Economy

Gold, silver rally drove January import bill up 19%; exports increased 0.6%

Trade deficit widest in three months

18% US levy may kick in this week: Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal

Talks in Washington next week on interim deal's legal framework

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

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

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, 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

India to send team to US next week for interim trade pact text: Comm Secy

Earlier this month, India and the US released a joint statement to announce that a framework for an interim trade agreement has been finalised

Indian team to visit US next week to finalise legal text for trade pact

The visit is likely to start from February 23

UP govt receives ₹20,300 crore of FDI proposals amid investor push

These proposals have flowed in under the 'Uttar Pradesh FDI/FCI, Fortune Global 500, and Fortune India 500 Company Investment Promotion Policy 2023', the government said

FTA another step in strong ties with India: New Zealand Minister Shane Reti

New Zealand's Minister for Science and Technology, Shane Reti, also lauded India's growing leadership in the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape

Global governance gap: How AI is powering next wave of money laundering

As AI reshapes finance, it is also enabling money laundering, deepfake fraud and regulatory forum shopping, underscoring urgent gaps in global AI governance

India's wholesale inflation stood at 1.81% in Jan, at a 10-month high

January 2026 WPI-based inflation: Positive rate of inflation in January 2026 was due to an increase in prices of the manufacture of basic metals, other manufacturing, and non-food articles

India entering new industrial era driven by AI, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

Ashwini Vaishnaw outlines the nation's global ambi­tions in AI

Tracking the shift: Urban local govts see a 230% rise in grant allocations

While the 16th FC has set a new record in allotting funds for ULGs, its counterparts in states continue to struggle. Archis Mohan writes

India Inc's bold investment push crucial for Viksit Bharat: PM Modi

These FTAs are tools to ensure that our youth are not just suppliers to the domestic market but active participants in global trade and growth, says PM Modi

Phase out universal subsidies, target benefits better: ADB-PwC study

ADB-PwC study urges India to phase out universal subsidies, tighten Aadhaar-linked targeting and audits, and improve fiscal efficiency without hurting stability

FTA tariff concessions could cost India Rs 1 trillion in FY26

India's customs duty forgone due to FTAs could cross ₹1 trillion in FY27, with Asean accounting for the largest share, Budget documents show

Got India's commitment to stop buying Russian oil: US Secretary of State

US President Donald Trump, while announcing a trade deal with New Delhi early in February, claimed India had agreed to not procure crude oil from Russia

India-UK free trade pact likely to be implemented in April: Report

The two countries have also signed the Double Contributions Convention (DCC) pact to ensure temporary workers would not have to duplicate social levies in either country

US interim trade deal opens door for tractor exports: Escorts Kubota CFO

Under its 2030 mid-term business plan, Kubota Corporation stated that while aiming to capture high-growth markets, it will leverage India as a global hub for R&D, procurement and production