Spaghetti Bowl: You Have Been Served

The Trade-Off Paradox: How India could have leveraged market access to optimise FDI and domestic manufacturing

Reform Compass

January 27, 2026 at 6:57 AM IST

India Faces Higher EU Tariffs as GSP Suspension Hits 87% of Exports

While there is optimism over the conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, Indian exporters will, in reality, confront higher trade barriers in the near term

Ajay Srivastava

January 23, 2026 at 10:23 AM IST

Istock.com

India’s 2025 Exports Resilient, but Policy Gaps Remain

India’s exports weathered a turbulent 2025 marked by protectionism and trade disruptions, showing resilience. Delayed policy support and uneven gains from trade agreements, however, leave the sector vulnerable as global uncertainties persist into 2026.

Sharmila Kantha

January 2, 2026 at 7:32 AM IST

Istock.com

The Opportunity Hidden in New Zealand’s Import Basket

India’s exports remain small even in products where it is a major global supplier and New Zealand imports heavily, often sourcing from China instead.

Ajay Srivastava

December 24, 2025 at 8:41 AM IST

Are Tariffs the Termites in the Customs House?

India’s complex structure of tariffs has been compounded by FTAs deeply impacting domestic manufacturing - breeding discretion and incentivising evasion.

Reform Compass

December 23, 2025 at 8:13 AM IST

iStock.com

India-New Zealand Announce Conclusion of Free Trade Agreement Negotiation

India and New Zealand have sealed a comprehensive FTA, cutting tariffs, expanding services and mobility, and unlocking trade, investment, and supply-chain ties.

BasisPoint Insight

December 22, 2025 at 12:35 PM IST

Wikimedia Commons

India–Israel Trade Deal Returns to Agenda After a Decade-Long Pause

India’s renewed FTA push with Israel signals a pivot from limited merchandise trade to high-value partnerships in defence, agri-tech, electronics, water systems and innovation.

Ajay Srivastava

November 24, 2025 at 10:13 AM IST

iStock.com

India’s Strategic Shift Toward Diversified Trade and Green Commitments

As corporate India scales up renewables at unprecedented speed, the country is positioning itself for a new era of sustainable global trade.

Nilanjan Banik

November 15, 2025 at 4:36 AM IST

RIL website

Did India Concede Future Flexibility in the India-UK Trade Deal?

The forward review mechanism clause in the India-UK FTA, linking India’s future policy to consultation rights for the UK, could constrain New Delhi’s flexibility in future negotiations with partners like the EU and the US.

Shweta Kushe

October 31, 2025 at 6:33 AM IST

PIB

Self-Sufficiency Will Need More Than Just Pulses Mission

Missions are okay, but India must modernise the whole production and marketing ecosystem to become self-sufficient in pulses.

G. Chandrashekhar

October 8, 2025 at 7:26 AM IST

Europe’s Stalled Gaze Risks Losing India’s Market

The EU’s overreach in trade talks, imbalance in additional market access, intrusive non-trade demands, and regulatory zeal, threaten to cost it India’s fast-expanding market.

Sangeeta Godbole

September 16, 2025 at 11:17 AM IST

Why ‘Make in Asia (ex-China)’ Could Help Redefine the Global Wardrobe

China’s grip on textiles is loosening. Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, and others can stitch together new supply chains to reshape the $500-billion global apparel market.

Rajesh Kumar*

August 20, 2025 at 10:18 AM IST

triloks/iStock

India’s Chemical Industry Must Stop Settling for Low-Hanging Fruit

India’s $220 billion chemicals needs to aim higher, toward global value chains, innovation, and skilled jobs.

Ishtiyaque Ahmed

July 21, 2025 at 2:45 AM IST

Istock.com

China's Strong-Arm Tactics Need A Calibrated Response

China has not issued any official explanation for withdrawing engineers from Foxconn plant in India, but the timing is telling. New Delhi is on the verge of finalising a trade deal with Washington.

Ajay Srivastava

July 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM IST

India-US FTA

India Pushes For Zero Tariff On Labour-Intensive Exports As Talks Enter Last Leg

India demands zero tariffs on key exports in US FTA talks, crucial for job growth and MSME boost. Will the US bite?

Ajay Srivastava

July 2, 2025 at 5:48 AM IST

UK Firms Get Foothold In Govt Contracts; Are Indian MSMEs On Equal Footing In UK?

Allowing UK firms to compete on near-equal terms under FTA could crowd out Indian MSMEs, which depend heavily on protected access to government contracts.

Ajay Srivastava

May 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM IST

iStock.com

India, UK Conclude Trade Deal; To Slash Over 90% Of Tariff Lines

BasisPoint Insight

May 6, 2025 at 4:08 PM IST

Don’t Show The Other Cheek—India Must Push Back On US Trade Pressure

Trump dubbed India the “tariff king” first in 2019, then kept the crown insults coming in his second term. But there’s method to the madness: spin the story, steal a better bargain.

Ajay Srivastava

May 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM IST

Gage Skidmore/CC

US May Demand More Than Its Pound Of Flesh In FTA Talks With India

Why getting an FTA ratified won’t be easy, and how its implementation could trigger Trump’s tariff tantrums in full force.

Ajay Srivastava

March 26, 2025 at 5:41 AM IST

Gage Skidmore/CC

The Bureau

Indian Equities Edge Higher in Selective Risk-On Trade on India–EU Deal

India Faces Higher EU Tariffs as GSP Suspension Hits 87% of Exports

India Insurance Sector Seen Gaining Profitability on Premium Growth, Reforms: Moody’s

Cyber Threats Set to Intensify in 2026 as AI Arms Race Accelerates: Moody’s

Bloomberg Defers Call on India Gilts Inclusion for Global Aggregate Index

Stablecoins Are No Longer Just a Crypto Story

Budget 2026: India's Manufacturing Conundrum

Learning to Shoot: I Tried to Fly Before I Could Walk