National News
MCX Gold, Silver Decline as US-Iran Talks Fail
Dip Marks a Near One-Week Low for Gold, Which Had Moved Towards Record Territory as the “Safe-Haven” Asset
On the MCX, gold futures slid below the psychologically significant threshold of Rs. 1.52 lakh per 10 grams, erasing a portion of the gains made during a brief window of optimism. Silver, often more volatile than its yellow counterpart, saw a more pronounced retreat, with prices slipping 2 percent to trade near Rs. 2.40 lakh per kilogram. Gold prices in the international market fell to a near one-week low. Spot gold price declined 1.1% to $4,694.30 per ounce, its lowest level since April 7. US gold futures for June delivery fell 1.4% to $4,717.80 an ounce. Spot silver fell 1.9% to $74.45 per ounce.
The glimmer of a diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East faded on Monday, sending shockwaves through global commodity markets as gold and silver prices tumbled from recent highs. The reversal followed the collapse of weekend peace talks in Islamabad. Negotiators had hoped to formalize a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, a move that would have de-escalated a conflict that has defined the first quarter of 2026. Instead, the failure of the dialogue has re-ignited fears of a prolonged blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, sending crude oil prices higher and forcing investors to recalibrate their portfolios.
- MCX Price Drop: Gold futures fell below the critical Rs. 1.52 lakh per 10 grams mark, while Silver saw a sharper 2% decline, trading near Rs. 2.40 lakh per kg.
- International Benchmarks: Spot gold hit a one-week low of $4,694.30 per ounce, marking a 1.1% dip, while spot silver dropped 1.9% to $74.45.
- Diplomatic Deadlock: The failure of weekend negotiations in Islamabad has reignited fears of a prolonged conflict and a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Dollar Factor: A surging U.S. dollar, bolstered by its “safe-haven” status, has made gold more expensive for international buyers, further dampening global demand.
- Inflationary Pressure: Rising energy costs and the prospect of sticky inflation are leading traders to believe the Federal Reserve will maintain higher interest rates for longer.
National News
Gold Industry Proposes New Strategy To Cut Imports and Boost Local Economy
Precious Metals Refineries Forum (PMRF) Has Proposed A Two-Track System To Manage Gold More Efficiently
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to reduce gold imports and foreign travel, major Indian bullion and jewellery bodies have submitted a new plan to the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The strategy aims to lower the nation’s trade deficit by tapping into the estimated 30,000 tonnes of gold sitting in Indian households.
This move comes after India’s gold imports jumped 24% to a record $71.9 billion in the 2025-26 financial year, with over 721 tonnes of gold brought into the country.
The New Strategy: Two Separate Systems
The Precious Metals Refineries Forum (PMRF) has proposed a two-track system to manage gold more efficiently:
- For Exporters: Imported gold should be strictly saved for jewellery exporters using one-year Gold Metal Loans (GML).
- For Local Buyers: Domestic demand should be met entirely by recycling household gold. This gold would be collected from citizens, refined locally, and sold back through jewellers and retailers.
Under this plan, people who deposit their idle gold could earn 2% to 2.5% interest, while businesses taking gold loans would pay an interest rate of 3% to 4%.
Fixing Why Past Schemes Failed
Previous government gold schemes failed to gain traction primarily because they left out local jewellers and lacked a proper banking structure. Without a joined-up system, institutions faced high financial risks from changing gold prices.
To fix this, trade bodies are calling for a complete system that includes:
- Direct involvement of trusted local jewellers. The schemes did not take off in the past because jewellers were not part of them. About 10% to 20% of family gold is held as bars or coins.
- Strong bank backing and secure storage vaults across the country.
- Tax incentives, such as removing the 3% GST loss when physical gold is converted into Electronic Gold Receipts (EGR), and offering income tax relief on the interest earned.
Industry Support
Industry experts say a smooth system is already possible. Collection and purity testing centres have confirmed that collected household gold can be processed within 48 hours and safely moved to secure, bank-approved vaults.
Representatives from the Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) recently held discussions with RBI officials to fast-track these changes.
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