Daily News - Wednesday, 17 December 2025
India Posts 8.2% Q2 FY26 Growth, Axis Bank Projects India’s GDP Growth at 7.5% in FY27 (Fortune India)
Axis Bank’s Outlook 2026 report projects India’s GDP growth at 7.5% in FY27, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing large economy. Growth momentum has already picked up in FY26, with GDP expanding 8.2% in Q2 (July–September 2025), supported by easing fiscal and monetary headwinds. The bank expects monetary easing and slower fiscal consolidation (20 bps) to drive above-trend growth in FY27. Inflation is forecast to rise to 4% in FY27, compared to 1.8% in FY26, though productivity gains and capital formation in manufacturing, utilities, and real estate will support stability. Regulatory reforms such as Ease of Doing Business measures, revoked QCOs, and new labour codes are highlighted as sentiment boosters and medium-term growth drivers. Axis Bank’s estimates are slightly higher than the RBI’s forecast of 7.3% GDP growth for FY26, with the central bank citing healthy agriculture, GST rationalisation, benign inflation, and strong corporate balance sheets as supportive factors.
India and Jordan Pledge Deeper Economic Cooperation as Trusted Partners (The Statesman)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and King Abdullah II of Jordan pledged to deepen economic cooperation, describing India and Jordan as trusted partners. The Jordanian King emphasized that Jordan’s network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) could be combined with India’s US$4 trillion economy to build a new economic corridor between South Asia and West Asia. India is already Jordan’s largest trading partner in Asia, with bilateral trade valued at over US$2 billion annually, covering sectors like pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and textiles. The leaders discussed expanding cooperation in energy, IT services, and infrastructure, leveraging India’s manufacturing strength and Jordan’s strategic geographic position. Both sides highlighted the importance of supply chain resilience and trade diversification, especially in the wake of global disruptions. The meeting reaffirmed India and Jordan’s commitment to strengthening economic, political, and cultural ties, positioning the partnership as a driver of regional growth.
India’s Mobile Production Surges to US$65.7 Billion Under Make in India (Business Today)
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, speaking in the Lok Sabha, rejected claims that Make in India is only “Make for India,” citing strong export outcomes across sectors. In electronics, production rose from US$22.9B (₹1.9 lakh crore) in 2014–15 to US$136.1B (₹11.3 lakh crore) in 2024–25, while exports jumped from US$4.6B (₹38,000 crore) to US$39.4B (₹3.27 lakh crore). Mobile manufacturing units expanded from just 2 factories in 2014–15 to around 300 units in 2024–25, reflecting massive capacity growth. Mobile phone production surged from US$2.2B (₹18,000 crore) to US$65.7B (₹5.45 lakh crore), with exports climbing from US$180M (₹1,500 crore) to US$24.1B (₹2 lakh crore) over the same decade. India has also emerged as a net exporter in pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and defence, underscoring diversification beyond electronics. The FM emphasized that these figures demonstrate India’s rise as a global manufacturing hub, contributing to export growth, employment creation, and value addition.
Deloitte Reports A.I. & Quantum Will Redefine India’s Economic Landscape by 2025 (Deloitte)
Deloitte’s Tech Trends 2025 – India Perspective report, identifies AI as the core driver of innovation, becoming a ubiquitous foundation across industries. The report stresses the importance of quantum computing and the need for quantum‑resistant cryptography, as India prepares for next‑generation cybersecurity challenges. Partner Abhrajit Ray, CIO Program Leader at Deloitte India, emphasized that these technologies will redefine India’s economic and technological landscape, positioning the country as a global hub for innovation and digital transformation. Multimodal AI models and context-aware intelligence are highlighted as transformative forces for Indian businesses, reshaping sectors from finance to healthcare. India’s growing strength in chip design and semiconductor manufacturing is noted as a critical enabler of AI and quantum adoption, aligning with national initiatives like Digital India. Deloitte points to data quality and governance as essential for scaling AI responsibly, ensuring trust and compliance in industries such as banking, telecom, and retail.
