Rakshith Shetty

The India–Republic of Korea FTA, signed in 2009 and brought into effect in 2010 during UPA II, is the result of a poorly negotiated, imbalanced agreement tilted against India. Since then, bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries has increased by 92.7%, with India’s imports rising by 103.7%, clearly not favouring India. Thus, while overall trade expanded, the trade deficit also widened. In 2015, PM @NarendraModi ji and the President of the Republic of Korea met and agreed to commence negotiations to amend the India–Korea CEPA, with a view to achieving both qualitative and quantitative growth in trade through an agreed roadmap. Thereafter, at the Ministerial-level Meeting of the Joint Committee under the IKCEPA, the Ministers announced the launch of renegotiations, under which eleven rounds were held, and an Early Harvest Package was agreed upon. Now, through sustained and concerted efforts, the two countries have decided to go beyond the earlier agreed aspects and prioritise a more reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnership, with a strong focus on key sectors of shared interest, while also addressing non-tariff barriers and rules of origin. The renegotiation talks are expected to conclude by the end of 2026 or, at the latest, by mid-2027. At the same time, consistent follow-up to enhance localisation and reduce import dependency of Korean companies operating in India has begun to yield results. We are now witnessing genuine indigenisation and improved reciprocity. Additionally, during the recent State Visit of the Hon’ble President of the Republic of Korea to India, it was announced that JSW Steel and the Republic of Korea’s POSCO have formed a 50:50 joint venture to establish a 6 MTPA greenfield integrated steel plant in Odisha, with an estimated investment of ₹35,000 crore. This joint venture route of investment is unlike earlier investments by Korean companies, which were in the form of wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, multiple MoUs have been signed between the two nations, aimed at: ✅ Strengthening bilateral economic ties across trade, industry, strategic resources and clean energy ✅ Enhancing technical cooperation and business matchmaking, with a focus on the MSME sector ✅ Improving supply chain resilience and boosting industrial co-production The Modi Government’s approach is clear: ensuring fair trade, more balanced outcomes, and a steady push to strengthen domestic manufacturing, while firmly safeguarding national interests, making this a win-win partnership.

Long-term consumption pattern of Indian households have changed significantly from 2011-12 to 2023-24. Particularly, expenditure on Durable Goods is increasing and ownership of key durable assets has become more widespread. Latest paper by @ShamikaRavi & Sindhuja Penumarty 1/9

No Wi‑Fi for 3 days, customer care outsourced to a bot, and this lousy app being as useless as its internet connection. Impressive how a broadband company can’t connect to anything — let alone the internet. @HathwayBrdband @reliancejio

In the Persian Gulf region, 24 Indian flagged vessels are currently operating, with no new incident reported in the last 24 hours. Two LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, carrying 92,700 metric tonnes of LPG, are sailing towards India and are expected to arrive at Mundra and Kandla on 16 and 17 March Currently, 22 Indian flagged vessels with 611 Indian seafarers remain in the region. The Ministry and the Directorate General of Shipping are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with Indian naval authorities, ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian missions. The 24x7 control room continues to assist seafarers, and the total number of repatriations has reached 253 - Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (@shipmin_india) #EnergySecurity

The interests of our farmers remain paramount in all trade negotiations. The Modi Government remains fully committed to protecting our Annadatas and securing rural livelihoods. No concessions have been extended to sensitive agricultural sector produce in grains, fruits, vegetables, spices, oilseeds, dairy, poultry, & meat amongst many others while securing preferential access for Indian goods through the India-U.S. Interim Agreement framework. #IndiaUSJointStatement

Today in the Lok Sabha, I was scheduled to deliver a statement regarding the #IndiaUSTradeDeal. However, when the Government came prepared to provide a factual clarification on the subject, the Opposition began creating a ruckus. Consequently, I am releasing my full statement here for everyone's benefit.

Zero elephant deaths on railway tracks in the last two years in Madukkarai, Tamil Nadu, on the very tracks that once witnessed tragic losses of precious elephant lives. Last night, I was with my team at the Madukkarai AI Elephant Centre, reviewing the functioning of the AI early-warning system, which has enabled nearly 6,000 safe elephant crossings, showing that technology can meaningfully reduce conflict when applied thoughtfully. No system is ever perfect, but solutions like this show what is possible when prevention is prioritised.#AIforgood #elephants #MadukkaraiAIproject

The passing of the SHANTI Bill by both Houses of Parliament marks a transformational moment for our technology landscape. My gratitude to MPs who have supported its passage. From safely powering AI to enabling green manufacturing, it delivers a decisive boost to a clean-energy future for the country and the world. It also opens numerous opportunities for the private sector and our youth. This is the ideal time to invest, innovate and build in India!

NEW CONFIDENT INDIA SPEAKS LIKE AN EQUAL AT THE HIGH TABLE OF DIPLOMACY. Here's Piyush Goyal calling out the West's hypocrisy to its face. And the West has no answers.

Nothing beats the feeling of using a #Swadeshi product. So proud to be on @Arattai, a #MadeInIndia messaging platform that brings India closer. 🇮🇳 My team and I are on board and are looking forward to also connecting with you here: arattai.in/download.html

Happy birthday to my dear friend, Prime Minister @narendramodi. Together we will take our partnership to new heights. 🇮🇱🤝🇮🇳

@NoBrokerCare Issue has been resolved

Hi Rakshith, at NoBroker, we aim to provide smooth and efficient shifting services, ensuring safety and security of your belongings throughout the move. However, as per the update, Jagadeesh from our escalation team has connected with you regarding your concern and offered a compensation of INR 5,000 for the inconvenience caused. However, you chose to decline it. Please be assured that we are currently reviewing the details and will provide you with an update on priority.

Totally fake narrative. Here’s a lowdown: The faker has a long history of concocting stories. Initially because he was with times of india, people couldn’t ignore him. Since he left, his stock has fallen considerably. His sources have all abandoned him and now he’s desperately trying to make everyone believe that he is variously part of the Doval Coterie, the Jaishankar Coterie or the Hiren Joshi Coterie depending on whom he talks to. This game has become even more desperate because funds have dried up, staff are unpaid and have left and nobody buys his braggadocio anymore In 2021 he was part of a select group of high powered journalists. He concocted a story that one member of the group was screenshotting conversations (where group members were badmouthing ministers) and sending it to the ministers concerned. Naturally everyone called up the accused, things cleared up. All the members then left the group, created a new group and left Rohan out. In 2022 he claimed he had CIA documents showing that members of the I&B ministry were working for the CIA. The story got traction, and he promised to show many incredulous interlocutors the documents. 3 years on, not one person has seen the documents despite repeated reminders By 2024 the agreement his outlet had with Russia Today was cancelled due to non-performance and his outlandish stories. He tried desperately to find more funding, but his notoriety got the better of him By 2025 - as his desperation at not getting any funds grew, he came up with three outrageous stories First he manipulated a digital image of a list to impute that the Kashmir police commissioner had illegal acquired several tens of crores worth of land. He edited out the last three columns of the list showing that the police commissioner had in fact sought and got home ministry approval, and had carried out all transactions by cheque, and had accounted for the land which was bought for a pittance in the 1980s but had appreciated massively due to an upcoming airport project. When he was as called out by senior government officials for manipulating, he claimed they were threatening and intimidating him. The police commissioner ultimately didn’t pursue defamation because in the commissioners own words that the faker was “irrelevant and nobody takes him seriously” Second while the Justice Yashwant Varma investigation was active, he was actively collaborating with the judicial fixing coterie. He in fact put out a tweet claiming that one member of the coterie (a former cop) was honest and should be made to head the investigation. Everyone in the know of the investigation, knew that Rohan was firing blanks and knew nothing, but was desperately trying to make people think he was in the know. When he was approached pointing out the fact that he was clueless, within minutes he put out a tweet claiming that “police sources” had told him that several twitter influencers were trying to pervert the course of justice with their tweets and were on the police scanner, soon to be arrested. At any rate this episode convinced the Lutyens elites that the faker knew nobody and nobody was speaking to him and that he was an irrelevant sideshow at best, desperate for attention Then came his latest tweet. He’s hinting at this being ORF. ORF does indeed hold conferences in Marseilles and Tokyo, but it has no contacts with the CRPF & Assam Rifles. To some of the people who called he claimed Hiren Joshi asked him to put out this tweet. To others he claimed that Doval personally asked him to put out the tweets and to yet others he claims that Jaishankar, fed up of ORF’s “state within a state” status asked him to put up the tweet. What’s even more curious is that he claims to half the people calling him that he’s talking about CPR and not ORF. To the other half he claims he is indeed talking about ORF and not about CPR. His problem is he thinks everyone is as stupid as his average follower.

@HathwayBrdband @TRAI @DoT_India I have emailed these details (helpdesk@hathway.net) @HathwayBrdband

@rakshithreads @TRAI @DoT_India Hi Rakshith, we understand that you had an unpleasant experience. Please inbox your location, Hathway Ac. No. and Registered Phone No. Rest assured, we will do our best to resolve all issues you are facing with your connection at the moment. Thank you!

@HathwayBrdband @TRAI @DoT_India @HathwayBrdband

Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year. @KremlinRussia_E

just finished my IR masters and moved back to india🏠 honestly so fascinated by the startup + creator economy world rn and want to dive in headfirst looking for growth/marketing/social media roles in blr. don't mind starting from scratch 🧠✨ HMU with any leads! 📩

@Middle_Eastern0 @PIBFactCheck

Wonderful to meet my friend, Mr. Todd McClay, New Zealand’s Trade Minister. We are delighted to announce the launch of India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. This marks a significant milestone in our partnership, reflecting our shared vision to deepen trade ties and expand economic opportunities. With bilateral trade continuing to grow steadily, surpassing USD 1 billion during April-January 2025, the FTA negotiations aim to unlock new avenues for businesses and consumers, fostering mutual growth and prosperity of our nations. 🇮🇳🤝🇳🇿 🔗 pib.gov.in/PressReleasePa…

Had a forward looking discussion with @USTradeRep Jamieson Greer on a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement. Our approach will be guided by ‘India First’, ‘Viksit Bharat’ and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.