US Envoy Sergio Gor Calls US-India Economic Partnership a ‘Win-Win’ Growth Model (Business Standard)
At a press briefing in New Delhi, US Ambassador Sergio Gor described the US-India economic partnership as a “win-win” model, highlighting India’s USD $4.3 trillion (INR ₹357 lakh crore) economy and massive infrastructure needs that align with American expertise in energy, aviation, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure. He noted that India has become the 10th signatory to the Pax Silica Declaration, a US-led initiative to secure resilient supply chains for semiconductors and critical minerals, areas overseen by India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Electronics and IT. Gor emphasized that bilateral trade, already exceeding USD $200 billion (INR ₹16.6 lakh crore) annually, will be anchored by a proposed trade deal, creating a powerful anchor for regional integration across South and Central Asia. He also pointed to defence cooperation under the Quad framework, citing joint military exercises such as Malabar, Tiger Triumph, and Cope India, coordinated by India’s Ministry of Defence. The envoy stressed that the US-India COMPACT framework prioritises collaboration in pharmaceuticals, AI infrastructure, and critical mineral processing capacity, reinforcing economic and national security interests. Analysts note that this partnership could accelerate India’s GDP growth beyond 7% in FY27, while strengthening supply chains and boosting American exports to Indian markets.
India-UK FTA is Boosting Premium Motorcycle Market (Economicm Times)
TVS Motor Company has invested about £250 million (USD $315 million / INR ₹3,079 crore) to revive the iconic Norton Motorcycles, establishing a new headquarters and manufacturing hub in Solihull, West Midlands, UK, while simultaneously leveraging its Hosur, Tamil Nadu facility for global production. The partnership, highlighted by KN Radhakrishnan (CEO, TVS Motor) and Greg Clark (Executive Chair, Warwick Innovation District, former UK Cabinet Minister), builds on decades of collaboration with the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), founded by Lord Bhattacharyya, whose mentorship shaped both TVS and the West Midlands’ industrial identity. The flagship Norton Manx R four-cylinder motorcycle is being readied for production, with TVS ensuring the brand remains firmly positioned in the premium segment. Research collaboration focuses on lightweighting materials for EVs, a priority area for India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries and the UK’s industrial strategy, as both nations push electrification. The partnership also aligns with the ongoing India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, which aim to ease movement of parts, sub‑assemblies, and fully built motorcycles into India’s booming premium market. With the West Midlands home to 270,000 Indians and Indian conglomerates like TVS, Tata, and Mahindra investing heavily, analysts see this as a blueprint for how Indian engineering scale and British heritage can jointly shape the future of global mobility.
India-Brazil Energy Talks Include Joint Refinery Proposal (mint)
Brazilian ambassador to India Kenneth Félix Haczynski da Nóbrega stated that Brazil, the top South American oil producer and the world’s seventh‑largest crude exporter, is offering India more crude oil in exchange for New Delhi’s refining expertise, particularly in diesel production. India, the world’s fourth-largest refiner, processed over 250 million tonnes of crude in FY25, with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas highlighting refining as a strategic strength. Brazil, which imports large volumes of petroleum products, sees collaboration with Indian refiners such as Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) as a way to reduce its critical vulnerability in diesel supply. Discussions include setting up a joint refinery in Brazil, leveraging India’s refining technology and Brazil’s crude reserves, while also exploring equity oil and gas investments. The pitch comes amid the Israel-Iran war, which has disrupted global energy flows and pushed India to diversify beyond West Asia, where it sources over 60% of crude imports. Analysts note that such cooperation could strengthen bilateral trade, already valued at USD $16 billion (INR ₹1.3 lakh crore) annually, and align with India’s broader energy security strategy.
Indian packaging company EPL Ltd will merge with Thailand’s Indovida (Reuters)
Indian packaging company EPL Ltd announced it will merge with Indovida, backed by Thailand’s Indorama Ventures, in a deal valuing the combined entity at about USD $2 billion (INR ₹189.5 billion). Under the transaction, EPL is valued at USD $1.2 billion (INR ₹113.7 billion), implying a price of INR ₹339 (USD $3.58) per share, while Indovida is valued at USD $700 million (INR ₹66.3 billion). Post‑merger, Indorama Ventures will hold a 51.8% stake as co‑promoter, while Blackstone, which currently backs EPL, will retain about 16.6% ownership. Hemant Bakshi, CEO of EPL, will remain Group CEO, while Sunil Marwah, CEO of Indovida, will continue to run the Indovida business, ensuring continuity in leadership. The deal is subject to regulatory, shareholder, and court approvals, with closure expected within a year, and is being closely monitored by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Analysts note that the merger will create one of Asia’s largest packaging players, combining EPL’s tube packaging operations with Indovida’s plastics portfolio, strengthening India’s position in the global packaging supply chain.
India-Canada CEPA Focus on Clean Energy and Critical Minerals (Economic Times)
At the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Geneva, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held bilateral meetings with trade ministers from the UK, EU, New Zealand, and Canada, focusing on free trade agreements and WTO reforms. The UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter J Kyle confirmed that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed in July 2025, has completed parliamentary approval, while EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic discussed expediting the India-EU FTA, which aims to boost bilateral trade already valued at USD $135 billion (INR ₹11.2 lakh crore). With Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, Goyal reviewed progress on the India-Canada CEPA negotiations, agreeing to diversify cooperation in shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, tourism, education, agriculture, clean energy, and critical minerals. New Zealand’s Trade Minister Todd Michael McClay confirmed that a substantial list of deliverables is being prepared for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit, including market access and investment facilitation. On WTO issues, Goyal emphasized India’s stance that reforms must remain consensus‑based, prioritizing unfinished mandates in agriculture before newer topics, while also engaging on the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions and TRIPS‑related complaints. Analysts note that these engagements strengthen India’s trade diplomacy, with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry positioning India as a key player in shaping global trade rules while securing market access for domestic industries.
