India’s budget focuses on local manufacturing amid volatile global trade environment

0 February 1, 2026 09:55

India has announced measures to boost local manufacturing and sustain economic growth, amid the volatile global trade environment. Its latest budget focuses on structural reforms, building up the financial sector and stepping up investments in technology, including artificial intelligence. However, markets crashed soon after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s speech ended, with a hike in securities transaction tax spooking the market. Investors also criticised that there were no major measures announced to attract foreign investments. Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.