Daily News - Monday, 11 August 2025

⁠India concludes trade deal negotiations with Oman, date of economic partnership agreement remains unrevealed (The Economic Times)

⁠India and Oman have successfully concluded negotiations for their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, a deal that began talks in 2023 and builds on decades of close strategic, trade, and cultural ties, though no date has yet been announced for its signing. Over the past five years, India has been on an aggressive trade pact drive, finalising five major agreements including with Mauritius (2021), the UAE and Australia (2022), the European Free Trade Association (2024), and the UK (2025, pending enforcement), while preparing to implement the EFTA TEPA later this year. At the same time, India is pushing forward with negotiations on several more deals, such as with the EU, Australia (CECA), Sri Lanka, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, and the United States, signalling an accelerated effort to deepen global market access.

⁠Shrimp exporters seek govt aid as Trump tariffs threaten USD 2 bn of exports (The Economic Times)

India’s shrimp export sector is facing a major crisis as the US, under President Donald Trump, has doubled reciprocal tariffs to as high as 50 per cent, putting at risk nearly USD 2 billion worth of shipments and severely undermining competitiveness against rivals like China, Vietnam, and Thailand that face only 20-30 per cent duties. The Seafood Export Association of India has urgently sought emergency relief from the commerce and finance ministries, including a 30 per cent working capital boost through soft loans, interest subsidies, and a 240-day moratorium, warning that rerouting shipments would trigger 40 per cent penalties and that entering alternative markets like the UK will take time. With USD 2.8 billion worth of shrimp exported to the US in 2024 and USD 500 million already shipped this year, the sudden tariff hike threatens millions of coastal livelihoods and a key source of foreign exchange earnings.  

⁠Trumputin talks! India pins hopes on Alaska assembly (The Economic Times)

⁠India is closely watching the August 15 Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, hoping it could lead to a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, sanctions relief for Moscow, and the lifting of the additional 25 per cent US tariff imposed on India over its Russian oil imports, which Washington claims are funding Russia’s war. New Delhi has openly endorsed the meeting, framing it as a potential turning point for global stability and India’s own economic and security interests, with senior diplomats calling it transformative and urging full Indian support. Observers note that the summit could also recalibrate India-US ties by easing trade frictions, although some European powers are seen as potential spoilers, with concerns that Ukraine might launch fresh attacks in the days leading up to the talks. 

Govt to withdraw draft Digital Competition Bill (Financial Express)

The government has decided to scrap the current draft of the Digital Competition Bill, which sought to impose ex-ante rules on large online platforms, after facing strong pushback from both global tech giants and major Indian digital firms over its vague definitions, low thresholds, and excessive compliance burdens. Instead, the corporate affairs ministry will conduct a detailed market study in consultation with other ministries and industry stakeholders before preparing a new draft, with sources indicating that ex-ante provisions may be dropped or significantly diluted. Officials believe the Competition Commission of India can already tackle big tech cases under existing laws, and a more balanced approach—similar to the UK’s years-long preparatory process—is now being planned to address anti-competitive risks without stifling innovation.

Henley Passport Index: India’s passport climbs to 75th spot in 2025, highest in a decade (Financial Express)

India has climbed eight spots to rank 77th in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, with its visa-free access expanding from 57 to 59 countries, marking an overall gain of eleven places over the past decade from its 2021 low of 90th. The index, which evaluates 199 passports against 227 destinations using IATA data, shows Asian nations dominating the top ranks, with Singapore at #1 (193 visa-free destinations), Japan and South Korea at #2 (190), and seven EU countries sharing third place (189). Meanwhile, the UK and US have slipped in rankings to sixth and tenth respectively, highlighting shifting global mobility trends as Indian passport strength edges upward.