Economy
India-US likely to hold 3-day talks on trade agreement from Dec 10
Visit of the US officials marks their second trip since the imposition of a 25% tariff and an additional 25% penalty on Indian goods entering the American market due to the purchase of Russian crude
 "India-US likely to hold 3-day talks on trade agreement from Dec 10")
India's economy expected to grow at least 7% in FY26: FM Sitharaman
Chief Economic Adviser Anantha Nageswaran upgraded his forecast late last month to at least 7 per cent after data showed an expansion of more than 8 per cent in the three months through September
 "India's economy expected to grow at least 7% in FY26: FM Sitharaman")
Russia's vital oil trade with India falls for now, but is far from over
By contrast, oil cargoes arriving in India from Russia next month could fall as far as 600,000 barrels a day, the weakest level since early 2022
 "Russia's vital oil trade with India falls for now, but is far from over")
We expect deposit rates to moderate after this rate cut, says RBI
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said inflation remains benign and policy remains neutral, adding that future rate moves will depend on data and effective transmission
 "We expect deposit rates to moderate after this rate cut, says RBI")
RBI emphatic on durable liquidity support; focus clearly on transmission
Multiple MPC members of late flagged the re-emergence of space for further monetary easing given the record-low CPI inflation
 "RBI emphatic on durable liquidity support; focus clearly on transmission")
Rupee weakens after RBI rate cut; Guv says external position comfortable
The rupee slipped after the RBI cut the repo rate by 25 bps, with traders citing dollar sales near 90.07 per dollar. Governor Sanjay Malhotra said reserves and the external sector remain comfortable
 "Rupee weakens after RBI rate cut; Guv says external position comfortable")
Uttar Pradesh leads SASCI scheme with 482 projects as of late November
Over a third of the FY26 SASCI fund has been released for 4,106 state projects, with Uttar Pradesh leading approvals and Nagaland remaining the only non-participant
 "Uttar Pradesh leads SASCI scheme with 482 projects as of late November")
Chennai to Arctic: India-Russia multiple pacts widen maritime corridors
India and Russia signed key maritime and transport MoUs to strengthen the INSTC, Chennai-Vladivostok corridor and Northern Sea Route, including training for Indian polar seafarers
 "Chennai to Arctic: India-Russia multiple pacts widen maritime corridors")
India-US trade talks: Deputy USTR to lead team to India next week
Assistant USTR and the Chief Negotiator of the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations Brendan Lynch, along with other senior officials from USTR
 "India-US trade talks: Deputy USTR to lead team to India next week")
Two new units of Kudankulam nuclear plant to be ready soon: Rosatom DG
Rosatom is the supplier of key equipment and technology for the project being jointly developed with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India
 "Two new units of Kudankulam nuclear plant to be ready soon: Rosatom DG")
FM Nirmala Sitharaman stresses need for steady, consistent defence funding
LS clears Health Security se National Security Cess Bill
 "FM Nirmala Sitharaman stresses need for steady, consistent defence funding")
Putin's visit: India and Russia firm up 5-year economic road map
In his address during the joint press statement after the Summit, Putin said the comprehensive roadmap provides clear guidelines
 "Putin's visit: India and Russia firm up 5-year economic road map")
Urban consumer confidence perks up; rural stays flat, says RBI survey
Inflation expectations dip across households
 "Urban consumer confidence perks up; rural stays flat, says RBI survey")
IOC, BPCL buy sanctions-free Russian oil for January amid wider discounts
India's top refiner, IOC, has also bought some cargoes of Russian oil for January loading, they said
 "IOC, BPCL buy sanctions-free Russian oil for January amid wider discounts")
World food prices drop for third month in November, says UN's FAO
Global food prices fell for a third straight month in November, driven by declines in sugar, dairy and oil - though cereals bucked the trend with a modest rise
 "World food prices drop for third month in November, says UN's FAO")
Dighi Port to handle 200k cars annually as APSEZ partners with Motherson
APSEZ said this partnership will make Dighi Port the new automobile exports terminal for exporters in Mumbai to the Pune auto belt
 "Dighi Port to handle 200k cars annually as APSEZ partners with Motherson")
Centre mulls extending coal power expansion for another 12 years
The proposal, currently under discussion between the power ministry and the government's policy making agency NITI Aayog, marks a major shift
 "Centre mulls extending coal power expansion for another 12 years")
MPC meeting: RBI ups GDP forecast to 7.3%, inflation outlook drops sharply
RBI cuts the repo rate to 5.25%, revises FY26 GDP growth to 7.3%, and lowers its inflation forecast to 2%, signalling stronger momentum and easing food-price pressures
 "MPC meeting: RBI ups GDP forecast to 7.3%, inflation outlook drops sharply")
Importers rush to hedge while exporters wait on sidelines amid rupee dip
The domestic currency touched a fresh low of 90.41 against the dollar on Thursday but gained back its intraday losses to close at 89.98
 "Importers rush to hedge while exporters wait on sidelines amid rupee dip")
Nominal GDP growth slowdown raises concerns despite strong real growth
Despite strong real growth, slowing nominal GDP and a sharply weaker deflator raise fiscal concerns, challenging Budget assumptions for FY26
 "Nominal GDP growth slowdown raises concerns despite strong real growth")
