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India's strong growth, tech demand brighten developing Asia prospects, says ADB

India's strong growth, tech demand brighten developing Asia prospects, says ADB

MANILA, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Strong demand for products from the region's high-tech economies and India's faster-than-expected growth have improved the outlook for developing Asia and the Pacific for this year and the next, the Asian Development Bank said on Wednesday.
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President Trump Considers Tariffs on Indian Rice, Impacting Exporters

President Trump Considers Tariffs on Indian Rice, Impacting Exporters

Reports indicate that President Donald Trump is considering imposing new tariffs on Indian rice, which has led to a significant drop in the stock prices of major Indian rice exporters. Companies like LT Foods, GRM Overseas, and Kohinoor Foods have seen their shares fall by as much as 7.6% following the news. The U.S. is a major market for these exporters, and the potential tariffs come amid Trump's announcement of a $12 billion aid package for American farmers. This aid is intended to help farmers cope with increased costs for seeds and fertilizers, which have been exacerbated by existing trade tensions.
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India's Labour Codes Aim to Modernize Workforce Amidst Structural Challenges

India's Labour Codes Aim to Modernize Workforce Amidst Structural Challenges

India's new Labour Codes consolidate 29 laws into four frameworks to enhance social security and compliance, aiming to boost manufacturing and competitiveness. However, gaps remain, particularly in subcontracting, high-skilled R&D roles, and working hour regulations. The codes lack clarity on multi-level subcontracting chains and do not address the unique needs of short-term R&D projects. Additionally, the rigid working hour framework may disrupt precision manufacturing processes. The absence of a specific data protection protocol for worker information is another concern.
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Trump says to make phone call to stop Thai-Cambodia fighting

Trump says to make phone call to stop Thai-Cambodia fighting

BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia extended into a third day on Wednesday as U.S. President Donald Trump said he would make a phone call to stop the conflict, after he had brokered a ceasefire in July to end a five-day battle between the Asian neighbours.
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NITI Aayog's Ramesh Chand Projects 4% Agriculture Growth in India by FY26 Driven by Fisheries and Livestock

NITI Aayog's Ramesh Chand Projects 4% Agriculture Growth in India by FY26 Driven by Fisheries and Livestock

Ramesh Chand, a member of India's NITI Aayog, has projected a 4% growth in the country's agriculture sector by the fiscal year ending March 2026. This growth is expected to be driven primarily by significant expansions in the fisheries and livestock sectors, including poultry and eggs. Chand made these remarks during the Agri Business Summit 2025 in New Delhi. Despite recent flooding in Punjab, which caused localized damage, the overall national agricultural output remains strong. Chand emphasized the importance of sustaining higher farm growth to achieve India's broader economic goals, suggesting that a 5% growth rate is necessary for the country to become a 'Viksit Bharat'. He also highlighted the potential for India to triple its agricultural GDP through innovative technologies and high-quality agricultural inputs.
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India consumer inflation likely picked up in November on fading base effects - Reuters poll

India consumer inflation likely picked up in November on fading base effects - Reuters poll

By Pranoy Krishna BENGALURU, Dec 8 (Reuters) - India's inflation rate likely rose modestly in November, while remaining near multi-year lows, as fading base effects and a pickup in food prices pushed up overall price growth, according to a Reuters poll of economists.
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Bangladesh Government Approves Import of 1,500 Tonnes of Onions from India Amid Price Surge

Bangladesh Government Approves Import of 1,500 Tonnes of Onions from India Amid Price Surge

The Bangladesh government has decided to import 1,500 tonnes of onions from India to address a significant price surge in the domestic market. The Department of Agricultural Extension, under the Ministry of Agriculture, has issued Import Permits (IPs) to 50 importers, allowing them to bring in onions from India. This decision comes as the retail price of onions in Bangladesh soared to over Tk 150 per kilogram within a week. The import permits are valid until March 31, 2026, and each importer is restricted to importing a maximum of 30 tonnes. The selection of importers was conducted through an automated system, with priority given to those who logged into the server first. This move aims to stabilize the onion market and provide relief to consumers facing high prices.
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India Plans No New Coal Power Capacity Beyond 2035 Amid Energy Transition

India Plans No New Coal Power Capacity Beyond 2035 Amid Energy Transition

India has announced that it does not plan to add new coal power generation capacity beyond 2035, according to a top power ministry official. The decision aligns with India's broader energy strategy to secure its energy requirements while transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Currently, India aims to maintain a coal capacity of 307 gigawatts by 2035. The country is also focusing on increasing its non-fossil fuel capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030. This move comes as India faces challenges integrating surplus clean energy into its grid, which has led to reduced coal-fired generation in recent months.
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India's Strategic Choices at the WTO: Engage or Isolate in Global Trade Governance

India's Strategic Choices at the WTO: Engage or Isolate in Global Trade Governance

India is currently navigating a complex landscape at the World Trade Organization (WTO), where global trade governance is undergoing significant transitions due to rapid changes in technology, climate policy, and geopolitics. The WTO, once a stable institution, is now a contested space with some members pushing for reform while others prepare for alternative platforms. India's strategy at the WTO has been characterized by a defensive posture, rooted in a mindset from the late 1990s, focusing on policy autonomy and resisting new negotiations. This approach is increasingly solitary as other developing countries engage with plurilateral agreements. India's economic size demands attention, but it lacks the leverage to halt the evolution of global norms, particularly in sectors like clean technology and data governance.
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Intel Partners with Tata Electronics to Boost Semiconductor Manufacturing in India

Intel Partners with Tata Electronics to Boost Semiconductor Manufacturing in India

Intel Partners with Tata Electronics to Boost Semiconductor Manufacturing in India
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Study Highlights Tariff Cuts and Data-Driven Subsidies as Key to Boosting Agriculture

Study Highlights Tariff Cuts and Data-Driven Subsidies as Key to Boosting Agriculture

A study presented at the Annual BIDS Conference on Development (ABCD) 2025 emphasizes the importance of eliminating import tariffs on key agricultural machinery and implementing data-driven subsidies to enhance agricultural output. The study, presented by Moogdho Mahzab from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), highlights the significant impact of mechanization on farm performance, employment, and labor allocation in countries like India, China, and Myanmar. The research notes a substantial increase in the use of mechanical harvesters among rice farmers, rising from 0.9% in 2018 to 19.39% in 2023. The study also recommends standardizing subsidy rates, creating dedicated credit lines for machinery purchases, and investing in farmer capacity building.
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Putin's Visit to India Focuses on Economic Cooperation Amid Modest Outcomes

Putin's Visit to India Focuses on Economic Cooperation Amid Modest Outcomes

Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to India was marked by a warm reception from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the outcomes of the summit were modest. Despite expectations of significant agreements on defense cooperation, the focus remained on economic collaboration. The two countries announced a 'Labour Mobility Agreement' to facilitate Indian workers in Russia and signed an MoU for a urea plant. Discussions also included maritime cooperation and trade routes, but no major defense or oil procurement deals were finalized. The visit comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and Western sanctions on Russia.