Economy
India sheds defensive stance, negotiates future-focused trade deals: Goyal
Piyush Goyal says India has moved beyond apologetic trade talks, using FTAs as strategic tools to secure long-term economic gains while protecting sensitive sectors
 "India sheds defensive stance, negotiates future-focused trade deals: Goyal")
Europe backs India's AI push and supports early ratification of trade deal
European leaders back early India-EU trade deal ratification at the AI Impact Summit, deepening cooperation on AI, semiconductors, digital governance and strategic growth
 "Europe backs India's AI push and supports early ratification of trade deal")
Govt looks to unlock ₹80,000 crore via rail PSU stake sales by FY30
The Centre plans to raise about ₹80,000 crore by diluting stakes in seven listed railway PSUs over FY27-FY30 as part of Railways' asset monetisation drive
 "Govt looks to unlock ₹80,000 crore via rail PSU stake sales by FY30")
States' fiscal arithmetic tightens in FY27; deficit seen at 3% of GDP
Ind-Ra expects states' fiscal deficit to widen to 3% of GDP in FY27 due to higher revenue spending, with SASCI-linked borrowing potentially lifting it to 3.5% of GDP
 "States' fiscal arithmetic tightens in FY27; deficit seen at 3% of GDP")
India's crude oil import bill drops 19% in January on softer global prices
India's crude oil import bill fell sharply in January as the Indian basket price averaged $63.08/bbl - $17 lower than last year - easing the country's overall energy burden
 "India's crude oil import bill drops 19% in January on softer global prices")
Budget 2026 shifts focus to allied sectors as farm economy diversifies
Despite criticism over gaps in farm support, Budget FY27 sharply raises allocations for fisheries, animal husbandry and cooperation, underlining the growing role of allied sectors
 "Budget 2026 shifts focus to allied sectors as farm economy diversifies")
India set for mega investment boom in CCUS, but scale remains a challenge
A ₹20,000 crore outlay in Budget 2026 may accelerate commercial-scale carbon capture, utilisation and storage projects as India balances industrial growth with its 2070 Net Zero goal
 "India set for mega investment boom in CCUS, but scale remains a challenge")
India allows limited Chinese equipment imports for key sectors
This is the first significant easing of five-year-old curbs that have largely shut Chinese firms out of India's $700 billion-$750 billion government contract market
 "India allows limited Chinese equipment imports for key sectors")
Rising imports from US narrow trade surplus: Commerce department data
India ramps up imports from the US, pushing January shipments up 24% and steadily narrowing its trade surplus with Washington amid tariff pressures
 "Rising imports from US narrow trade surplus: Commerce department data")
India a beacon of hope in uncertain times, says PM Narendra Modi
Jaishankar warns of weaponised trade; Maharashtra Chief Minister pitches Mumbai as a financial hub
 "India a beacon of hope in uncertain times, says PM Narendra Modi")
Cyber threats a risk, but financial sector well equipped: DFS secretary
US tariff easing brightens outlook for Indian exporters, says DFS secy Nagaraju
 "Cyber threats a risk, but financial sector well equipped: DFS secretary")
Big outlays, small uptake: India's job schemes face a reality check
Despite large Budget allocations for PMIS and ELI, uptake remains low due to design issues, wage concerns and limited reach beyond big firms, prompting calls for a rethink
 "Big outlays, small uptake: India's job schemes face a reality check")
Three US-sanctioned oil tankers linked to Iran likely seized by India
The seizures and heightened surveillance follow an improvement in US-India relations
 "Three US-sanctioned oil tankers linked to Iran likely seized by India")
India's wholesale inflation climbs to 10-month high of 1.8 % in January
Wholesale inflation rose to a 10-month high of 1.81% in January, driven by higher food and core prices, with vegetable inflation turning positive and manufactured goods showing renewed price pressures
 "India's wholesale inflation climbs to 10-month high of 1.8 % in January")
18% US levy may kick in this week: Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal
Talks in Washington next week on interim deal's legal framework
 "18% US levy may kick in this week: Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal")
Gold, silver rally drove January import bill up 19%; exports increased 0.6%
Trade deficit widest in three months
 "Gold, silver rally drove January import bill up 19%; exports increased 0.6%")
Chatroom: Ecotems define 16 terms for circular economy in global trade
Rajagopalan answers readers' SME queries related to GST, export and import matters
Cash in circulation at record high despite rise in UPI use: SBI report
India's currency in circulation reached a record ₹40 trillion in January even as the cash-to-GDP ratio fell to 11%, signalling incremental GDP growth increasingly financed through digital payments
 "Cash in circulation at record high despite rise in UPI use: SBI report")
Improving timely access to credit for MSMEs policy priority: RBI Guv
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said enhancing timely and adequate formal credit access for MSMEs is a top priority, urging firms to formalise, maintain credit discipline and adopt digital payments
 "Improving timely access to credit for MSMEs policy priority: RBI Guv")
India, UK push to operationalise FTA by April, says Commerce Secy
In India, the Union Cabinet approves such agreements. After it gets approved by the British parliament, it will be implemented on a mutually agreed date