
153 countries importing toys from India: Piyush Goyal
He said that this shift has been made possible through consistent policy support, the enforcement of quality standards, and the strengthening of local manufacturing clusters.
The implementation of the Quality Control Order (QCO), he added, has helped make India a quality-conscious country and enabled domestic toy manufacturers to meet global benchmarks.
The Minister stated that India's population of 1.4 billion offers a vast captive market, which creates a natural advantage for scaling up manufacturing.
With this scale, the industry can achieve cost efficiency and become globally competitive.
The large domestic market, he said, not only supports expansion but also acts as a foundation for international growth.
To capture the global market, Goyal stressed the need for the industry to focus on good branding, attractive packaging, and strong product design.
He said that if these three aspects are prioritised, Indian toys can gain stronger appeal across international markets.
The growth of the toy industry, Goyal noted, reflects the broader journey of development in the country.
He recalled that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vocal for Local initiative, it was met with skepticism by many, as foreign products dominated consumer preference.
However, under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the belief that Local can go Global, awareness and support for home-grown industries have steadily increased.
Goyal stated that startups developing innovative toy concepts have received significant support through the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, which has now been extended to 20 years.
This, he said, has provided access to collateral-free loans for small businesses.
He further informed that to promote domestic production, 18 toy clusters across the country have been supported by the Ministry of MSME.
To build on this progress, the Minister said that the government is planning to introduce a new promotional scheme for the toy sector.
The scheme, he explained, will aim to help Indian toy manufacturers become world-class by enhancing design capabilities, ensuring quality manufacturing, strengthening packaging, and supporting brand building.
With sustained focus on innovation, quality, and market development, Goyal expressed confidence that India's toy industry is poised to become a key player in the global market. (ANI)
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United News of India
29 minutes ago
- United News of India
PM Modi thanks T&T for standing with India in the fight against terrorism
Port of Spain/New Delhi, July 4 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today termed terrorism as the enemy of humanity, and thanked the people and government of Trinidad and Tobago for standing with India in the fight against terrorism. In his address to the Joint Assembly of the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so, PM Modi referred to the July 1990 coup attempt on the T&T Parliament, also known as the Red House. At the time, the Jamaat al Muslimeen terror group, in a coup attempt, took the then Prime Minister A.N.R Robinson and most of his Cabinet hostage, which ended after six days and left seven people dead. PM Modi, in his address, said: 'This very Red House has itself witnessed the wounds of terror and the loss of innocent blood. We must stand united to deny terrorism any shelter or space. We thank the people and the government of this country for standing with us in our fight against terrorism.' Stating that though their two nations differ in size and geography, they are deeply aligned in their values, he said India's priority will always be the Global South. He said India is deepening its relations with T&T, and trade will grow, and India will encourage its businesses to invest more in this country. 'Our development partnership will expand. Training, capacity building, and skill development will keep human development at its centre. Health has been and will remain a key part of our partnership.' He said T&T's recognition of Indian medical standards will ensure access to high-quality, affordable medicines for all. Welcoming the Caribbean nation's decision to adopt the UPI digital payment system, the PM said India is keen to collaborate on other digital innovations. 'As India develops AI tools to foster growth and development in the Global South, Trinidad and Tobago will be a priority nation for us.' 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Terrorism remains a pressing threat. Colonial rules of the past may have ended, but their shadows linger in new forms.' On the UN, he said, "When the United Nations turned 75, there was great hope across the developing world. 'A hope that long-pending reforms would be realised. That their voices would finally be heard. But that hope has turned into disappointment. The voice of the developing world remains on the margins. India has always tried to bridge this gap.' He said for India, MAHASAGAR - Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, is the guiding vision for the Global South. 'Whenever we got the opportunity, we have given voice to the Global South.' 'It is time for us to work together, to give the Global South its rightful seat at the right table. To ensure climate justice, so that the burden does not fall on those who have contributed the least to the climate crisis. We consider Trinidad and Tobago an important partner in this endeavour,' he added. PM Modi delivered the address at the T&T parliament at the invitation of the President of the Senate, Wade Mark and the Speaker of the House Jagdeo Singh, PM Modi also expressed gratitude to the people of T&T for bestowing on him their highest national honour. He also underlined the close ties between the two democracies, aptly reflected in the Speaker's Chair gifted by India. 'When I look at the golden words inscribed on the Speaker's Chair :"FROM THE PEOPLE OF INDIA TO THE PEOPLE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO", 'I feel a deep sense of emotion. That chair is not just a piece of furniture but a powerful symbol of the friendship and trust between our two nations. The words express the bond that one democracy feels for another.' He also expressed delight at the significant presence of women parliamentarians in the House, and highlighted the historic step taken by India to reserve 33% seats for women in Parliament and State Legislatures. Recalling the ongoing celebrations of the 180 years of the arrival of Indians in Trinidad, Prime Minister noted that the ties between the two countries were based on the foundations of centuries-old bonds, and these would continue to deepen and prosper. UNI RN


Hindustan Times
34 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'National interest over deadline': Piyush Goyal on India-US trade deal progress
India will not hurry into signing a free trade agreement under pressure from any deadline, commerce minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday, when asked whether a deal could be reached with the US in time for a July 9 deadline set by Washington. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal speaks at the inauguration of the 16th Toy Biz International B2B Exhibition.(Jitender Gupta/ANI) Speaking on the sidelines of the 16th Toy Biz International B2B Expo in New Delhi, Goyal emphasised that India is ready to make trade deals in the national interest but it 'never negotiates trade deals with a deadline'. When asked specifically about prospects of an interim US deal by July 9, he said any agreement would be announced only when 'fully finalised, properly concluded and in the national interest.' The minister's comments came as India's negotiating team, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, returned to Delhi Thursday after week-long talks in Washington. Despite having a draft interim agreement in hand, people familiar with the discussions said, key issues around automobiles and agriculture remain unresolved. The government has refused to fully open its agriculture sector, particularly around genetically modified crops and dairy products. The country remains unwilling to allow items like soybean and corn unless certified as non-GM, since GM crops are banned domestically. 'India was, however, willing to give some product-specific concessions where its farmers were completely protected,' said one of these people, asking not to be named. On dairy, India cited two main concerns: the subsistence-level nature of its farming, where millions depend on just one or two cows or buffaloes, and religious sensitivities around US cattle feed that includes non-vegetarian products. 'The livelihoods of millions of farmers are at stake as they could not compete with America's commercial-scale dairy farms,' said a second person, speaking on condition of anonymity. To protect its farmers, India has softened its initial demand for the US to completely revoke the 26% 'Liberation Day' reciprocal tariff that President Trump announced April 2, the second official stated. The tariff comprises a 10% baseline levy already in effect and an additional 16% country-specific tariff set to trigger July 9. India had originally sought withdrawal of all retaliatory tariffs but appears willing to accept partial relief in exchange for limited agricultural concessions. Outside of these negotiations, India on Friday told the World Trade Organization that it plans to go ahead with levies on some US goods in retaliation to Washington's higher tariffs on automobiles and their components. US' safeguard measures would hit $2.9 billion imports annually from India with $723.75 million in duties. 'Accordingly, India's proposed suspension of concessions would result in an equivalent amount of duty collected from products originating in the US,' according to a notification sent to the WTO. The current negotiations focus on an 'early harvest' deal covering goods alone, which would serve as a precursor to the first tranche of a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement expected by October 2025. That broader deal would include services and investment provisions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump agreed in February to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 through a full-scale agreement. Goyal noted India is simultaneously negotiating trade deals with multiple partners, having recently concluded agreements with the UAE, Australia and UK, while talks continue with the EU, New Zealand, Oman, Chile and Peru. 'FTAs are possible when both sides benefit,' Goyal said in Hindi. 'National interest should always be supreme.' The two sides will continue engaging virtually as the July 9 deadline approaches, the people cited above added.


Mint
35 minutes ago
- Mint
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