A Renewed Bid for a Six-Nation Gulf Pact India is once again exploring a sweeping trade arrangement with six Arab economies—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain—under the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). After years of stalled discussions, negotiators have revived plans for a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) that could reshape commercial, energy,…
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on February 5, 2026, unveiled Bharat Taxi at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi-NCR, positioning it as India’s first government-supported, cooperative ride-hailing platform. The service, run by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd, begins with an initial fleet of roughly 2.5 lakh vehicles and promises a zero-commission structure in which drivers retain the…
A new US–India trade arrangement announced by President Donald Trump has reduced tariffs on a large share of Indian exports to 18% from earlier punitive levels near 50%, while also removing a proposed 25% penalty tied to India’s purchases of Russian oil. The revised tariff rate places India marginally ahead of Pakistan, whose exports to the US…
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink on Wednesday delivered an emphatic endorsement of India’s long-term economic prospects, declaring that “this is the era for India” and urging millions of citizens to invest alongside the nation’s ascent. Sharing the stage with Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, the discussion centered on India’s sweeping economic ambitions — including a potential expansion toward a $30 trillion…
Origins of the JF-17 Thunder The JF-17 Thunder is a lightweight, single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft positioned in the 4.5-generation category. It emerged from a 1998 joint venture between Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, conceived to replace the Pakistan Air Force’s ageing Mirage III/V and F-7 fleets. Designed with affordability as…
India’s defence manufacturing ambitions received a major boost with Adani Defence & Aerospace signing a strategic partnership with Italy’s aerospace major Leonardo to expand helicopter production in the country. Announced on February 3, 2026, the collaboration marks a significant step toward building a domestic helicopter ecosystem at scale—one that supports both military readiness and civil aviation needs…
A Trade Pact with Currency Implications As India and the United States reset their trade relationship in early 2026, markets are asking a critical macroeconomic question: can this deal help stabilise the rupee and rekindle foreign investment inflows? With the Indian currency under pressure for much of 2025 and capital flows turning volatile, the tariff…
Chief Justice Sounds Alarm on WhatsApp’s Data Practices India’s Chief Justice has delivered a pointed warning to Meta Platforms, questioning whether WhatsApp’s controversial privacy policy aligns with constitutional protections and the realities of India’s vast, diverse user base. During a February 3, 2026 hearing, the Supreme Court made it clear that global technology companies cannot impose…
India Pushes Back on Russian Oil Claims India has not formally committed to ending its purchases of Russian crude oil as part of its latest trade understanding with the United States, despite claims to the contrary from President Donald Trump. While Washington has linked the deal to a strategic shift in India’s energy sourcing, New Delhi has…
A Landmark Moment in India–US Economic Relations India and the United States have entered a pivotal new phase in their economic partnership with the announcement of a landmark trade understanding that sharply lowers US reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods. Finalised after direct talks between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in early February 2026,…
