In response to rising concerns about export-import challenges due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, the Indian government announced a new weekly monitoring mechanism. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, aims to track trends and stress indicators affecting various sectors. The decision follows discussions on March 9, where industry representatives highlighted issues such as increased packaging costs and disruptions in shipping to the Gulf region, which is crucial for India's bilateral trade of $178 billion in FY25. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal emphasized the importance of assessing domestic production capacities and import dependencies for key packaging inputs. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is also taking steps to enhance transparency and efficiency at ports, including the publication of concessions for cargo and vessels and the expedited evacuation of stranded containers. These measures are intended to support industries, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), facing challenges from rising input costs and logistics constraints.