Overview

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized India's commitment to navigating global trade disruptions through policy agility and long-term investments during the 150th anniversary of the Bombay Stock Exchange.
• The US has granted a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for India, providing temporary relief and an opportunity to strengthen trade negotiations.
• India is targeting the completion of the first tranche of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the US by fall 2025, with potential for earlier resolution according to Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal.
• Indian financial markets have demonstrated resilience, with record additions of 41 million demat accounts in FY25, reflecting growing investor confidence and market maturity.
• India has identified competitive advantages in at least 10 export sectors, including electronics, apparel, and chemicals, to capitalize on US tariff exemptions and strengthen its export position.