Month: April 2025

Source: Government of India

India and UK hold 13th Economic and Financial Dialogue in London today

India and UK reaffirm their commitment to continue collaboration in financial services sector, FinTech and Digital economy and between the respective regulatory bodies; collaboration at bilateral and multilateral fora to address mutual and global economic issues

13th EFD concludes with adoption of Joint Statement by Union Finance Minister of India and Chancellor of Exchequer of United Kingdom

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:46PM by PIB Delhi

The 13th Ministerial meeting of the India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (13^th EFD) was held today at London. The Indian delegation, led by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, held high-level discussions with the UK delegation led by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt. Hon. Rachel Reeves.

The Indian delegation comprised of the Finance Secretary, Chairman IFSCA, Whole Time Member from SEBI and other senior officers from Ministry of Finance and Indian High Commission in London. Governor RBI also attended the meeting in virtual mode. The UK delegation included the Governor of Bank of England, FCA CEO, Economic Secretary of Treasury, and senior officials from HM’s Treasury.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue collaboration in financial services sector, FinTech and Digital economy and between the respective regulatory bodies; collaboration at bilateral and multilateral fora to address mutual and global economic issues including mobilising affordable finance and investment for low carbon economic growth, taxation matters and illicit financial flows.

Both sides welcomed the recent announcement of UK universities establishing campus in India, release of report of the India-UK Financial Partnership (IUKFP) on direct listing in IFSC GIFT City, launching of new private sector workstream on green finance, under the auspices of the IUKFP and other new areas of focus.

The 13^th EFD concluded with the adoption of the Joint Statement by Union Finance Minister of India and Chancellor of Exchequer of United Kingdom.

Annexure:

JOINT STATEMENT OF 13^TH INDIA-UK ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL DIALOGUE

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NB/KMN

(Release ID: 2120597) Visitor Counter : 188

Source: Government of India

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan calls on Prime Minister of Nepal Shri K.P. Sharma Oli on the sidelines of 3rd BIMSTEC Ministerial meeting in Kathmandu.

Shri Chouhan also holds bilateral meetings with Agriculture and Livestock Ministers of Nepal and Bhutan

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:43PM by PIB Delhi

 Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan led the Indian delegation during the bilateral meetings with Nepal and Bhutan. He was accompanied by the Ambassador of India to Nepal Shri Naveen Srivastava, Shri Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary, DA&FW, Dr D.K. Yadava, Dy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR and Dr A.K. Mishra, Principal Scientist, ICAR in the meetings.

The bilateral meeting between Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ welfare and rural development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Shri Ramnath Adhikari,  Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development of Nepal was held today in Kathmandu. The Ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture and discussed ways to further enhance collaboration for mutual benefit of both nations.

 A Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of India and Nepal on cooperation in the field of Agriculture was signed. This MoU supersedes the MoU signed between both the countries on 6 December 1991. The MoU will give a fresh impetus to the ongoing cooperation especially in areas such as improving crop productivity, post-harvest management, agricultural research & capacity building, market access, agricultural trade as also climate resilient & sustainable agriculture.

 Both sides discussed convening Joint Agriculture Working Group (JAWG) Meetings under the new MoU, and cooperation between the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC).  Both the Ministers reviewed the progress of India’s proposal for setting up of an Agro-Industrial Park in Chitwan. The Ministers also reviewed progress of the Agricultural projects under India’s High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) Programme in Nepal. Both sides also discussed cooperation in livestock sector and institutional collaboration between the agricultural educational institutions of both countries.

 Union Minister Shri Chouhan called on Shri Indramani Pandey, the Secretary General, BIMSTEC and discussed possible areas of cooperation between India and the BIMSTEC platform in the field of agriculture. The Minister noted that the BIMSTEC countries face shared challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and issues related to food security and nutrition, which call for regional cooperation and exchange of learnings from each other’s experiences. He also noted that the BIMSTEC countries need to work together to successfully implement the BIMSTEC Plan of Action 2023-2027 that was collectively adopted in the 5^th BIMSTEC Summit in 2022.

 Minister reiterated India’s commitment to make meaningful contributions to strengthening BIMSTEC agricultural cooperation through ongoing initiatives like Govt. of India’s fully funded BIMSTEC Agricultural Scholarship Program, and training programmes and workshops on seed sector development, animal health and pest management, and emerging fields like nanotechnology management and applications of remote sensing in agriculture that were recently conducted. The Minister underlined India’s commitment in the establishment of the proposed BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Agriculture in New Delhi.

  Minister Shri Chouhan held a bilateral meeting with Mr Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho,  Minister for Agriculture and Livestock (MOAL) of Bhutan. The Ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation in the field of Agriculture, livestock and allied sectors with focus on areas like development of irrigation channels, mega farms etc. The Ministers also discussed about signing a MoU on technical cooperation between the two countries soon.

 Minister stressed on India’s commitment in furthering India’s ties with Bhutan. The Bhutanese side stressed on resource constraints and requested the Indian side for augmenting its funding support to Bhutanese initiatives.

 Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan called on Shri K.P. Sharma Oli,  Prime Minister of Nepal. The two leaders reaffirmed the close and friendly relations between India and Nepal and discussed ways to further strengthen India-Nepal cooperation in the field of agriculture. The Ministers conveyed hope that the newly signed MoU will pave way for increased cooperation between both the countries in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.

 Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan reiterated India’s commitment to support Nepal in agriculture and allied sectors through setting up of an agro-industrial park in Chitwan and a fertilizer plant in Nepal. Both sides also discussed market access issues.

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PSF/KSR/AR

(Release ID: 2120595) Visitor Counter : 25

Source: Government of India

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chairs meeting with Odisha Chief Minister, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, in New Delhi to review implementation of three New Criminal Laws in the State

Odisha government should prioritize the 100% implementation of the New Criminal Laws across all levels of administration for the next six months

Next decade is crucial for the development of Odisha; considering the state’s future industrial and technological growth, New Criminal Laws will play a vital role in strengthening law & order

State’s Home Secretary should review the progress of implementing the New Criminal Laws once a week, Chief Secretary and DGP should review it every 15 days, and the Chief Minister should review on a monthly basis, setting a timeline for their implementation in the state

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:42PM by PIB Delhi

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chaired a review meeting on the implementation of three new criminal laws in Odisha, in the presence of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, in New Delhi today. The meeting reviewed the implementation and present status of various new provisions related to police, prisons, courts, prosecution, and forensics in Odisha. The meeting was attended by the Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Odisha, the Director General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), the Director, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and other senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the government of Odisha.

 

 

During the meeting, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, said that the Odisha government should prioritize 100% implementation of the new criminal laws across all levels of administration for the next six months.

Shri Amit Shah said that the next decade is crucial for the development of an emerging state like Odisha. Considering the state’s future industrial and technological growth, he highlighted that the three new criminal laws will play a vital role in strengthening the law and order.

 

Union Home Minister said that the state’s Home Secretary should review the progress of implementing new criminal laws on a weekly basis and the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police should review it fortnightly and the Chief Minister should review on a monthly basis, prioritizing the timelines of implementation.

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VV/RR/PR/PS

(Release ID: 2120594) Visitor Counter : 46

Source: Government of India

8th Session of India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects held in New Delhi

India and Russia agree on 6 new strategic projects to boost bilateral investment cooperation

2nd Edition of India-Russia Investment Forum held alongside Working Group meeting

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:35PM by PIB Delhi

The 8th Session of the India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects (IRWG-PIP) under the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation was held in New Delhi today.

The Working Group meeting was held successfully, with the co-chairs signing a protocol highlighting multiple projects of strategic importance to both nations. The session aimed at strengthening economic ties between India and Russia by identifying and advancing collaborative projects in sectors of mutual interest.

The Working Group also reviewed the outcomes of the 7th session, and both sides agreed to include six new strategic projects aimed at deepening bilateral investment cooperation. Discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to expand investment collaboration across various sectors.

On the sidelines of the 8th Session of IRWG-PIP, the 2nd Edition of the India-Russia Investment Forum was also organised, in collaboration with Invest India, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

The Session was co-chaired by Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia from the Indian side, and Deputy Minister of the Ministry for Economic Development of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Ilichev, from the Russian side.

The India-Russia Investment Forum saw enthusiastic participation from over 80 Indian and Russian businesses, including entrepreneurs, financial institutions, cargo companies, business chambers, researchers, and officials.

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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

(Release ID: 2120588) Visitor Counter : 78

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:32PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, today inaugurated the cutting-edge Digital Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder (DFDR & CVR) Laboratory at the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) at Udaan Bhawan in New Delhi. Widely referred to as the “Black Box Lab,” this state-of-the-art facility has been established with an investment of ₹ nine crore.

The inauguration witnessed the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Indian Air Force, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Airports Authority of India, and Airports Economic Regulatory Authority. Chiefs of Flight Safety from all major scheduled airlines also attended this landmark event.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized the significance of this new facility in bolstering aviation safety. He stated that this achievement brings India one step closer to a safer aviation ecosystem by enabling the identification of root causes of incidents more effectively and ensuring accountability, which remains the cornerstone of aviation safety. The Minister highlighted that only through effective and independent investigations can future accidents be prevented.

The Minister lauded the contributions of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in supporting AAIB to establish advanced DFDR and CVR laboratories and equipping them to analyze retrieved flight data from aircraft. He expressed pride in HAL’s indigenous capacity to manufacture and repair FDRs, noting that India now boasts one of the most advanced avionics systems globally. Acknowledging the rapid expansion of India’s aviation sector, he underscored the need for equally robust safety measures to keep pace with the vision of achieving 350–400 airports by 2047, as envisioned under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The state-of-the-art facility will enable AAIB to repair damaged black boxes, retrieve data, and conduct thorough analyses of accidents and incidents. With the ability to correlate data from the Cockpit Voice Recorder, Radar, and Flight Data Recorder, the lab will enhance the accuracy of investigative findings. The establishment of this lab, built to international standards and comparable to those of developed nations, fulfills India’s obligations as an ICAO member state.

Director General, AAIB, Shri G V G Yugandhar stated that the lab would extend its support to neighboring nations in aviation investigations, demonstrating India’s commitment to regional safety collaboration. Additionally, with the ambitious goal of manufacturing aircraft and helicopters for commercial use, the facility will play a crucial role not only in accident investigation but also in ensuring accident prevention through required design changes and operating procedure updates.

This facility represents a critical step in strengthening India’s position as a global aviation leader. The Ministry of Civil Aviation remains steadfast in its commitment to making air travel in India both safe and comfortable, aligning with the broader national vision of a robust and secure aviation ecosystem.

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Beena Yadav/Divyanshu Kumar

(Release ID: 2120587) Visitor Counter : 60

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:25PM by PIB Delhi

Dedicated to the glory of Ayodhya — a revered centre of Indian culture, art, and devotion – and counted among India’s significant cultural festivals, ‘Ayodhya Parv 2025’  will be held from 11 to 13 April at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Janpath, New Delhi. This three-day cultural celebration will serve as a confluence of devotion, classical traditions, and dialogue, bringing together saints, cultural thinkers, policymakers, scholars, and artists from across the country.

The festival will commence on 11 April at 3:00 PM with the inauguration of an exhibition. On this occasion, an exhibition of artworks by renowned painter Padma Shri Vasudev Kamath, based on ‘Maryada Purushottam’ (Lord Rama), will be unveiled. Alongside this, two special exhibitions will be on view — ‘Sundarakanda’, a collection of Pahari miniature paintings based on the ‘Valmiki Ramayana’, and ‘Badi Hai Ayodhya’, a pictorial representation of the pilgrimage tradition of the Chaurasi Kos Parikrama (84 kos circuit) around Ayodhya.

Following the exhibition, a special discussion session will take place featuring Mahant Shri Kamal Nayan Das of Maniramdas Chhawani, Geeta Manishi Mahamandaleshwar Pujya Gyananand Ji Maharaj, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha, IGNCA Chairman Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Shri Champat Rai, and artist Shri Vasudev Kamath. The evening will conclude with cultural performances including ‘mridang vadan’ (percussion performance) and devotional singing starting at 6:00 PM.

On the second day, 12 April, a symposium on ‘Temple Management in Indian Society’ will be held at 11:00 AM, where leading saints of Ayodhya will engage in dialogue with administrative and cultural experts. At 3:00 PM, another symposium will focus on ‘The Contribution of Goswami Tulsidas in the Innovation of Indian Culture,’ with scholars from across India presenting their insights. The cultural evening will include a solo tabla recital, followed by a Kathak and Bharatanatyam performance by Richa Tripathi and her team.

The final day of the festival, 13 April, will also be marked by rich intellectual and artistic engagements. At 11:00 AM, a symposium titled ‘Shri Ram in the Essays of Kuber Nath Rai’ will feature prominent Hindi scholars. The concluding ceremony will witness the presence of Pujya Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust; Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly; IGNCA Chairman Shri Ram Bahadur Rai; Prof. Ramesh Chandra Gaur, Dean (Administration) and Head of Kala Nidhi Division at IGNCA; and eminent artist Shri Sunil Vishwakarma. The final performances will include ‘Alha’ singing by Faujdar Singh and his troupe, along with traditional folk songs by folk singer Vijaya Bharti.

Ayodhya Parv 2025 is a unique endeavour that brings Indian art, spirituality, and timeless values into renewed public focus—an initiative by IGNCA and Shri Ayodhya Nyas that unfolds in the heart of the capital. The festival evokes the cultural spirit nurtured through the Ramayana and the enduring voice of Tulsidas.

IGNCA and Shri Ayodhya Nyas are delighted to invite you to be part of this exceptional celebration. The festival promises a vibrant blend of devotion, culture, art, and dialogue. All media representatives are warmly welcomed to cover and participate in this extraordinary cultural event.

Please find the invitation link 

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2120582) Visitor Counter : 48

Source: Government of India

ECI’s extensive grassroot training programme gathers steam

217 BLOs from West Bengal along with 2 DEOs, 12 EROs commences at IIIDEM

One-Day Orientation Programme for Media and Social Media Nodal Officers and District PROs concludes

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:16PM by PIB Delhi

A two-Day National Training Programme comprising 2 DEOs, 12 EROs & 217 BLOs from West Bengal commenced at IIIDEM today. This initiative forms part of the broader training plan for the capacity augmentation of grassroot election functionaries as envisaged by the Commission during the CEO’s Conference held at IIIDEM on the 4^th of March

ECI also concluded a one-day Orientation Programme for Media Nodal Officers, Social Media Nodal Officers, and District Public Relations Officers at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi, today. The orientation was aimed at enhancing coordination and preparedness of election officials in an evolving media landscape.

Media Officers from 28 States and 8 UTs participated in the orientation programme which aims to develop an effective communication strategy to ensure proactive information dissemination, counter misinformation, and promote voter awareness through various media platforms, in accordance with the legal framework i.e. the RP Act 1950 & 1951; Registration of Elector Rules 1960, Conduct of Election Rules 1961 and the instructions issued by ECI from time to time.

In his address, CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar while acknowledging the pivotal role of media as a key stakeholder in the electoral process, emphasized the importance of factual, timely and transparent communication in upholding the trust of voters in the electoral processes in a digitally mediated information world. He underlined that media officers must be proactive in communicating accurate information and rise to the challenge of ensuring that voters are correctly informed and empowered to discern facts from narratives without factual basis.

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PK/GDH/RP

(Release ID: 2120577) Visitor Counter : 10

Source: Government of India

LOK SABHA SPEAKER APPRECIATES UZBEK SCHOLARS’ DEEP INTEREST IN INDIAN LANGUAGES AND CULTURE

INDIA HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SHAPING THE 21ST CENTURY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

INDIA AND UZBEKISTAN WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN REALIZING DREAM OF GLOBAL HUMAN VALUES, PEACE, STABILITY, PROGRESS, AND FREEDOM IN THE 21ST CENTURY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

LOK SABHA SPEAKER INTERACTS WITH INDOLOGISTS AND STUDENTS IN UZBEKISTAN

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:07PM by PIB Delhi

Tashkent/New Delhi; 09 April 2025: Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla has appreciated the scholars of Uzbekistan for their deep interest and understanding in Indian languages, including Hindi and Sanskrit. The Uzbek scholars have not only learned Indian languages but have also expressed it in their literary works, he observed. Interacting with the Indologists, teachers and students at the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri School in Tashkent today, Shri Birla noted that the scholars through their teaching and research works, have strengthened the historic relationship between India and Uzbekistan. Over 600 students are learning Hindi at the school and are having a deep appreciation for Indian languages and culture.

Shri Birla mentioned that many Indologists have received prestigious awards for their diplomatic activities, including the highest awards in India and other countries. He also noted that an Uzbek-Hindi dictionary has also been created by the teachers in Uzbekistan which was inaugurated by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.

Shri Birla said that India has an important role in shaping the 21st century, adding that there are immense opportunities for collective development and collaboration with friendly nations like Uzbekistan. He further said that through engagement in areas such as the environment, language, culture, and education, mutual understanding would be broadened. Shri Birla recalled that during his visit, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had highlighted the popularity of Indian films and music in Uzbekistan and reminded the audience that in 2012, Uzbek Radio completed 50 years of broadcasting

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:05PM by PIB Delhi

New Delhi, 09 April 2025: Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla has extended greetings to the people on the eve of Mahavir Jayanti. In his message, Shri Birla said:

“Jai Jinendra,

On the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir Swami, the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism, who is the embodiment of non-violence, compassion, forgiveness, and mercy, I extend my heartfelt wishes and congratulations to everyone, especially to my Jain brothers and sisters.

The life and teachings of Lord Mahavir Swami teach us that true strength lies in non-violence, true prosperity in renunciation, and true happiness in selfless service. He gave the world the mantra of “Live and Let Live,” which remains as relevant today as it was in his time.

Today, as the world grapples with many challenges, the thoughts of Lord Mahavir guide us toward the right path. His message is not only for a specific religion but for all of humanity. If we adopt his principles in our lives, we can create an atmosphere of love, peace, and goodwill in society.

On this Mahavir Jayanti, let’s resolve to walk on the path of non-violence and truth, to embrace compassion and mercy in our lives, and to foster love and respect for every living being. May Lord Mahavir shower his blessings on you, and may your life be filled with happiness, peace, and harmony.

Wishing you all an auspicious Mahavir Jayanti!

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AM

(Release ID: 2120569) Visitor Counter : 58

Source: Government of India

Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal chairs a meeting on the emerging trade scenario with Export Promotion Councils and Industry bodies

Meeting was called to deliberate on the opportunities arising out of the evolving scenarios

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 7:55PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, today held discussions with the Export Promotion Councils and Industry Bodies in New Delhi in the light of the emerging trade scenario. The meeting was called to deliberate on the impact as well as opportunities arising out of the evolving and very dynamic scenarios and to apprise the industry and trade about the steps being taken by the Government.

The Commerce and Industry Minister (CIM) complemented the exporters and the industry for achieving the highest ever export of above USD 820 Billion in the fiscal 2024-25 which is nearly 6% growth over previous fiscal year. In spite of multiple headwinds including the red sea crisis, Israel-Hamas conflict spilling over to Gulf region, continuation of Russia-Ukraine conflict and slow growth in some developed economies, the Minister lauded the Exporters for their resilience and efforts.

During the meeting, CIM also apprised the exporters regarding discussions with the US for a mutually beneficial multi-sectoral Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), which has been ongoing due to the foresight of Honb’le PM Modi who was one of the first global leaders to agree on the BTA in his meeting with President Trump in February 2025.

The Commerce and Industry minister assured the exporters that the Government will work to provide a conducive environment to enable them to successfully navigate the recent changes in the global trade environment.

The Commerce and Industry Minister assured that the country is working in a proactive manner and exploring solutions which are in the best interest of the nation. The team working on BTA is exploring the right mix and the right balance and he exhorted the exporters to not panic and look at the silver lining in the present scenario. He assured that the team is working with speed but not in undue haste to ensure the right outcome for the country.

The CIM said that different countries are approaching the tariff imposition in a different manner. However, as far as India is concerned, there is a potential for increase in manufacturing, creation of additional jobs because it can attract big players in global supply chain as India has been able to establish itself as a trusted and reliable partner and with a predictable business friendly destination.

Various Export Promotion Councils, representing a wide array of sectors, presented their views and outlook in light of the emerging challenges in global trade and requested the government to take proactive measures to support the export industry in these challenging times.

The meeting was attended by Export Promotion Councils, Industry bodies and officials from Commerce and line ministries.

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Abhishek Dayal/ Ishita Biswas

(Release ID: 2120565) Visitor Counter : 60