Business
Top traders’ body urges Indians to boycott travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan
New Delhi, May 14: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the apex body representing traders across the country, on Wednesday called upon Indian traders and citizens to completely boycott travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan in response to their open support for Pakistan.
Turkey received around 62.2 million foreign tourists in 2024, with approximately 300,000 tourists arriving from India alone. This marked a 20.7 per cent increase in Indian tourists compared to 2023.
Turkey’s total tourism revenue stood at $61.1 billion last year, with each Indian tourist spending an average of $972, amounting to a total estimated Indian expenditure of $291.6 million, according to data shared by CAIT.
The traders’ body said it has long been running a nationwide campaign to boycott Chinese products, which has had a considerable impact, and it now intends to extend this movement to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
The organisation will coordinate with travel and tour operators and other relevant stakeholders to intensify this campaign.
CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal emphasised a travel boycott by Indian citizens to Turkey and Azerbaijan, in protest against their support for Pakistan, could significantly affect the economies of these countries, particularly their tourism sector.
He stated that if Indian tourists boycott Turkey, the country could suffer a direct loss of approximately $291.6 million.
In addition to this, the cancellation of Indian weddings, corporate events and other cultural programmes would cause even further indirect economic losses, Khandelwal added.
Azerbaijan received about 2.6 million foreign tourists in 2024, of which around 250,000 were Indians. The average spending by an Indian tourist was 2,170 Azerbaijani Manat (AZN), which is approximately $1,276, leading to a total Indian contribution of roughly $308.6 million.
A boycott by Indian tourists could, therefore, result in a direct loss of this magnitude.
As Indians mainly visit Azerbaijan for leisure, weddings, entertainment and adventure activities, a large-scale decline could cause a noticeable economic slowdown in these sectors, said CAIT in its statement.
Thousands across the country have already cancelled their travel plans to these two countries while ticket booking platforms and travel operators have stopped bookings to these countries.
The Department of Tourism, Ankara, has urged Indian travellers to visit the country. “The vast majority of the local population is unaware of the conflict taking place between India and Pakistan, and it has no bearing on daily life or the tourism environment here,” it said in a statement.
According to Khandelwal, the economic pressure could force both Turkey and Azerbaijan to reconsider their policies towards India.
Business
Bomb threat note found on IndiGo Ahmedabad-bound flight; police launch probe

Bengaluru, July 17: A hoax bomb threat found inside the lavatory of an IndiGo flight bound for Ahmedabad triggered a security scare at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, leading police to register an FIR and launch an investigation into the incident.
The threat was discovered on Thursday evening aboard IndiGo flight 6E-6423, which was scheduled to depart for Ahmedabad at 8 p.m.
According to police, a handwritten note bearing the message, “Don’t go. Bomb Hai! Please,” was found tucked inside the aircraft’s forward lavatory around 25 minutes before take-off.
The discovery prompted airport authorities and security personnel to immediately activate standard safety protocols.
The aircraft was subjected to a thorough security check, but no suspicious object or explosive material was found during the search.
Following the incident, IndiGo lodged a formal complaint with the airport police, stating that the hoax threat had caused operational disruption and raised serious safety concerns for passengers and crew.
Based on the airline’s complaint, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated an investigation to identify the person responsible for leaving the note and ascertain the motive behind the false bomb threat.
Meanwhile, last month, another IndiGo flight carrying around 180 passengers from Lucknow to Delhi was grounded after a bomb threat was discovered written on a tissue paper inside one of the aircraft’s lavatories, triggering a comprehensive security response at the airport.
The flight, scheduled to depart from Lucknow at 10:45 a.m. on June 12, was preparing for take-off when crew members were alerted to a possible security threat on board.
The aircraft was immediately halted at the apron and prevented from departing as security agencies initiated standard emergency procedures.
The scare began after a tissue paper bearing the word “bomb” was found inside one of the aircraft’s toilets.
Business
CEAT shares tumble over 9 pc after Q1 profit slumps 96 pc

Shares of tyre maker CEAT fell more than 9 per cent in early trade on Friday after the company reported a sharp decline in net profit in its June quarter earnings, with higher input costs squeezing margins despite healthy revenue growth.
The stock dropped as much as 9.3 per cent to an intraday low of Rs 3,473.05 on the BSE by 10:18 a.m., compared with its previous close of Rs 3,829.30.
The company reported a 96 per cent year-on-year decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 4 crore in the first quarter of FY27, from Rs 112 crore in the corresponding period last year.
However, revenue from operations rose 22.4 per cent year-on-year to Rs 4,318 crore from Rs 3,529 crore, reflecting healthy demand across business segments.
According to the company, profitability came under pressure due to higher raw material costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Managing Director and CEO Arnab Banerjee said the company increased tyre prices in phases to partially offset the rise in input costs while maintaining demand and market share. He added that raw material prices are expected to remain elevated during the second quarter.
The company’s operating performance remained under pressure, with EBITDA declining 5.7 per cent to Rs 365 crore from Rs 387 crore a year earlier. EBITDA margin contracted to 8.5 per cent from 11 per cent.
Over the past one year, CEAT shares have declined around 8 per cent, underperforming the broader market. The stock has fallen more than 8 per cent in the last six months and nearly 6 per cent so far this year.
The stock has touched a 52-week high of Rs 4,431.60 and a 52-week low of Rs 3,006.50 on the BSE.
Business
Govt proposes new fuel economy norms for cars from April 1, 2027

New Delhi, July 16: The Ministry of Power on Thursday circulated the draft Corporate Average Fuel Economy 2027 Norms (CAFE-III) for stakeholder consultation, which propose a fresh five-year fuel efficiency regime for passenger vehicles, beginning from April 1, 2027.
The draft norms apply to M1 category vehicles, a classification that covers passenger cars carrying up to eight people besides the driver, which includes all hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs sold for personal use. The category excludes commercial goods carriers and buses, according to an official statement.
The existing CAFE-II norms are likely to lapse on March 31, 2027. Compliance under CAFE-III will be assessed in two phases, the first covering three years and the second the remaining two, with fuel efficiency targets progressing to more stringent levels through each passing year.
The framework, overseen by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power, aims to bring down average fleet emissions from current levels to a significantly lower threshold by FY32, according to earlier drafts reported in the media.
Compliance credits have been priced at Rs 2,500 each, rising by Rs 500 every year through the period, with unused credits expiring once the compliance period ends. Automakers that fail to meet targets could face penalties, though the detailed amounts have not been mentioned. Manufacturers selling fewer than 1,000 vehicles annually will remain exempt.
Industry has differed in its response to earlier versions of the draft. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has backed the proposal as balanced, while some carmakers have pushed for relief on small petrol cars and others have opposed differentiated treatment for that segment.
The ministry has invited suggestions from stakeholders and the public. Feedback can be sent to the Under Secretary, Energy Conservation, at the ministry’s New Delhi office, or can be emailed.
The last date for submissions is August 6, 2026. The draft norms will also be uploaded on the websites of the Ministry of Power and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency shortly, the statement said.
M1 vehicles are subject to stringent fuel efficiency and emission targets under Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) norms, which are regularly updated to reduce greenhouse gases.
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