Business
India-US trade deal: ‘Talks are happening at different levels’, says official; Piyush Goyal-led team expected to return this week – The Times of India
India-US trade deal: At a time when Commerce minister Piyush Goyal is in America, an official has said that the trade deal talks between India and US are happening at various levels.“Talks are happening at different levels,” an official told PTI. The official indicated that the ministerial delegation is scheduled to return later this week. Multiple discussions between India and the US are ongoing, addressing both trade and non-trade matters, according to the official.Currently in the US for trade discussions, Piyush Goyal is joined by high-ranking ministry officials, including special secretary and chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal. During his visit, Goyal has engaged in consultations with his American counterpart.This visit follows recent discussions in New Delhi between US Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch and Agrawal regarding the proposed bilateral trade agreement.On September 16, the commerce ministry announced that the single-day discussions with the visiting US delegation about a bilateral trade deal were constructive, with both countries agreeing to work towards a swift and advantageous conclusion of the agreement.Senior US trade officials visited India for the first time following the implementation of a combined 50% tariffs on Indian goods in the American market, partly due to India’s procurement of Russian crude oil.Officials from both nations began negotiations for a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in February this year, following directives from their respective leaders.The initial phase of the agreement was scheduled for completion in autumn (October-November) of 2025, with five rounds of discussions already completed. The agreement aims to increase bilateral trade from $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030.Earlier in May, Goyal travelled to Washington for trade discussions and held meetings with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.In 2024-25, the US maintained its position as India’s primary trading partner for the fourth successive year, with bilateral trade reaching $131.84 billion (USD 86.5 billion exports).The US represents approximately 18 per cent of India’s total goods exports, 6.22 per cent of imports, and 10.73 per cent of the country’s overall merchandise trade.
MUMBAI: The Irdai on Friday, fined Reliance General Insurance Rs 1 crore in Hyderabad for routing unauthorised payouts through marketing and awareness expenses that amounted to disguised commissions. The penalty follows Irdai’s examination of transactions across FY19, FY20 and FY21. According to the regulator, the insurer channeled payments to brokers, agents, corporate agents and unlicensed entities under labels such as consumer awareness, marketing and advertising.
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ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has registered 144 olive startups as part of a decade-long government initiative aimed at developing the olive sector.
Olive Promotional Programme National Project Director Dr Muhammad Tariq told Wealth Pakistan that the sector had recorded rapid growth over the past 10 years due to sustained government backing.
“Ten years ago, when the government started this programme, we had only one entrepreneur. Today, we have 144 startups and entrepreneurs. It is a very fast-growing sector,” he said.
Tariq noted that the government’s continued support had played a central role in transforming the olive sector into a viable agro-industry. The federal minister for national food security has also taken steps to strengthen the sector by pursuing Pakistan’s full membership at the International Olive Council. “Hopefully, there will be progress within three months,” he said.
A traveler near a departures board at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey, US, on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025.
Victor J. Blue | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Airlines canceled more than 1,200 U.S. flights on Friday ahead of a major winter storm that will put carriers to the test during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
A winter storm warning is in effect starting Friday afternoon in New York City, New Jersey and Long Island, with snowfall totals potentially reaching 9 inches, most of it falling overnight, the National Weather Service said.
Over 350 flights, or more than a quarter of the day’s schedule, were canceled as of 1 p.m. Friday to and from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. More than 200 were also scrubbed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and more than 100 were canceled at Philadelphia International Airport.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and other carriers waived change fees for restrictive basic economy tickets and said they won’t charge a difference in fare for any other customers flying in and out of a host of airports in the Northeast U.S.
Customers must travel by the end of the year if they change their flights, the airlines said. Flying as early as possible is likely the best bet with few seats available during the busy Christmas week.
Airlines for America, the industry lobbying group, expects carriers to fly a record 52.6 million people between Dec. 19 and Jan. 5, with this Friday and Sunday among the busiest days.
Airlines generally cancel flights ahead of time for major weather events in the forecast, like blizzards or hurricanes, to avoid planes, connecting travelers and crews from getting stranded and worsening disruptions.
Irdai fines Reliance General Insurance over ‘commission’ – The Times of India
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