Based on a survey of leading economists, the WEF’s Chief Economists Outlook credits India’s robust economic fundamentals and positive outlook as key factors despite worldwide uncertainties.
According to RC Ralhan, President of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, the goal envisions merchandise exports scaling between USD 525 billion and USD 535 billion, alongside services exports anticipated to touch USD 465 billion to USD 475 billion.
The high-stakes dialogue is centered on an interim agreement that could lead to a broader bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by autumn this year.
While ICRA’s projection for Q4 GDP growth is a slight improvement, it remains well below the National Statistical Office’s (NSO) estimate of 7.6% for the same quarter.
Following their support to Pakistan, calls for Turkish goods and tourism have surfaced across the country, with online travel platforms such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo issuing advisories against visiting these nations.
Over the last few sessions, Brent crude prices have surged to near USD 66 per barrel, which could widen India’s trade deficit. Moreover, foreign fund outflows also contained the appreciation of the domestic unit to some extent.
Government data, released on Thursday, highlights a significant boost in both domestic and import-related GST revenue.
Forex traders said a steady rise in reserves enhances India’s import cover, providing a crucial buffer against external shocks and lending stability to the rupee.
Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, warns of the world’s worst-ever market crash, claiming it’s planned by a ‘cartel’ of global central banks, with real gold, silver, and Bitcoin investors.
The anticipated change comes after the ongoing Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, projected for April 9.
However, the forecast includes a significant risk from extreme weather conditions, which could disrupt food supply and prices, thereby influencing inflation and monetary policy decisions.
The rupee weakened by one per cent in February 2025, following a 1.2 per cent drop in January.
The document underscores the decline in gross capital formation (GCF) for FY24 as a critical issue and stresses the necessity for an upturn in private corporate investment to boost India’s future economic trajectory.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra highlighted the role of encouraging Rabi prospects and a resurgence in industrial activity to bolster growth.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced this during the Monetary Policy Committee meeting, projecting a subsequent GDP growth rate of 6.7% for FY26, with moderate quarterly increases.
The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose from December’s one-year low of 56.4 to 57.7 in January supported by the fastest upturn in new export orders since February 2011.
The Survey 2024-25, authored by Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageshwaran and his team, will be tabled in Parliament this afternoon.
They said that the exporting community’s lack of adequate financing for capital investments has long been a challenge for MSMEs, restricting their ability to scale and compete in global markets.
Moody’s Analytics said it expects the 2025-26 Union Budget to support domestic demand, particularly investment while aiming for a fiscal deficit of less than 4.5 per cent of GDP for the next fiscal.
The renewed global push for manufacturing is a welcome shift, signalling a move towards greater resilience and diversification in global supply chains and India, often underappreciated for its industrial capabilities, is poised to seize this moment, Birla wrote in his reflections for 2024-25.
Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst at Mirae Asset Sharekhan, said the rupee declined due to increased demand for dollars by importers.
India must stay firm against unreasonable demands from China and focus on building local manufacturing capabilities and diversifying supply chains, he said.
In its report on Asia Pacific Sovereigns, Moody’s Ratings said growth and inflation are levelling out, with strong domestic demand bolstered by modest easing in global and regional financial conditions.
The inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 5.48 per cent in November and 5.69 per cent in December 2023.
Surging crude oil prices overseas and negative sentiment in domestic equity markets also weighed down on the Indian currency, forex traders said.
