9OCTOBER 2026Sigma Advanced Systems Limited has signed an exclusive memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Munitions India Limited (MIL). The partnership aims to manufacture Indigenous Artillery Fuzes for 155 mm artillery ammunition in India. Announced on Wednesday, October 14, the agreement covers the integration, domestic manufacturing, and supply of course-correction fuzes. It also includes related components, subsystems, and technologies. The collaboration aims to strengthen India's precision-guided artillery capabilities and support critical programs of the Indian military. Course-correction technology allows artillery projectiles to adjust their flight paths while in the air. These adjustments can improve accuracy and operational effectiveness. Sigma said building domestic capabilities in this area could strengthen India's defense technology ecosystem and reduce reliance on imported solutions. India's food regulator is tightening food safety rules for quick-commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Amazon Now. The move comes as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) expands its crackdown on unsafe practices across the country. FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani said e-commerce is the regulator's next major focus. The authority plans to make online platforms more accountable for the food products they list and sell.The proposed measures could affect India's USD 80 billion online retail industry, where groceries account for up to 51 percent of sales, according to Redseer Strategy Consultants. FSSAI is considering stricter requirements for online food listings, dark kitchens, and dark stores. These measures aim to improve transparency and ensure products are stored under proper conditions. India's steel demand in 2026 is expected to grow by 7­9 percent, reinforcing the country's position as a key growth market for the global steel industry. However, rising imports are creating a parallel challenge for domestic manufacturers, as overseas supplies compete with locally produced steel despite sustained consumption growth. The World Steel Association's forecast highlights India's relatively strong demand outlook, supported by infrastructure development, construction and industrial activity.Meanwhile, data from the Ministry of Steel indicate that finished steel imports increased 29.5 percent year on year during April­August 2026. The divergence raises an important question for the industry: can Indian steelmakers translate rising domestic consumption into stronger production and sales while maintaining their competitiveness against imported products? The World Steel Association has identified India as the fastest-growing major steel market, projecting demand growth of 7­9 percent in 2026. SIGMA & MUNITIONS INDIA PARTNER TO BUILD INDIGENOUS ARTILLERY FUZESFSSAI TIGHTENS FOOD SAFETY RULES: QUICK COMMERCE FACES MORE SCRUTINYINDIA'S STEEL DEMAND IN 2026: IMPORTS RISE BY 29.5 PERCENTIndia's free trade deals could give its economy a major boost, even as US tariffs reshape global trade. A World Trade Organization (WTO) model suggests these and Dhruv NG helicopters completed in September are expected to support growth. CAN INDIA'S FREE TRADE DEALS ADD USD 140 BILLION TO ITS GDP BY 2035?agreements could add around USD 140 billion to India's GDP by 2035. The estimate reflects India's expanding trade network, which includes agreements with Australia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Oman and the European Free Trade Association.A deal with New Zealand has also been signed, while negotiations with the European Union have concluded. These agreements could open new markets, reduce import costs and attract foreign investment. US President Donald Trump's tariff policies have pushed countries to diversify their trading partners. By August 2026, the average US tariff rate had reached an estimated 10.7 percent, compared with 2.3 percent in 2024, according to the analysis.
< Page 8 | Page 10 >