India

India’s gold import bill surged to a record USD 71.98 billion (approximately Rs 6 lakh crore) in FY26, driven primarily by elevated global prices despite a decline in import volumes. According to official data, imports rose 24 percent year-on-year, even as physical quantities fell to 721.03 tonnes. Meanwhile, silver imports witnessed an even sharper rise, jumping nearly 150 percent in value to USD 12 billion (around Rs 1 lakh crore), alongside a 42 percent increase in volume.

French spirits giant Pernod Ricard reported an impressive 11% revenue growth in India for the March quarter of 2026, underscoring the country’s strategic importance to its global business. The performance was bolstered by robust consumer demand, a continued shift toward premium products, and the divestment of its Imperial Blue whisky brand. India remains Pernod Ricard’s largest market by volume and second-largest by value, reflecting both scale and rising affluence.

Renault has outlined an ambitious long-term strategy to position India among its top three global markets by 2030. The automaker plans to expand its India portfolio to seven multi-energy models while significantly scaling local production and exports. The company targets annual exports worth €2 billion from India, including components and technology, and aims to capture a 5% share of the country’s passenger vehicle market.

BenQ is accelerating its localization strategy in India, aiming to generate nearly 50 percent of its revenue from domestically manufactured products by 2027. The company is expanding its ‘Make in India’ portfolio across key segments such as monitors, projectors, and interactive display solutions. 

India is set to unveil an upgraded production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme aimed at boosting mobile phone exports, with an estimated outlay exceeding Rs. 46,000 crore (over USD 5 billion). The proposed initiative, expected to be rolled out by May, builds on the earlier Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing (LSEM) launched in 2020. With a sharper focus on export competitiveness, the new framework seeks to strengthen India’s position in global electronics supply chains.

Global talent acquisition firm AMS is deepening its India footprint by expanding its Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Pune, targeting a workforce of over 400 professionals by the end of 2026. The move reflects rising global demand for integrated talent solutions and underscores India’s growing importance as a strategic hub for multinational operations. Currently employing around 330 professionals, the Pune centre will scale in phases aligned with international client requirements across EMEA, APAC, the Americas, and the UK.

India has achieved a historic milestone in its external trade performance, with total exports of goods and services surpassing Rs. 71 lakh crore (USD 860 billion) in the financial year 2025–26. The record reflects a steady rise from Rs. 68.5 lakh crore (USD 825 billion) in the previous fiscal, underscoring the country’s growing integration into global supply chains. 

India’s trade with the Middle East witnessed a sharp contraction in March, with exports falling nearly 58 percent and imports declining over 51 percent, following escalating geopolitical tensions in the region. The disruption stems from a military escalation involving the United States and Israel targeting Iran, which has temporarily affected operations along the critical Strait of Hormuz. As a vital maritime corridor for India’s energy imports and export shipments, the disruption has significantly impacted trade volumes.

China has emerged as India’s largest trading partner in FY26, overtaking the United States after four consecutive years of American dominance. Bilateral trade between India and China reached Rs. 12.5 lakh crore (USD 151.1 billion), driven by strong import growth and a notable rise in exports. However, the surge has been accompanied by a widening trade deficit, which expanded to a record Rs. 9.3 lakh crore (USD 112.16 billion). The shift underscores deepening economic interdependence while raising strategic concerns over trade imbalances and supply chain dependencies.

India’s streaming ecosystem is set for a major transformation as JioHotstar expands its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery to become the exclusive distributor of HBO Max content in the country. The agreement grants Indian audiences access to premium global entertainment, including HBO, Max Originals, and major studio productions. The move strengthens JioHotstar’s competitive position in an increasingly crowded OTT market while signaling deeper global-local collaborations.