As India’s Union Budget 2026-27 approaches (to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2026), Indian industry stakeholders have underscored strengthening the ‘Make in India’ initiative and boosting domestic manufacturing as their top priority. A pre-Budget survey by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) found that most respondents want the Budget to focus on policies that scale up manufacturing and support growth across sectors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) 2026 at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament House Complex, New Delhi — marking one of the largest gatherings of parliamentary leaders from across the Commonwealth. The event runs from January 14 to 16, 2026.

India’s relationship with Iran continues to be shaped by strategic geography and regional balance rather than just trade volumes, especially as internal protests and instability raise concerns about what the future holds.
1. Strategic Geography Over Trade Numbers: Although annual trade between India and Iran is relatively modest, hovering around $1.3–$1.7 billion, the deeper significance lies in Iran’s geographic position.

In December 2025, flexicap mutual funds in India attracted a record-high net inflow of approximately ₹10,019 crore, marking the largest monthly contribution ever for this category, according to data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).

Bitcoin recovered strongly, climbing back toward the $92,000 level after recent weakness, as cryptocurrency traders adopted a more cautious stance ahead of key U.S. inflation data that could influence Federal Reserve interest-rate expectations and liquidity conditions in global markets.

Indian equity markets staged a sharp intraday turnaround on January 12, 2026, with the Sensex bouncing back from losses of over 700 points to finish higher, as reassuring remarks from the newly appointed US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, helped calm investor fears and lift overall market sentiment.

Indian stock markets — Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) — will remain closed for trading on Thursday, January 15, 2026, owing to the municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra. This means there will be no trading in equities, derivatives, commodity derivatives or electronic gold receipts on that day.

Global crude oil prices climbed, supported by rising concerns about possible disruptions in supply from key producers Venezuela and Iran, even as markets remain cautious about broader demand and inventory conditions.

Gold prices pulled back slightly amid commodity index rebalancing and a stronger U.S. dollar, with investors positioning themselves ahead of the crucial U.S. non-farm payrolls (jobs) report. Bullion markets remained cautious as traders awaited fresh economic signals that could influence Federal Reserve policy direction.

Indian markets saw renewed pressure due to worries over proposed U.S. tariff hikes on Indian exports, causing sharp declines in export-oriented shares and broader equity indices.