THE HINDU DATED 13TH FABRUARY 2026

Summary of Important News Items and Editorials-103

THE HINDU DATED 13TH FABRUARY 2026.

1.     Zero-tariff textiles exports to the U.S.: Goyal

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says India is close to securing “zero tariff” access for certain textile exports to the United States, with the understanding being finalised. The event sits in the wider reset in India–U.S. trade and supply chains: U.S. buyers want reliable, non-China sourcing; India wants scale, jobs, and higher-value manufacturing. The logic is straightforward—tariff relief can quickly improve price competitiveness for Indian apparel and home textiles, especially for mass segments where margins are thin. India’s stand is to use trade concessions to deepen manufacturing and exports, while signalling compliance on quality, traceability, and labour norms to retain buyer confidence. The gist: a targeted tariff win could boost orders and employment, but the real test will be whether firms upgrade design, productivity, and logistics so the advantage survives beyond a negotiated window.

2.     Retail inflation at 2.75% under new CPI series (base year 2024)

India’s retail inflation is reported at 2.75% under a new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series with 2024 as the base year, reflecting an updated consumption basket and weights. The event is the statistical overhaul itself: as spending patterns shift (more services, different food mixes, new categories), index design must track reality. The logic is that better measurement improves policy—an inflation number that mirrors household consumption helps the RBI calibrate interest rates and helps governments target subsidies. India’s institutional stand is that updated methodology increases credibility, but the transition must be transparent so markets and citizens can compare trends across old and new series. The gist: the headline inflation looks benign, but interpretation requires care—re-basing can change weights and measured inflation without any immediate change in prices on the ground, so communication and back-series comparability become crucial.

3.     DAC clears purchase of 114 Rafales for IAF and six P-81 for Navy