India’s exports to China rose sharply in December 2025, reflecting an improvement in bilateral ties between the two Asian neighbours, according to official data released this week. Figures from the Commerce Ministry showed that shipments to China jumped 67.35 per cent year-on-year in December. Exports to China increased to $2.04 billion, driven mainly by electronics, marine products, and agricultural goods, reports said. Imports from China, India’s second-largest trading partner after the United States, also rose during the month. Purchases climbed 20 per cent to $11.7 billion, high
Smartphones have emerged as India’s fastest-growing export category, according to official data released on Thursday, January 15th 2026. Exports of smartphones rose by $5.7 billion between April and November 2025 compared to the same period last year, marking a sharp rise in the sector’s global footprint. This growth represents a major shift from a decade ago. In 2015, mobile phones were ranked 167th on India’s export list. During April–November FY24, smartphone exports stood at $9.07 billion. This figure more than doubled to $18.8 billion in the April–November period of FY26, th
Maharashtra has emerged as India’s most export-ready large state, securing the top position in NITI Aayog’s Export Preparedness Index 2024 and replacing Tamil Nadu, which had held the lead for several years. The shift highlights a gradual widening of India’s trade competitiveness across regions at a time of uncertain global trade conditions. The index assesses states across governance, infrastructure, industrial ecosystems, and export performance, focusing on both current outcomes and long-term readiness. Maharashtra’s rise reflects its ability to combine its role as a financial an
The Philippines and Vietnam have steadily strengthened their bilateral ties through deeper cooperation in strategic, economic, and people-centred sectors, Philippine Ambassador Meynardo Los Baños Montealegre has said. In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, the ambassador highlighted major progress in security, defense, and maritime cooperation, noting that it reflects both countries’ shared commitment to regional peace, stability, and a rules-based international order. Regular high-level exchanges over the years have helped build trust and elevate relations into a more mature par
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. returned to the Philippines on Wednesday after a two-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates, during which the two countries signed a landmark free trade agreement and a defence cooperation pact to strengthen bilateral ties. Mr. Marcos said the visit focused on building a “future-ready world” through cooperation in key areas such as energy, water, finance, food, and the environment, which he said directly affect Filipinos at home and abroad. He took part in high-level meetings at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the world’s largest gathering focu
India and Germany will enhance defence trade with a focus on co-production and co-development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, as the two countries signed an agreement to strengthen bilateral defence industrial cooperation. Welcoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India, Mr Modi said the two sides will launch a consultation mechanism to boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Chancellor Merz, on his first visit to Asia since taking office in May 2025, said that global politics faces uncertainty and a closer partnership is needed. Mr Modi said growing defence coop
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India is the world’s fastest-growing economy and is moving steadily towards becoming the third-largest economy globally. He said this after inaugurating the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) for the Saurashtra and Kutch region in Rajkot. At a time of global uncertainty, the PM said India is experiencing stability and confidence. He highlighted political stability, controlled inflation, and strong economic growth as key factors driving the country forward. He also said that global expectations from India are rising steadily. PM Modi al
India is preparing to take a major step in energy cooperation by working with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a new cross-border electricity exchange project. The plan involves laying undersea power cables that will allow the three countries to trade electricity directly. A senior official from the Ministry of Power said India will soon invite tenders for the project and may also supply electricity to the Gulf nations when needed. The project comes as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are actively working to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and expand the use of renewable
Dubai International Airport became the world’s busiest airport by seat capacity in January 2026, overtaking Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to data from aviation analytics firm OAG. The ranking is based on total scheduled airline seat capacity across both international and domestic flights. OAG’s figures show that Dubai International Airport handled around 5.5 million seats in January 2026, placing it ahead of Atlanta, which recorded approximately 4.9 million seats during the same period. Tokyo Haneda Airport ranked third globally. This change marks a m
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed the First Advance Estimates of Gross Domestic Product for 2025– 26, stating that they demonstrated strong economic momentum under the NDA government. According to the National Statistics Office, India’s real GDP is projected to grow by 7.4 per cent in FY 2025–26, higher than the 6.5 per cent growth estimated for 2024–25. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said India’s “Reform Express” continues to gain speed, driven by the government’s investment push and demand-led policies. He said the growth numbers reflect the impact of s