Category: Beyond

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Rupee gains 5 paise in early trade, hits 90.67 per dollar

The Indian rupee appreciated by 5 paise to 90.67 against the US dollar in early trading on Wednesday, helped by easing global crude oil prices and fresh buying by foreign institutional investors (FIIs).

The domestic currency opened stronger at the interbank foreign exchange market and briefly touched 90.60 per dollar before trimming some of its gains. It had ended the previous session 2 paise higher at 90.72.

Forex dealers said the fall in international oil prices supported the rupee as it reduces India’s import burden and lowers demand for the US currency. At the same time, renewed foreign fund inflows into Indian markets improved liquidity and boosted sentiment in the forex market.

Despite the early strength, the rupee could not hold on to its peak levels due to a stronger dollar overseas and a muted trend in domestic equities, which weighed on investor confidence. The dollar index remained firm against major global currencies, capping sharp gains in the local unit.

Market participants expect the rupee to trade in a narrow range in the near term, as global factors continue to drive currency movements. Fluctuations in crude oil prices, the direction of foreign capital flows and the performance of Indian stock markets are likely to remain key triggers.

Also Read: Gold at ₹1.51 lakh, silver at ₹2.34 lakh

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Gold at ₹1.51 lakh, silver at ₹2.34 lakh

Gold has declined about 16% to nearly ₹1.51 lakh per 10 grams from its recent highs, while silver has crashed around 38% from close to ₹3.8 lakh to about ₹2.34 lakh per kg. The correction, instead of triggering a rush to jewellery stores, has led to cautious sentiment as buyers expect prices to soften further before making purchases.

In the physical bullion market, gold in Delhi was quoted at around ₹1.57 lakh per 10 grams, down about 1.4%, while silver slipped over 2% to nearly ₹2.45 lakh per kg. Futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) also mirrored the weak trend, reflecting subdued participation from both retail investors and traders.

Jewellers across major cities have reported low footfall despite the price drop. According to trade sources, customers are tracking the market closely but postponing purchases in the hope of a deeper correction. The sharp volatility seen after months of record-breaking rallies has made buyers cautious and more price-sensitive.

The fall in domestic prices follows weak global cues. A stronger US dollar, profit-booking after the earlier surge, easing geopolitical tensions and thin Asian market volumes have reduced the safe-haven demand for precious metals. These factors have collectively put pressure on bullion rates.

Analysts believe the current decline comes after an extraordinary rally through 2025 and early 2026, when both gold and silver scaled historic highs. The ongoing slide is being viewed as a phase of consolidation rather than a long-term reversal.

Also Read: Sensex drops 100 pts, Nifty slips below 25,700

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India team to visit US to finalise trade pact

India will send a high-level delegation to Washington next week to give the proposed interim trade agreement with the United States its final legal shape, a key step that could lead to the deal being signed as early as March. The visit signals that negotiations have moved into the last and most technical phase after both sides agreed on the broad contours of the pact.

The delegation will be led by India’s chief trade negotiator along with senior commerce ministry officials. They will hold in-person meetings with their US counterparts to convert the agreed terms into a formal and legally binding document. Officials from the two countries are already holding virtual discussions to resolve technical issues before the face-to-face talks begin.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the framework of the agreement has been largely settled and the upcoming meetings will focus on finalising the legal language. The benefits under the pact will come into force only after the agreement is signed.

The interim trade deal is expected to provide tariff relief and improved market access for select goods traded between the two countries. For India, this is particularly important for labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and other export-oriented industries that depend heavily on the US market.

The United States is one of India’s largest trading partners, and the proposed agreement is seen as a step towards deepening economic engagement. It is also expected to reduce trade barriers and make it easier for companies in both countries to do business.

Officials believe the limited pact could eventually pave the way for a broader and more comprehensive bilateral trade agreement in the future. If the legal text is finalised on schedule, the deal will mark a significant milestone in India-US trade ties and open new opportunities for exporters while strengthening overall economic cooperation.

Also Read: Summit marks India’s big play in AI

 

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Summit marks India’s big play in AI

India sharpened its pitch to global technology companies and investors on the second day of the India AI Impact Summit, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi projecting the country as a trusted and scalable destination for artificial intelligence development, deployment and manufacturing.

Addressing delegates at Bharat Mandapam, Modi said India’s digital public infrastructure, expanding talent base and vast data ecosystem provide a ready foundation for building affordable AI solutions for both domestic use and export to emerging markets. The messaging was aimed at positioning India not just as a consumer market but as a full-stack AI economy spanning compute, models, applications and governance.

A key highlight of Day 2 was the emphasis on sovereign AI capabilities, with domestic large language models and multilingual platforms showcased as strategic assets for government deployment and regulated sectors. This aligns with policy efforts to build local compute capacity and reduce reliance on overseas ecosystems while continuing to invite global partnerships.

The summit also functioned as a deal-making and collaboration platform, drawing participation from more than 100 countries, global CEOs and ministerial delegations. Several countries signalled interest in joint research, talent development and market access partnerships, underlining the role of the event in India’s technology diplomacy.

India’s scale as an AI deployment market emerged as a central theme in the discussions, with its rapidly growing user base expected to drive demand for data centres, cloud infrastructure and enterprise AI solutions. Sectoral case studies in healthcare, agriculture, education and energy pointed to immediate commercial applications, particularly in public service delivery and productivity gains.

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reiterated plans to expand the domestic AI talent pool and support product development through the proposed “Create in India” mission, a move seen as critical for attracting long-term investments.

The 70,000-sq-m expo, featuring hundreds of startups, country pavilions and global technology firms, provided a live marketplace for customer acquisition, government-enterprise engagement and capital flows.

 India is leveraging its data scale, digital infrastructure and policy push to move up the global AI value chain, positioning itself as both a high-growth market and a strategic innovation base for companies looking to build for the world.

Also Read: Gold at ₹1.55 lakh, Silver near ₹2.41 lakh as prices slide

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Gold at ₹1.55 lakh, Silver near ₹2.41 lakh as prices slide

Gold and silver prices declined on Tuesday, tracking weak global trends and a stronger US dollar. In the domestic futures market, gold was trading around ₹1.54–₹1.55 lakh per 10 grams on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), while silver slipped to nearly ₹2.40–₹2.41 lakh per kilogram.

In the retail market, 24-carat gold was priced at about ₹15,600 per gram and 22-carat gold at around ₹14,300 per gram. Prices showed only small differences across major cities as local taxes and making charges vary.

The fall in bullion prices comes after recent gains, as traders booked profits and global trading remained muted due to holidays in some Asian markets. A strong US dollar also made gold and silver less attractive for investors, putting further pressure on prices.

Silver saw a sharper drop than gold, losing several thousand rupees per kilogram during the session. Gold and silver exchange-traded funds (ETFs) also declined in early trade, reflecting the weakness in the underlying metals.

In the international market, both metals moved lower, which affected domestic sentiment. Gold, which is considered a safe-haven asset, tends to weaken when the dollar strengthens and interest-rate concerns rise, as it does not offer regular returns like fixed-income investments.

Market experts said the current correction is mainly due to profit-booking and global factors rather than a fall in long-term demand. They advise investors not to rush into bulk buying during volatile phases and instead invest gradually to manage price fluctuations.

Also Read: Sensex slips 100 pts, Nifty near 25,700

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India powers ahead with 50 GW growth in FY26

India has added more than 50,000 MW (50 GW) of power generation capacity during the current financial year, marking the highest-ever annual increase in the country’s history. The rapid expansion reflects rising electricity demand and a strong push towards cleaner energy sources.

A major share of the new capacity has come from renewable energy, with solar power contributing the largest portion, nearly 35 GW. Wind energy additions have also gathered pace, while thermal, large hydro and nuclear projects accounted for the remaining capacity. The strong renewable growth means non-fossil fuel sources now form a larger share of India’s total installed power capacity.

With the latest addition, India’s overall installed power capacity has crossed 520 GW, strengthening the country’s ability to meet peak demand from industry, infrastructure, urbanisation and the fast-growing digital economy. The capacity addition represents a significant year-on-year increase and highlights the speed at which new projects are being commissioned.

The record build-out has been supported by policy measures, faster project execution, improved transmission networks and rising investments in clean energy. Government schemes promoting solar parks, rooftop solar and manufacturing of renewable equipment have played a key role in accelerating installations.

The expansion is also crucial for India’s long-term energy transition goals. The country has set ambitious targets to increase the share of non-fossil fuel capacity in its energy mix, reduce carbon emissions and ensure reliable power supply for sustained economic growth.

At the same time, the addition of thermal and hydro capacity is helping maintain grid stability and meet base-load requirements, ensuring that the shift to renewable energy remains balanced.

Also Read: India AI Impact Summit greets skills, tech, leaders

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Press Note 3 review to speed up minor FDI deals

The Centre is considering a major policy tweak to Press Note 3 that could make it easier for small foreign investments from neighbouring countries to enter India. The move is aimed at reducing delays in funding, especially for startups and emerging businesses, without diluting national security safeguards.

Introduced in 2020, Press Note 3 made prior government approval mandatory for all foreign direct investments from countries sharing land borders with India. The rule was designed to prevent opportunistic takeovers during the pandemic. However, industry has since raised concerns that the blanket approval requirement has slowed even small and non-strategic investments.

Officials said the government is now examining a de-minimis threshold of a minimum investment value below which proposals may qualify for the automatic route. This would mean that low-value transactions and minority stake purchases would no longer need to go through lengthy approval processes.

The absence of such a distinction at present means that both large and small investments are subject to the same scrutiny, often leading to longer deal timelines and compliance hurdles. Startups in particular have felt the impact, as funding rounds involving investors with beneficial ownership links to neighbouring nations require multiple clearances.

The proposed change is part of a wider effort to improve India’s investment climate and make capital inflows faster and more predictable. Government sources indicated that strategic sectors and investments involving significant ownership or control will continue to be examined closely.

The policy review is currently being discussed across ministries, and detailed guidelines,  including the investment threshold and eligible sectors, are yet to be finalised.

Also Read: India AI Impact Summit greets skills, tech, leaders

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Gold below ₹1.55 lakh, silver under ₹2.37 lakh

Gold and silver prices fell sharply on Monday, with gold slipping below ₹1.55 lakh per 10 grams and silver dropping under ₹2.37 lakh per kg on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), as traders booked profits after the recent rally and global cues turned weak.

The decline followed a cooling in bullish momentum after record highs earlier this month and was driven by a stronger US dollar, reduced expectations of immediate rate cuts and long unwinding in the futures market. Globally, bullion prices also eased, limiting fresh buying at higher levels.

In the physical market, 24-carat gold was quoted at around ₹1.56 lakh per 10 grams at the all-India level, while silver hovered near ₹2.46 lakh per kg.

Across major retail centres, gold prices moved in a narrow band with local variations. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad reported 24-carat gold in the range of about ₹1.56 lakh to ₹1.57 lakh per 10 grams, while Chennai traded slightly higher, closer to the ₹1.57 lakh–₹1.58 lakh range. Silver prices were around ₹2.46 lakh per kg in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, whereas Chennai and Hyderabad continued to quote higher rates of nearly ₹2.74 lakh per kg, reflecting regional demand and logistics costs.

Market participants said the fall was largely due to profit-booking after gold briefly approached the ₹1.80 lakh per 10-gram mark earlier this month. The softer US inflation data failed to trigger fresh upside as it lowered the urgency for aggressive monetary easing, supporting the dollar and weighing on non-yielding assets such as bullion.

Analysts view the current correction as technical in nature within a broader positive trend supported by central-bank buying, geopolitical uncertainties and long-term investment demand.

Also Read: Sensex falls over 100 points, Nifty slips below 25,450

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US trade deal to lift cotton demand, says Piyush Goyal

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that India’s interim trade agreement with the United States will increase cotton demand, support farmers, and create new employment opportunities, especially in technology sectors.

Speaking at the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026, Goyal explained that the agreement will improve market access for Indian textiles in the US. With lower tariffs and favourable rules, garments made using US cotton or yarn and processed in India may enter the American market at competitive duty rates. This, he said, is expected to increase demand for cotton and benefit Indian farmers.

The minister clarified that sensitive agricultural products such as rice, wheat, maize, millets, dairy, and poultry have been kept out of the agreement to safeguard domestic interests. He emphasised that the government has ensured farmer protection while expanding export opportunities.

Goyal added that products like basmati rice, spices, tea, fruits, and marine goods could see better access to the US market, potentially improving incomes for farmers and exporters. He dismissed opposition criticism that the deal could harm agriculture, stating that the agreement has been carefully structured to balance growth and protection.

On the issue of artificial intelligence, Goyal said the AI revolution will not reduce employment but instead create new roles. He noted that India’s young and skilled workforce positions the country well to lead in emerging sectors such as data analytics, cybersecurity, and AI validation.

Also Read: India passport jumps 10 ranks

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India passport jumps 10 ranks

India’s passport has climbed 10 places to rank 75th in the 2026 edition of the Henley & Partners Passport Index, marking a notable improvement in global mobility for Indian citizens.

The index ranks passports based on how many destinations holders can enter without securing a visa in advance. It counts visa-free access, visa-on-arrival, and certain electronic travel authorisations.

In 2026, Indian passport holders can travel to 56 destinations without prior visa approval. While this reflects improved global standing compared to last year’s 85th rank, the total number of visa-free destinations has slightly reduced from 57 in 2025.

The dip follows changes in entry rules by two countries.

Iran ended its visa-free entry for ordinary Indian passport holders in late 2025. Travellers must now obtain a visa before departure, removing Iran from India’s visa-free list under the index criteria.

Similarly, Bolivia replaced its visa-on-arrival facility for Indians with a pre-approved e-visa system. Since travellers must apply before flying, Bolivia no longer qualifies as visa-free access in the ranking methodology.

Experts point out that passport rankings are relative. India’s rise reflects not only its own travel access but also changes in other countries’ standings.

Despite the improvement, India remains far below the world’s most powerful passports, such as Singapore, which offers visa-free entry to nearly 200 destinations.

The latest ranking signals gradual progress in India’s international travel access. However, further diplomatic efforts and bilateral agreements will be essential to expand visa-free opportunities for Indian travellers in the future.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu, KLA sign ₹3,600 cr R&D MoU in Chennai