US tariffs looming, India looks at easing non-trade barriers, relaxing Chinese FDI

With some dialing down of tensions between India and China along the border, policy makers are more open to upgrading bilateral economic relationships now. 

F-1 visa denials surge to 10-year high, US rejects 41% of foreign student applicants

Student visa denials by the United States (US) soared to a decade-high last fiscal year (October 2023 to September 2024) with 41% of F-1 visa applications from across all countries turned down - almost double the rejection rate of the 2014 fiscal year. -

A CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM

From around 87.5 in February, the rupee has strengthened to a shade below 86 to the dollar, seemingly ending a veritable free fall over the last six months. This was a period, from October 2024 to February 2025, that saw total net sales of $22.7 billion by foreign portfolio investors (FPI) in India's equity and debt markets. 

The green path to growth

To achieve Viksit Bharat's goal by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070, we need to understand where the two journeys intersect.

India's much-vaunted GDP growth rate - making it the world's fastest-growing large economy - slipped in the last year. 

Russian oil imports rise as lower prices boost non-sanctioned tanker availability After the steep decline following the latest US sanctions on Russia's oil trade, India's Russian oil imports have recovered sharply in March, thanks to the plentiful availability of Moscow's oil and it largely trading below the Western price cap of $60 per barrel. 

FPI outflows slow amid easing global concerns 

The Indian equity market has witnessed a moderation in FPIs' selling pressure with the outflows narrowing to Rs 1,794 crore ($194 million) last week, buoyed by easing global concerns and growing optimism around a potential de-escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, despite this positive shift, it still marks the 15th consecutive week of outflows. 

Why some in Meghalaya oppose rail connectivity to state 

After years of opposition by Khasi pressure groups, the Indian Railways is ready to shelve long-pending railway line projects to Meghalaya's industrial hub Byrnihat and the capital Shillong in the Khasi Hills. 

Crops US hopes to sell to India 

The US has three major crops of interest - soybean, corn (maize) and cotton - when it comes to securing greater market access in India.