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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (November 29, 2025 - December 5, 2025) December 5, 2025 12 India India Eyes More Mexico Trade, Hopes To Avoid Sheinbaum Tariffs I ndia wants to boost trade with Mexico in software, pharmaceuticals and IT, its top Mexican diplomat said, while also hoping President Claudia Sheinbaum will exempt its exports from tariffs she’s proposed on a range of Asian goods. Pankaj Sharma, India’s ambassador to Mexico, also touted the automotive, chemicals and plastics sectors as potential growth areas in a bilateral trade relationship he described as much smaller than befitting his coun- try’s status as the world’s fourth-largest economy, and Mexico’s as No. 12. “Our trade is much below the potential that both countries have today,” Sharma said in an interview. “I think it is time that we focus on each other.” Entering her second year in office, Sheinbaum has focused much of her trade agenda on staving off tariff threats from the US, by far Mexico’s top trading partner, with the proposed Mexican duties on imports from Asian producers, especially China, muddying the picture. India has also been hit by US President Donald Trump’s trade war, though it aims to reach a deal soon withWashington. It has fast-tracked talks with the EU and Australia in a bid to diversify supply chains and develop new markets. Trump’s punitive 50% tariffs on In- dian goods have also pushed New Delhi to reset relations with China in addition to stitching deeper trade ties in Latin America, including with Chile and Peru. Sharma spoke on the sidelines of an Indian business event last week in Mexico City. He noted that “a very large number” of pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturers are evaluating plans to set up plants in Mexico, but didn’t go into further detail. The ambassador touted the more than 250 Indian companies that currently operate in Mexico, including fertilizer and agrochemicals giant United Phosphorus Limited. But India-Mexico trade reached only $8.6 billion from April 2024 through March of this year, according to India’s commerce ministry. Telephones, including mobile phones, were Mexico’s top export to India last year, amounting to $242 million. Meanwhile, the biggest category of Indian imports to the Mexican market was automobiles, totaling $1.3 billion, according to Mexico’s economy ministry. While total investment from Indian firms in Mexico reached some $650 million last year, according to Shar- ma, the balance of trade has grown lopsided in recent years. Since 2018, Mexico has been importing more from India but selling less as its trade deficit with the world’s most populous nation has grown more than seven-fold over that time, from $1 billion to $7.7 billion in 2024, ac- cording to official data. The Mexico-India trade gap is poised to widen even more, as Mexican oil exports continue to fall, including to India. While the value of Mexican crude shipped to India totaled $1.6 billion last year, it has fallen to just $291 mil- lion this year through September, according to Mexico’s central bank, as the government prioritizes domestic refining. Mexico’s even wider trade deficit with China was one of the reasons Sheinbaum recently included proposed tariffs on a range of Chinese imports, along protecting some national industries from cheaper Chinese prod- ucts that she argues have harmed some local producers. In September, Sheinbaum proposed the duties on more than 1,400 categories of imported products - including cars, auto parts, steel, toys and furniture - at rates ranging from 10% to 50%. The proposal targets im- ports from countries with which Mexico does not have a free trade agreement, including both China and India. But the plan has been delayed until at least December as opposition has mounted from local business lob- bies and even some members of the ruling party. Critics argue that Mexico should diversify away from its over- whelming dependence on US buyers for its exports. Sharma aims to persuade Sheinbaum to re-think the tariff plan currently under consideration in Congress, which is dominated by her ruling coalition. “We are hopeful that at least India will not be impacted by these tariffs,” he said. The veteran diplomat who has served in Indian mis- sions in the US, Russia and the Netherlands, among others, went on to suggest a bilateral free trade deal could ultimately be inked, citing years-long discussions over a feasibility study. Still, he couched the talks as “a work in progress.” -Bloomberg By Alex Vasquez STEPHANIA CORPI ARNAUD/BLOOMBERG Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, speaks during a news conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico, on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. A New Gateway To India For Global Youth: Special 85th Know India Programme Announced And Invites By Consulate General Of India, Chicago T he Consulate General of India, Chicago is pleased to announce the launch of the Special 85th Edition of the Know India Pro- gramme (KIP), to be held from 06 January to 27 January 2026. The Ministry of Exter- nal Affairs (MEA), Government of India, invites applications from eligible Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) youth (excluding NRIs) aged 21–35 years for this flagship initiative. The Know India Programme is a premier outreach effort of the Diaspora Engagement Division of the Ministry of External Affairs aimed at reconnect- ing young diaspora members with their ancestral roots. The programme offers an immersive introduction to India’s art, heritage, culture, economy, innovation ecosystem, science & technology land- scape, and contemporary development journey. Since its inception in 2003–04, the Ministry has successfully organized 83 editions, enabling 2,999 PIO youth to experience the richness, diversity, and dynamism of modern India. A Special & Unique Edition: Integra- tion with Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Di- alogue (VBYLD) 2026.The upcoming 85th edition is being designed as one of the most unique in KIP’s history. In a first-of- its-kind collaboration, participants will have the opportunity to take part in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD), a national-level youth engage- ment platform aligned with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, as articulated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD).Ministry of External Affairs (Di- aspora Engagement Division):The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 marks the second edition of the reimagined National Youth Festival. Building on the success of VBYLD 2025, this edition continues to celebrate Yuva Shakti — the power of youth — through innovation, collaboration, leadership, and nation-building. Viksit Bharat Challenge Track — Flag- ship Component:At the heart of the Dialogue is the Viksit Bharat Challenge Track, which invites youth to ideate and present transformative solutions across 10 national priority tracks, includin g:Governance,Education,Sustainabilit y,Entrepreneurship,Technology,Social Development,Innovation. The Challenge unfolds through four competitive stages:Nationwide Online Quiz,Essay Competition,State- Level Presentations & Leadership Assessments,National Championship. The competition culminates in an ex- traordinary opportunity for finalists to present their vision before the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.For the first time, select youth from the 85th KIP will also be chosen to present their ideas on this prestigious national stage - a hallmark opportunity for global Indian youth. Four Dynamic Segments of VBYLD 2026:VBYLD will bring together 3,000 ex- ceptional youth leaders from across India and the global Indian diaspora, through four major segments:Viksit Bharat Chal- lenge Track,Cultural Track ,Design for Bharat -Design Track,Hack for a Social Cause -Tech Track The Dialogue is further supported by Pathbreakers, a network of young achiev- ers and mentors guiding participants in each track. Together, this initiative aims to empower youth as catalysts for change and nurture leaders capable of shaping a Developed India by 2047. Call for Applications>The Consul- ate General of India, Chicago invites eligible candidates to submit: Scanned copy of the duly filled Application Form. Required supporting documents;Email submissions to: pic.chicago@mea.gov.in Application Deadline: 08 December 2025 By Bhailal M Patel