India’s automobile sales reached a record high in FY26, boosted by tax cuts, easing interest rates and revised income tax slabs, according to SIAM. Growth spread across vehicle categories: passenger vehicles rose 8%, while exports climbed 24%. Industry leaders expect momentum to continue, even as global uncertainty, geopolitical risks and rising costs remain under watch.
Oil prices dipped slightly after earlier sharp gains as US-Iran peace talks stalled and restrictions continued around the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the disruption to key shipping routes, U.S. oil exports reportedly climbed to a record high, supported by rising global demand linked to supply shocks tied to the Iran conflict.
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India has poured billions into drones it largely doesn’t manufacture domestically, even as Indian-made systems find buyers overseas. The contrast raises questions about procurement choices, industrial capacity, and who actually benefits from defense and surveillance spending. With exports growing for some homegrown products, the mismatch between funding and production looks increasingly hard to ignore.
Mango processors in Andhra Pradesh say large quantities of mango pulp are trapped because shipping lanes have been disrupted, blocking exports. The industry is urging the central government to intervene with equity capital, credit guarantees, loan payment moratoriums, and inclusion in export facilitation schemes to help firms manage cashflow and restart trade.
Renault says it will launch seven new models in India by 2030, betting the country will rank among its top three global markets. The automaker also plans to transform its Chennai plant into a global export hub, signaling a major push to expand its India footprint and capture more market share.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India’s PLI scheme is designed to attract global firms by rewarding players with scale while strengthening both the domestic market and exports. Speaking at the M V Kamath Centenary Memorial Lecture, she argued that the government’s economic approach follows consistent short- and medium-term policy set within a long-term vision outlined in the Budget presented on February 1, 2021.
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India’s solar rise was meant to be a sunrise, but the pace of new manufacturing and capacity growth is colliding with softer demand and export headwinds. With factories expanding faster than markets can absorb output, unsold panels are reportedly accumulating in warehouses. The result raises tough questions: is India building lasting clean energy strength, or drifting into an overbuild bubble?
Indian cotton yarn factories are boosting production after Middle East conflict disrupted global trade routes. With the rupee weaker, Indian yarn has become more cost-effective for Chinese buyers, driving demand. Gujarat mills are gaining most due to their access to cotton and nearby ports, and many shipments are already booked months in advance to capitalize on the export surge.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the debate on freebies matters because it shapes future growth. She claimed the government has “contained the leaky bucket” process using technology so beneficiaries receive the full amount, not just a fraction. Speaking in Kakinada, she also urged removing taxes hurting exports, saying the new export policy will offer incentives to exporters.
As BJP and TMC intensify outreach in West Bengal, campaigns are increasingly leaning on fish and meat—deeply rooted Bengali staples—to resonate with voters. Beyond symbolism, the messaging spotlights the state’s non-vegetarian industry as an economic engine, supporting livelihoods and driving exports, suggesting election strategies are tapping into everyday incomes rather than pure politics.
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More than 100 Indian companies are participating in Singapore’s FHA fair, betting that the city-state can lift India’s currently small 2.6% share of Singapore’s food and beverage imports. Organizers say success in Singapore could open doors across ASEAN, turning the trade hub into a springboard for wider regional expansion.
The government has announced GST rate rationalisation for textiles to remove distortions and strengthen exports, targeting a $350 billion industry by 2030. The move cuts GST on garments and fibres, aiming to make apparel more affordable while fixing the inverted duty structure that previously hurt manufacturers and encouraged distortions in supply chains.
Duty relief for SEZ units now allows limited domestic sales, designed to help firms hit by weak global demand while keeping export focus intact. Experts say the policy can provide a financial cushion for capacity utilization and revenue, particularly for sectors like electronics and textiles that are sensitive to demand swings.
The government has extended interest subvention benefits to micro and small iron and steel enterprises exporting 167 specified product categories. The move is designed to improve their access to credit amid global pressures and builds on an earlier export support package. Medium-sized units, however, will not qualify for this particular subsidy.
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Fertilizer prices are surging, hitting key agricultural economies as urea and phosphate become harder and costlier to source. Major exporters are curbing sales to manage shortages and earnings, while importing countries hunt for alternative supplies, raising the risk of a wider food crisis if the imbalance persists.
India’s commerce ministry held talks with exporters to address the fallout from the West Asia crisis, focusing on disrupted shipping routes, strained port operations, and new packaging challenges. The meeting highlighted rising material costs and supply-chain bottlenecks, while exploring practical steps exporters can take to manage delays and protect export continuity.
The GST Council’s move to dismantle the “intermediary” clause signals a major shift in India’s indirect tax rules. By aligning domestic provisions with global export standards, the change helps services supplied to foreign recipients qualify as exports. For exporters, this could mean clearer compliance, fewer disputes, and improved competitiveness in overseas markets.
The Reserve Bank of India shifted to being a net buyer of $7.4 billion in February, reversing January’s net dollar sales. The move appears to have aligned with a stronger rupee following the India-US trade deal announcement. In March, the rupee’s real effective exchange rate fell, signaling possible undervaluation that could boost export competitiveness.
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FADA’s president warns that a prolonged West Asia conflict could disrupt India’s automobile sector, particularly through weaker vehicle exports and supply challenges for key commodities like oil and aluminium. While the domestic market is holding up better, dealers and industry leaders are monitoring risks that could translate into higher costs, slower deliveries, and export headwinds.
Luxor Writing Instruments wants to double exports from India as part of a larger push to turn the country into a manufacturing hub. Managing Director Pooja Jain Gupta says the company’s 2022-23 turnover was Rs 750 crore, with exports contributing roughly 30% of revenues—giving it a strong base to scale output for global markets.
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