Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refuted claims of India being a “dead economy” in the Lok Sabha, citing strong growth figures and sovereign rating upgrades. She highlighted India’s position as the fastest-growing major economy, with 8.2% growth in the September quarter, and emphasized the country’s transition from fragility to fortitude.

A crackdown on tax fraud has uncovered hundreds of bogus GST registrations, with forged identities leading to over Rs 3,000 crore in tax evasion in six months. Authorities are intensifying data scrutiny and physical verification to identify and cancel fake registrations, leading to arrests and sustained pressure on fraud networks.

India’s robust national power grid, boasting 500 GW capacity, positions it as a prime destination for substantial data center investments. Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted this advantage, noting ample electricity for all sectors. Major tech firms are already committing billions to India’s AI and data infrastructure, signaling strong growth potential.

France’s opposition and widespread farmer protests are jeopardizing the EU’s long-delayed free-trade deal with Mercosur. Angry farmers fear competition from cheaper agricultural imports, threatening a pact that has been nearly 25 years in the making. The deal’s signing, planned for December 20, now faces significant delays, potentially pushing it to 2026 or later.

India’s gems and jewellery exports surged nearly 20% to $2.5 billion in November, driven by strong shipments of cut and polished diamonds, studded gold jewellery, and silver items. While cumulative exports remain steady, this monthly uptick signals a market stabilization and picking up demand in key destinations like Hong Kong and the Middle East, offering

Gold and silver are poised for further gains as global inflation data and economic indicators are closely watched. Analysts anticipate continued momentum driven by central bank policy expectations and geopolitical factors. Domestic factors like rupee depreciation are also boosting gold’s appeal for Indian investors, while strong industrial demand supports silver.

Banks must now link loans for micro, small, and medium enterprises to an external benchmark. This move aims to improve monetary policy transmission. The Reserve Bank of India has also reduced the reset period for these loans. Quality control measures are being phased in with specific exemptions for MSMEs.

Indian family businesses are experiencing robust expansion, with nearly half reporting revenues between USD 1 billion and USD 30 billion. Driven by increased capital access, generational leadership shifts, and technology adoption, these enterprises are poised for significant growth. A strong focus on ESG and aggressive global expansion plans further underscore their dynamic trajectory.

India has identified nearly 300 products in engineering, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and chemicals with significant export potential to Russia, aiming to boost bilateral trade. Despite a large trade deficit, India’s current exports in these key sectors are considerably lower than Russia’s import demand, presenting a substantial opportunity for growth.