International

South Korea Says It Can’t Pay $350B Upfront To US

By BPN News Desk September 28, 2025

South Korea has rejected claims by former President Donald Trump that it would make an upfront cash payment of $350 billion to the United States under a trade-tariff deal. Top officials say such a move is not feasible and risk triggering financial instability. In July, the two countries reached a verbal agreement in which the […]

Business

Prosus Plans $350M Investment in Rapido

By BPN News Desk September 24, 2025

Prosus, the global investment firm, is set to put around $350 million into Rapido, the bike-taxi and ride-hailing platform, through a mix of fresh capital and secondary share purchases. Reason Behind the Move The investment follows Swiggy’s decision to exit completely from Rapido, selling its ~12% stake to resolve conflict issues since Rapido is entering […]

International

US Push for $350B Fund Risks Crisis in South Korea

By BPN News Desk September 23, 2025

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has warned that a U.S. demand for South Korea to invest US $350 billion in a joint fund could destabilise the nation’s economy. He said such a commitment, without safeguards, risks triggering a financial crisis similar to past economic shocks. What the Demand Involves The demand is linked to trade […]

International

South Korea Warns US Demands May Spark Financial Crisis

By BPN News Desk September 22, 2025

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has warned that U.S. investment demands in ongoing trade talks could spark a financial crisis similar to the 1997 Asian meltdown. He cautioned that without financial safeguards, such commitments would put the nation at severe risk. What the Deal Involves In July 2025, Seoul and Washington reached a verbal understanding: […]

Business Finance

SMBC Exits Kotak as Yes Bank Investment Nears

By BPN News Desk September 10, 2025

Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has decided to exit Kotak Mahindra Bank by selling its entire 1.65% stake through a block deal valued at around ₹6,166 crore. The shares will be sold at a floor price of ₹1,880 each, marking SMBC’s complete divestment from Kotak after several years as a minority investor. Exit Supports […]

International

India and Israel Ink Investment Treaty

By BPN News Desk September 9, 2025

India and Israel have signed a Bilateral Investment Agreement aimed at boosting trade and strengthening investor confidence. The treaty was endorsed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, marking a key milestone in economic cooperation. First OECD Partner under New Model Israel has become the first OECD country to sign a […]

Op-Eds Opinion

India–EFTA FTA: Opening Doors to $100 Billion and 1 Million Jobs

By BPN News Desk September 8, 2025

India’s trade diplomacy is entering a decisive phase. With the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) set to take effect from October 1, 2025, the country has signed its first free trade pact with a developed Western bloc. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) — comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein — may not […]

International

CPEC 2.0 Launches with $8.5B Pakistan-China Accord

By BPN News Desk September 5, 2025

Pakistan and China have formally agreed to advance the next phase of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0), introducing five new development corridors. The understanding followed a high-level meeting in Beijing between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Scale of Investment Both sides signed agreements worth around US $8.5 billion,

Business Trade

Switzerland Eases Rules for India-EFTA FTA Rollout

By BPN News Desk September 4, 2025

Switzerland has streamlined its regulations to activate the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with India, effective from 1 October 2025. The move clears the way for the pact to come into force as scheduled. Regulatory Changes Enable Entry Into Force Switzerland, the largest economy within the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA), has completed

National

Japan Doubles Investment Target in India Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure

By BPN News Desk August 31, 2025

Japan has pledged ¥10 trillion (around $68 billion) in investments in India over the next ten years, doubling its earlier commitment. The move comes as both countries seek to deepen economic cooperation at a time when U.S. tariffs on Indian exports are creating fresh challenges. Strategic Cooperation Roadmap Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shigeru Ishiba […]