Daily News - Monday, 12 January 2026
Spain, Germany, Belgium, Poland Strengthens India’s Trade Export Growth in Europe (Business Today)
The EU accounts for 17% of India’s total exports, while India represents about 9% of the bloc’s global imports, making the EU India’s largest trading partner for goods. Exports to Spain surged 56% during April-November 2025-26, rising to USD 4.7 billion (INR 392 billion) from USD 3 billion (INR 250 billion) in the same period last year, increasing Spain’s share in India’s exports to 2.4%. Germany remains India’s largest EU export destination, with shipments climbing 9.3% to USD 7.5 billion (INR 625 billion), up from USD 6.8 billion (INR 567 billion), holding a 2.6% share. Belgium and Poland also showed resilience, with Belgium’s imports from India edging up to USD 4.4 billion (INR 366 billion) and Poland’s rising 7.6% to USD 1.82 billion (INR 152 billion). In FY 2024–25, India’s bilateral trade in goods with the EU stood at USD 136.53 billion (INR 11.37 trillion), including USD 75.85 billion (INR 6.31 trillion) in exports and USD 60.68 billion (INR 5.04 trillion) in imports. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, led by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, is negotiating a long-pending India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, aiming to boost competitiveness in sectors like garments, pharmaceuticals, steel, petroleum, and electrical machinery.
India Targets 500 GW Renewables by 2030; China Nears 1,000 GW (Livemint)
India and China are being hailed as global leaders in the energy transition, with both nations lowering costs of clean technologies and expanding renewable deployment. India has achieved 200 GW renewable capacity and is targeting 500 GW by 2030, alongside a Net Zero goal by 2070, according to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. China has already installed nearly 1,000 GW of solar and wind capacity, aiming for 1,200 GW by 2030, with a Net Zero target of 2060. At COP30 in Brazil, President André Corrêa do Lago praised both countries for their transformative role in global climate action, noting their impact on affordability of green technologies. UN officials including Damilola Ogunbiyi and Selwin Hart stressed that clean energy investment momentum is unstoppable and that fossil fuel dependence is now a macroeconomic and strategic risk. Together, India and China are expected to drive the global energy transition, filling the leadership gap left by waning enthusiasm in some developed nations.
Australia Tightens Student Visa Rules for India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan. 120,000+ Indian Students Could Be Affected by New Visa Scrutiny (CNBC TV18)
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has placed India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan in Evidence Level 3, the highest student visa risk category. This classification is based on visa refusal rates, fraud cases, cancellations, and overstaying incidents, with Australia citing “emerging integrity risks”. Students from these countries must now provide extensive financial records, certified academic transcripts, English proficiency proof, and detailed Genuine Student statements. Processing times are expected to rise from 3-4 weeks to 6-8 weeks, with more manual checks and follow-up queries. India, which sent 120,000+ students to Australia in 2025, could see delays in admissions, impacting the USD 40 billion (INR 3.3 trillion) international education sector. While Australia insists this is not a ban, universities and education agents warn of higher rejection risks and potential strain on India–Australia education ties.
India's Finance Ministry Launches 3-Year PPP Pipeline Across 852 Projects for FY26-FY28 worth USD 206 Billion (Indian Express)
The Finance Ministry has announced a three-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) pipeline worth USD 206 billion (INR 17 lakh crore), covering 852 projects across central ministries, departments, and states. The projects are scheduled for FY26, FY27, and FY28, following Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s FY26 Budget directive that each infrastructure ministry prepare a PPP pipeline. Of the total, 232 projects worth INR 13 lakh crore (USD 157 billion) belong to central ministries and departments. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways leads with 108 projects valued at INR 8.76 lakh crore (USD 106 billion), making it the largest contributor. The Power Ministry follows with 46 projects worth INR 3.40 lakh crore (USD 41 billion), while Ports, Shipping & Waterways has 22 projects worth INR 37,000 crore (USD 4.5 billion). The initiative is supported by the India Infrastructure Project Development Fund (IIPDF) to help states prepare PPP proposals, aiming to attract private capital and accelerate India’s infrastructure growth.
Japan and West Asia Lead Expansion of Local VC Teams in India (Financial Express)
Global venture capital (VC) funds are expanding their India teams as capital inflows stabilize and investors seek stronger on-ground presence in a maturing startup ecosystem. Japanese investors are leading the push, with funds like Next Bharat Ventures (Suzuki Motor Corp subsidiary) and Kyoto-based Enrission India Capital building India-focused teams. Hitachi Ventures, the corporate VC arm of Hitachi Group, recently hired Radhika Ananth (ex-Accel) to head India investments, reflecting a shift toward structured, long-term engagement. Recruiters note that Japan’s low interest rate environment makes India’s moderate returns attractive, while West Asian family offices (USD 100-500 million capital) are entering cautiously, prioritizing governance and long-term wealth preservation. Recruitment firms like Basil confirm that countries with strong diplomatic and economic ties to India are driving inbound capital, with local hiring seen as essential for sourcing quality deals and navigating regulatory complexities. Beyond Japan and West Asia, South Korea’s Mirae Asset Financial Group expanded its India private investing arm in January 2026, appointing Puneet Kumar as CEO, underscoring Asia’s growing role in India’s VC landscape.
