World Economic Forum

S&P Global Ratings has raised India's GDP growth forecast for financial year 2026-27 by 40 basis points to 7.0 per cent, revising its previous projection of 6.6 per cent upward. The rating agency cited robust industrial activity, healthy domestic consumption, strong goods exports, and accelerating government investment during the first quarter as primary drivers for the revision. Economists at S&P Global also project the Reserve Bank of India's rate-setting panel to hike the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50 per cent. The revised projection exceeds the Reserve Bank of India's estimate of 6.7 per cent and matches forecasts from agencies like Moody's. Analysts noted that India continues to maintain economic resilience despite external headwinds, including geopolitical conflicts in West Asia, the Russia-Ukraine war, global trade tariffs, and elevated crude oil prices.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the BRICS Business Forum, highlighting the growth and resilience of the economic bloc as it marks 20 years. Emphasising India's economic strength, technological advancement, and startup revolution, Mr Modi invited global leaders and businesses to partner with the country under the vision: 'Make in India, Innovate with India, Scale for the World.' He noted that BRICS countries now represent 50 percent of the world population and 40 percent of global GDP, expanding from four nations in 2006 to 21 partner nations. Underlining India's role as a trusted hub for stability and innovation, the Prime Minister highlighted landmark initiatives such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), green hydrogen development, and strategic supply chain diversification. Modi urged the BRICS Business Council to create a roadmap to eliminate the top ten trade barriers, scale 100 startups across member markets annually, and establish 1,000 new business partnerships to translate shared ambitions into impactful global solutions.

Preparations are complete at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit alongside a series of high-profile bilateral engagements and the BRICS Business Forum. Diplomatic discussions kick off with key bilateral talks scheduled throughout the evening, setting the stage for wider multilateral deliberations with world leaders representing the Global South. Concurrently, the BRICS Business Forum and industrial exhibitions are underway to boost economic partnerships, enhance bilateral trade cooperation, and address trade deficits. With hundreds of preparatory meetings held and multiple outcome documents formulated under the chairship, the summit focuses on collective growth, strategic dialogue, industrial collaboration, and long-term economic engagement among participating nations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised India as a leading player in the IT and software sectors at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to visit China from May 23-26 for talks.

In an interview with India Today Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai, Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney discussed his decision to leave the Aam Aadmi Party and join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav cited an India Today interview in the Lok Sabha to highlight the economic and health impact of pollution in India.

This edition of 5 Live focusses on the fresh violence that has erupted in Manipur's Ukhrul following which the government has suspended internet services and imposed a curfew. The violence erupted between Naga and Kuki groups in Ukhrul.

In this news bulletin, Gaurav Sawant leads a discussion on the landmark India–EU Free Trade Agreement and its broader implications for global trade. Experts on the panel say the pact represents a strategic response to what they describe as the “weaponisation of trade” during the Donald Trump administration, and a step toward building more resilient and diversified economic partnerships.

The India–European Union Free Trade Agreement is being seen as a strategic counterweight to China’s manufacturing dominance and shifting US trade policies, panellists said in a special report analysing the landmark pact.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the landmark India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as negotiations reach a historic conclusion. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, visiting India for the summit, stated, 'There's still work to do, but we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement.' Described by many as the 'mother of all deals', the pact is expected to significantly boost Indian exports in textiles and garments while expanding opportunities for the IT and services sectors. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal described the agreement as balanced and forward-looking, noting its potential to reshape global trade flows. With a combined GDP of $23.4 trillion, the India-EU partnership represents a global heavyweight, accounting for nearly a third of world exports. The deal, set for a formal announcement today, aims to deepen economic integration and provide greater market access, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations between India and Europe.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw discusses India's aggressive technological and infrastructural transformation at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Highlighting the shift from IT services to AI solutions, Vaishnaw stated, "The entire IT industry is going to be the largest AI services provider to the world," noting a target to develop a 10-million-strong AI talent pipeline. He detailed India's semiconductor roadmap, aiming for 7nm chips by 2030 and 3nm by 2032, while confirming that commercial production at nine ATMP units will begin in 2026. On infrastructure, the Minister revealed that 99.6% of the railway network is now electrified, with 35,000 kilometres added over the last 11 years. Vaishnaw also addressed India's macroeconomic resilience, projecting 6% to 8% real growth, and emphasized the country's emerging role as a trusted global value chain partner in electronics and defence manufacturing.

On this Special Report from Davos, Harvard Professor and former IMF Deputy Managing Director Geeta Gopinath analyzes the 'Trumpian world order' and its disruptive impact on geoeconomics. Gopinath warns that 2026 will be a year of 'high levels of uncertainty and high levels of volatility' for global markets, including India. She notes that while India remains a fast-growing economy, US tariffs could 'knock off something about 0.7 percentage points from growth over a two-year period.' The discussion covers the sustainability of China's export-led model, the 'fragile' valuations in the AI sector despite its transformative potential, and the necessity for India to maintain macroeconomic stability through fiscal discipline. Gopinath also advocates for 'One Nation, One Election' to curb fiscal profligacy at the state level, urging the US administration to maintain alliances to ensure American economic benefit.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the viral sensation surrounding an AI-generated image of Donald Trump walking towards Greenland with a penguin. The image, shared by the White House with the caption 'Embrace the penguin,' has sparked widespread ridicule on social media due to the geographical inaccuracy of penguins in the Arctic. During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Donald Trump stated, 'But now what I'm asking for is a piece of ice, cold and poorly located, that can play a vital role in world peace and world protection.' The report highlights Trump's continued fascination with the island, framing it as a strategic necessity for global security. Additionally, the bulletin covers Trump's ongoing friction with Prime Minister Mark Carney over the 'Golden Dome' project and his warnings regarding China's influence. The segment explores how Trump uses a mix of humor, AI art, and aggressive diplomacy to keep Greenland at the centre of international political discourse.

This news report details an invitation from US President Donald Trump to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join the 'Board of Peace' for Gaza. The international body, established to oversee the reconstruction, governance, and demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, was reportedly formalized at the World Economic Forum. During the announcement, Donald Trump stated, 'Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do and we'll do it in conjunction with the United Nations'. The board requires permanent members to contribute 1 billion dollars toward a 67 billion dollar rebuilding fund. While leaders from nations like Canada and Russia have been invited, India is currently evaluating its position. The report highlights India's long-standing support for a two-state solution and its strategic neutrality as key reasons for the invitation. Although PM Modi previously welcomed the initial phases of the peace plan, the Indian government is yet to clarify if he will formally join the board.

On this report, the focus is on United States President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland. The White House recently shared an AI-generated image of a penguin carrying a US flag toward Greenland, leading to widespread trolling as penguins are not native to the Arctic region. During his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump stated, 'All we are asking for is a piece of ice, cold and poorly located, that can play a vital role in world peace and world protection.' The discussion highlights Trump's persistent 'Arctic dream' and his concerns regarding Russian and Chinese influence in the region. While Trump argues that US sovereignty over Greenland is essential for Western security, Russia and China have denied any interest in the territory. The programme examines the diplomatic tensions with NATO and Denmark as the Trump administration continues to push for the acquisition despite international criticism.

This news bulletin discusses a cryptic social media post from the White House featuring an AI-generated image of Donald Trump walking with a penguin. The post, captioned 'embrace the penguin', is interpreted as a signal of United States interest in Greenland and the Arctic region. During the broadcast, it was noted that 'President Trump and the White House essentially saying, look, we are going to be taking care of the Western Hemisphere.' The discussion highlights Trump's recent comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he suggested that military intervention might not be necessary to secure American interests in Greenland. The segment further explores the potential 'Greenland deal' which could allow the U.S. to build bases and mine critical minerals. Additionally, the report mentions a second image from the Department of War Rapid Response, possibly featuring Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, reinforcing the administration's focus on securing the Western Hemisphere and Arctic territories through new frameworks.

After leading a conversation on India's growth story at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, India Today Group Vice-Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief Kalli Purie joined an elite panel of global journalists to discuss the challenges facing journalism, from government interference to trust and the impact of artificial intelligence.

In this India Today special show from the World Economic Forum in Davos, top artificial intelligence innovators share their perspectives on the global AI race, AI's impact on the Indian economy and much more.

Deepak Pathak, CEO and co-founder of Skild AI, discusses the future of robotics and artificial intelligence at the World Economic Forum. Pathak explains that his company is focused on building the 'brain' for robots, a critical component that has been missing for decades, preventing machines from performing complex real-world tasks like opening doors. Addressing fears of job displacement, Pathak notes that while India currently has a labour surplus, many parts of the world like Japan and Korea face a shrinking workforce and desperately need automation. He highlights that Skild AI has already established an office in Bengaluru to tap into Indian talent. Pathak suggests that India has a unique opportunity to surpass other nations in robotics by leveraging its existing automotive and electronics manufacturing supply chains. He emphasizes that the goal is not to replace humans but to fill the growing gap of millions of unfilled jobs globally.