Other Briefings
India Open to FTA with United States
Nov. 25 – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that India is willing to consider a free trade pact with the United States similar to the one it already has with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “I don’t mind exploring the possibility for a free trade agreement with the United States,” Mr. Singh said during […]
Stapled Chinese Visas Not Valid for Travel
Nov. 13 – India’s Foreign Ministry has announced that stapled Chinese visas for Indian travelers will not be allowed to exit the country and advises applicants to verify how their visas will be attached. Some Chinese embassies and consulates have continued to issue stapled visas for Indians coming from Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir despite […]
India Getting Tough on Business Visa Issuance
Oct. 28 – India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced that foreign workers in the country on business visas must leave the by the end of the month or on the expiry of their visas whichever is earlier to return to their home country and apply for an employment visa there. Indian consulates will […]
Coke Wins in Landmark Indian Trademark Case
Oct. 22 – The Delhi High Court has asked the Indian conglomerate Bisleri International to halt the sale of their mango-flavored soft drink under the trade name Maaza in India, giving Coca-Cola a victory in a trademark case. The issue has been fought for more than a year now with the Delhi High Court allowing […]
Foreign Investment to India Passes US$100 Billion Mark
Oct. 15 – India’s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion says that foreign direct investment (FDI) to India from 2000 until July this year has already passed the US$100 billion mark. In total, FDI inflows during that period reached US$100.33 billion. In the first four months of this year alone FDI amounted to US$10.49 billion […]
Cartels to be Reined in Under New Legislation
Sept. 7 – The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has implemented new legislation that will encourage cartel members to expose other members in exchange for lesser penalties. Currently, the penalties for collective price fixing in India includes fines of up to three times the profit or ten percent of turnover. Depending upon the significance of […]
Maha Ratna Proposal to Give Top State-Owned Companies More Autonomy
Sept. 2 – The government is considering awarding top state-owned companies the Maha Ratna status to give it more freedom to negotiate joint ventures, investments and grow capacity. “My ministry will seek cabinet approval for elevating some of the Nav Ratna companies owned by the government to the Maha Ratna status provided their net profit […]
Foreign Investors Have 18 Months Left to Obtain Tax Breaks
By Chris Devonshire-Ellis Aug. 28 – India’s new tax code may create a window of opportunity for foreign investors wanting to enter the Indian market with reduced tax rates. Currently, special economic zones (SEZ) in the country carry tax breaks of up to 15 years in some sectors, in addition to a number of other […]
