News for 'General Agreement on Trade in Services'

US Tariff Uncertainty Pauses Trade Talks

US Tariff Uncertainty Pauses Trade Talks

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

'The contours of the trade deal need to be reworked now.'

Should You Fall In Developers' Flexible Payments Trap?

Should You Fall In Developers' Flexible Payments Trap?

Rediff.com12 May 2026

Deferred payment plans may come with a cost, which may not be immediately visible.

Why India-US Trade Deal Is Key For Growth

Why India-US Trade Deal Is Key For Growth

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

The deal shifts the US posture towards India from hostile to neutral, and that matters for growth, points out T T Ram Mohan.

Exporters' body flags rising freight costs, seeks liquidity help from RBI

Exporters' body flags rising freight costs, seeks liquidity help from RBI

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has appealed to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for liquidity support to Indian exporters, citing a significant increase in freight costs and extended payment cycles due to the ongoing West Asia conflict.

Trump weighs US-Iran 'joint venture' to secure Hormuz after truce

Trump weighs US-Iran 'joint venture' to secure Hormuz after truce

Rediff.com9 Apr 2026

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Washington is considering a "joint venture" with Iran to secure the Strait of Hormuz, following his announcement of a two-week ceasefire.

'India Should Not Rush To Celebrate Trump's Trade Announcement'

'India Should Not Rush To Celebrate Trump's Trade Announcement'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

'Trump says India will buy over $500 billion of US goods.' 'At present, India's annual imports of goods and energy from the US are under $50 billion.' 'Reaching $500 billion would likely require more than 20 years, suggesting the figure refers to a long-term aspiration rather than a near-term commitment.'

India gets 30-day US waiver to buy Russian oil amid Iran war

India gets 30-day US waiver to buy Russian oil amid Iran war

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Amidst escalating tensions with Iran, the US has granted India a temporary 30-day waiver to continue purchasing Russian oil, aiming to stabilise global energy markets and encourage future US oil imports by India.

India-EU FTA: Textiles, pharma, engineering to get major boost

India-EU FTA: Textiles, pharma, engineering to get major boost

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, engineering goods, gems and jewellery exports will receive a boost from the free trade agreement between India and the 27-nation European Union, according to exporters.

'Nehru Believed India And China Should Be Brothers'

'Nehru Believed India And China Should Be Brothers'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

'Nehru was an idealist, he was certainly a visionary in one way, but Mao Zedong was not. Mao Zedong was a very down-to-earth strategist. He wanted to take Tibet, to take the plateau, to take the rivers, to take the minerals.'

Indian exports to attract 10% tariff in US for 150 days from Feb 24

Indian exports to attract 10% tariff in US for 150 days from Feb 24

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

Indian exports to the US will face a 10% tariff, down from 25%, for 150 days following a US Supreme Court ruling. However, uncertainty persists due to potential further tariff hikes and long-term implications.

Equity Markets' Challenges: Weak Demand, High Valuation

Equity Markets' Challenges: Weak Demand, High Valuation

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

Trade deals ease risks for Indian equities, but weak demand and stretched valuations raise questions over whether optimism -- especially in smallcaps -- can turn into a sustained bull run, points out Debashis Basu.

Indian pharma to get stronger dose of EU mkt access

Indian pharma to get stronger dose of EU mkt access

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The European Union's (EU's) offer to slash tariffs on 97.5 per cent of Indian chemical exports to zero is set to give India's pharmaceutical and medical device firms preferential access to the European markets.

'Indians have been good actors': Trump aide on Russian oil waiver

'Indians have been good actors': Trump aide on Russian oil waiver

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

The US has granted India permission to buy Russian oil already in transit to ease global supply pressures amidst the West Asia conflict. This decision comes after India agreed to halt sanctioned Russian oil purchases and substitute them with US oil.

India, UK to sign trade pact on July 24; Goyal to accompany PM Modi

India, UK to sign trade pact on July 24; Goyal to accompany PM Modi

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will accompany Prime Minister Narendra Modi to London for the signing of the free trade agreement between India and the UK on July 24, an official said on Monday. The two countries announced the conclusion of the negotiations for the trade agreement on May 6.

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Focus Of Budget Was To Keep Stable Growth Going'

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Focus Of Budget Was To Keep Stable Growth Going'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'We kept this Budget on a larger plank, rather than on one incident, however serious.'

Exports up in first 3 weeks of Nov: Goyal

Exports up in first 3 weeks of Nov: Goyal

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

India's merchandise exports grew in the first three weeks of November compared with the same period last year, according to preliminary government data, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday. The uptick comes despite globa

China Eastern to resume flights to India from Sunday

China Eastern to resume flights to India from Sunday

Rediff.com8 Nov 2025

Chinese airline China Eastern is set to begin its Delhi-Shanghai flight from Sunday, days after IndiGo's flight to Guangzhou from Kolkata, marking the resumption of the flight services between the two countries after a gap of five years.

'We Are Poised For An Exciting 2026'

'We Are Poised For An Exciting 2026'

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

'Earnings growth will be the main driver of India's market in 2026, with profits expected to rise 9% to 10% in H2 FY26 and accelerate to 12% to 15% in FY27.'

India rejects IMF view that US tariffs will stay indefinitely, hit growth

India rejects IMF view that US tariffs will stay indefinitely, hit growth

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

The Indian government has expressed its disagreement with the IMF staff's 'baseline' assumption that the 50 per cent US tariffs on its goods exports 'would remain in place indefinitely', based on which the staff pegged the country's GDP growth at 6.6 per cent this year, and pared its 2026-27 projection by 20 basis points to 6.2 per cent.

Want To Invest In Manufacturing Funds?

Want To Invest In Manufacturing Funds?

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

'They are a poor fit for anyone with near-term goals, low volatility tolerance, or a need for steady income or liquidity.' 'First-time investors should typically avoid them.'

Exports fall 2.17% in May; trade deficit narrows

Exports fall 2.17% in May; trade deficit narrows

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

After registering a positive growth for two months, India's exports slipped into negative territory again, contracting 2.17 per cent year-on-year to $38.73 billion in May due to a fall in global petroleum prices, while trade deficit narrowed at $21.88 billion during the month.

Trump: 'Field Marshal Munir Is A Very Great Guy'

Trump: 'Field Marshal Munir Is A Very Great Guy'

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

'We have a great leader coming, the prime minister of Pakistan and the field marshal.'

Vietnam Emerges As India's Key Defence Partner

Vietnam Emerges As India's Key Defence Partner

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

The 15th India-Vietnam Defence Dialogue signalled a move from routine talks to deeper cooperation, with new deals on submarine rescue and defence industry to support stability in the Indo-Pacific, notes Dr Rajaram Panda.

Trump meets Sharif, Munir for 1 hour; no press allowed

Trump meets Sharif, Munir for 1 hour; no press allowed

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

US President Donald Trump met with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House to discuss bilateral ties. This was the first formal bilateral interaction between Trump and Sharif.

'Emirates NBD Is In RBL For 15-20 Years'

'Emirates NBD Is In RBL For 15-20 Years'

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

'It is not looking at valuation, but investment, growth and ultimately better profit for stakeholders.'

Exports up 9% to $38.49 bn in Apr; trade deficit widens to 5-month high of $26.42 bn

Exports up 9% to $38.49 bn in Apr; trade deficit widens to 5-month high of $26.42 bn

Rediff.com16 May 2025

India's exports rose 9.03 per cent to $38.49 billion in April, the highest in six months, driven by healthy growth in sectors such as electronics and engineering goods, while the trade deficit widened to a five-month high of $26.42 billion. According to the commerce ministry data released on Thursday, imports increased by 19.12 per cent year-on-year to $64.91 billion in April due to a rise in shipments of crude oil and fertiliser.

'Potential Threats To India's Security From Saudi-Pak Pact Are Serious, But Manageable'

'Potential Threats To India's Security From Saudi-Pak Pact Are Serious, But Manageable'

Rediff.com30 Sep 2025

'Saudi-Pak defence pact is to anchor the defence and security of Saudi Arabia and not Pakistan, per se, with Islamabad being the junior partner.'

India, US sign key defence agreement

India, US sign key defence agreement

Rediff.com24 Aug 2024

The two countries also signed a 'Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers', which will facilitate the posting of one military officer from each country with the military of the other.

Nationwide strike over labour reforms, MSP may hit key sectors

Nationwide strike over labour reforms, MSP may hit key sectors

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

Over 25 crore workers across India are set to strike against new labour codes and privatisation, potentially disrupting banking, postal, and other essential services.

Classify Strategic Data As 'National Asset'

Classify Strategic Data As 'National Asset'

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

...on par with oil, power, and defence, and to restrict its storage under foreign control.

Why Sensex closed at nearly two-month low on Monday

Why Sensex closed at nearly two-month low on Monday

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

Titan, HCL Tech and State Bank of India were also among the laggards. However, Hindustan Unilever, Asian Paints, ICICI Bank, Power Grid, HDFC Bank and ITC were the gainers.

'India-China Won't Go Back To What It Was'

'India-China Won't Go Back To What It Was'

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

'What's currently underway is not a 'reset'.' 'What needs to be arrived at is a new balance.'

India, UK to resume trade talks this month

India, UK to resume trade talks this month

Rediff.com7 Jul 2024

With the new government taking charge in Britain, senior officials of India and the UK will hold the next round of talks this month for the proposed free trade agreement to resolve the pending issues and close the negotiations, an official said. The India-UK talks for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) began in January 2022. The 14th round of talks stalled as the two nations stepped into their general election cycles.

Do fresh steps signal a stable future for India-China ties?

Do fresh steps signal a stable future for India-China ties?

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

India and China have announced a series of measures aimed at improving their relationship, including maintaining peace along the border, reopening border trade, and resuming direct flights.

100-day plan: Govt platform for exporters to boost trade

100-day plan: Govt platform for exporters to boost trade

Rediff.com21 Jun 2024

The commerce department has reaffirmed its plans to launch the 'Trade Connect' e-platform to help exporters connect with stakeholders of international trade, as a part of the new government's 100-day action plan, a senior government official said.

Bajaj Group get CCI's nod to acquire Allianz's 26% stake in insurance JVs

Bajaj Group get CCI's nod to acquire Allianz's 26% stake in insurance JVs

Rediff.com20 May 2025

Fair trade regulator CCI on Tuesday cleared Bajaj Group's proposed acquisition of a 26 per cent stake each in its insurance joint ventures, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, from its partner Allianz SE for a total of Rs 24,180 crore. "The proposed combination involves acquisition of 26 per cent paid-up equity share capital of Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Ltd (BALIC) and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Ltd (BAGIC) by Bajaj Finserv Ltd (BFS), Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd (BHIL) and Jamnalal Sons Pvt Ltd (JSPL) from Allianz SE," the regulator said in a release.

Why Is The US So Fond Of Asim Munir?

Why Is The US So Fond Of Asim Munir?

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Sections in the US State Department and Pentagon have always felt more comfortable dealing with all powerful Pakistani generals instead of elected civilians, points out Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.

Indira Gandhi Or Modi: Who's India's Strongest PM?

Indira Gandhi Or Modi: Who's India's Strongest PM?

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

Mrs Gandhi's power ebbed and peaked with the times. Mr Modi's has almost been constant, barring the few months of hard dip after the 240 seats of 2024, points out Shekhar Gupta.

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.

Trump's reciprocal tariffs and WTO rules: An explainer

Trump's reciprocal tariffs and WTO rules: An explainer

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

American President Donald Trump has announced imposing reciprocal tariffs on its major trading partners including China that levy higher import duties on goods shipped from the United States. He has already announced a 25 per cent duty on steel and aluminium imports, which will come into effect from March 12.