Global Scans · India · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: India's ambitions, particularly in technology and economic growth targets promise much from this populous country determined to be a world leader.

• [New] The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has set an ambition to be launching 50 times per year by 2029. Royal Aeronautical Society
• [New] Early in 2026, an uncrewed test launch will take place in the form of Gaganyaan-1 (Celestial Craft). / India Royal Aeronautical Society
• [New] Key demands include enhanced funding for AI and clean energy, digital infrastructure growth, and identical opportunities for private universities to build a future-ready, equitable talent pool for India. Outlook Business
• [New] Middle powers, notably India, will see their AI capability greatly improved in 2026, as US tech giants have recently pledged billions in investments in India's AI capabilities. Atlantic Council
• [New] The World Bank projects 6.5% growth in 2026; Moody's expects India to remain the fastest-growing G20 economy with growth of 6.4% in 2026 and 6.5% in 2027; the IMF has raised its projections to 6.6% for 2025 and 6.2% for 2026. Free Press Journal
• [New] India has recently overtaken Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy, with a GDP of $4.18 trillion, and is poised to become the third-largest by 2030. Free Press Journal
• [New] The scenario points towards India becoming a major economic powerhouse in 2026, with a projected GDP growth of 7.4% to 7.6%, making it one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world. Free Press Journal
• [New] Around 52% of tech and banking professionals in India and US said their companies plan to increase hiring in India in 2026. IBTimes India
• [New] As India works towards its $5 trillion economy ambition and Viksit Bharat by 2047, NBFCs will be critical to sustaining credit flow to MSMEs and self-employed segments. India Today
• [New] For India, the FTA offers a strategic opportunity to reduce dependence on China, expand exports to Europe and cushion the impact of protectionist policies elsewhere. The Times Of India
• [New] If signed, the India-EU FTA will become India's 19th trade agreement and one of its most consequential, given the EU's position as India's largest trading partner for goods. The Times Of India
• [New] India is forecast to expand 6.6%, driven by domestic demand, monetary easing, and growth in digital and services sectors. The Daily Star
• [New] India is expected to fully implement its four new Labour Codes early in 2026, a historic change that will consolidate and replace 29 existing labour laws. Lewis Silkin
• [New] Recently, the Central Silk Board has announced an ambitious plan to double India's silk value chain, currently valued at Rs55,000 crore, to Rs1.1 lakh crore by 2030. Current Affairs - NEXT IAS
• [New] More than 6,000 Indian educators have recognized the potential of Generative AI in education transformation. Precedence Research
• [New] International Subscriber Acceleration: Breaking through in key markets like India, Indonesia, and Nigeria would unlock enormous growth potential. Deep Research Global
• [New] Budget 2026 presents an opportunity to boost India's strategic technology ambitions. Economic Times
• [New] United Nations: India is projected to grow at 6.6% in 2026, registering an exceptionally high growth in a challenging global environment, with resilient private consumption and strong public investment largely offsetting the impact of high US tariffs, the United Nations has said. FirstPost
• [New] In the second half, the Indian rupee edged lower following stronger-than-expected growth in the US and ongoing trade negotiations. FirstPost
• [New] Perhaps one way for India to continue to take advantage as AI is involved, is to further strengthen its services exports and rely on its skilled manpower to develop some of the applications that will take AI into a productivity boosting factor beyond where it is right now. FirstPost
• [New] Furniture Industry: Utilize the 1-year tariff delay (until 2027) to optimize 2026 profits, but it is mandatory to source alternatives (Vietnam, India) to be ready for 2027. Phaata
• [New] India will remain the world's fastest major economy. FirstPost

Last updated: 18 January 2026