AIIB chief economist Erik Berglof states US tariffs create unprecedented global uncertainty, surpassing Covid or GFC impacts. He notes China’s preparedness and leverage, while global supply chains remain robust, with “China plus one” benefiting nations like India. Berglof emphasizes India’s need for greater integration into Asian value chains, despite its domestic focus.
RBI’s tokenization initiative has significantly reduced fraud and improved transaction success rates since 2022. Now, Visa is introducing its Payment Passkey, a biometric and cryptographic authentication alternative to OTPs, which has shown nearly 50% lower fraud rates. This move, supported by RBI’s flexible framework, positions India as a global leader in secure and innovative digital…
India and Qatar are set to finalize terms of reference this week to begin free trade agreement talks, ahead of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Doha. The move aims to strengthen economic cooperation and boost bilateral trade, which already surpassed $14 billion, with a target to double it to $28 billion in five years.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s 4G network will upgrade to 5G. This nationwide transition will complete within eight months. India developed its own 4G standard, joining a global group. The nation leads in mobile manufacturing and technology. India Mobile Congress 2025 will highlight these advancements. India presents a direction for global investment.
Iqbal Singh Dhaliwal of J-PAL urges states to strengthen finances for poverty reduction, highlighting excessive welfare schemes and unproductive fund use. He advocates investing in human capital like schools and health centers over cash, while warning of AI-induced job losses in India that necessitate urgent upskilling.
Arunachal Pradesh will launch commercial coal mining. The Namchik-Namphuk block begins operations on October 6, 2025. This marks a new chapter for the state’s growth and energy security. The project expects over 100 crore rupees in annual revenue. It aims to boost local economies and generate employment. Other critical mineral sources are also under auction.
Gold and silver prices surged to record highs last week, fueled by a weaker US dollar, US government shutdown concerns, and expectations of Fed rate cuts. Volatility is expected to persist as investors monitor the US funding bill, labor data, and Federal Reserve commentary, reinforcing safe-haven demand amidst geopolitical uncertainties.
India is witnessing a record Diwali travel surge, blending traditional celebrations with leisure, luxury, and spiritual journeys. Online platforms report strong growth in both domestic and international bookings, driven by longer stays and increased spending. Metros, pilgrimage sites like Ayodhya, and short-haul international destinations are highly popular, alongside a significant rise in luxury hotel bookings.
Indian equity markets will focus on macroeconomic data and global developments this week. TCS quarterly results will kick off the Q2 earnings season. Foreign fund outflows continued in September, showing investor caution. HSBC PMI and banking sector figures are important. US economic indicators and the rupee’s performance against the dollar will also be closely watched.
French automaker Renault intends to shed approximately 3,000 jobs, about 15% of its headquarters staff, via a voluntary redundancy scheme for support functions. This “Arrow” cost-cutting drive follows a substantial first-half net loss and aims to simplify operations amidst intense market competition. Renault confirms exploring measures to optimize fixed costs and speed up execution.
