BusinessPolicyTrade

U.S. and India Near Major Trade Agreement With Tariff Reductions and Energy Policy Shifts

Reports suggest the U.S. may cut tariffs on Indian exports from 50% to 15%-16% as part of a new trade agreement. India is reportedly considering scaling back Russian oil purchases, a key U.S. demand, amid ongoing bilateral negotiations.

Potential Breakthrough in U.S.-India Trade Relations

According to recent reports from Indian media outlet Mint, the United States and India are nearing a significant trade agreement that could substantially reduce tariffs on Indian exports while addressing Washington’s concerns about New Delhi’s energy imports from Russia. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicate that both sides have made substantial progress after months of strained relations.

EconomyTrade

U.S. Tariffs on Indian Goods Disrupt Diwali Celebrations and Small Business Economies

New 50% tariffs on Indian imports have dramatically increased prices for traditional Diwali items from saris to gold jewelry. Small business owners in Indian-American communities report sales declines up to 70% during what’s typically their busiest season, with broader implications for U.S.-India economic relations.

Tariffs Transform Diwali Celebrations and Business Realities

The festive spirit of Diwali, traditionally marked by vibrant celebrations in Indian-American communities across the United States, has been significantly subdued this year, according to reports. Sources indicate that 50% tariffs imposed on goods imported from India in late August have caused prices to skyrocket on everything from traditional clothing to festive foods and gold jewelry.

BusinessRetail

Galeries Lafayette Enters Indian Luxury Market Amid Growing Affluent Population

The 130-year-old Parisian luxury department store Galeries Lafayette has launched its Indian debut in Mumbai through a partnership with the Aditya Birla Group. The massive 90,000 sq ft store in Mumbai’s historic Fort neighborhood will feature over 250 luxury brands amid growing demand from India’s expanding affluent population. The opening comes as international luxury retailers increasingly target India’s rapidly growing high-end consumer market.

Historic Parisian Retailer Makes Indian Debut

The 130-year-old Paris-based luxury department store Galeries Lafayette has entered the Indian market through a partnership with the Aditya Birla Group, according to reports. The iconic retailer has partnered with the retail arm of the Indian conglomerate for its operations in what analysts suggest represents a significant vote of confidence in India’s growing luxury market.

PolicyTrade

Trump Announces Modi’s Pledge to Halt Russian Oil Purchases Amid Trade Talks

Former President Donald Trump revealed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him India would cease buying Russian oil. This development could break the stalemate in trade negotiations and provide tariff relief for Indian exports facing 50% duties.

Trump Announces Modi’s Commitment on Russian Oil

Former President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to stop purchasing Russian oil, according to reports. The announcement came during a press briefing where Trump revealed that Modi made this commitment during a phone conversation earlier that day.

PolicyTrade

Trump Claims Modi Agrees to Halt Russian Oil Purchases Amid Ukraine War Pressure

Former President Donald Trump has reportedly secured assurances from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India will cease Russian oil imports “within a short period of time.” This development comes as Western nations intensify economic pressure on Russia over its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with oil exports being a crucial revenue source for Moscow.

Trump Announces Modi’s Commitment to End Russian Oil Imports

According to reports from international media, former President Donald Trump has stated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil as part of broader efforts to increase economic pressure on the Kremlin. Sources indicate Trump told reporters he received personal assurances from Modi that India would halt its purchases “within a short period of time,” which he characterized as “a big stop” in their discussions.

AIAutomation

AI Chatbots Rapidly Replace Call-Center Workers in India’s Tech Transformation

Indian startups are deploying AI chatbots that handle up to 70% of customer queries, threatening traditional call-center jobs. The technology is transforming India’s back-office industry as companies report slashing staffing needs by 80% while scaling operations.

AI Revolution Transforms India’s Back-Office Industry

India’s massive call centre industry is undergoing rapid transformation as artificial intelligence chatbots increasingly replace human workers, according to a Reuters investigation. Startup companies like LimeChat are developing AI agents that can handle customer queries with human-like responsiveness, enabling clients to reduce workforce requirements by up to 80%.

TechnologyTelecom

Bharti Airtel and IBM Forge Cloud Partnership to Expand AI Services in India

India’s Bharti Airtel has teamed up with IBM to offer cloud services through its Airtel Cloud platform. The partnership aims to address growing demand for AI and data storage solutions in regulated sectors like banking and healthcare.

Major Cloud Expansion Initiative

India’s second-largest telecom operator Bharti Airtel has partnered with American technology giant IBM to offer cloud services through its recently launched platform, according to reports from Reuters. The collaboration comes as demand for computing capacity continues to grow significantly throughout India.