News for 'union-commerce-minister'

'Studying developments': India after US SC verdict on Trump's tariffs

'Studying developments': India after US SC verdict on Trump's tariffs

Rediff.com21 Feb 2026

In a major setback to Trump's pivotal economic agenda for his second term, the US Supreme Court, in a 6-3 verdict written by Chief Justice John Roberts, ruled that the tariffs imposed by the president on nations around the world were illegal.

'Students Will Get 2, 3, 4 Year Work Visa In New Zealand'

'Students Will Get 2, 3, 4 Year Work Visa In New Zealand'

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

Indian students going to New Zealand for studies will now be eligible for a two-year work visa.

Energy security for 1.4 bn supreme: India refutes Trump's Russian oil claim

Energy security for 1.4 bn supreme: India refutes Trump's Russian oil claim

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India's energy decisions are guided by national interest.

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.

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

India-US Deal Shields Farmers

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

New Delhi will substantially reduce tariffs on industrial and agricultural goods while continuing to protect sensitive sectors. Tariffs on some agricultural products that are not traditionally considered sensitive will be brought down to zero, while in the case of relatively sensitive items, duties will be reduced in a graded manner and quotas will be imposed.

AIADMK, BJP begin preliminary talks for 2026 TN polls

AIADMK, BJP begin preliminary talks for 2026 TN polls

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

NDA constituents AIADMK and BJP have started preliminary discussions for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Key leaders from both parties met to discuss strategies to defeat the DMK government and strengthen their alliance.

US tariff jolts UP's export hubs; industry seeks govt bailout

US tariff jolts UP's export hubs; industry seeks govt bailout

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

Uttar Pradesh's leading export hubs are reeling under the impact of a steep 50 per cent tariff imposed by the US on Indian imports, with exporters warning of job losses, stalled orders and shrinking market access. Industry leaders from Noida, Kanpur and Varanasi said the tariff has put years of painstaking market-building at risk, even as protests and demonstrations erupted in several districts last week.

Sectors that will boost TN to $1 trillion economy

Sectors that will boost TN to $1 trillion economy

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

The state has clocked more than 8 per cent growth in the last three financial years, braving global headwinds and thriving on its manufacturing strength

CAIT seeks action against quick commerce firms

CAIT seeks action against quick commerce firms

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) representing 70 million traders has written to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, drawing his attention to the alleged violations of laws and regulations by quick commerce (qcom) companies.

Sitharaman urges banks to make loans affordable

Sitharaman urges banks to make loans affordable

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said people are finding current interest rates "very stressful" and urged banks to make them affordable. Speaking at an event organised by State Bank of India, the finance minister said that at present, India requires industry to ramp up and invest in new facilities, and added that lowering lending rates can help achieve the "Viksit Bharat" aspiration.

Will rebels upset Mahayuti, MVA poll plans in Maha?

Will rebels upset Mahayuti, MVA poll plans in Maha?

Rediff.com29 Oct 2024

Among the BJP rebels, a notable figure is Gopal Shetty, a two-time MLA and former Lok Sabha member from Mumbai. He has filed his nomination as an independent candidate against the party's official nominee, Sanjay Upadhyay, in Mumbai's Borivali assembly constituency.

'The Lord Saved Me'

'The Lord Saved Me'

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

'My family members are devotees of Lord Tirumala Venkateswara. I visit the deity before making any major decisions.'

Piyush Goyal not against e-commerce platforms, but...

Piyush Goyal not against e-commerce platforms, but...

Rediff.com22 Aug 2024

A day after lambasting e-commerce players for predatory pricing, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said he is not against online platforms but India wants such entities to be "fair and honest" in their conduct. Speaking with reporters in the financial capital, the outspoken Union minister said the rule of the law should be followed in letter and spirit, and made it clear that consumer preferences should not be influenced by algorithms.

Phase 3: Fate of Shah, Scindia among 1300 candidates to be sealed on Tuesday

Phase 3: Fate of Shah, Scindia among 1300 candidates to be sealed on Tuesday

Rediff.com6 May 2024

Among the bigwigs are Union ministers Amit Shah (Gandhinagar), Jyotiraditya Scindia (Guna), Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), Parshottam Rupala (Rajkot), Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and SP Singh Baghel (Agra).

Darjeeling tea hits 8-yr low in auctions

Darjeeling tea hits 8-yr low in auctions

Rediff.com5 Jan 2024

Geopolitical headwinds leading to lower demand from export markets, coupled with lower domestic buying, have dragged the auction average of Darjeeling tea to its lowest level since 2015. Data from Calcutta Tea Traders Association (CTTA) shows that the average price of Darjeeling tea at Kolkata auctions for January-December 2023 was Rs 319.74 per kg. The last time it dipped below this level was in 2015 at Rs 285.71 per kg.

Centre to revise SEZ Act, limiting tax sops and enhancing integration

Centre to revise SEZ Act, limiting tax sops and enhancing integration

Rediff.com16 Nov 2023

The Centre is unlikely to offer new direct tax incentives for units operating in special economic zones (SEZs) and may instead allow the grandfathering of previous exemptions that such units were entitled to, according to proposed amendments to the SEZ Act, 2005, people aware of the matter said. The amendments, proposed by the commerce department, will soon be considered by the Cabinet for approval. This represents a departure from the department's earlier plan to introduce these changes through the Development Enterprises and Services Hubs (DESH) Bill, 2023, which faced strong criticism from the ministry of finance.

Modi flags challenges in the fast growing cross-border e-com

Modi flags challenges in the fast growing cross-border e-com

Rediff.com24 Aug 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday suggested the G20 trade ministers to work collectively to ensure equitable competition between large and small sellers as there are challenges in the fast growing cross-border e-commerce. In a video message at the G20 Trade and Investment Minister's meeting here, he also emphasised on the need to address the problems faced by consumers in fair price discovery and grievance handling mechanisms. "Digitising processes and use of e-commerce have the potential to enhance market access. "I am glad that your group is working on the 'High Level Principles for the Digitalization of Trade Documents'. These principles can help countries in implementing cross-border electronic trade measures, and reduce compliance burdens.

Modi, Kharge share millet lunch after Cong chief's 'dog' remark

Modi, Kharge share millet lunch after Cong chief's 'dog' remark

Rediff.com20 Dec 2022

The lunch was hosted by agriculture minister Narendra Tomar to mark Millet Year 2023.

Govt to procure 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

Govt to procure 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

Barely days after imposing a 40 per cent export tax on onions to cool down soaring prices, which, in turn, triggered widespread protests across the main growing belts, the Centre on Tuesday sought to mitigate both political and economic tensions gripping parts of Maharashtra. It decided to procure an additional 200,000 tonnes of onions at Rs 2,410 per quintal for its buffer stock from farmers, a rate that is strikingly close to the price at which they were being exported before the 40 per cent duty was levied on August 19. The export price before the imposition of the duty stood at around $320 per tonne free on board (approximately Rs 2,650 per quintal).

Maharashtra Rajya Sabha counting on hold as BJP objects to 3 MVA votes

Maharashtra Rajya Sabha counting on hold as BJP objects to 3 MVA votes

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

The crucial, neck-to-neck contest was necessitated as the Bharatiya Janata Party fielded three candidates while Shiv Sena put up two and Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party one each.

Adani Crisis: No Harm To National Interest

Adani Crisis: No Harm To National Interest

Rediff.com22 Feb 2023

Those who worry that the Adani saga will turn the world off India are not looking at the entire picture, asserts Mihir S Sharma.

'BJP believes it will rule for 25-30 years'

'BJP believes it will rule for 25-30 years'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2022

'BJP and Modi are confident they will win the 2024 election.'

RS poll results not shocking; no threat to MVA govt: Pawar

RS poll results not shocking; no threat to MVA govt: Pawar

Rediff.com11 Jun 2022

'The sixth seat was a risk for the MVA, but Uddhav Thackeray took the risk,' Pawar said. 'In politics, one has to take risks.'

'We told govt we were not their puppets'

'We told govt we were not their puppets'

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

'We told the government that we won't dance to their tunes this time.'

Sitharaman likely to take RS route from Andhra Pradesh

Sitharaman likely to take RS route from Andhra Pradesh

Rediff.com14 Jun 2014

Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to be elected to Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh in the by-election slated for July 3.

Nokia union seeks Centre's help to save roughly 6,000 jobs

Nokia union seeks Centre's help to save roughly 6,000 jobs

Rediff.com21 Oct 2014

Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she will pursue the matter with the finance ministry

New procurement policy to pursue indigenisation: Antony

New procurement policy to pursue indigenisation: Antony

Rediff.com25 Mar 2013

The defence ministry is in the final stages of preparing the new procurement policy, which will 'aggressively' pursue indigenisation, Defence Minister A K Antony said in Kochi on Monday.

Govt reviewing FTAs, says minister

Govt reviewing FTAs, says minister

Rediff.com13 May 2013

Exports are expected to grow by 10-15 per cent in the current fiscal, FIEO director general and chief executive officer Ajay Sahai said.

West Bengal seeks STP benefits for IT cos

West Bengal seeks STP benefits for IT cos

Rediff.com14 Jun 2012

Although Infosys was given 50 acre at Rajarhat for setting up its first development centre in West Bengal, the firm was insisting on getting special economic zone status, which the state was not keen to consider due to political reasons.

Commerce Minister in Pakistan to boost trade ties

Commerce Minister in Pakistan to boost trade ties

Rediff.com13 Feb 2012

Anand Sharma, Union Commerce Minister, crossed over to Pakistan early Monday morning with a large delegation comprising of officials of his ministry, members of the trade chambers and journalists to launch India show in Lahore where goods from India would be displayed for the visitors who are keen to buy them.

E-com cos told to display 'country of origin' on all products

E-com cos told to display 'country of origin' on all products

Rediff.com9 Jul 2020

The development comes amid a growing clamour for the boycott of Chinese products in India, combined with the government's push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Jethmalani, Sharma win RS poll from Rajasthan

Jethmalani, Sharma win RS poll from Rajasthan

Rediff.com17 Jun 2010

Noted lawyer and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Ram Jethmalani and Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma were on Thursday elected in the Rajya Sabha polls in Rajasthan, while a Congress-supported Independent candidate was defeated.

ASEAN FTA:  Good or bad for Indian farmers?

ASEAN FTA: Good or bad for Indian farmers?

Rediff.com26 Aug 2009

This accord marks the success of India's Look East Policy and is the first with a trading bloc.

ASEAN FTA:  Good or bad for Indian farmers?

ASEAN FTA: Good or bad for Indian farmers?

Rediff.com26 Aug 2009

This accord marks the success of India's Look East Policy and is the first with a trading bloc.

Climate deal: Alarmed India Inc writes to the PM

Climate deal: Alarmed India Inc writes to the PM

Rediff.com7 Dec 2009

In an open letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and to Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, the industry body has outlined its view on the climate change negotiations based on Indian industry's feedback and called for the prime minister to urge the developed world to provide technology transfer and funds to help mitigate the crisis.

Dais collapses, Kamal Nath escapes unhurt

Dais collapses, Kamal Nath escapes unhurt

Rediff.com2 Apr 2008

The wooden structure at Rehatgaon near Timarni in this district was erected for the election campaign in favour of Sukhdev Panse, Congress candidate for Lok Sabha by-election in Betul constituency.

Centre has power to denotify SEZ: Kamat

Centre has power to denotify SEZ: Kamat

Rediff.com27 Aug 2008

Justifying its stand on scrapping of Special Economic Zones projects in Goa, the state government has said the Centre has the power to denotify those which are not operational within the stipulated timeframe.

Kamal Nath meets US envoy over agri subsidies

Kamal Nath meets US envoy over agri subsidies

Rediff.com9 May 2008

Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath met US trade representative Susan Schwab in New York on Thursday evening. He said the meeting led to 'much more convergence' between the two countries than last year on the feisty issues relating to the WTO negotiations. The minister arrived in New York to release his book 'India's Century' and to meet Schwab in yet another bid to achieve a breakthrough on the issue of agriculture subsidies that are at the core of WTO negotiations.

Concerned about yuan's fall, India mulls steps on imports

Concerned about yuan's fall, India mulls steps on imports

Rediff.com8 Jan 2016

Yuan's fall would worsen India's trade deficit with China.

Is an engineering degree enough?

Is an engineering degree enough?

Rediff.com14 Jun 2007

A recent study by Nasscom suggests that only a fourth of the 400,000 students graduating every year in the country are employable.