Indian stock markets staged a robust rally on Friday, with the BSE Sensex skyrocketing 1,310.11 points, a 1.77% gain, to close at 75,157.26. The NSE Nifty followed suit, climbing 429.40 points or 1.92% to settle at 22,828.55, breaching the 22,900 mark during intra-day trading. The surge came on the heels of a White House announcement suspending additional tariffs on India for 90 days until July 9, offering a reprieve amid global trade tensions.

The US decision, detailed in recent executive orders, pauses levies that President Donald Trump had imposed on April 2, targeting India and roughly 60 other nations. Those duties threatened Indian exports ranging from steel to shrimp, raising concerns about competitiveness in the US, the world’s largest economy. The temporary suspension sparked optimism among Indian investors, propelling gains across major sectors.

Leading the charge among Sensex constituents were heavyweights like Tata Steel, Reliance Industries, Power Grid, NTPC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Adani Ports. However, not all stocks joined the rally—Asian Paints and Tata Consultancy Services lagged behind, unable to capitalize on the upbeat mood.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments Limited, attributed the market’s buoyancy to the tariff relief. “The unexpected pause on US tariffs provided a much-needed breather amid global uncertainties,” Nair noted. He added that while a major IT firm’s recent results fell short of expectations, its robust order book signaled potential growth in the latter half of FY26.

The Indian markets’ performance stood in stark contrast to global trends, where fears of a US-China tariff war cast a shadow. On Friday, China escalated its trade spat with the US, hiking tariffs on American imports to 125% in response to Washington’s 145% levies on Chinese goods.

Asian markets reflected the unease, with Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 plunging nearly 3% and South Korea’s Kospi slipping, though Shanghai’s SSE Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng bucked the trend with gains. European markets traded lower, while US indices had closed sharply down on Thursday, with the Nasdaq tumbling 4.31%, the S&P 500 falling 3.46%, and the Dow Jones shedding 2.50%.

Back home, the rally followed a lackluster Wednesday, when the Sensex dipped 379.93 points to 73,847.15 and the Nifty fell 136.70 points to 22,399.15. Thursday’s market holiday for Shri Mahavir Jayanti gave investors a pause before Friday’s surge. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) had sold equities worth ₹4,358.02 crore on Wednesday, signaling caution, but Friday’s momentum suggested a shift in sentiment.

Elsewhere, global oil prices edged up, with Brent crude rising 0.32% to $63.53 a barrel, reflecting ongoing volatility in commodity markets.

Delhivery, a third-party logistics company, has announced its decision to acquire Ecom Express Limited for ₹1,407 crore. The company’s board approved the acquisition of approximately 99.4% of Ecom Express shares during a meeting held on April 5, 2025.

In an official exchange filing, Delhivery stated: “We wish to inform you that the board of directors of Delhivery Limited at its meeting held today has considered and approved the acquisition of shares equivalent to at least 99.4% of the issued and paid-up share capital of Ecom Express Limited. The purchase consideration will not exceed ₹1,407 crore.”

The acquisition is pending approval from the Competition Commission of India and, once completed, Ecom Express will become a subsidiary of Delhivery.

Sahil Barua, Managing Director and CEO of Delhivery, commented on the acquisition, stating, “The Indian economy requires continuous improvements in cost efficiency, speed, and reach of logistics. We believe this acquisition will enable us to serve the customers of both companies more effectively.”

Previously, Ecom Express faced challenges, including the layoff of around 500 employees in February and the suspension of its initial public offering (IPO) plans as part of cost-cutting measures. The company’s expenses slightly increased to ₹2,921.5 crore in FY24 from ₹2,902.8 crore in FY23, while revenue grew by 2.2% to ₹2,609.2 crore. Notably, losses decreased to ₹255.8 crore compared to ₹428.1 crore the previous year.

Ecom Express, which delivered goods to over 27,000 pin codes, had approximately 15,600 employees and associates. The company previously planned to go public, but market volatility led to a pause in those efforts.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) had granted approval for the IPO in December, which remains valid until later this year. Ecom Express filed papers in August to raise ₹2,600 crore through the IPO, involving a combination of fresh shares and an offer-for-sale.

In conjunction with this news, Delhivery recently launched a Rapid Commerce service, designed for sub-2-hour deliveries to enhance customer experience for direct-to-consumer brands and e-commerce platforms.

Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates delighted his followers by posting an Instagram video featuring Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, with the playful caption, “A snack break before we get to work.” The brief clip captures the duo relishing Mumbai’s beloved street food, vada pav, whilst perched on a bench, ending with a teasing “Serving soon” message splashed across the screen.

Gates, currently touring India, has been making waves with high-profile engagements. Earlier this week, he touched down in New Delhi, where he held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers. His itinerary then brought him to Mumbai, where he met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The tech titan’s visit underscores his ongoing fascination with India’s innovative spirit, a theme he expanded upon in a recent blog post.

Writing on his personal site, Gates reflected on the trip’s impact: “I came away with fresh perspectives because India is brimming with clever, driven individuals addressing some of the globe’s toughest challenges in ingenious ways.” His words echo sentiments he shared ahead of the visit, when he praised Odisha’s farmers for leveraging artificial intelligence to boost agricultural outcomes—a story that’s garnered attention for its blend of tradition and technology.

The vada pav moment with Tendulkar, a national treasure, adds a light-hearted touch to Gates’s packed schedule. It’s not just a snack break; it hints at a potential collaboration, though details remain under wraps. For Indian fans, seeing two legends—one from tech, the other from cricket—share a casual bite is a rare treat, blending global influence with local flavour.

As Gates continues his journey, his interactions spotlight India’s dual role as a hub of innovation and a cultural powerhouse. Whether it’s AI-driven farming or a street-side snack with a sporting hero, his visit is proving to be a feast of ideas—and vada pav.