Country Financial News

When Gobindbir Singh describes the stress international students are under, he remembers a young man who called in tears.

Tshering Tobgay heaped praises on his Indian counterpart and expressed his deep appreciation for India's role as a reliable, trusted and valued partner in his country's developmental priorities. In their talks on Thursday night, the two leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral ties in various areas, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and development cooperation, officials said. «They (Modi and Tobgay) reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special and unique India-Bhutan friendship,» said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Election Commission of India (EC) readies to announce the Lok Sabha poll schedule, suspense persists on Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) assembly elections but the recent EC visit to J&K threw up two clear and opposite views, ET has learnt. Political parties have unequivocally sought simultaneous parliamentary and assembly elections in J&K in their discussions with EC. Many are learnt to have said that if the Centre is looking at a 'One Nation, One Election' plan, it should make a start with J&K which has been without an elected government since the PDP-BJP coalition collapsed in June 2018. However, both the administrative and security establishment have made assessments that indicate that conducting a simultaneous assembly poll will be hugely challenging.

Elections are in the air. Whether it's India's that's around the corner, Russia's currently underway, or Britain's and America's this winter, democracies take pride in conducting elections — even when some do it less freely and fairly than others. Incumbent Vladimir Putin, for instance, will be declared victor for the fifth — and third consecutive — time.

EV makers to test the Indian market while they make up their minds on local manufacturing. This was a sticking point in negotiations with Tesla, which wanted import duties lowered as a precondition to investing in the country. GoI was clear that it would not permit dumping of cars manufactured in China.

But the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2023 brings some optimism to the table. It says that with annual exodus figures closer to 6,500, there was a dip in the number of Indian HNIs leaving the country. If this 'slowdown' continues, it could be another indicator of the India growth story. Why? Decisions of HNIs to migrate are multifold. They are driven not just by personal or lifestyle preferences but also by a keen sense of where their wealth can be maximised. As they are the wealthiest in the country, they are more choosy, have greater expectations and can afford to relocate to places that offer them better living and economic conditions.

Piyush Goyal on Friday exuded confidence that the country will emerge as a 'Vishwa Shakti' (global power) in electric vehicles with the introduction of the newly unveiled policy. Tatas, Mahindras or «anybody from the world» can now come to India and create an ecosystem aligned to the EV sector, Goyal told reporters here. The EV policy, which promises duty concessions for EV makers investing a minimum of USD 500 million, is reportedly aimed at attracting leading EV makers to set up a base in the country. «We are now inviting companies from the world over to come to India, the production of EVs should expand in India at a quick pace and we should emerge as a Vishwa Shakti (global power),» Goyal said, speaking on the decision announced a few hours earlier from the national capital.

luxury fashion house Bulgari saw its best-ever sales performance in India in 2023 and this year looks even better with robust demand for its jewellery products, Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO, told ET in an interview. Babin said the opening of the Jio World Plaza, a luxury mall in Mumbai, has delivered “very good” results for Bulgari, which rolled out India-inspired creations such as the Mangalsutra and the B.zero1 Kada bracelet. “While Indians love our Serpenti watch, we have thought of creating jewellery that resonates better with Indian hearts. Indians are deeply rooted in their tradition and culture,” Babin said.

Tencent Holdings' online payment platform Tenpay boosting its registered capital to 15.3 billion yuan ($2.13 billion), according to a central bank statement on Friday. The approval will make Tenpay the non-bank payment institution with the highest registered capital in China, Chinese state-backed media outlet The Paper said.

REC Ltd's arm REC Power Development and Consultancy Ltd and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) have entered into a partnership to develop renewable energy projects across the country. The companies would set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to develop renewable energy projects for supply to discoms. “The SPV will be benefitted by the core engineering expertise of Bhel and infrastructure investment expertise of REC Limited.

Sagarmala programme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways. The projects will be implemented with 100% financial assistance from the central government to enhance terminals and riverine infrastructure along the river Brahmaputra (National Waterways 2) to boost connectivity and foster economic growth. From the construction of slipways at strategic locations such as Maya Ghat in Dhubri district and Majuli district to the establishment of passenger terminals at Ghagor in North Lakhimpur district and Bahari in Barpeta district, each proposal is meticulously designed to enhance connectivity and facilitate seamless transportation across the region.

external affairs minister S Jaishankar said India has begun to take manufacturing seriously, adding that the world's perspective towards the country's technological landscape has changed in the past decade. Speaking at the ET Awards in Mumbai, the minister said, «India is beginning to take manufacturing seriously. Without manufacturing, no one will take you seriously on technology,» he said.

Rajnath Singh on Friday asserted that the days were not far when 'Ram Rajya' will be established in India, which would be among the top three economies in the world by 2027. He also hit out at those branding the BJP communal over the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA and demanded to know under what circumstances the population of Hindus in Pakistan dwindled to about 3 per cent from about 23 per cent. Addressing a rally at Itkhori, around 160 km from state capital Ranchi, Singh said, «Ram Rajya will be established in India with the consecration of Ayodhya temple… Ram Lalla has reached his palace from his hut.» «India will be 'vishwaguru' (world leader) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the back of development work undertaken by him and it is God's wish that he remains the PM not only for the third time but for the fourth time as well,» he said.

At the discussion on 'India & Indo-Pacific: Threats and Opportunities', held as part of the India Today Conclave 2024, the Army chief was asked a range of questions in the context of China's growing influence in the region and the future preparedness of the army «if the situation along the LAC escalates». The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong Lake area.

Champions Trophy in Pakistan remains an option as India's participation cannot be decided by the ICC if there is a government policy against it, a source in the governing body's all-powerful executive board told PTI on Friday. The ICC board meeting is currently underway in Dubai. The Champions Trophy, which will be held in February-March 2025, is not on the agenda but newly-elected PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stated that he wants to speak with his BCCI counterpart Jay Shah as well as ICC bigwigs on the sidelines, seeking some kind of assurance. However, an ICC Board member, who is privy to the developments, feels that any decision by BCCI, will only be taken closer to the tournament and once again, the idea of using UAE as a potential venue cannot be entirely discarded.

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a piece of legislation that seeks to provide citizenship to non-Muslim refugees who have fled religious persecution in neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. The act has been the subject of much controversy and debate, with some arguing that it discriminates against Muslims and violates India's secular Constitution. However, supporters of the act argue that it is necessary to provide a safe haven for those who have faced persecution due to their religious beliefs.

Marathwada region, the constituency has seen clash between BJP and Congress. However, in recent times, apart from the national players, regional parties have also stepped up and played a role in the electoral battle. After the implementation of the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, Nanded Lok Sabha constituency comprises six Vidhan Sabha (legislative assembly) segments. Nanded Lok Sabha 2024: Dates The Indian Election Commission is scheduled to reveal the date for the 18th Lok Sabha elections on March 16 at 3 pm. The ECI has stated that the dates for the Lok Sabha elections and several state assembly polls will be announced simultaneously. It is anticipated that the elections will take place across the country during the months of April and May.

Maharashtra. For the 18th Lok Sabha, BJP has tried to stir things up and announce Union Minister Piyush Goyal as the candidate for this constituency. The change left many surprised as BJP's Gopal Shetty has been winning this seat for the past two Lok Sabha polls and has a stronghold in the constituency. 18th Lok Sabha will also be a chance for Mumbai-born Goyal to set foot in the Lower House as he has been part of the Parliament as a member of the Upper House. «Of course, I am very excited. I am looking forward to a decision being made by the party leaders and I do hope that I get an opportunity to contest. It will be my privilege,» Goyal told PTI recently when asked about his plans for contesting Lok Sabha elections. Mumbai North Lok Sabha 2024: Date

Congress MLA from Mhow, Antar Singh Darbar, and his senior party colleague from Indore, Pankaj Sanghvi, were among many leaders from the grand old party who joined the BJP in Madhya Pradesh on Friday. The leaders officially changed their political allegiance in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The Election Commission will announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday. Sanghvi was the Congress candidate from Indore in the 2019 general elections. The new BJP joinees said that they embraced the saffron party after being impressed by the «magnificent works and developmental activities» being carried out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the country and CM Yadav in MP.

The Environmental Protection Agency is imposing stricter limits on a chemical used to sterilize medical equipment after finding a higher-than-expected cancer risk at facilities that use ethylene oxide to clean billions of devices including catheters an...

A U.N. report says many countries are bouncing back from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the poorest are not and a significant number are seeing their conditions deteriorate