Economy
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")
Budget 2026 shifts focus to allied sectors as farm economy diversifies
Despite criticism over gaps in farm support, Budget 2026-27 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")
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
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
 "India to send team to US next week for interim trade pact text: Comm Secy")
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
 "UP govt receives ₹20,300 crore of FDI proposals amid investor push")
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
 "FTA another step in strong ties with India: New Zealand Minister Shane Reti")
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
 "Global governance gap: How AI is powering next wave of money laundering")
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's wholesale inflation stood at 1.81% in Jan, at a 10-month high")