Economy
RBI Guv Malhotra signals lower rates for longer, trade deal growth boost
MPC keeps repo, stance unchanged; awaits new data series
 "RBI Guv Malhotra signals lower rates for longer, trade deal growth boost")
₹9,200 cr scheme for development of water metro systems in the pipeline
Draft guidelines say vessels for ops to be procured via local shipyards
 "₹9,200 cr scheme for development of water metro systems in the pipeline")
New policies in works for faster decision-making: Gadkari on Invit push
Kahi problemach nahi (there's no problem). The NHAI is economically sound, and it has an AAA rating, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said
 "New policies in works for faster decision-making: Gadkari on Invit push")
India's imports from China dip in multiple sectors in 2024-25: MoS Prasada
On the other hand, the export of mobile phones has increased from ₹1,566 crore in 2014-15 to more than ₹2,05,017 crore in 2024-25
 "India's imports from China dip in multiple sectors in 2024-25: MoS Prasada")
Despite Donald Trump's punitive tariff, India keeps importing Russian oil
India gets deep discounts on Russian crude and its exports of petroleum products to China have increased
 "Despite Donald Trump's punitive tariff, India keeps importing Russian oil")
Russian oil tankers position close to India amid lack of clarity on US FTA
Officials of Indian refiners evaluating Russian crude alongside other grades from Brazil, Angola and UAE
 "Russian oil tankers position close to India amid lack of clarity on US FTA")
Unspent ₹43,636 cr lies in states' SNA accounts despite higher allocations
More than Rs 43,000 crore remains unutilised in states' SNA accounts under major centrally sponsored schemes, even as Budget sharply raises allocations for education, water and nutrition programmes
 "Unspent ₹43,636 cr lies in states' SNA accounts despite higher allocations")
India, GCC sign ToR to restart free trade talks after three-year pause
India, the six-nation GCC bloc have signed the terms of reference for a proposed free trade agreement, formally setting the stage for negotiations aimed at boosting trade, investment, strategic ties
 "India, GCC sign ToR to restart free trade talks after three-year pause")
Trade deal: 18% US tariff to kick in after joint statement in 4-5 days
Goyal says first tranche of 'formal' pact by mid-March
 "Trade deal: 18% US tariff to kick in after joint statement in 4-5 days")
Tariff cut puts Indian toys, games back in game in US: How it's faring
Renewed interest from US, EU and UK buyers after tariff cuts is positioning India as a key sourcing hub for global toy majors ahead of the Autumn-Winter 2026 season
 "Tariff cut puts Indian toys, games back in game in US: How it's faring")
Venezuela long-standing energy partner, India open to crude sourcing: MEA
India said Venezuela has been a long-standing energy partner and New Delhi remains open to exploring crude supply options based on commercial merit, even as energy security stays the top priority
 "Venezuela long-standing energy partner, India open to crude sourcing: MEA")
India, US to sign first tranche of formal trade agreement by mid-March
India and the United States are set to sign the first tranche of a formal trade agreement by mid-March, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, following a joint statement expected shortly
 "India, US to sign first tranche of formal trade agreement by mid-March")
'Commercial viability key': MEA says open to Venezuela, other crude sources
The MEA said India is open to sourcing crude from Venezuela and other countries based on commercial viability, adding that energy security for 1.4 billion people remains its top priority
 "'Commercial viability key': MEA says open to Venezuela, other crude sources")
India, Gulf Cooperation Council sign terms of reference to begin FTA talks
Launch of FTA talks with the GCC would be a kind of resumption of the negotiations, as the earlier two rounds of negotiations were held in 2006 and 2008 between the two regions
 "India, Gulf Cooperation Council sign terms of reference to begin FTA talks")
Why India is resetting GDP and CPI base years and what the change means
From shopping baskets to growth calculations, India is updating the base years for CPI inflation and GDP to reflect today's economy, a recalibration that will change headline numbers without altering
 "Why India is resetting GDP and CPI base years and what the change means")
India, US likely to sign joint statement on trade deal in 4-5 days: Goyal
Commerce and Industry minister Goyal told reporters that a legal agreement for the first tranche of the pact is expected to be signed by mid-March
 "India, US likely to sign joint statement on trade deal in 4-5 days: Goyal")
Ready to 'elevate' relationship with India, says US Ambassador Sergio Gor
Gor's comments follow a trade deal announcement between India and the US earlier this week, after almost a year of negotiations between the two countries
 "Ready to 'elevate' relationship with India, says US Ambassador Sergio Gor")
India-US energy corridor talks focus on growth-driven energy priorities
The roundtable follows the February 2026 India-US trade framework, which identified energy and technology cooperation as core drivers of bilateral growth
 "India-US energy corridor talks focus on growth-driven energy priorities")
India told Washington it wouldn't be bullied as trade talks resumed
India's national security adviser told US officials New Delhi would wait out Trump's term, even as it quietly worked to ease tensions and restart trade talks after months of tariffs and public insults
 "India told Washington it wouldn't be bullied as trade talks resumed")
We framed this Budget on a larger plank, not based on any one incident: FM
The India-US trade deal, had it come a little earlier, would not have made the Union Budget any different, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said
 "We framed this Budget on a larger plank, not based on any one incident: FM")