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At a time when developing and developed countries alike are navigating an increasingly unpredictable global trading regime, India is at a crossroads, fast emerging as a resilient player in international trade and as an increasingly reliable economic partner. The conclusion of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), announced by…

While valuable, a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US in itself will not be enough to secure India’s long-term trade and export growth, according to Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Having concluded agreements with UK, New Zealand, and Oman in 2025, Banerjee said…

India’s defence and aerospace industry is undergoing a profound transformation, steadily emerging as a strong contender on the global stage. Moving beyond an era of import dependency, the sector today is defined by growing self-reliance and a widening international footprint. This evolving ecosystem provides the foundation for India to assert…

A Blueprint for Responsible, Resilient Growth Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are reshaping global production, trade, and services, from digital payments and automated manufacturing to precision healthcare and advanced defence systems. For India to realise its Viksit Bharat vision, fully harnessing this technological transformation is essential. With this backdrop, CII…

When the four new labour codes came into force on November 21, India proudly turned a page in its industrial story to a chapter written for a modern workforce and a growing economy. By consolidating 29 older labour laws into four streamlined codes, the government signalled the end of fragmented…

India’s indirect tax system has undergone remarkable transformation. The rollout of the goods and services tax (GST) and the landmark reforms announced on 3 September have established a modern, digital and more predictable framework. These reforms, coupled with rationalized tariffs and faceless procedures, have turned indirect taxation from a compliance…

Land and labour are foundational to Indias growth while land drives infrastructure and industrial development, labour fuels productivity and inclusion. In this context, Indias new Labour Codes mark a transformative step, consolidating 29 laws into a modern, unified framework that ensures clarity, consistency, and equity in the world of work.…

India has emerged as a symbol of growth and resilience at a time when the global economy is navigating unprecedented challenges. Geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, increasing protectionism, and the weaponisation of trade are reshaping the contours of international commerce. At the same time, climate change, resource constraints, and technological disruptions…

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are demonstrating how a high-trust relationship can translate into high-impact outcomes. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed in 2022, has not remained a document of intent; it has become an engine for growth. During CII’s high-powered CEOs Delegation to the UAE on…

The clearance by the Goods and Sales Tax (GST) Council at the 56th GST Council meeting on September 3, 2025 of the GST reforms has transformed India’s indirect tax framework. As this writer engages with industry leaders, both big and small, the more I realise the depth of this change,…