Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman  has anchored Union Budget 2026 around three core “kartavya” or duties, presenting them as the philosophical and policy foundation for India’s next phase of economic transformation. In her ninth consecutive Budget, Sitharaman  emphasised that governance and fiscal decision-making must be guided by a responsibility toward the poor, vulnerable and underprivileged, while strengthening India’s long-term economic resilience. Prepared for t

The Union Budget 2026  has marked a significant shift in India’s development priorities by placing the Orange Economy at the heart of its growth and employment strategy. The Orange Economy encompasses industries driven by creativity, culture, and intellectual property, including animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, design, digital content creation, media services, and live entertainment. By formally elevating these sectors, the government has signaled that India’s next

The Union Budget 2026 marks one of the most significant expansions of India’s internal security spending in recent years, with the government allocating a record ₹1.74 lakh crore for police, intelligence, and border security. This unprecedented allocation reflects a strategic shift toward strengthening the country’s internal security architecture at a time of rising geopolitical uncertainty, cross-border threats, and evolving domestic security challenges. The Ministry of Home

The Union Budget 2026, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman , marks a decisive shift in India’s education policy by placing human capital development at the centre of the country’s long-term growth strategy. The government has clearly linked education with employment, innovation, and productivity, signalling that future economic competitiveness will be driven as much by skills and talent as by infrastructure and capital investment. With over 350 structural reforms

The Union Budget 2026–27 has allocated over ₹11,180 crore for financial assistance to foreign governments and contributions to international organisations, marking a recalibration of India’s external development strategy. The allocations reflect New Delhi’s evolving diplomatic priorities as it balances regional responsibilities, geopolitical pressures, and its growing role in multilateral institutions. The Ministry of External Affairs remains a key conduit for India’s oversea

India is intensifying its efforts to emerge as a global leader in ethical and indigenous artificial intelligence, following a high-level interaction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi  and senior technology leaders ahead of the IndiaAI Impact Summit scheduled for February. The meeting reflects the government’s broader ambition to combine technological self-reliance with responsible governance, positioning India as a trusted hub for human-centric and secure AI development. T

India and Saudi Arabia  conducted a high-level security and counter-terrorism dialogue in Riyadh on January 28, 2026, signaling a renewed commitment to address evolving threats in the Gulf and South Asia regions. The meeting came just days after India signed a Letter of Intent for a Strategic Defence Partnership with the United Arab Emirates , highlighting New Delhi’s growing strategic footprint in the Gulf. This timing underscores India’s careful balancing of partnerships am

India is set to host the second India–Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (IAFMM) on January 31, 2026, marking a significant milestone in diplomatic relations. Co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates  (UAE), the meeting will bring together foreign ministers and senior representatives from all 22 member states of the League of Arab States (LAS), along with the Arab League Secretary-General. This is the first time India is hosting the ministerial on its soil, highlighting

India’s landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union represents one of the most consequential trade developments in recent decades. Finalised after nearly twenty years of negotiations, the agreement is set to reshape bilateral commerce, expand export opportunities, and strengthen India’s integration into global supply chains. The timing is particularly significant, coming amid rising protectionism and uncertainty in global trade, especially in key markets such

India has entered a decisive new phase of economic transformation, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi  declaring that the country has boarded a “speedy express” toward next-generation reforms. Ahead of Union Budget 2026 , the Prime Minister’s message signals a shift from incremental policy changes to deeper, technology-driven structural reforms designed to strengthen India’s long-term growth foundations. This phase is being positioned as critical for shaping India’s trajectory

India’s civil aviation industry is entering a decisive phase of expansion, emerging as one of the world’s most promising aviation markets. With rising passenger demand, large-scale infrastructure development, and supportive policy reforms, the sector is attracting strong interest from global investors, aircraft manufacturers, and aviation service providers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi  has called on both domestic and international stakeholders to participate in this growth s

Operation Sindoor  has marked a significant turning point in India’s national security strategy, reflecting a more assertive and technologically driven approach to countering cross-border terrorism. Launched in response to the Pahalgam  terror attack, the operation demonstrated India’s resolve to respond with speed, precision, and strategic clarity. It sent a clear message that terror infrastructure and its enablers will face direct and credible consequences. Speaking at the

India and the European Union  have finalised one of the most ambitious and wide-ranging trade agreements in recent global economic history. The India–EU  Free Trade Agreement (FTA), concluded after nearly two decades of negotiations, is expected to significantly strengthen trade, boost manufacturing, create jobs, and deepen strategic cooperation between the two major economic partners. Leaders on both sides have described the pact as a transformative milestone that reflects s

India and the European Union  have finalised one of the most significant Free Trade Agreements in recent global trade history, bringing to a close nearly two decades of negotiations. Concluded on January 27, 2026, the agreement is expected to fundamentally reshape economic ties between the two partners, deepen market integration, and unlock large-scale opportunities across manufacturing, exports, and investment. With bilateral goods trade already at $136.5 billion in FY25 and

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri  has directly linked the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel to India’s long and painful experience with cross-border terrorism, reinforcing New Delhi’s consistent and uncompromising stance against terror. Speaking at an International Holocaust Remembrance Day event in New Delhi, Misri said India is “too familiar with such mindless brutality,” reflecting decades of terror attacks that have targeted Indian civilians and security forces throu

India is preparing for a historic expansion of its aviation infrastructure, with plans to develop a nationwide network of more than 400 airports by 2047. Prime Minister Narendra Modi  announced the ambitious target while addressing the Wings India 2026 aviation summit, outlining a long-term vision to make air travel affordable, accessible, and deeply embedded in India’s development journey. The expansion is positioned as a key pillar of India’s roadmap to becoming a developed

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  set the tone for the Budget Session of Parliament by outlining a reform-focused vision aimed at strengthening India’s long-term economic foundations. Addressing the media ahead of the session, the Prime Minister called for sustained reforms, productive parliamentary debate, and policy continuity to support India’s next phase of growth. He stressed that the session is critical for shaping economic priorities that will define India’s medium- and lo

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation  (UAC), a subsidiary of the state-owned Rostec Group, has signed a preliminary agreement with India’s Flamingo Aerospace for the supply of six Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft. The agreement was announced during Wings India 2026, the country’s flagship civil aviation exhibition held in Hyderabad . The signing reflects a growing focus by both nations on strengthening cooperation in civil aviation, moving beyond traditional defence par

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited  (HAL) and Russia’s  United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) have signed a joint venture agreement to manufacture the SJ-100  regional passenger aircraft in India. The agreement was formalized at the Wings India 2026 civil aviation exhibition in Hyderabad , marking one of the most significant steps taken by India in decades toward large-scale commercial aircraft manufacturing. The partnership represents a strategic shift for HAL , which has traditional

India’s Budget Session for the financial year 2026–27 formally commenced on January 28, with President Droupadi Murmu  addressing a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. As per parliamentary tradition, the President’s address marked the official opening of the session and outlined the government’s broad vision, priorities, and legislative agenda for the year ahead. In her speech, President Murmu  highlighted the government’s focus on inclusive growth, social justice