To counter West Asian shipping disruptions, the Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF) successfully shifted over 1.02 lakh tonnes of basmati rice exports to Iraq into bulk charter vessels, slashing ocean freight costs from $350 to $90 per tonne and saving $26.6 million in gross logistics costs. In industrial safety, the Fire and Security Association of India (FSAI) collaborated with the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry to draft a white paper introducing risk-based safety self-assessments and workplace compliance guidelines for hazardous units. Meanwhile, operational distress emerged at Paradip Port, where a severe 12-day cargo unloading logjam and stockyard space shortages left thousands of iron ore trucks stranded along a 20 km stretch, triggering driver protests. On the diplomatic front, India raised critical trade barriers with Bangladesh during Joint Working Group talks in New Delhi, demanding the removal of high import duties on Indian cotton, fruits, and steel, while Bangladesh sought the lifting of anti-dumping duties on jute products and expanded transit access.