Balagopal Balachandran, National Head – Air Freight, FEI Cargo said, “In the mercurial world of business, uncertainty is a constant companion and ready to strike when least expected.  As the world engage with unpredictable supply chains, rising tariffs and renewed trade tensions,  Indian manufacturers stand at a crucial crossroads.  In a world of shifting tariffs, trade wars, geopolitical conflicts and fragile supply chain, India’s Vocal for local and make in India initiatives are more than policy slogans, they are twin engines of resilience and growth. By strengthening domestic manufacturing , improving global competitiveness and uncovering newer markets, these strategies ensure India is not just a participant in the new trade order but a driver of it. The path ahead will be bold but not easy. India’s deep rooted entrepreneurial spirit offers a unique edge ; the ability to turn challenges into opportunity. The new era of manufacturing is not simply be about making in India it will be about making Indian goods world class, globally competitive and respected for their quality and durability. The shift means rethinking of sourcing, production models, distribution networks, newer markets and so on. Domestic suppliers will need rapid capacity expansion, investment in automation and adherence to international compliance to remain competitive. In the short term, challenges will include higher raw material costs, slower market adaptation and the challenge in replacing established global supply chains . However, in long term , Vocal for Local and Make in India can build economic resilience, reduce external vulnerability, and position India as both a reliable domestic base and a competitive global player. The message is clear the future of Indian manufacturing is not just about making in India, it …

C K Govil, President, ACAAI said, “The industry’s ability to cope with this shift will hinge on agility, collaboration and investment in capacity. With tariff wars and supply chain disruptions pushing costs up and creating uncertainty, Vocal for Local and Make in India offer both a challenge and an opportunity. Manufacturers and agents will need to re-engineer sourcing strategies, diversify supply chains and scale up domestic manufacturing capabilities to reduce import dependence. This transition will require government–industry partnerships to ensure policy stability, infrastructure upgrades, and skill development. While short-term pain is inevitable due to higher costs and adaptation time, in the medium to long term, the shift could strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem, boost exports, and create more resilient trade pathways that are less vulnerable to geopolitical turbulence.”

  Sunil Kohli, Managing Director, Rahat Cargo said, “Amid an uncertain global trade scenario coupled with tariff wars, the Indian industry needs to gear up to face the challenges by adopting several remedial measures and the ‘vocal for local’ mantra has been a paramount factor to overcome the odds since it encourages prioritising domestic products to boost local manufacturing and the economy. It would further lead to reduced imports in sectors like electronics and automobiles, supported by government incentives like Production-Linked Incentive schemes. The ‘Aatmnirbhar Bharat’ movement will promote small and medium enterprises apart from substituting the imported goods with local alternatives. The consumer goods market, especially in sectors like handicrafts, textiles and jewellery, has also seen a push to promote Indian brands over foreign ones. The ‘Vocal for Local’ movement, while promoting self-reliance, also needs to navigate potential trade-offs, such as balancing domestic production with global competitiveness and ensuring that local products are affordable and accessible to all consumers. The challenge for the government and local businesses will be to continue ensuring the growth of high-quality local alternatives that can compete globally.“

Vaibhav Vohra, Managing Director, Continental Carriers said, “The ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, amid global disruptions and tariff wars, are set to reshape trade flows and supply chains. As manufacturing shifts domestically, demand for integrated logistics, warehousing and multimodal connectivity will surge. Freight forwarders will adapt by strengthening domestic supplier networks, investing in technology for real-time visibility and enhancing cold chain and value-added services. While infrastructure gaps and transition costs remain challenges, the logistics industry can capitalise on increased cargo movement, regional manufacturing hubs and export opportunities. This transition presents a vital chance to build resilient, cost-efficient and globally competitive supply chains for India.”  

At the recently held LogisEast 2025 logistics summit in Kolkata, Subrat Tripathy, President (BD), Adani Ports & SEZ said, “India’s share of global trade, currently between 1.5 per cent and 2 per cent, has immense potential to grow. With the right strategies, this share can multiply rapidly, with export-driven trade contributing significantly in a geometric fashion to the growth of our GDP. As per the Sagarmala vision, our focus rests on four pillars: modernisation, efficiency, connectivity and port-led coastal community development. Together, these pillars can transform India’s maritime and logistics landscape, enabling us to compete more effectively in the global trade arena.”

CII hosted LogiEast logistics summit and exhibition in Kolkata. Debashis Dutta, Chairman CII said, “We have gathered against the backdrop of rapid progress in global trade and logistics. The OECD supply chain resilience review reminds us that the lifting of mini GDCs has gone hand-in-hand with rising GDP per capita, particularly in developing economies like ours. Quite simply, trade creates opportunity and that opportunity can transform lives.” “Logistics is among the most important industries in the world. In India, it is the backbone of economic growth, employing over 22 million people. A 10% reduction in indirect logistics costs can increase exports by 5–8%.” “The Government of India has recognised the potential of global trade, logistics and warehousing. Through initiatives like Bharat ULIP, it is creating a unified digital trade ecosystem aligned with global best practices. The pandemic tested us like never before, disrupting labour, supply chains, and operations – yet the resilience of our logistics sector has been remarkable.”

CMA CGM has become the launch customer for Airbus’ A350 freighter following Air Lease’s decision to cancel its order for seven of the new generation aircraft, said Linkedin Post. CMA CGM referenced its order for eight A350Fs, for use by its freighter airline subsidiary CMA CGM Air Cargo, in a LinkedIn post last week.

Surat played host to the national-level Being Exporter Grand Meet, bringing together leading exporters to boost exports, particularly in the wake of the United States (US) levying a 50 per cent tariff on the Indian products. The event brought together 225 exporters and aspiring exporters from across India, united by the goal of expanding the reach of ‘Make in India’ products in international markets. The exporters are now seeking new strategies, markets and partnerships to mitigate the impact of the steep United States (US) tariff increase on the Indian products. Bhagirath Goswami, Founder of Being Exporter said, “The grand meet was not a networking event, but a strategic response to the constantly changing global trade environment. The diversity of industries present at the meeting proves that India has the capacity and the capability to lead in multiple sectors, even in challenging conditions.” The participants exchanged market intelligence, explored alternative markets and discussed ways to strengthen India’s position in emerging and established markets. The Grand Meet also served as a platform for forging international collaborations and reinforcing India’s commitment to being a reliable global supplier. The meet concluded with the participants pledging to expand their global footprint, strengthen buyer relationships, and continue driving the nation’s export growth despite external factors.    

Celcius Logistics has announced the launch of Celcius+, a specialised logistics arm dedicated exclusively to the seamless management of the pharmaceutical supply chain. Designed to meet the sector’s stringent requirements for temperature control, compliance and real-time visibility, Celcius+ ensures medicines, vaccines, and other sensitive products are transported with maximum safety and efficiency.  In its initial phase, Celcius will invest ₹50 crore to create a dedicated pharma fleet and support infrastructure, with a goal of achieving ₹100 crore in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) from this segment within the next 18 months. Of this, ₹35 crore will be allocated towards deploying 100 new reefer vehicles for Celcius+ along key pharmaceutical corridors across India. A further ₹10–15 crore is being earmarked to build a robust pharma courier system tailored to serve high-demand urban and semi-urban markets. To support this rapid expansion, Celcius will add 30–40 specialised team members with expertise in pharma logistics, operations, and regulatory compliance.

The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has reportedly invited bids to develop 174-acre multimodal logistics park with proposals submitted by Adani Ports and SEZ,  Super Handlers and Empezar Logistics. A high-powered committee, led by the Chief Secretary, will evaluate the bids, said reports. The selected developer will receive a 90-year lease for the 174.12 acres at Kappa 2, with the minimum investment requirement excluding land cost, the reports added. The project which aims to transform freight movement in the region is expected to attract over Rs 1,200 crore in investment and create at least 5,000 jobs.