India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
The Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) Kestrel facility in Morocco is historic -- the first Indian defence manufacturing footprint on African soil. It adds to New Delhi's export record, from becoming Armenia's top supplier to delivering BrahMos missiles to the Philippines and providing components to the US and France. And yet, the irony is striking. The very platform Morocco will induct -- the Kestrel Wheeled Armoured Amphibious Platform (WhAP) -- remains largely unadopted by the Indian Army. India's mechanised infantry still depends on Soviet-era BMPs, upgraded to BMP-2M with modern fire-control and night-fighting systems. These are functional but dated tracked vehicles. By contrast, the Kestrel is a modern wheeled infantry fighting vehicle, co-developed by TASL and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). On paper, it rivals the US Stryker in engine power, mobility, and features. And yet, India hesitates to use it while selling it to Morocco. The paradox is telling: an indigenous platform that finds markets abroad but not at home. It captures a deeper problem -- India's armed forces' reluctance to induct homegrown systems at scale, often defaulting to imports or incremental upgrades. The Kestrel thus symbolises both promise and predicament. It's innovation shackled by domestic indecision. Minilaterals within multialignment India's entry into Morocco should not be seen as a direct counter to Pakistan-Saudi Arabia or any singular rivalry. Geopolitics no longer works through straight-line confrontations. Morocco exemplifies a new reality: the age of universal multialignment, where States gain advantage by forging minilateral defence synergies through effective subsystem integration. Consider Rabat's balancing act. When India's Defence Minister was in town, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita was in Beijing, advancing ties with China. This relationship has deep roots. It began with a 2016 joint declaration, followed in 2017 by China supplying Morocco with air-to-air missiles. Since then, Rabat has purchased the Sky Dragon 50 and HQ-9 (FD-2000B) missile systems, TB-001K combat drones, and multiple rocket launchers. Morocco has also endorsed Chinese premier Xi Jinping's global initiatives -- the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI) -- and in 2025 confirmed its membership in the new International Organization for Mediation, a China-led body headquartered in Hong Kong. The economic numbers are equally telling. China-Morocco trade hit a record in early 2025, with Chinese exports rising 20.4 per cent year-on-year to $52.9 billion. China has been Morocco's largest supplier since 2021 and its third-largest trading partner overall. After Morocco joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2024, multiple investment agreements followed. Beijing now openly frames Morocco as its "gateway to Africa." India, by contrast, lags far behind. Bilateral trade reached only $2.55 billion in 2024-2025, skewed in Morocco's favour. Diplomatic contacts are steady but lack economic heft. Turkey adds another layer of competition. Morocco is now a key customer of Ankara's defence industry. Rabat has inducted Bayraktar TB2 drones in a $70 million deal, with Baykar Defence (a Turkish defence company) announcing a Moroccan facility in 2025. Talks are ongoing for advanced Akinci drones. Meanwhile, Morocco has signed a $50.7 million deal with Aselsan for the Koral electronic warfare system and requested 200 Cobra 2 armoured vehicles worth $136 million, with training and support included. Ankara is also preparing exports of its newer Pars Alpha and ALTUĞ 8×8 armoured vehicles by mid-2025 -- platforms Morocco is a natural buyer for. In this crowded landscape, India's TASL unit is a significant but belated step. Morocco is not a binary partner but a hub where multiple powers plug in their strengths. China brings scale, Turkey agile manufacturing, Pakistan linkages -- and together they form cost-effective, interoperable defence ecosystems. The question for India is not whether it has "countered" anyone, but whether it can compete in this marketplace of plurilateral cooperation. At present, New Delhi's North African footprint is thin, limited mainly to Morocco and Egypt, with Algeria at a nascent stage. Both Rabat and Cairo practice active multialignment. If India sticks to isolated bilateralism, it risks being overshadowed. Morocco and the Mediterranean The third layer situates Morocco within India's Mediterranean calculus. To date, India has strong partnerships on the northern Mediterranean coast -- from Spain and France to Italy, Greece, and Cyprus -- though ties halt abruptly at Turkey. On the southern flank, however, its presence is sparse. Morocco in the west, Egypt in the east, and budding outreach to Algeria form the main nodes. Yet this flank is critical. It links Africa to the Mediterranean, and by extension, to Europe. Egypt anchors India's presence in the Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb -- vital but contested waters. Morocco, meanwhile, anchors the western flank, linking India to Atlantic approaches and complementing outreach to Namibia, Ghana, and other coastal states. If developed in tandem, these nodes could form a dual-axis presence across the Red Sea and Atlantic, giving India a platform to project influence. But for now, the pieces remain disconnected and underdeveloped. Also read: Trump's selling a new Gaza peace plan to the Islamic world. That has no takers on the ground Toward a competitive strategy If India is to succeed in Morocco and beyond, two priorities stand out. First, embrace defence chain plurilaterals. India cannot afford a purely bilateral game when others are creating synergistic ecosystems. In Morocco, it should explore partnerships with Israel or Brazil. In Algeria, it could leverage Russia's entrenched position to offer joint packages. The key is synergy -- adding value in competitive spaces. Second, focus on subsystem integration. Modern ecosystems thrive on modularity: drones carrying foreign munitions, aircraft with third-party radars, and ships with diverse missile suites. China and Turkey excel at this. India, despite its capacity, has scaled subsystem exports only in a few cases, like BrahMos. By focusing on adaptable subsystems, India can embed itself in supply chains instead of selling one-off platforms. What is unfolding in Morocco reflects a global trend. As the US retreats as a dominant security provider, the vacuum is not filled by China alone but by a web of middle-power defence chains. This order values flexibility over exclusivity. States prefer hybrid models: a Chinese jet co-produced in Pakistan, equipped with Turkish missiles, serviced locally. Such modular ecosystems democratise defence while multiplying interdependencies. India's challenge is not capability but imagination. For decades, it has aspired to be self-reliant. Yet in today's hybrid order, its share remains negligible. Unless New Delhi adapts -- moving from bilateralism to plurilateral defence value ecosystems, from platforms to agile subsystems -- it risks watching others shape the very spaces it seeks to enter. Swasti Rao is a Consulting Editor (International and Strategic Affairs) at ThePrint. She tweets @swasrao. Views are personal.
A top NATO chief has urged business leaders to begin preparing for a 'wartime scenario' following rising tensions across the world. The warning comes as Germany announced it was drawing up a list of bunkers and other underground facilities that could provide shelter for civilians in the event of an attack. Speaking in Brussels yesterday, Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer (pictured) warned that NATO members needed to adjust their production and distribution lines in order to be less vulnerable to blackmail from countries such as Russia and China. The chair of NATO's military committee said: 'If we can m ...Read More >
Air India launched a Black Friday Sale with discounts up to 20% on domestic flights and up to 12% on international flights to various destinations. The sale is available through the airline's website and mobile apps. Additional savings are possible with waived convenience fees and specific payment methods. The airline continues offering student and senior citizen discounts.Air India on Friday launched a limited-time Black Friday Sale offering discounts of up to 20 per cent off base fares for domestic flights within India. The Tata-owned airlines will also offer up to 12 per cent off base fares ...Read More >
Filmmaker Jayan K Cherian; stills from his latest film 'Rhythm of Dammam', on the Siddi Community of Yellapur in Uttara Kannada (north Karnataka). The stunningly shot and evocative Rhythm of Dammam, in Siddi Bhasha, is the first fictional feature ever to be made on the Indian Siddi community that traces its ancestry to Africa. In the film, the pre-teen Jayaram, who lives in Karnataka's Yellapura, is afflicted by his dead grandfather's visions, as his impoverished family fights over supposed buried treasure. But Jayaram is a chosen one, the visitations will lead him to discover his community's ...Read More >
New Delhi: Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's decision to visit China before India after assuming office in 2024 had reignited speculations about the trajectory of India-Nepal bilateral ties. While some analysts see this as a shift in Kathmandu's diplomatic priorities, New Delhi has downplayed concerns, maintaining that relations between the two South Asian neighbours remain strong. "I can tell you that the relations between the two countries remain good and strong and we want to further strengthen these," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during his regular medi ...Read More >
Imphal: In a series of coordinated operations, the Indian Army and other law enforcement agencies arrested 13 cadres from hill and valley-based underground groups in Manipur and recovered 23 weapons, grenades, ammunition, and other war-like stores. According to a statement from the Defence Wing, the Indian Army, along with Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, CRPF, BSF, and ITBP, carried out intelligence-driven operations across Kangpokpi, Senapati, Imphal East, Imphal West, and Thoubal districts over the past week. Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge! In ...Read More >
New Delhi: The first warship in the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft series, equipped to conduct subsurface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations, is set to be inducted into the Indian Navy on June 18, officials said on Friday. The commissioning ceremony of 'Arnala' at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam will be presided over by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan. "The warship incorporates more than 80 per cent indigenous content and integrates advanced systems from leading Indian defence firms, including Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L& ...Read More >
US, Spain, Thailand, China, Tokyo, Munich, and more will showcase Marriott International's trailblazing luxury experiences, offering transformative travel in 2025. At the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes, Marriott International, Inc. has unveiled an exciting new phase of global expansion. The Luxury Group is introducing a range of innovative brand extensions, including luxury tented camps, remote lodges, and personalized experiences, all designed to elevate Marriott's position as a global leader in premium hospitality. With a portfolio that includes renowned names such as T ...Read More >
Meet Venkata Datta, Hyderabad techie, who is set to marry badminton star PV Sindhu The KYC Bubble: How digital ID's could trigger a global collapse 5 reasons why Allu Arjun will become biggest pan-India star with Pushpa 2: The Rule This is world's weirdest hotel where guests stay to get insulted, pay Rs 20000 room rent, it is located in... Vikrant Massey breaks silence on his 'retirement' announcement, says his post was misread: 'I'm not...' After breakup with Arjun Kapoor, Malaika Arora does 'Nain Matakka' with another actor, netizens react Naga Chaitanya-Sobhita Dhulipala wedding: Allu ...Read More >
New Delhi, May 29: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan will be on a three-day official visit to Singapore from May 30 to June 1, 2025, to participate in the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, the Ministry of Defence said. Hosted annually by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the Shangri-La Dialogue is regarded as Asia's premier defence and security summit. This year's edition will convene defence ministers, military chiefs, policy makers, and strategic thinkers from around the world to address regional security challenges, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. During ...Read More >
Hyderabad: In a significant boost for 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbharta' in the aerospace and defence sector, and Hyderabad's growing stature as a global aerospace hub, the complete fuselage of the Rafale fighter jet will now be made in India at Hyderabad. This move marks the first time that these Rafale components will be manufactured outside France for the Indian as well as global markets.French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has signed four production transfer agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for manufacturing key sections of the Rafale fighter jet, including the lateral ...Read More >
A Russian strike on a nine-story building in the city of Sumy in northern Ukraine killed eight people and wounded dozens, an official said Sunday (November 17, 2024), as Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack described by officials as the largest in recent months. "Among the eight killed in Sumy, 40 kilometers (24 miles) from the border with Russia, were two children," said Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko. More than 400 people were evacuated from the building. Ukraine's Zelenskyy urges allies to take steps before North Korean troops reach the front The rescu ...Read More >
ess than 24 hours after he asserted in Nigeria's Abuja that stepping out of the comfort zone, innovating and creating new paths has now become the very essence of today's India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told the gathering of world's most influential leaders converged in Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit that the main reason for India's success lies in his government's 'back to basics' and 'march to the future' approach. Addressing the G20 session on 'Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty' at the bayside museum of modern art during the two-day 19th G20 Summit, ...Read More >
Ladwa (Haryana) [India], May 22 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday carried out the Tiranga Yatra to honour armed forces for Operation Sindoor. The CM, in his address to the people, stated that the rallies were occasions to pay true homage to the sense of patriotism and sacrifice. "Tiranga Yatra is being organised in Ladwa today. Tiranga Yatras are being organised across the country...These Yatras are not just events but occasions to pay true homage to the sense of patriotism and sacrifice...This Yatra is not just of the tricolour, this is a Yatra of our pledge, brave ...Read More >
Kolkata: Avenging the Pahalgam terror attack, 'Operation Sindoor' was launched and although aerial action was ceased, Indian armed forces are continuing their activities to increase their military strength. Amid this, glass with higher resistance and strength but less weight is being created for bulletproof vehicles, helicopters, ships and several other weapons. A major role in this endeavour is being played by Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI) in West Bengal's Jadavpur area. According to sources, "Research is underway to decrease weight and increase the strength of the gl ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 6: In line with the government's vision for self-reliance, navratna defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) on Friday announced a collaboration with Tata Electronics towards the development of indigenous electronics and semiconductor solutions. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) is a significant step forward for BEL and Tata Electronics in jointly exploring end-to-end solutions to meet domestic requirements., BEL said in a stock exchange filing. BEL and Tata Electronics will explore end-to-end collaboration in areas such as semiconductor fabrication (Fab), Outsourced S ...Read More >
The global smoke grenade market is expected to grow from $297.24 million in 2023 to $456.46 million by 2031, driven by a 5.5% CAGR. Military, law enforcement, and emergency services are the primary sectors fueling demand, especially for tactical operations, training, and crowd control. Advances in technology have led to safer, more effective smoke grenades, while commercial uses in activities like paintball and film production are rising. Environmental concerns are promoting the development of eco-friendly products. North America leads the market, with rising military expenditures further boos ...Read More >
The churning waters of the 21 Century maritime domain are no longer defined solely by steel-hulled might and firepower. Today, the true battleground lies in the unseen realms of algorithms, data streams and quantum states. The Indian Navy, a sentinel of the vast Indian Ocean Region (IOR), stands at the cusp of this technological revolution, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing to secure its maritime sovereignty and amplify its geopolitical influence. India's journey into this brave new world is both a strategic necessity and an audacious leap. With China's growing nav ...Read More >
Bikaner, May 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, asserted that the country's enemies have learnt what happens when "sindoor" becomes gunpowder and lauded India's armed forces for creating such a trap that Pakistan was "forced to go down on its knees". In a public address in Rajasthan, the prime minister slammed Pakistan, and said in response to the attack on April 22, "we destroyed nine biggest terror hideouts in 22 minutes". "The world and the enemies of the country have seen what happens when sindoor (vermillion) turns into barood (gunpowder)," he said. He said India is not goi ...Read More >
India's Indigenous Light Tank: A Key Weapon System For High-Altitude Combat Friday, December 13, 2024 by Indian Defence News India's indigenous light tank, Zorawar, represents a significant advancement in the country's defence capabilities, particularly for operations in high-altitude regions. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and supported by various Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Zorawar is designed to meet the operational demands highlighted during the 2020 standoff with China in Eastern Lada ...Read More >
Nagpur, May 23 (PTI) India's indigenously developed 'Akashteer' air defence system performed "exceedingly well" during 'Operation Sindoor', said Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Samir V Kamat, who expressed confidence that its success will draw international interest. India had deployed the indigenously developed and fully automated 'Akashteer' air defence control and reporting system, which emerged as the invisible force of new war capabilities during Operation Sindoor, launched against nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "Definitely, our a ...Read More >
Guwahati, June 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The flood situation in Assam marginally improved on Thursday, while the situation further improved in other northeastern states, an official said. With two more fresh deaths in Assam, the death toll in seven states, excluding Sikkim, of the region increased to 48. According to the disaster management officials of different northeastern states, out of 48 deaths during the current spell of rain and floods since May 29, at least 21 people died in Assam, followed by 12 in Arunachal Pradesh, six in Meghalaya, five in Mizoram, two in Tripura and one each in Nagalan ...Read More >
A summary of world news briefs includes Hezbollah's media chief killed by Israeli airstrike, U.S. policy shift allowing Ukraine to use American weapons against Russia, Xi Jinping's final talks with Joe Biden, and other geopolitical developments including climate finance consensus at the G20 in Brazil. In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Lebanese Hezbollah's media relations head, Mohammad Afif, was killed in an Israeli strike in central Beirut. The attack targets a senior Hezbollah figure, signaling a rare focus on individuals without explicit military roles. The U.S. administra ...Read More >
Russia's nuclear doctrine has been updated to affirm its nuclear umbrella for primarily the six member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), including an explicit focus on Belarus. The announcement followed a joint meeting of the CSTO's Council of Foreign Ministers, Council of Defense Ministers, and Committee of Security Council Secretaries held in Astana. According to the state news agency TASS, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu highlighted the revisions, emphasizing Moscow's commitment to protecting its allies under the CSTO. The CSTO, formed in 2002 ...Read More >
In the Indo-Pacific region, if one development would prove to be a landmark event in the region's modern history, it would be the signing of the Treaty of Comprehensive Partnership between North Korea and Russia in June 2024. The partnership has paved the way for strengthening bilateral ties between Moscow and Pyongyang and marked the onset of the global order transition, which was already underway. The institutionalization of the U.S., South Korea, and Japan's trilateral security cooperation has also given Russia and North Korea another strategic reason to collaborate. Therefore, with the geo ...Read More >
Imphal, Dec 3 (VOICE) Amidst the hectic search operation by the Army and other security forces and continued agitation by various organisations, the 56-year-old man of the Meitei community remained untraced for the ninth day on Tuesday.A police official said that the Army has deployed over 2,000 soldiers including Assam Rifles personnel and is conducting hectic searches in Kangpokpi and adjoining districts to locate Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, who has been missing since November 25. The Army as part of their search operation deployed tracker dogs, drones and other devices. Several Civil Societ ...Read More >
Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) [India], January 13 (ANI): India's indigenous Anti-Tank Missile, Nag Mk 2, the third-generation Anti-Tank Fire-and-Forget Guided Missile successfully completed its field evaluation trials at the Pokhran Field Range in Rajasthan in the presence of senior officers of the Indian Army. There were three field trials conducted, with the missile systems destroying all the targets precisely- maximum and minimum range, thus validating its firing range. Also Read | 'People of India Reaffirmed Their Trust in PM Narendra Modi': Ashwini Vaishnaw Slams Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Over H ...Read More >
"India's gateway into Europe" - that's how Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described Athens' relationship with New Delhi during his visit to India in 2024, a phrase frequently used by Greek officials whenever they discuss the ties between the two countries. The same phrase was echoed by Greece's foreign minister during an interview with Indian newspaper The Hindu ahead of his two-day visit to New Delhi on Thursday and Friday. But how does India view its relationship with Greece? To understand India's perspective, Kathimerini English Edition spoke with The Hindu's diplomatic editor Su ...Read More >
India is set to host the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup at New Delhi’s IGI Stadium from January 13-19, 2025, marking a historic milestone for the indigenous sport. Organized by the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) in collaboration with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the tournament has garnered strong backing from IOA President PT Usha, who pledged comprehensive support to enhance its global appeal. Featuring 24 teams from six continents, including powerhouses like India, England, Brazil, and Australia, the event celebrates Kho Kho’s rich cultural heritage. This groundbreaking tournament ...Read More >
DP World has announced an extension of its Carbon Inset Programme after successfully registering more than 150,000 import containers since its inception in January. The programme, which commenced on 1 January 2025, is claimed to be the first initiative of its kind globally, providing cargo owners with 50kg CO2e of carbon credits for each loaded import container processed through DP World's UK terminals. This initiative aims to assist companies in addressing Scope 3 emissions within their supply ...Read More >