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India, Sweden Boost Trade & Innovation TiesUnion Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held several important meetings with senior members of the Swedish Government and industry leaders on his two-day official visit to Stockholm. The visit was aimed at further deepening bilateral economic ties, enhancing trade and investment flows, and exploring new avenues of cooperation in emerging sectors.In his official interactions, Goyal met Benjamin Dousa, Minister of International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, and Hakan Jeverel, State Secretary for Foreign Trade. The discussions focused on expanding the scope of India-Sweden trade and investment partnership, facilitating sustainable industrial cooperation, and identifying key sectors for technology and innovation-driven growth.The 21st session of the India-Sweden Joint Commission for Economic, Industrial and Scientific Cooperation was held during the visit. The agenda included a roundtable discussion on strategic cooperation in innovation and research and strengthening the India-Sweden economic partnership. The meeting saw the participation of leading Swedish institutions including LeadIT, Vinnova, Swedish Energy Agency, Swedish National Space Agency, National Trade Board, Swedish Export Credit Agency, Business Sweden and Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India. The two sides underlined their shared commitment to pursue joint projects in green transition, advanced technologies and resilient supply chains, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a press release.Goyal also addressed the India-Sweden Business Leaders Roundtable, where he interacted with key members of the Swedish industry. He invited companies to expand their presence in India by taking advantage of the country's enabling regulatory environment, growing consumer base, skilled talent pool and well-developed industrial infrastructure. The roundtable served as a platform to strengthen private sector collaboration in clean energy, smart manufacturing, mobility, life sciences and digital technologies.The minister participated in the India-Sweden High Level Trade and Investment Policy Forum at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise. The forum brought together business leaders and policy-makers from both sides to discuss emerging trade frameworks and opportunities under the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement. Presentations were made by CII and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise. CEOs of leading companies shared their views on enhancing value-chain partnerships, technology transfer and investment facilitation.Several face-to-face meetings were held with Swedish companies from sectors such as automation, renewable energy, sustainable food systems, maritime technology and advanced materials. Many companies expressed strong confidence in the Indian economy and expressed their intention to increase their presence through new investments, capacity expansion and deeper localisation. Areas of support discussed included facilitating access to land, skill partnerships and fast-track clearances.read more :- Cotton planting area in Xinjiang expands amid stable growth: data

Xinjiang Cotton Planting Expands Amid Steady GrowthThe area of cotton planting in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region reached 40.9 million mu (2.73 million hectares) in 2025, up 3.3 percent from last year, according to a report released by the China Cotton Association (CCA).Overall, China's cotton planting area reached 44.823 million mu, maintaining positive momentum, the CCA report said, given that the country's cotton planting area remains stable and current weather conditions in Xinjiang are favorable for cotton production.Xinjiang is China's largest cotton-producing region, contributing 92.2 percent of the country's total cotton output in 2024, reaching a record high, according to the Xinjiang Regional Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.Some Western officials and media outlets have previously tried to levy unfounded accusations such as "forced labor" on Xinjiang cotton. However, those claims have been effectively refuted and the West's crackdown attempt has failed to halt the industry's steady growth, according to Li Guoxiang, a research fellow at the Institute of Rural Development of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.A separate industry report released in May showed that in 2024, Xinjiang not only maintained stable cotton production but also saw continued improvement in quality, with high-grade cotton with a length of more than 28 mm making up 98.1 percent of total output. Li said several factors have strengthened Xinjiang's role as China's leading cotton-producing region, including favorable natural conditions, high yields per unit area and rich reserves of superior quality, especially long-staple cotton. He also pointed to a high degree of mechanization in harvesting, which boosts production efficiency, as well as strong policy support. In addition, projects aimed at enhancing the efficiency and quality of the cotton industry are steadily progressing. For example, the Sustainable Cotton Development Program initiated and implemented by the CCA in Xinjiang has achieved remarkable progress. So far, the region has produced a total of 430,000 tons of sustainable cotton from 1.2 million mu of certified cotton farms, China Media Group reported.read more :- Weekly Cotton Bale Sales Summary – CCI

Weekly Summary Report: Cotton Bales Sold by Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) conducted online bidding for cotton bales throughout the week, with the daily sales summary being as follows:June 09, 2025: CCI sold a total of 5,900 bales (2024-25 season) comprising 4,400 bales in the Mills session and 1,500 bales in the Traders session.June 10, 2025: Daily sales were recorded at 1,00,600 bales (2024-25) and 2,900 bales (2023-24), comprising 45,200 bales (2024-25) in the Mills session and 55,400 bales (2024-25) and 2,900 bales (2023-24) in the Traders session.June 11, 2025: CCI sold a total of 38,400 bales - comprising 38,000 bales of 2024-25 season and 400 bales of 2023-24 season. Out of the total, 28,900 bales (28,700 from 2024-25 and 200 from 2023-24) were sold during the Mills session while 9,500 bales (9,300 from 2024-25 and 200 from 2023-24)  were sold during the Traders session.June 12, 2025: Total sales were 2,300 bales (2024-25 season), comprising 2,000 bales in the Mills session and 300 bales in the Traders session.June 13, 2025: The week concluded with the sale of 6,100 bales (2024-25 season) with 1,500 bales sold during the Mills session and 4,600 bales during the Traders session.Weekly Total:During the entire week, CCI successfully sold around 1,56,200 (approx.) cotton bales using its online bidding platform to streamline the sales and facilitate smooth trade operations.Stay tuned to SiS for real-time updates on the textile industry.read more :- Heat Peaks in Jaipur, Monsoon Heads to MP

Rajasthan Monsoon: U-turn of monsoon due to circulation system… Monsoon entry in MP tomorrow! Heat breaks 5-year record in JaipurRajasthan : The monsoon which is stuck in the northeastern areas of the country is going to start moving again. According to the Meteorological Department, due to the effect of a cyclonic circulation system active in the Bay of Bengal, the monsoon will move towards some more states in the next 48 hours. It is believed that with the official entry of monsoon in Madhya Pradesh on June 14, Rajasthan which is reeling under the grip of severe heatwave will also get some relief.Monsoon will enter Madhya Pradesh tomorrowDue to the effect of the cyclonic circulation system becoming active in the Bay of Bengal, the activity of the monsoon which is stuck in the northeastern areas is now going to increase in the surrounding states as well. If meteorologists are to be believed, due to the effect of the system, the monsoon trough line is going to touch Rajasthan via Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Favorable conditions are being created for the entry of monsoon in Madhya Pradesh on June 14, while there are chances of increase in rain activities in Rajasthan and surrounding areas from June 16.Change in wind pattern will increase the movementAfter the northeastern states, now the process of monsoon will start in the northern states as well. Western surface hot winds are blowing in Rajasthan and surrounding states, due to which many areas are in the grip of severe heat. It is believed that in the next 48 hours, there is a possibility of relief from severe heat due to change in wind pattern and northeastern winds blowing and movement of clouds in Rajasthan. In such a situation, there is a possibility of entry of southwest monsoon in Madhya Pradesh on June 14 and monsoon becoming active in the entire state by June 21. There are also chances of monsoon rains in the western part of Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand from June 18 to 18.Heatwave in Rajasthan, waiting for showers of reliefDue to heatwave in Rajasthan, record increase in maximum temperature has been recorded in the northwestern districts of the state for the last 4 days. According to the Jaipur Meteorological Center, the effect of heat wave is likely to remain in Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Kota, Churu and surrounding areas on Friday as well. On the other hand, scattered clouds are expected to remain in many areas including Jaipur on Friday. Pre-monsoon rains are expected to begin in many areas of Kota, Jaipur, Bikaner and Bharatpur divisions of the state from June 16.Mercury breaks 5-year record in JaipurLast Thursday was the hottest day of this season in the capital Jaipur. The day temperature in the city was recorded at 45.2 degrees Celsius, while the effect of scorching heat continued due to heat wave at night as well. The mercury broke the record of the last 5 years and the city dwellers were in distress due to the scorching heat. The maximum temperature of the city was recorded at 44.4 degrees in 2020, 41.8 degrees in 2021, 42.8 degrees in 2022, 40.8 degrees in 2023 and 43.5 degrees Celsius in 2024. This time, a record-breaking rise in mercury has been recorded in the first fortnight of June itself.read more :- India's $100-bn textile export target hinges on MSME: Primus Partners

The Indian rupee ended 09 paisa higher on Friday at 86.09 to the dollar, while it opened at 86.18 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was down 573.38 points or 0.70 percent at 81,118.60, and the Nifty was down 169.60 points or 0.68 percent at 24,718.60. About 1520 shares advanced, 2326 shares declined, and 124 shares unchanged.read more :- Rupee Falls 58 Paise to 86.18 vs Dollar

 Rupee opens 58 paise down at 86.18 against the US dollarRupee Vs Dollar: Rupee under heavy pressure amid Israel-Iran tensions, Rupee open falls 58 paise to 86.18read more :- China lowers 2024/25 cotton imports forecast in June

Chinese Cotton Import Forecast DipsChina's agriculture ministry has lowered its forecast for cotton imports in the 2024/25 crop year by 300,000 metric compared to last month in its June outlook, a government crop estimates report showed on Thursday.Cotton imports during the season are now expected to total 1.2 million tons, down due to the U.S. tariffs, the Chinese Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (CASDE) report said.As a result, the forecast for cotton stocks at the start of the 2025/26 crop year was lowered by 3.61% from previous estimates, to 8.01 million tons.Meanwhile, the sugar production forecast for the 2024/25 crop year was revised upward by 10,000 tons, reaching 11.16 million tons.read more :- Indian Rupee lower 17 Paisa, Ends at 85.60 per Dollar

Rupee lower 17 Paise Against USD, Closes at 85.60The Indian rupee on thursday lower 17 paise to close at 85.60 per dollar, while it opened at 85.43 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was down 823.16 points or 1.00 percent at 81,691.98, and the Nifty was down 253.20 points or 1.01 percent at 24,888.20. About 1249 shares advanced, 2606 shares declined, and 134 shares unchanged.read more :- Massive jump in Kharif sowing in Maharashtra – 1.27 lakh hectares sowing by 12 June 2025

Kharif Surge: Maharashtra Hits 1.27 Lakh HactaresThis year, sowing of Kharif crops has picked up a strong pace in Maharashtra. So far, Kharif crops have been sown in 1,27,709 hectares*, which is 75,967 hectares more than 51,742 hectares* at the same time last year. This information has been released by Smart Info Services.There has been a huge increase in the sowing of cotton. Compared to 40,041 hectares last year, this year sowing has been done in 85,089 hectares, which is an increase of 45,048 hectares.Pulses cultivation has seen unprecedented growth:Foodgrains witnessed mixed growth:Oilseeds cultivation also saw tremendous growth:Soybean: 389 → 13,118 hectares (+12,729)* Other crops like groundnut, sunflower etc. also started# Category-wise total sown area (in hectares):* Total Cereals: 10,746 (increase of only 1 hectare)* Total Pulses: 18,580 (increase of 18,013 hectares)* Total Oil Seeds: 13,294 (increase of 12,905 hectares)* Cotton: 85,089 (increase of 45,048 hectares)# Agricultural experts Opinion:Experts believe that timely rains, expectation of better minimum support price (MSP) and changing priorities of farmers are the main reasons for this increase. Falling paddy sowing could be an indication of water shortage or market conditions.read more :- Tamil Nadu: Cotton auction in Mayiladuthurai to begin at regulated markets from June 16

Tamil Nadu Cotton Auction from June 16To increase the income of cotton farmers and ensure fair prices, the Tamil Nadu government will begin procuring cotton through the electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform from June 16. The auction will be held at four regulated market yards in Mayiladuthurai district - Kuthalam, Mayiladuthurai, Sembanarkoil and Sirkazhi.Cotton growers have been advised to bring clean, well-dried cotton to the yard to segregate high-quality produce from the rest, Collector H.S. Sreekanth said in a statement. Farmers were requested not to use plastic sacks for transportation to ensure correct weight and better price during the auction.To participate, farmers have to bring a copy of their Aadhaar card and bank passbook and register at the market yard. The Cotton Corporation of India and ginning mill owners from districts including Tirupur, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Theni, Dindigul, Thanjavur and Kumbakonam have been informed and invited to join the procurement process.The cotton auction will be held weekly at scheduled times in four market yards. For specific queries about the auction, farmers can contact the respective market yard for guidance and information, Mr. Srikanth said.read more :- INR Opens Stronger by 8 Paise at 85.43

Rupee Gains 8 Paise, Opens at 85.43/USDIndian rupee opened marginally higher at 85.43 per dollar on Thursday versus Wednesday's close of 85.51.read more :-    Trump announces breakthrough trade deal with China; Beijing to supply ‘magnets, rare earths’