Archis Mohan, Abhijit Lele

Stories by Archis Mohan, Abhijit Lele

Muttaqi Woos India Inc

Muttaqi Woos India Inc

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2025

Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) members on Monday to discuss opportunities in his country, especially in the mining sector. The Taliban, who now control Afghanistan, is seeking to repair its ties with New Delhi, and is hopeful of Indian public and private sectors increasing investments in the mining and power sector, and greater trade and commerce.

Sergio Gor, Agrawal Talk Trade Deal

Sergio Gor, Agrawal Talk Trade Deal

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2025

While both sides have announced the decision to restart talks for a trade deal, government officials said discussions are continuing virtually.

Seat-Sharing Talks Heat Up For Bihar Polls

Seat-Sharing Talks Heat Up For Bihar Polls

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2025

Less than 10 days are left for filing of nomination papers for the first phase of the Bihar polls.

Bihar Polls: Non-Stop Contest For Sops

Bihar Polls: Non-Stop Contest For Sops

Rediff.com   2 Oct 2025

Both NDA and INDIA are racing to woo marginalised groups with Assembly polls fast approaching.

Global Doors Open For Indian Students

Global Doors Open For Indian Students

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2025

Germany has almost 60,000 Indian students 'which makes them already today the largest group of international students in Germany'.

India Links Pak-Saudi Pact to Israel Strike

India Links Pak-Saudi Pact to Israel Strike

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2025

Experts believe it would be far-fetched to believe that Riyadh would support Pakistan militarily in any conflict with India, which has robust strategic and economic relations with Saudi Arabia.

It's time to get started, put money in deals: M&A financing opens up

It's time to get started, put money in deals: M&A financing opens up

Rediff.com   15 Sep 2025

Last fortnight, State Bank of India Chairman C S Setty lifted the veil on a subject long spoken of in corporate corridors: Why can't our banks finance mergers and acquisitions (M&As)? Change is in the air: Indian Banks' Association (of which Setty is the chairman) is to "make a formal request" to Mint Road to make way for it. Thus far the exclusive turf of foreign banks even though its funding remains offshore - as in, it's not on these entities rupee-book (and a few select shadow banks) - a most lucrative segment in the investment banking suite, M&As, will be homeward-bound.

GST Cut: How Much Will States Lose?

GST Cut: How Much Will States Lose?

Rediff.com   15 Sep 2025

Opposition-ruled states warn of steep annual losses; Centre assures higher consumption will offset revenue hit.

Will Buy Russian Oil: Sitharaman

Will Buy Russian Oil: Sitharaman

Rediff.com   6 Sep 2025

New Delhi 'will have to take a call which supply source suits us the best,' the finance minister said, pointing out that crude oil accounts for the bulk of India's foreign exchange spend.

Tax cut may bolster credit growth in H2

Tax cut may bolster credit growth in H2

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2025

After a subdued first quarter of 2025-26 (Q1FY26), banks are now betting big on the festive season, rolling out attractive loan offers to boost credit growth in the second half of the current financial year (H2FY26) - a trend likely to be further accentuated by the second-order effects of the good services tax (GST) cuts.

States Seek Centre's Help To Deal With Trump's Tariffs

States Seek Centre's Help To Deal With Trump's Tariffs

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2025

State governments have requested the Centre for export incentives, lifting of import duty in the case of cotton for the textile sector and GST exemptions.

Indian Growth Fuels Far-Right Rallies In Australia

Indian Growth Fuels Far-Right Rallies In Australia

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2025

One flyer read: 'More Indians in 5 years, than Greeks and Italians in 100', adding, 'This isn't a slight cultural change, it's a replacement plain and simple'.

Trump's Tariffs Loom Over Modi-Putin Meeting

Trump's Tariffs Loom Over Modi-Putin Meeting

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2025

New Delhi, while opting not to retaliate yet to the American tariffs, has in recent weeks sought to reinforce its friendship with Moscow, and recalibrate its ties with Beijing rather than surrender to Washington's diktats.

Whatever is made here, don't import: RSS chief Bhagwat

Whatever is made here, don't import: RSS chief Bhagwat

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2025

'Whatever is necessary for life and is not made in your country, we will import it from outside.'

Modi Courts Japan Inc With Make In India

Modi Courts Japan Inc With Make In India

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2025

Japan is expected to increase its investment target in India from the earlier 5 trillion yen ($34 billion) to almost 10 trillion yen.

'RSS' Dharma Is 'Samanwaya'

'RSS' Dharma Is 'Samanwaya'

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2025

'...to build a consensus, not conflict or struggle.'

India Inc meeting capex need with own cash, says SBI chief C S Setty

India Inc meeting capex need with own cash, says SBI chief C S Setty

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2025

India Inc, which is sitting on cash balances of 13.5 trillion, is using the funds to meet capital expenditure as well as brownfield expansion, resulting in 'anaemic' demand for bank loans, State Bank of India (SBI) chairman CS Setty said at an event on Monday. He added that a slowdown in corporate credit is mainly due to lack of demand.

Why PSBs are raising home loan rates

Why PSBs are raising home loan rates

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2025

Some public sector banks, including State Bank of India (SBI), Union Bank of India, Canara Bank, and Bank of India, are increasing the spread on home loans for new customers to protect margins.

Richest CMs: 931 Cr Naidu, 332 Cr Khandu

Richest CMs: 931 Cr Naidu, 332 Cr Khandu

Rediff.com   23 Aug 2025

The CMs with lowest assets are West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee with assets worth over Rs 15.38 lakh, Omar Abdullah, CM of Jammu and Kashmir, with assets worth over Rs 55.24 lakh, and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, who has assets worth Rs 1.18 crore.

Bank asset quality: Slippages rise 26% in Q1 on stress in unsecured loans

Bank asset quality: Slippages rise 26% in Q1 on stress in unsecured loans

Rediff.com   21 Aug 2025

Commercial banks in India reported 26 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth in slippages at Rs 63,000 crore during the first quarter ended June 2025 (Q1FY26). This was predominantly due to stress in microfinance and unsecured retail portfolios of select lenders.