South Asia

A government source stated on Monday that India will likely finalise terms of reference of a proposed free-trade agreement with Qatar by early October. This is in response to its efforts to create deeper global partnerships, and to offset the impact from U.S. Tariffs. The government source who requested anonymity because the details of the trade negotiations are not yet public told reporters that Trade Minister Piyush Goyal may visit Doha to finalize the framework for the negotiations on October 6. Both sides agreed that they would double their bilateral trade in five years to $28 billion during the visit...

Donald Trump, U.S. president, said Sunday that he was ready to move into a second phase in sanctioning Russia. This is the closest he's come to implying he might be about to ramp up sanctions against Moscow and its oil purchasers over the war with Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly warned Moscow of further sanctions, but he withheld them while pursuing peace talks. Trump did not commit to a decision, nor did he specify what the second phase would entail. When asked by a White House reporter if he was ready to move on to the "second phase" of sanctions, Trump...

The Governor of Russia's Sakhalin region in the far east told reporters on Thursday that a possible return of U.S. Energy Major Exxon Mobil could be a boon for local oil and gas businesses. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree that would allow foreign investors to recover their shares in the Sakhalin-1 project. This includes Exxon Mobil, a major U.S. oil company. The decree was signed on the same day that Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska at a summit, where the agenda included opportunities for business collaboration and investment as well as...

Two sources revealed that India will cut the consumption tax on 175 different products, from hybrid cars and shampoos to consumer electronics. Modi has repeatedly called for increased usage of Indian products. This is the biggest reform to the goods and service tax system in almost a decade. Modi announced his first reform plan on Independence Day last month when he promised to make everyday products cheaper in the fifth largest economy of the world. His proposal reduces the goods and services (GST), which includes toothpaste, talcum, and shampoo, from 18% down to 5%. This is expected to increase sales...

Two sources revealed new details about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s major tax reform. India will cut consumption tax on 175 products, including shampoos, hybrid cars, and consumer electronics. Two sources revealed that India plans to reduce goods and services taxes (GST) from 18% down to 5% on products like talcum, toothpaste, and shampoo. This is expected to boost sales at companies such as Hindustan Unilever, and Godrej Industries. Before the Diwali shopping period, which begins in October, brands such as Samsung, LG Electronics and Sony will dominate sales, consumer electronics, like air conditioners, televisions and other electronic devices, could see...

Gold prices were slightly lower on Friday but are still on track for a gain in the month ahead of U.S. Inflation data, which will give more clues about Federal Reserve's rate-cutting trajectory. As of 0818 GMT, spot gold was down by 0.1%, at $3,414.07 an ounce. Bullion gained 3.6% this August, and reached $3,423.16 Thursday, the highest level since July 23, its highest ever. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery eased by 0.1% to $3471.70. Gold is feeling gravitational force around large, round numbers. The markets are reluctant to allow gold to stray too far away from the psychological...

Indian exporters should prepare for disruptions following a U.S. Homeland Security confirmed that Washington will impose an extra 25% tariff on all Indian origin goods starting Wednesday. This will increase trade pressure against the Asian nation. After President Donald Trump announced additional tariffs to punish New Delhi for its increased purchases of Russian crude oil in August, Indian exports could face U.S. duty of up 50%. This is among the highest Washington has imposed. According to Homeland Security's notice, the new duties will be applied to goods that are imported into the U.S. or removed from warehouses to be consumed...

Indian exporters should prepare for disruptions following a U.S. Homeland Security confirmed that Washington will impose a 25% additional tariff on all Indian origin goods starting Wednesday. This will increase trade pressure against the Asian nation. Indian exports could face U.S. tariffs of up to 50 percent - one of the highest Washington has imposed - following President Donald Trump's announcement of extra tariffs in response to New Delhi's increased purchase of Russian oil. According to Homeland Security's notice, the new duties apply to goods that are imported into the U.S. or removed from warehouses for consumption as of 12:01...

Peter Navarro, White House's trade adviser, said that India's purchases were funding the war in Ukraine by Moscow and must stop. He added that New Delhi is "now cozying up with both Russia and China." Navarro, in a recent opinion piece, wrote: "If India wishes to be treated like a strategic partner by the U.S. it must act as such." Published by: Financial Times. India's Foreign Ministry said that the country was unfairly singled-out for purchasing Russian oil, while the United States continues to buy goods from Russia. U.S. president Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian products...

Donald Trump stated on Thursday that, he believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to make a deal and that sanctions against Russia played a part in Moscow wanting a meeting. Trump is scheduled Meet Putin on Friday in Alaska. The U.S. President said that he was unsure if an immediate ceasefire could be achieved, but expressed his interest in brokering peace agreements. "He really, I think now, is he convinced that he will make a bargain, he will make a bargain." Trump told Fox News Radio that he believes he will, and they would find out. Early in...

Nayara Energy, a Russian-backed Indian refiner, said it was in contact with government officials and partners on Thursday to ensure the operational stability of its 400,000 bar per day refinery. Last month, the EU sanctioned the private refiner owned by Russian companies, including Rosneft. This was part of an EU package that targeted entities associated with Russian oil. In a court filing in Delhi, the private company said that it sold 70% of its refined fuels to Indian consumers through more than 6,600 retail outlets. Nayara said that it supplies fuels through its coastal, rail and road networks to its...

The oil prices fell on Tuesday, as traders awaited a short-term outlook report from the U.S. Government following a bullish OPEC report on supply and demand. Brent crude futures fell 20 cents or 0.3% to $66.43 per barrel at 10:36 AM CDT (1536 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude Futures fell by 39 cents or 0.61% to $63.51. Phil Flynn is a senior analyst with Price Futures Group. He said, "We are still in a range as we await the Energy Information Administration's report this morning." Flynn stated that traders were waiting to see if EIA's report would match up...

The gold demand in India is expected to be lower than last year due to record high prices, which are likely to limit jewellery purchases and outweigh modest gains in investment demand. Weaker demand from the second largest gold consumer in the world could limit an increase in global prices that reached a record last week. Sluggish gold demand could help India reduce its trade deficit, and therefore support the rupee. Gold prices in the local market, which reached a record high of 109.840 rupees for 10 grams per week last week, are up 42% this year, after rising 21%...

Namibia will increase its production of sulphuric acids in response to the critical rise in mineral output. Vedanta and Green Metals Refining announced plans to establish and revive plants on Thursday. The extraction of metals such as uranium and copper is a common process. Namibia, which is the third largest producer of uranium in the world, has eight critical minerals projects that are set to place it at the forefront for global green energy initiatives. Green Metals Refining, based in London, plans to invest $59 million for the first phase of an acid plant that will be able to produce...

Six people with knowledge of the proceedings confirmed that an Indian court dismissed Asian Paints' request to halt a current antitrust investigation against the company on Thursday. The Competition Commission of India has opened an investigation into Asian Paints. This paints manufacturer, with a 52% share of the market, was investigated after officials found that a complaint by Birla Opus, the biggest paints producer in India, had merit. Birla Opus claimed that Asian Paints abused their dominant position by giving discounts and incentives for dealers. Asian Paints tried to end the inquiry by filing a case at the High Court...

Due to the record-high prices of gold, demand for physical gold dropped in major Asian hubs this week. Dealers in China and India, two top consumers in Asia, responded by offering steep discounts in order to attract buyers. On Wednesday, spot gold prices reached a record high of $3.578.50 an ounce and were on track for their best three-month period. Indian dealers offer a discount Up to $12 per ounce above official domestic prices. This includes 6% import duties and 3% sales taxes, as opposed to the $4 premium last week. The price hike has caused the demand to be...

Letseng's largest diamond mine in Lesotho has cut 240 employees, or a fifth, of its workforce. The company is struggling with low gem prices, due to a weak global economy and persistently low demand. Lesotho is a country with a population of just under 2 million, and diamonds are a vital part of the economy. The sector contributes up to 10% to the GDP of the nation. Lesotho exports diamonds, textiles and clothes as its main commodities. Gem Diamonds announced that its Letseng Mine, which produces the largest and most valuable gemstones in the world such as the "Lesotho Legend"...

Gold prices reached a record of $3,532 an ounce on February 2, extending the rally that has seen them rise by more than 90% since 2022. The demand is expected to be robust for a while due to various factors. The main drivers are central bank purchases, strong investment demand visible in the inflows of physical gold exchange traded funds and the upending of Western Security Policy by U.S. president Donald Trump, as well as his trade wars and concerns over the independence of the U.S. Federal Reserve. Will central banks continue to buy more? Metals Focus estimates that central...

India's JSW Cement reported on Tuesday a larger quarterly loss in the first results it has released since its listing in August. The company was hurt by an one-off charge relating to the conversion from preference shares to equity shares. The combined net loss for April-June was 13.56 billion rupees (154.96 millions), compared to a loss 151.2 million rupees one year earlier. Cement maker reported that 160 million compulsory convertible preferential shares were converted during the quarter into 235.7 millions equity shares at an additional premium of 132.75 rupies each, resulting in a valuation differential of 14.66 billion rupies. This...

Jewellers in India stocked up on gold ahead of the holiday season. Activity elsewhere remained low. Indian dealers are charged a premium Up to $4 per ounce above official domestic prices. This includes 6% import duties and 3% sales taxes. Last week, the offers ranged from a discount of $2 to a premium of $3. A bullion dealer in Chennai said that "Jewelers had been sitting on the sidelines, but as prices refused to improve much, they have now started purchasing for the upcoming holiday season." This year, the Dussehra/Diwali festival, which is a time when buying gold is considered...

Gold prices fell on Wednesday, as Treasury and dollar yields increased. However, the losses were limited due to the demand for safe havens amid concerns over the independence of the U.S. Central Bank following President Donald Trump's attempts to remove a Fed Governor. At 1018 am, spot gold fell 0.4% per ounce to $3379.76. ET (14:18 GMT). U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery fell 0.1% to $3.428. The dollar index rose 0.4% in relation to a basket major currencies. This made greenback-priced Gold more expensive for foreign buyers. Jim Wyckoff is a senior analyst with Kitco Metals. He said: "We...

Sources and a government report claim that Indian steel producers are calling on the government for a sharp increase in import quotas of low-ash metallic coke. They want a nearly sevenfold increase, citing a severe shortage. India, the second largest crude steel producer in the world, extended in June import restrictions on low-ash metalurgical coke (a raw material for steelmaking) for six months, starting in July. New Delhi has also imposed country-specific import limits and set a limit of 1.4 million metric tonnes for the period July 1 through December 31. Sources familiar with the matter said that steelmakers have...

The additional 25% tariff imposed by President Donald Trump on Indian imports went into effect on Wednesday. Some shipments now face a duty of up to 50%, which is among the highest Washington has imposed and equal with Brazil and China. This article explains why an additional tariff was implemented and what this means for India. Why did trade talks break down? India and the U.S. held five rounds since April of trade talks, but disagreements over India's dairy and farm sectors and its purchases from Russia led to the breakdown of the talks. Both sides blamed the failure of...

India's Foreign Ministry said that the Quad Group of countries was important to India and Japan, especially in relation to critical minerals. The ministry also stated that the two prime ministers would be discussing the grouping during this week. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Japan from August 29-30 to attend the 15th India Japan Annual Summit. He will also hold discussions with his Japanese counterpart Shigeru ishiba. Modi will fly to Tianjin, a Chinese port city on the coast of the Pacific Ocean for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit (SCO), which takes place between August 31 and...