New Delhi: India and New Zealand have signed a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA), reducing tariffs on 95% of New Zealand’s goods. This historic agreement opens access to 1.4 billion Indian consumers, creating significant opportunities for New Zealand exporters while boosting India’s global trade outreach. Under this agreement, 57% of New Zealand’s exports to India will be tariff-free from day one, rising to 82% as the agreement is fully implemented, with the remaining 13% subject to substantial tax reductions. India’s Growing FTA NetworkIn the past five years, India has actively expanded its trade agreements, signing deals with seven countries: Mauritius (2021), UAE (2022), EFTA/TEPA group (2024), UK (2025), Oman (2025), and now New Zealand. These agreements complement India’s existing ...

New Delhi: The Indian Navy is set to showcase India’s rich maritime heritage as its unique stitched ship, INSV Kondinya, embarks on its maiden voyage. The journey will commence from Porbandar, Gujarat, on 29th December, heading towards Muscat, Oman, and will later extend to Bali. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to flag off this historic expedition. Reviving Ancient Maritime TraditionsAccording to Navy spokesperson Captain Vivek Madhwal, INSV Kondinya is a revival of India’s ancient shipbuilding and seafaring traditions. The voyage symbolically retraces historic maritime routes that connected India with countries across the Indian Ocean for thousands of years. Unlike modern vessels, the ship’s wooden planks are stitched together using coconut fiber ropes and natural adhesi...

New Delhi: India is taking a significant step to strengthen its border security along the China frontier. In the rugged mountains of Uttarakhand, where harsh icy winds once made travel nearly impossible, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is set to construct a 32-kilometer-long strategic road. The new road will connect Neela Pani to Muling La Pass, directly reaching the India-Tibet border. The BRO will upgrade the existing rough and footpaths into an all-weather road, ensuring operational readiness throughout the year. Project OverviewThis critical project is estimated to cost around ₹104 crore. According to CNN-News18, BRO has already engaged consultants to assist in planning and executing the project, indicating that construction work has officially commenced. Strategic Importa...