamental flaw in the Indian stock market: a fragmented, fractured, fissured, fistula-ed liquidity stream, points out Shankar Sharma.

Amazon, Flipkart deploy war rooms for Rs 1.2 trillion festival battle

Amazon, Flipkart deploy war rooms for Rs 1.2 trillion festival battle

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

At the stroke of midnight, live dashboards lit up simultaneously across Amazon India's World Trade Centre headquarters and Flipkart's Outer Ring Road office in Bengaluru. In sprawling "war rooms" at both the companies, executives monitored real-time data streams tracking payment speeds, inventory levels, and delivery logistics as millions of shoppers flooded online platforms.

SC forms SIT to probe complaints against Vantara

SC forms SIT to probe complaints against Vantara

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court of India has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of non-compliance with laws and irregularities at Vantara, a Green Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Gujarat. The SIT will examine the acquisition of animals, compliance with wildlife protection laws, and other related issues.

Budget focuses on domestic consumption amid global uncertainties

Budget focuses on domestic consumption amid global uncertainties

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

The Budget 2025-26 meets the expectations of fiscal consolidation, maintaining capital expenditure, and boosting consumption through tax cuts.

Trump pulls out of trade deal TPP with executive order

Trump pulls out of trade deal TPP with executive order

Rediff.com23 Jan 2017

The US president also cut funding for international groups that provide abortions, and froze hiring of some federal workers.

'India needs to be integrated into global trade pacts'

'India needs to be integrated into global trade pacts'

Rediff.com6 Oct 2015

For India to reach its ambiguous economic growth targets, it needs to be integrated into global trade pacts.

Electronics fastest-growing among top 10 export items

Electronics fastest-growing among top 10 export items

Rediff.com3 Jan 2025

Driven by smartphone, electronics exports have reached $22.5 billion in value in the first eight months of the current financial year (FY25), a near 28 per cent growth over the $17.66 billion electronics exports during the corresponding period of FY24.

GMR plans aviation SEZ in Hyderabad

GMR plans aviation SEZ in Hyderabad

Rediff.com30 Apr 2007

Infrastructure developer GMR Group plans to set up an airport-based special economic zone near the new Hyderabad International Airport, which it has the mandate to develop.

SAARC nations moot trade forum like European Union

SAARC nations moot trade forum like European Union

Rediff.com27 Nov 2014

In a phased and planned manner the countries will go for Free Trade Areas, a Customs Union, a Common Market, and a Common Economic and Monetary Union.

FTAs, reviving exports to be commerce ministry's focus

FTAs, reviving exports to be commerce ministry's focus

Rediff.com18 Jun 2024

Another priority in the first 100 days could be the launch of an e-platform -- Trade Connect -- to help exporters connect with stakeholders of international trade.

Foreign investors to increase participation in NSE IX

Foreign investors to increase participation in NSE IX

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

Trading turnover on NSE IX has been witnessing an uptrend and this momentum is likely to continue thanks to the growing global interest in the overall India growth trajectory, MD & CEO of NSE International Clearing Neeraj Kulshrestha has said. Speaking at the Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF) on Monday Kulshrestha said foreign investors are likely to further increase their participation in GIFT City NIFTY.