Ajay Srivastava

Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative, is an ex-Indian Trade Service officer with expertise in WTO and FTA negotiations.

India’s Exports to US Fall 28.5% in Past Five Months as Tariffs Batter Key Sectors

The government should urgently roll out the Export Promotion Mission and press Washington to drop the Russia-related tariff.

Ajay Srivastava

November 29, 2025 at 4:18 AM IST

iStock.com

India–Israel Trade Deal Returns to Agenda After a Decade-Long Pause

India’s renewed FTA push with Israel signals a pivot from limited merchandise trade to high-value partnerships in defence, agri-tech, electronics, water systems and innovation.

Ajay Srivastava

November 24, 2025 at 10:13 AM IST

iStock.com

India’s US Exports Rebound After Four Consecutive Months of Decline

Globally, India’s exports declined by 11.8%. Overall, India saw growth in just five markets and declines in fifteen, reflecting a patchy and fragile export landscape.

Ajay Srivastava

November 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM IST

iStock.com

New US Bill Targets Outsourcing, Threatens India’s IT Engine

The bill proposal a 25% excise tax on payments that US firms make to any “foreign person” for labour or services that ultimately benefit US consumers, even if the services are performed entirely abroad.

Ajay Srivastava

November 14, 2025 at 4:44 AM IST

iStock.com

GTRI: Developing Critical Mineral Ecosystem Needs More Than Just a Cut in Royalty

Ajay Srivastava

November 13, 2025 at 12:01 PM IST

Cabinet Approves Export Promotion Mission, But Funding and Rollout Challenges Loom

The Export Promotion Mission, cleared by the Cabinet, promises easier finance and stronger support for MSMEs. Yet the modest budget and institutional overlap could slow benefits to exporters.

Ajay Srivastava

November 13, 2025 at 6:19 AM IST

iStock.com/wsfurlan

India Must Push Trump to Roll Back Oil Tariff Before Any Trade Pact

Since Trump now acknowledges that India has largely stopped Russian oil imports, New Delhi must press Washington to roll back the “Russian oil” tariffs before taking a call on trade deal.

Ajay Srivastava

November 12, 2025 at 6:42 AM IST

White House

India’s Steel Debate: Protectionism versus Competitiveness

GTRI challenges Steel Ministry’s view on imports, quality control orders, and growth

Ajay Srivastava

November 5, 2025 at 12:12 PM IST

istockimages/prabhjits

Exports to US Slide Across Sectors for Fourth Consecutive Month

Without urgent intervention, India risks losing market share to Vietnam, Mexico, and China—even in sectors where it previously held a strong position.

Ajay Srivastava

November 2, 2025 at 3:42 PM IST

iStock.com

US Trade Deal: A Three-Step Plan for Protecting India’s Interests

India faces a triple threat: tariffs, sanctions, and pressure to concede on trade. Can New Delhi protect its energy, exports, and digital future?

Ajay Srivastava

November 1, 2025 at 5:07 AM IST

iStock.com/MAGNIFIER

India’s Processed Potato Exports Surge as Asia’s Snack Demand Booms

With strong regional demand and expanding domestic capacity, India’s processed potato exports have become a standout success story in the country’s broader push to build value-added agricultural export base

Ajay Srivastava

October 23, 2025 at 7:56 AM IST

iStock.com

Gloves Off: Trump Hits China with 100% Extra Tariff in Chip-vs-Rare-Earth Showdown

As the US hits China with 100% tariffs, Beijing retaliates with rare earth curbs. India must read the fine print—no US deal is ever final in a world of shifting power.

Ajay Srivastava

October 11, 2025 at 5:34 AM IST

White House

From Energy Trade to Strategic Trust: India and Qatar’s Expanding Ties

Briefing

India and Qatar are entering a new phase of bilateral engagement. Here’s an explainer on their geopolitical and economic ties, as the two countries prepare to announce a trade deal this week.

Ajay Srivastava

October 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM IST

iStock.com

Most Indian Pharma Exports May Escape US Tariff, But Uncertainty Clouds Branded Generics

US 100% tariff plan sparks confusion: if branded generics are treated as patented drugs, India is safe; if as branded imports, then some pharma exports face trouble.

Ajay Srivastava

September 26, 2025 at 7:56 AM IST

Istock.com/moussa81

Smartphones to Pharma, India’s Key Exports to US Take a Hit

Some tariff-free products are collapsing despite facing zero duties, while several highly-taxed sectors are showing surprising resilience

Ajay Srivastava

September 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM IST

iStock.com/wsfurlan

India’s Metal Exports to EU Plunge 24% as CBAM Reporting Hits MSMEs

Despite having a two-year transition period since October 2023, India has not significantly advanced its CBAM preparedness. Exporters, especially MSMEs, lack clarity on emissions reporting and verification processes.

Ajay Srivastava

September 20, 2025 at 10:17 AM IST

iStock.com

India–US Talks: Breakthrough Unlikely Unless Trump Drops Extra 25% Tariffs

Making of a stalemate? India wants the 25% Russia-linked penalty dropped — but that won’t be easy for Washington, since it is already citing the tariff in its Supreme Court defence

Ajay Srivastava

September 16, 2025 at 3:47 PM IST

Act Before It’s Too Late, Build a Sovereign Digital Backbone

India’s economy and security are deeply reliant on US software, cloud, and social media platforms, creating a major vulnerability in times of geopolitical tension.

Ajay Srivastava

September 14, 2025 at 12:35 PM IST

iStock.com

Why India Must File Amicus Brief in US Tariff Appeal

By remaining silent, India risks allowing Trump’s narrative to stand uncontested at the highest court in America.

Ajay Srivastava

September 10, 2025 at 10:07 AM IST

iStock.com

Setting the Record Straight on Trump’s India Rant

While the US has a trade deficit of $45 billion with India, once all commercial earnings are counted, Washington runs a healthy $35–40 billion surplus.

Ajay Srivastava

September 2, 2025 at 6:15 AM IST

Gage Skidmore

The Bureau

India’s Exports to US Fall 28.5% in Past Five Months as Tariffs Batter Key Sectors

Sensex, Nifty Hold Firm; India’s GDP Accelerates to 8.2% in July-September

Strong GDP Print Knocks Back Market Hopes of RBI Rate Cut

NCLT Approves National Spot Exchange’s Settlement Scheme With Traders

IMF Reclassifies India’s Exchange-Rate Regime as “Crawl-like arrangement”

Cabinet Oks Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets Manufacturing Scheme

Govt’s Farm Research Body Rejects Allegations on Gene-Edited Rice

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