In a world fractured by uncertainty, India stands out for its policy consistency, paired with sustained ambition, points out Pritam Banerjee.
'What exactly is on the prime minister's mind, we do not know. But it feels like the government wants the country to be prepared for unseen challenges ahead.'
The World Bank has announced that it will stop all its programmes in Russia and Belarus with "immediate effect" in response to Moscow's military operations in Ukraine and "hostilities" against the people of the war-torn country. On February 24, Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine, three days after Moscow recognised Ukraine's breakaway regions - Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities. The decision comes as a large number of countries, organisations and businesses are severing ties and have imposed sanctions on Russia over the country's invasion of Ukraine, and with Belarus for its support and cooperation with Moscow.
The World Bank has approved loans totalling $1.75 billion (about Rs 13,834.54 crore) to fund India's PM Ayushman Bharat scheme and private investment to boost the economic growth. Of the total loan, $1 billion will go towards the health sector, while the rest $750 million will be in the form of development policy loan (DPL) to fill the financing gaps through private sector investment in the economy. The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved two complementary loans of $500 million each to support and enhance India's health sector.
World Bank President James D Wolfensohn on Friday called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence as he wrapped up his 3-day visit to India.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in India for a BRICS foreign ministers' meeting, where discussions will focus on the escalating crisis in West Asia and its impact on global energy supply chains.
Canada and the UAE, after suffering heavy losses in their opening matches, are set to compete in a crucial Group D clash of the T20 World Cup. Both teams are aiming to improve their performance and keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran is considering various paths to address regional tensions, including negotiations conducted with dignity and authority, while emphasising that military gains should be reinforced through diplomacy.
The government is planning a postal logistics infrastructure upgrade for India Post to modernise parcel facilities, aligning them with those in developed nations, according to Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Satyam Computer Services on Wednesday announced the winning of a new long-term contract from its existing customer, the World Bank whereby it has been chosen as the World Bank's primary offshore IT services partner.
The World Bank on Tuesday revised upwards its GDP growth forecast for India to 6.9 per cent for 2022-23, from 6.5 per cent earlier.
'It was diminishing even before Trump came to power.' 'The US was at the centre of the global economy. That position is going to become less and less important and less central.'
'We are staying away from making forward-looking statements on when we will reach 1 trillion, etc. But growth will be rapid; it's only a matter of time.'
The CBI has filed a chargesheet against a man accused of defrauding a retired banker of Rs 23 crore in a sophisticated digital arrest scam involving impersonation of law enforcement and judicial authorities.
Form and familiarity favour India in T20 World Cup
'At the first sign of real trouble, that money will move. There will be a run.'
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched a strong attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of appeasement politics, encouraging illegal immigration for votes, and leading the state into misrule and corruption.
'Even last year, when India bought gold, the physical quantity was much less than the previous years.'
The Indian economy is likely to grow at 7.4 per cent in 2025-26, up from 6.5 per cent in the previous fiscal, mainly on account of better performance of manufacturing and services sectors, as per the government data released on Wednesday.
'Limited spillovers' to Asia's third-largest economy, even as world 'perilously close' to recession.
US nominee for World Bank president, Ajay Banga, has tested positive for COVID-19 following which the meetings scheduled during his two-day visit to India have been cancelled. According to a Finance Ministry statement, Banga's meeting with Nirmala Sitharaman would not happen as he is in quarantine. "During routine testing, Ajay Banga tested positive for COVID-19 but remains asymptomatic.
As deposit growth lags credit expansion, Indian banks face shrinking low-cost Casa inflows, rising funding costs, and structural shifts driven by UPI, e-Kuber, and digital savings trends, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.
Sri Lanka didn't have the best of preparations for the T20 showpiece as they were whitewashed 0-3 by England in a home T20 series. Ireland will be led by veteran Paul Stirling and feature key players like Harry Tector and Josh Little.
R. Vaishali, the newly-crowned Candidates champion, exemplifies quiet intensity and strong values, nurtured by a supportive family, as she prepares for the World Championship showdown against Ju Wenjun.
The eight players who featured in India's World Cup triumph in 2024 will aim to repeat their magic from two years ago.
'India's security challenges are no longer confined to the Line of Control or the Line of Actual Control.'
'They also span cyber networks, economic systems, information warfare, technology ecosystems, maritime routes, and internal social cohesion.'
A report released by the World Bank had indicated that the financial and socio-economic health of Jharkhand may improve earlier than expected.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has accused Pakistan of targeting the region's youth by flooding the streets with drugs, vowing to combat the menace and protect the younger generation.
'We should want Saiyaara, Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, Animal and Dhurandhar to coexist. Let the audience decide what they connect with.'
For India, much is at stake: Crucial energy supplies traversing the Strait of Hormuz, the fate of its 10 million citizens living and working in West Asia -- who send generous remittances home -- and its major trade links with the region.
Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan today criticised multilateral institutions like the IMF and the World Bank saying "they are not immune to cognitive capture".
Finding "sense" in the Common Minimum Programme of the United Progressive Alliance government, the World Bank on Thursday said India could at least grow by 6 per cent over the long term, but containing fiscal deficit was important.
India would bank on its swashbuckling batting line-up when it takes on a gritty England in what promises to be an evenly-matched final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup.
The World Bank's executive board unanimously selected 63-year-old Malpass, who is currently Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs, as the bank's 13th President for a five-year term beginning April 9.
Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus credits Gary Kirsten's mentorship for providing tactical sharpness and fostering personal connections within the team, enhancing their competitiveness during the T20 World Cup.
The World Bank also approved $200 million for Pakistan, $100 million for Afghanistan, $7.3 million for the Maldives and $128.6 million for Sri Lanka.
But selectively, with regulatory scrutiny and special approval, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.
