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Business Standard
31-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
FICCI voices disappointment over US decision to impose 25% tariff on export from India
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has voiced strong disappointment over the United States recent decision to impose a 25% tariff and secondary sanctions on exports from India, effective from August 1, 2025. The announcement, made by US President Donald Trump, has sparked concern among Indian exporters, with FICCI warning that the move could have a significant impact on bilateral trade. Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, President of FICCI, said: FICCI is disappointed by the decision taken by the US to levy a 25% tariff on exports from India and impose secondary sanctions. While this move is unfortunate and will have a clear bearing on our exports, we hope that this imposition of higher tariffs will be a short-term phenomenon and that a permanent trade deal between the two sides will be finalised soon. He underscored the importance of the IndiaUS relationship, describing it as a long-standing partnership that encompasses key sectors such as technology, defence, energy and advanced manufacturing. There is a lot our two countries can achieve together, he added, expressing optimism that ongoing negotiations will yield outcomes beneficial to both nations. India and the US have been engaged in negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) since the beginning of 2025. The US remains a critical market for Indian exporters, both in goods and services, and Indian industry is keen to establish a long-term, stable trade framework. FICCI reiterated the position of the Indian government that national interest will take precedence over arbitrary deadlines in the negotiation process. Our Honble Commerce and Industry Minister has made it clear that India will prioritise securing a comprehensive and beneficial pact over rushing into a deal that may have negative long-term consequences, Agarwal noted. He also highlighted the strategic significance of the Indian market for American companies, many of which rely on Indias demand, skilled workforce, and innovation capacity. India offers considerable opportunities for US businesses, and we believe this mutual interdependence should be reflected in a fair and forward-looking trade agreement, he concluded.
Hans India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
FICCI FLO Bengaluru Launches FLO Santé – A Game-Changing Platform for Women-Led Brands
Bengaluru FICCI FLO Bengaluru, the women's wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), proudly announces the inaugural edition of FLO Santé — a one-of-a-kind initiative spotlighting women-led brands across sustainability, wellness, and purposeful enterprise. Spearheaded by Dekyi Yangtso Chawla, Chairperson of FICCI FLO Bengaluru, FLO Santé is not just an event — it is a powerful movement transforming the traditional marketplace into a vibrant ecosystem of conscious consumption, commerce, and community. The platform will debut on Friday, 18th July at Anantya, Gate 9, Palace Grounds, with over 130 women-led brands showcasing offerings across sustainable fashion, artisanal food, wellness, homegrown beauty, and lifestyle. Entry is free and open to all. A key highlight is The Wedding Edit Pavilion, a curated space that reimagines India's booming $50-billion wedding industry through the lens of sustainability and women-led innovation — seamlessly blending couture, wellness, gifting, and beauty. This initiative aims to provide direct market access for women entrepreneurs, moving beyond tokenism and charity to deliver tangible commercial outcomes. Adding to the day's experience are immersive sessions, including a fashion masterclass by designers Shivan & Narresh, a wellness talk by Marzi, and live music performances that celebrate Bengaluru's creative soul. The event also walks the talk on sustainability — featuring reusable totes, tetra pack water stations, a pre-loved fashion swap, and even a pedal-powered installation generating electricity on-site. 'FLO Santé is not just about showcasing brands — it's about building markets, visibility, and commercial value for women entrepreneurs,' says Dekyi Yangtso Chawla. 'We're here to create access to real customers and real sales, placing women-led brands at the heart of India's growth narrative.' Under Dekyi's leadership, FLO Bengaluru is redefining women's entrepreneurship — turning purpose into progress and ensuring inclusion is backed by opportunity. The vision continues next month with Breaking the Silence — a Mental Health, Art, and Short Film Festival aimed at fostering safe conversations around emotional wellbeing. FLO Santé is a bold step toward a more equitable and empowered future, where women-led businesses are not only supported — but celebrated.
The Print
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Print
Op Sindoor: CDS contradicts Army Deputy Chief, says China support to Pakistan ‘very difficult to define'
At a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry event on Friday, Singh said, 'Pakistan was the front face. We had China providing all possible support. This is no surprise because if you look at statistics, in the last five years, 81 percent of the military hardware that Pakistan is getting is Chinese. China, of course—the good old dictum, killed by a borrowed knife … So, it would rather use the neighbour to cause pain than get involved in the mud-slinging match on the northern borders.' His comments came just days after Deputy Chief of Army Staff (capability development & sustenance) Lt Gen. Rahul R. Singh made a candid assessment in public, saying there were multiple lessons to be learnt from the 87-hour conflict, the biggest lesson being that while it was just one border, India had a minimum of three adversaries. New Delhi: Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan Tuesday sought to underplay Chinese support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, saying, 'How much of State support is very difficult to define'. Singh also said China was giving live updates of Indian military deployments to Pakistan. 'When DGMO-level talks were on, Pakistan actually was mentioning that we know that your such and such vector was primed and ready for action, and we would request you to—perhaps—pull it back. So, it was getting live inputs from China. That is one place we really need to move fast and take appropriate action,' he said. However, speaking at an Observer Research Federation event in Delhi on Tuesday, Gen. Chauhan said that there was no unusual activity on the northern borders during the conflict with Pakistan. 'Maybe it was a short conflict, but it is a fact that there was no unusual activity. The second fact is that Pakistan imports most of its weapons from China. Chinese OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) have a number of liabilities, so there will be people attempting to service their liabilities, and they will be there. That happens everywhere,' he said. 'Third is information—there are a number of Chinese companies also doing work for commercial imagery. You have Maxar and Planet Labs. You can go to China or the US. How much of State support is very difficult to define,' he said. China on Monday defended Beijing's 'traditional friendship' with Islamabad, saying that defence and security cooperation is part of the 'normal cooperation' between them. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Pakistan's claims 'absolutely not correct', no political constraints on armed forces: Defence secy
India Gazette
04-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Operation Sindoor was 'Masterly Stroke' to stop war at right time: Deputy Army Chief
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): Operation Sindoor was a carefully orchestrated military action that demonstrated India's resolve to stay ahead in the escalation ladder while preventing full-scale war, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul R Singh said on Friday. Speaking at the 'New Age Military Technologies' event organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Lt Gen Singh described the operation as a 'masterly stroke that was played to stop the war at an appropriate time.' 'War is easy to initiate, but it's very difficult to control,' the senior military officer explained, emphasising the strategic thinking behind the operation's execution and conclusion. Lt Gen Singh revealed that extensive intelligence gathering preceded the operation, with both technological and human intelligence being deployed to identify potential targets. 'A total of 21 targets were identified, out of which nine targets we thought would be prudent to engage,' he disclosed. The final selection of targets remained fluid until the last moment. 'It was only the final day or the final hour that the decision was taken that these nine targets would be engaged,' Lt Gen Singh said, highlighting the dynamic nature of military planning. The operation was deliberately designed as a tri-services approach involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force to 'send the right message that we indeed are an integrated force,' he added. The Deputy Army Chief outlined several critical lessons from the operation. 'The strategic messaging by leadership was unambiguous. There is no scope of absorbing the pain the way we did a few years ago,' Lt Gen Singh stated, indicating a shift in India's military doctrine toward more assertive responses. 'An important consideration was that we should always be at the top of the escalation ladder. When we reach a military objective, we should try and put a stop to it,' he explained. The operation relied heavily on intelligence gathering and real-time monitoring of targets, with decisions being made based on comprehensive data analysis. Lt Gen Singh emphasised the need for India to prepare for fifth-generation warfare, warning that future conflicts could involve 'a computer nerd, maybe perhaps sitting in one part of the country and controlling the entire thing.' The senior officer highlighted the growing importance of drone technology in modern warfare, announcing that a drone framework would be released by September-October. 'The requirement of drones in the military is massive,' he noted. Addressing the drone industry, Lt Gen Singh called for increased investment in research and development, particularly in critical technologies where India still depends on imports. 'There are so many components that we still bank upon getting from outside. Secret technology, engines we are grappling with... we need to invest in these things,' he said. The officer linked national security to economic growth, stating that a '$30 trillion economy is possible, in case industries play up, it is possible in case our Armed Forces provide the secure environment that is required for the nation to progress.' Lt Gen Singh expressed concerns about China's growing technological dominance and control over rare earth materials. 'The US was a leader, now China is the lead. They are taking massive steps there,' he observed. He particularly highlighted China's strategic use of rare earth resources, calling them 'the new gold' and warning about China's near-monopoly in this critical sector. The Deputy Army Chief also referenced reports about China attempting to restrict expertise transfer to India in sectors like iPhone manufacturing, indicating broader economic-security linkages. Looking ahead, Lt Gen Singh emphasised the urgent need for enhanced air defence capabilities. 'We have to be prepared for more and more air defence, more and more counter rocket artillery, a drone sort of system has to be prepared for, which we have to move very, very fast,' he concluded. (ANI)
Hans India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Radhe Jaggi highlights significance of Indian weaves
Visakhapatnam: Interest in Indian textiles began when people around would share stories behind each weave, their origin, print, colours incorporated, and artisans who designed them, recalled Radhe Jaggi, renowned classical Bharatanatyam dancer and yoga practitioner. At a session organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies Organisation (FICCI FLO) in Visakhapatnam, Radhe Jaggi reflected on how her fascination for Indian weaves grew to a point where, for her wedding, she asked for a sari representing every weave from Andhra Pradesh. 'I encourage women here to do the same. Learn about these weaves and pass the knowledge on to their daughters,' she suggested. The conversation revolved around Radhe Jaggi's upbringing as a spiritual leader and founder of Isha Foundation Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's daughter, her journey through dance, yoga and meditation, her work at project Samskriti, her passion for Indian weaves, and beyond. Elaborating about handlooms and their historical trace, Radhe Jaggi stressed upon the need to inculcate Indian fabrics in day-to-day clothing in order to protect tradition and weaves. The session marked the first initiative of the newly-launched Vijayawada chapter of FICCI FLO in Visakhapatnam and the organisation intends to expand its presence across Andhra Pradesh by hosting programmes in entrepreneurship, mentoring and capacity building to women. Chairperson of FICCI FLO Amrita Kumar, said, 'The chapter brings together strong women from both Vizag and Vijayawada and when strong women come together, magic happens.' The session was conducted by Amrita Kumar and the chapter's day chair Rajini Chitra. Among others, skill development and financial literacy, support for micro, small, and medium enterprises and women led startups, corporate leadership and governance training, promotion of women in creative industries are some of the key areas of focus of the FLO.
