India is projected to contribute 6% to global trade growth over the next five years, as per the DHL Trade Atlas 2025 report, jointly published by New York University’s Stern School of Business and German logistics firm DHL. The report, which analyzes trade trends across nearly 200 countries and territories, indicates that India’s role in global trade expansion will be the third largest, following China at 12% and the United States at 10%. "India also emerges as the country with the third-highest absolute trade growth forecast (6% of additional global trade), trailing only China (12%) and the US (10%)," the report stated. It also highlighted that despite geopolitical challenges and trade policy uncertainties, global trade has shown resilience.
India is expected to maintain its third position in trade scale growth, attributed to its faster trade expansion compared to other major economies. Additionally, the country is projected to improve its ranking on the trade speed dimension, rising from 32nd to 17th place. Although India ranked as the 13th largest player in international trade in 2024, its trade volume grew at a compound annual rate of 5.2% between 2019 and 2024, significantly surpassing the global average of 2.0% during the same period.
"India’s rapid trade expansion is driven by its strong macroeconomic growth and increasing integration into global trade. While China is often seen as a more trade-driven economy, India's goods trade-to-GDP ratio was nearly equal to China’s in 2023. Moreover, India’s trade intensity, considering both goods and services, exceeded that of China," the report noted.
Looking ahead, the report forecasts that India, alongside Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, will be among the top 30 countries in terms of both trade speed and scale over the next five years. Speaking to ANI, RS Subramanian, SVP South Asia at DHL Express, remarked, "The Trade Atlas highlights India's rapid global trade expansion, reinforcing its role as a key link between the East and West. While we foresee rising trade volumes and an increasing global trade share, we remain cautiously optimistic given ongoing economic volatility."
India's Foreign Trade Status: According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for March 2025, India’s total exports (including both goods and services) during April-February 2024-25 are estimated at $750.53 billion, marking a 6.24% year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth from $706.43 billion in the previous fiscal period.
In February 2025, major contributors to merchandise export growth included electronic goods, rice, mica, coal, processed minerals, textiles, and coffee. Trade with key partners such as the US, UAE, UK, China, Japan, Brazil, and Australia remained robust. The trade deficit for the financial year 2023-24 (FY24) narrowed to $78.12 billion, down from $121.6 billion in FY23, as per the Ministry of Finance.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
The Congress on Monday accused the BJP of fabricating a "completely fake" issue to force the adjournment of Parliament and prevent discussions on the serious matter concerning Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma's conduct. BJP members in the Lok Sabha have been raising concerns over reservations for Muslims in Karnataka’s government contracts, alleging that Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar suggested amending the Constitution to accommodate a four percent quota for Muslims. However, Shivakumar has denied making any statement about changing the Constitution to enable religion-based reservations.
On Monday, Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned during the pre-lunch session as ruling and opposition members clashed over the Karnataka Muslim reservation issue, leading to a deadlock with no business being transacted. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed that the BJP deliberately engineered the controversy to derail parliamentary proceedings and avoid discussing the allegations against Justice Varma.
"They have clearly decided they don’t want the House to function. Every day, they come up with some excuse to disrupt proceedings," Priyanka Gandhi told reporters after the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the second time that day. In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court late Saturday night published on its website an in-house inquiry report, including photos and videos, related to the alleged discovery of large amounts of cash at Justice Varma’s residence. Based on the 25-page report's recommendations, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna set up an in-house committee to investigate the matter and directed Delhi High Court Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya to bar Justice Varma from handling any judicial work.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Sansad TV.
US and Russian negotiators convened in Saudi Arabia on Monday to discuss a partial ceasefire in Ukraine, following earlier talks between US and Ukrainian representatives, according to Russian media reports. State agencies Tass and RIA-Novosti confirmed that the negotiations had commenced in Riyadh. The discussions are expected to be followed by further engagements between US and Ukrainian officials. The meetings aim to outline a temporary pause in long-range strikes on energy infrastructure and civilian sites, as well as a halt in Black Sea attacks to facilitate safe commercial shipping.
Last Wednesday, Ukraine and Russia tentatively agreed to a limited ceasefire after US President Donald Trump held discussions with both nations’ leaders. However, discrepancies remain regarding the scope of the ceasefire. While the White House stated that energy and infrastructure would be included, the Kremlin asserted that only energy infrastructure was covered under the agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pushed for additional protections for railways and ports. Meanwhile, Russia carried out overnight drone strikes across Ukraine, killing at least seven people, including a father and his 5-year-old daughter in Kyiv. "There must be more pressure on Russia to stop this terror," Zelenskyy said, urging Ukraine’s allies—the US, Europe, and others—to act decisively.
Zelenskyy has expressed openness to a full 30-day ceasefire proposed by Trump. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a complete ceasefire conditional on halting arms supplies to Kyiv and suspending Ukraine’s military mobilization—conditions that Ukraine and its Western allies have rejected. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about progress in the Saudi Arabia talks, particularly concerning a Black Sea ceasefire. He suggested that such an agreement could pave the way for a broader cessation of hostilities.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
Prasanna Sankar, co-founder of the multi-billion-dollar company Rippling, has accused his estranged wife, Divya, and the Chennai Police of harassment during an ongoing divorce and custody dispute. In a series of social media posts, Sankar claimed his troubles began after he discovered his wife's alleged extramarital affair, which, according to him, led to demands for a hefty divorce settlement. He alleged that when negotiations fell apart, Divya filed what he described as a "false police complaint" accusing him of domestic violence.
Sankar further alleged that Divya sought an advantage by initiating divorce proceedings in the US while he had already filed in India. He also accused her of abducting their 9-year-old son to the US, prompting him to pursue an international child abduction case. Sankar claims that a US court ruled in his favor, leading to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between them. Under this agreement, he was required to pay around ₹9 crore and ₹4.3 lakh per month in support while maintaining joint custody of their son. However, Sankar alleged that Divya violated the terms by refusing to store their child’s passport in a shared locker, leading to further legal conflicts.
Allegations Against Chennai Police: Sankar claimed that when he approached the court to enforce the MoU, Divya retaliated by filing a kidnapping complaint against him. He alleged that Chennai Police officers arrived at his hotel late at night, forcing him to flee with his son out of fear of being wrongfully arrested.
He further accused the police of harassing his family and friends, stating that they raided his friend Gokul’s home in Bengaluru without a warrant, detained him in Chennai, and used illegal methods to track Sankar’s movements. He also alleged that police seized a caretaker’s phone, raided an Airbnb he had stayed in, and pressured Gokul into signing documents contradicting Sankar’s social media claims.
Sankar accused the Assistant Commissioner of Thirumangalam Range and a Sub-Inspector at the Thirumangalam police station of demanding ₹25 lakh to release his friend. He claimed the police, in collaboration with his wife, were planning a press conference to defame him. In response, he announced his intention to file a legal petition seeking protection from harassment.
Estranged Wife Denies Allegations, Makes Counterclaims: Divya dismissed Sankar’s accusations and made serious counterclaims against him. She alleged that three weeks ago, Sankar tricked her into coming to India under the pretense of resolving a property issue, during which their son was forcibly taken from her by an individual named Gokula Krishnan. She stated that, unaware of her son’s whereabouts, she filed a complaint with the police.
Divya also accused Sankar of transferring matrimonial assets to his father’s name to evade taxes and later moving them to his brother Vidyasagar in Thailand. She further alleged that she was coerced into signing documents preventing her from reporting these financial irregularities to US authorities.
She claimed that Sankar stole their son’s passport and expressed concerns over a possible abduction. Additionally, she asserted that the Chennai Police were assisting her in retrieving their child. In more serious allegations, Divya accused Sankar of being a "sexual predator" who secretly recorded women and subjected her to sexual assault. She claimed that he had been arrested by Singapore Police in connection with these accusations but was later released on bail.
Divya further alleged that Sankar was involved in a sting operation related to solicitation and prostitution, which resulted in his removal from 0xPPL.com. She claimed that after this incident, he sought help from the Chennai Police.The legal battle between Sankar and Divya continues, with both sides making serious allegations against each other.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Screengrab.
A mid-air explosion took place on the same day North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test launch of an anti-aircraft missile system by North Korea's Missile Administration, local media reported, at an undisclosed location.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from KCNA.
A recent IATA survey indicates that 37% of ground handling professionals expect the staffing shortages to continue, even as the aviation industry shows signs of post-Covid recovery. Despite the rebound in air travel, these shortages remain a pressing issue for the sector.
At the same time, employers are facing new challenges as today’s workforce increasingly values work that goes beyond a simple paycheck. Workers are now seeking roles that offer meaning and additional value, prompting companies to rethink their strategies. In this context, Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore how organizations can implement a people-first approach while still meeting operational demands, drawing insights from Maggie Wong, Chief Operating Officer of Hong Kong Airport Services.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA News.
Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms had been single for a decade and believed having a child might not be an option for her. Although she had considered solo parenthood, the financial burden seemed too overwhelming to pursue it.
Her perspective shifted when she met Tom Hayes. Tom worked at the Hive, an arts center in Shrewsbury, where she served as a trustee. Their friendship quickly developed as they connected over a shared experience—many of their friends in Shrewsbury had children, which made socializing more difficult. They found themselves excluded from gatherings and missed the spontaneity of meeting up for a drink. This shared feeling of isolation became the foundation of their bond.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The guardion.
Renny Goh had always dreamed of becoming a musician, but her parents set a clear condition—she had to complete a degree before fully pursuing her passion. While studying at the National University of Singapore (NUS), she refused to put her musical aspirations on hold. She actively performed with her band, recorded cover songs for YouTube, and took on gigs whenever she could, balancing both academics and her artistic pursuits.
However, it was a life-altering moment within her family that gave her the clarity she needed. When her cousin had a near-death experience, Renny was confronted with the fragility of life and the urgency of chasing her dreams. This event solidified her decision to take a bold step forward. She set her sights on Los Angeles, determined to carve out a path in the music industry despite the challenges.
In this episode of A Letter to Myself, Renny shares her journey with host Joel Chua, reflecting on how she navigated an unconventional route—one that defied traditional expectations in Singapore but ultimately brought her closer to her true calling.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Siow Huang step into the role of career advisers in this week’s Ask Me Anything segment. They address the challenge of managing employees who prioritize work-life balance and are unwilling to take on additional tasks.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
