India's Russian crude oil imports reached a five-month low in September, dropping to 1.75 million barrels per day, as Indian refiners strategically diversify their energy supplies amidst evolving geopolitical landscapes and robust domestic demand, according to ship tracking data.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that the world is entering an age of flux marked by conflicts and tariff volatility, requiring India to respond effectively to these challenges. He reiterated India's consistent stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy, and highlighted India's efforts to engage with both sides. Jaishankar also emphasised India's role in championing the voice of the Global South and navigating complex strategic partnerships in a multi-aligned world.
Global brokerage Citi has reduced its Nifty 50 index target to 26,000 from 27,000, citing persistent geopolitical tensions, risks to corporate earnings growth, and concerns about India's role in the global artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem.
Analysts predict that developments in the West Asia conflict, crude oil prices, and upcoming US inflation data will be the primary factors influencing the Indian stock market next week, alongside foreign investor activity and global market trends.
The Nifty and Sensex outperformed Asian peers in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, ended lower in choppy trade, with the Sensex declining 114 points, as investors reacted to unabated foreign fund outflows and rising geopolitical uncertainties.
The Indian stock market experienced a significant downturn, with the Sensex crashing over 1,000 points and the Nifty hitting a fresh 52-week low, driven by sustained selling from foreign institutional investors, the RBI's monetary policy tightening, and elevated Brent crude prices.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, ended lower after a five-day rally, with the Sensex dropping 607 points and the Nifty falling to 24,013.10. The decline was primarily driven by heavy selling in IT firms following Accenture's trimmed revenue guidance and renewed geopolitical uncertainty, specifically the postponement of US-Iran negotiations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio kick-started a three-day visit to India on Tuesday to advance bilateral ties in energy, trade and investment, defence, critical technologies, and exchange views on the West Asia crisis.
Indian IT services firms are expected to report a soft Q1 FY27 performance due to a challenging macro environment, the impact of AI, and geopolitical uncertainties, leading to reduced discretionary spending and slower decision-making cycles, according to Motilal Oswal Financial Services.
Indian stock markets, including the Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant tumble in early trade, driven by escalating tensions in West Asia that pushed crude oil prices close to the USD 100-per-barrel mark, alongside selling in IT stocks and fresh foreign fund outflows.
Indian benchmark stock indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant decline for the third consecutive day, with the Sensex tumbling 1,092 points and Nifty closing below 24,550. This downturn was primarily driven by the India Meteorological Department's forecast of a below-normal southwest monsoon and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties surrounding the US-Iran ceasefire arrangement.
The Reserve Bank of India has marginally increased its GDP forecast for the current fiscal to 6.7 per cent while slightly lowering the inflation projection to 5 per cent. The central bank noted that while domestic economic activity shows resilience, global turbulence, particularly re-escalating conflicts and volatile oil prices, continues to pose risks to the inflation outlook.
Net office space leasing in India's top eight cities declined by 20 per cent in the January-September period to 36.7 million sq ft, primarily due to limited fresh supply of quality workspaces and a high base effect from the previous year, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield. Despite this, gross leasing saw a 1 per cent increase, reaching a record 64.6 million sq ft, indicating strong underlying market activity.
Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in India are committed to maintaining current prices through the festive season, despite facing increased commodity costs and geopolitical disruptions. This strategy aims to protect consumer demand and sustain volume growth, even as margins remain under pressure.
India's economy recorded a robust 7.8 per cent growth in the April-June quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, surpassing both market expectations and the Reserve Bank of India's forecast. This strong performance positions India as the world's fastest-growing major economy, demonstrating resilience despite global economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in Iran. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation highlighted the sustained growth momentum amidst global headwinds.
Industry leaders at an AIMA panel discussion emphasised the need for businesses to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and invest in technologies like artificial intelligence to build resilience and achieve long-term growth. They highlighted the current era of uncertainty driven by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and rapid regulatory changes, stressing that tactical responses are as crucial as long-term strategy.
India's real estate sector recorded an unprecedented $9.5 billion in capital inflows during Q3 2026, primarily driven by foreign investors' strong interest in data centres, according to a CBRE Group report.
Indian stock markets are set to be influenced by ongoing developments in the US-Iran conflict, fluctuations in crude oil prices, and the latest quarterly earnings reports from major corporates, with foreign investor activity also playing a crucial role.
Indian equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a significant tumble in early trade, primarily driven by elevated crude oil prices due to ongoing West Asia uncertainty and substantial foreign fund outflows. Track Sensex, Nifty on September 29.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi for the BRICS summit, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance trade and strengthen overall relations. His visit is particularly significant given the heightened tensions in West Asia and recent US economic sanctions against Iran. Pezeshkian highlighted BRICS' role in fostering economic resilience and reducing dependence on the US dollar, while the summit itself aims to address global challenges and bolster collective resilience in critical sectors.
IBM India and South Asia MD Sandip Patel stated that India is at a defining moment with a unique opportunity to shape exponential technologies like artificial intelligence, emphasizing that "when India builds, it builds for billions," leading to scalable impact. Speaking at the IBM Think 2026 event, Patel highlighted that the AI revolution is still in its early stages, requiring enterprises to redesign their operations around agents, real-time data, automation, hybrid architecture, and trust. He also introduced the concept of "digital swaraj" or sovereignty in the Indian context, stressing the importance of control over operating environments, data, technology, and AI execution. IBM also announced an MoU with MeitY Startup Hub to accelerate India's deep tech innovation and startup ecosystem, providing startups access to IBM's technology expertise and platforms like watsonx and Sovereign Core.
Indian equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty plummeted over 2 per cent following US President Donald Trump's declaration that the interim agreement with Iran is 'over', which led to a sharp rally in crude oil prices and heightened geopolitical tensions.
India's Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran stated that the country's balance of payments (BoP) pressure is expected to remain a continuous challenge due to rising imports, commodity dependence, high global interest rates, and intense competition for capital.
BJP MP Janardan Mishra has strongly defended the Centre's ethanol blending policy amidst ongoing controversy, highlighting India's high crude oil import dependency and global geopolitical challenges. He questioned opponents of ethanol blending, citing Brazil's successful use of 100 per cent ethanol in vehicles and experts' views on its engine compatibility.
India remains one of the Hyundai Motor group's most important and strategic markets globally. The initiative positions India as a strategic core market for the group's growth, emerging market expansion, and next-generation automotive innovation.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty saw a rebound in early trade, driven by a moderation in crude oil prices, despite persistent selling by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and mixed global market cues.
Indian equity markets, including the Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant downturn for the second consecutive day, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia and persistent foreign fund outflows.
The Reserve Bank of India has opened a special dollar window for three public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) to meet their daily dollar requirements, aiming to curb the rupee's depreciation amidst global economic uncertainty. Additionally, the RBI has introduced new regulatory measures for the foreign exchange market, including reducing the threshold for derivative transactions without underlying exposure and introducing a Foreign Exchange Risk Reserve (FERR).
BRICS members have expressed 'serious concerns' over the unilateral imposition of trade and finance-related measures, including higher tariffs and non-tariff barriers, stating these actions distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules. The grouping also highlighted elevated risks to the global economic outlook due to geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation, and protectionism.
For India, the goal is not simply to host another grand diplomatic gathering. It is to prove that a diverse coalition of emerging powers can still deliver.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed lower on Monday due to elevated crude oil prices, escalating US-Iran hostilities, and concerns over a potential US interest rate hike, impacting investor sentiment.
BRICS nations have successfully reached a consensus on a joint statement following extensive negotiations, with India playing a crucial role in bridging differences, particularly among West Asian members like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, despite regional conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged BRICS nations to expand trade in national currencies and build an inclusive global economic framework. He criticised "unilateral sanctions" by Western powers, stating they make emerging economies vulnerable and impact global food security. Pezeshkian emphasised BRICS' role in creating a balanced world order and highlighted Iran's geopolitical and energy capacities for cooperation.
Pakistan's government is exploring measures, including potential smart lockdowns and austerity, to reduce petroleum consumption. This comes after recent fuel price hikes driven by rising global oil prices and West Asia tensions, which have also raised concerns about oil supply disruptions. The government is also implementing a fuel relief scheme and faces public pressure over the price increases.
The BRICS summit in New Delhi brings together leaders from major emerging economies to address global challenges like trade disputes, geopolitical upheavals, and the economic impact of conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. India, as chair, aims to position BRICS as an economic growth engine, focusing on the Global South's food, energy, and supply chain security. The summit also highlights the grouping's expansion and its growing influence in global governance.
A first World Cup win for seven-times African champions Egypt, 92 years after their debut, put them in charge though Iran's dogged performances in draws with Belgium and New Zealand means victory could also see them top Group G.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded on Wednesday, driven by a decline in crude oil prices below USD 100 per barrel and optimism surrounding a potential de-escalation of the conflict in West Asia.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a decline due to renewed geopolitical concerns in the Strait of Hormuz, a strained US-Iran ceasefire, and the rupee hitting a record low against the US dollar.
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has commenced its three-day meeting, with a majority of economists and bankers anticipating a 25 basis point rate hike to counter escalating inflation risks, particularly from West Asia conflicts.
