{"id":85312,"date":"2025-12-03T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/?post_type=issue&#038;p=85312"},"modified":"2025-12-11T10:37:58","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T10:37:58","slug":"mandatory-smartphone-app-deletable-after-all","status":"publish","type":"issue","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/issues\/mandatory-smartphone-app-deletable-after-all\/","title":{"rendered":"Mandatory smartphone app deletable after all?"},"content":{"rendered":"<section id=\"85314\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"85314\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">1<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">WHAT WE\u2019RE TRACKING TODAY<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/india-directs-smartphone-makers-to-preload-govt-cybersecurity-app-state-refiners-step-up-russian-crude-purchases\/\">\r\n                            THIS MORNING: Mandatory app order draws industry objections + IOC, BPCL secure additional Russian shipments                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/india-directs-smartphone-makers-to-preload-govt-cybersecurity-app-state-refiners-step-up-russian-crude-purchases\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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Meanwhile, automaker <strong>Ashok Leyland<\/strong> is opening a wholly-owned Saudi unit and fashion platform <strong>Myntra<\/strong> is moving back into the UAE after success in Singapore. <\/p>\n<p style=\"border-right-style:solid;border-top-width:0pt;border-left-style:solid;orphans:2;text-align:left;padding:0;margin:0;border-right-width:0pt;line-height:1.15;border-left-width:0pt;border-top-style:solid;border-bottom-width:0pt;border-bottom-style:solid;widows:2\">^^ We have all of that and more, below.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">THE BIG STORY HERE AT HOME- <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"> <a id=\"wwtt1\"><\/a> <strong>The Indian government\u2019s \u201cundeletable\u201d app may be deletable after <\/strong><strong>all. <\/strong>The Modi government <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2197518&reg=3&lang=1\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">appeared to<\/a><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2197518&reg=3&lang=1\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">walk back<\/a> a requirement that smartphones make <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2197140&reg=3&lang=1\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">a new mandatory government app<\/a> \u201cundeletable,\u201d bowing to industry pressure and privacy concerns just days after the initial directive surfaced. The story dominates coverage of India in the global business press this morning. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The reversal:<\/strong> Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified that while manufacturers must still preload the state-owned Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app, users are free to delete it. \u201cKeeping it in their devices or not is up to the user,\u201d Scindia said, explicitly contradicting an earlier directive that the measure would require devicemakers to ensure \u201cno disabling or restriction\u201d of the app\u2019s features. The ministry is also requiring devicemakers push the app out to existing users through software updates. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Watch this space: <\/strong>While Scindia\u2019s remarks overnight were designed to tamp-down the controversy, the government hadn\u2019t (as of our dispatch time this morning) released an amended executive order, nor has it issued new guidelines.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>This likely heads off a showdown with Big Tech.<\/strong> Apple was reportedly preparing to resist the original order, with sources telling Reuters the company planned to argue that mandatory, non-removable third-party software violated its global security protocols. The mandate applies to all major players in the Indian market, including Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo, who now have 90 days to push the app to devices.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why the panic?<\/strong> Privacy advocates and opposition parties had flagged the move as a potential step toward state surveillance, arguing the directive was issued without consultation and could introduce security vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The government\u2019s defense:<\/strong> Scindia insists the app is strictly a \u201ccitizen safety tool\u201d designed to curb cybercrime, citing data that the platform has already helped block some 620k fraud-linked IMEIs and recover thousands of lost phones.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Our take:<\/strong> This was a trial balloon that popped. New Delhi attempted to assert digital sovereignty over hardware \u2014 a growing trend in emerging markets \u2014 but underestimated the ferocity of the privacy backlash. By pivoting to \u201cvoluntary,\u201d the government saves face: It keeps its app on mns of screens by default (relying on user inertia to keep it there) without forcing a legal battle with Apple that could have embarrassed the administration.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong> India is one of the few markets big enough to try to bully Big Tech \u2014 but there are limits. While the EU forces changes through antitrust legislation (like USB-C ports or alternative app stores), India often uses direct executive fiat. This episode draws a line in the sand: Preloading is acceptable; locking the software in is not.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>What\u2019s next?<\/strong> The rollout begins. Manufacturers must now integrate Sanchar Saathi into their builds within three months. Watch closely to see if Apple isolates the app within a sandbox to prevent it from accessing broader system data, regardless of whether users choose to keep it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The story is everywhere this morning<\/strong>, from <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-12-03\/india-says-mandatory-phone-app-can-be-deleted-after-backlash?srnd=homepage-middle-east\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/sustainability\/boards-policy-regulation\/apple-resist-india-order-preload-state-run-app-political-outcry-builds-2025-12-02\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Reuters<\/a> to the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/12\/02\/business\/india-tracking-app-sanchar-saathi.html\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">New York Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">MENA THIS MORNING-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong> Among the stories making headlines in the Middle East this morning<\/strong>, from our <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/uae\/en\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">UAE<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/ksa\/en\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Saudi<\/a>, and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/egypt\/en\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Egypt<\/a> editions:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Saudi Arabia will continue spending through the dip.<\/strong> Despite pulling back from the excesses of Neom and The Line, the Kingdom isn't tapping the brakes: Finance Minister Mohammed Al Jadaan\u2019s <strong>FY2026 budget<\/strong> projects an SAR 165 bn (USD 44 bn) deficit to sustain the diversification drive; <strong>Saudi National Bank<\/strong> is seeking USD 1 bn to bolster its balance sheet \u2014 partly from Asian lenders \u2014 to help fund the vision. The <strong>IPO window<\/strong> remains open, with education play <strong>Almasar<\/strong> bucking the trend of recent lackluster market debuts: It popped 18% on its first day of trading. The question remains: Can liquidity support the 100+ firms in the pipeline \u2014 let alone back them in the aftermarket \u2014 if Saudi firms can\u2019t attract institutional capital?<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The UAE is doubling down on future-proofing.<\/strong> Back from the national holiday, the Emirates continues its <strong>pivot to tech<\/strong>, joining a US-led summit on AI supply chains next week. The non-oil <strong>economy grew<\/strong> 5.7% in 1H 2025, driving <strong>Abu Dhabi inflation<\/strong> to a 20-month high as talent floods the capital. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Corridor Signal:<\/strong> India\u2019s Stride Ventures is capitalizing on this growth, securing commitments for its ADGM fund to deploy capital into UAE and Saudi startups.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>AND- UAE and Saudi equity markets were both down<\/strong> for the month of November. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Egypt stabilizes.<\/strong> Net foreign assets climbed to USD 22.7 bn in October, signaling <strong>improved <\/strong><strong>liquidity<\/strong> on the back of strong remittances and foreign portfolio inflows. Meanwhile, a French-Egyptian consortium landed the EUR 540 mn <strong>Cairo-Alexandria freight railway<\/strong>, boosting the country's logistics ambitions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">HAPPENING TODAY-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Meesho IPO kicks off today:<\/strong> The SoftBank-backed e-commerce unicorn hits the market looking to raise INR 54 bn (c. USD 640 mn), with a price band set at INR 105-111 per share.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Meesho is a \u201cvalue commerce\u201d marketplace<\/strong> that connects suppliers of unbranded goods \u2014 mostly fashion and home accessories \u2014 with budget-conscious shoppers in India\u2019s Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, originally gaining fame for its reseller model.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong> This is the biggest test yet for India\u2019s mass-market thesis. With a valuation of c. USD 6 bn, Meesho is betting its grip on the \u201cnext bn users\u201d can hold off Amazon and Flipkart. Anchor investors \u2014 including Fidelity and BlackRock \u2014 like its chances: They already snapped up INR 24 bn worth of shares yesterday, signaling strong institutional appetite as the company\u2019s losses continue to narrow.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> HAPPENING THIS WEEK <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Russian<\/strong><strong> President Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi tomorrow for a two-day state visit<\/strong>, his first to India since the start of the Ukraine war. He\u2019s expected to pitch Russian crude as well as military equipment including missile systems and fighter jets to Indian buyers, according to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/aerospace-defense\/russias-putin-seeks-boost-energy-defence-exports-with-india-visit-2025-12-02\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Reuters<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">WATCH THIS SPACE-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>#1- The INR crossed the psychologically important mark of 90 to the <\/strong><strong>greenback<\/strong> this morning on the back of weak foreign inflows, hitting a new record-low 90.14 to the USD.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">[wwtt4] <strong>#2- Adani plots USD 15 bn airport expansion.<\/strong> The conglomerate plans to invest the funds over five years to boost capacity to 200 mn passengers annually ahead of a planned IPO for the unit. The roadmap includes major upgrades at Navi Mumbai and hubs including Ahmedabad and Jaipur, positioning Adani to capture two-thirds of India\u2019s projected 2030 air traffic.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Speaking of aviation: <\/strong>India\u2019s aviation regulator has grounded an Air India aircraft and launched an investigation after the carrier operated the jet with an expired airworthiness review certificate, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/india\/india-launches-probe-into-air-india-operating-with-expired-safety-certificate-2025-12-02\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Reuters<\/a> reports. The Airbus A320 had flown eight times after its certificate had lapsed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"> <a id=\"wwtt2\"><\/a> <strong>#3- IOC + BPCL load up on Russian crude:<\/strong> State refiners Indian Oil Corp and Bharat Petroleum have snapped up additional Russian shipments for January, capitalizing on widening discounts vs Gulf crude and better availability from non-sanctioned tankers, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-12-01\/india-picks-up-non-sanctioned-russian-oil-as-discounts-widen?srnd=phx-india-v2\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong> The discount is back. Indian buying cooled when the price advantage over Middle East grades narrowed, but with the spread reportedly widening again to c. USD 5 per barrel (up from USD 3), state refiners are proving that price \u2014 not politics \u2014 is the policy that matters.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>#4- <\/strong><strong>India<\/strong><strong> plans to raise the minimum efficiency requirement for solar <\/strong><strong>modules used in government-supported and grid-connected projects<\/strong> beginning 1 January 2027, according to a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/2025\/12\/103.pdf\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">draft notification<\/a> issued by the New and Renewable Energy Ministry. <strong>The requirement would make a significant part of existing manufacturing capacity obsolete<\/strong>, with production lines that produce lower-efficiency modules being forced to shift to next-gen technologies, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-12-02\/india-plans-to-raise-efficiency-requirement-for-solar-modules?srnd=phx-india-v2\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a> reports, quoting energy experts. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The proposal comes amid a rapidly expanding domestic manufacturing base and oversupply concerns<\/strong>, with industry analyses estimating that module capacity in India could exceed 120-150 GW by 2025, according to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/industry\/renewables\/indias-solar-manufacturing-capacity-about-to-exceed-125-gw-raising-overcapacity-concerns\/articleshow\/125115116.cms?from=mdr\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Economic Times<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<hr style=\"height:2px;border-width:0;color:gray;background-color:gray\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>#5- Adia + ICD back VC fund: <\/strong>Bengaluru-based VC firm Fireside Ventures has raised INR 22.65 bn (USD 250 mn) for its fourth fund from a mix of global and domestic investors including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Investment Corporation of Dubai, Fidelity International, and US university endowments, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/india\/indias-fireside-ventures-raises-253-million-fourth-fund-2025-12-02\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Reuters<\/a> reports. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Background: <\/strong>Founded in 2017, Fireside now manages USD 650 mn across four funds with a portfolio of over 60 consumer brands including Mamaearth, boAt, and the Sleep Company, as per the newswire.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">DATA POINT- <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Speaking of venture capital: Indian VC and private equity shops had a busy October, <\/strong><strong>closing 102 transactions<\/strong>, a 9% increase over the same period a year ago, according to IVCA-EY\u2019s latest <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/2025\/12\/43.pdf\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">report (pdf)<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Where money flowed:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The biggest share of October\u2019s PE and VC inflows came from <strong>private investments in public equity<\/strong> deals, which totalled INR 175 bn (USD 2.1 bn). <\/li>\n<li><strong>Startup funding<\/strong> was the next-largest category at INR 167 bn (USD 2 bn), recording a 175% surge y-o-y.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Fast fact: <\/strong>Nine large transactions worth INR 309 bn (USD 3.7 bn) accounted for roughly 70% of total inflows, including Abu Dhabi-based <strong>International Holding Company<\/strong>\u2019s INR 83 bn (USD 1 bn) purchase of a 43.46% stake in Sammaan Capital.<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-12 subscribe-box-panel\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<div class=\"title\">\n<h4 class=\"fw-lighter mb-10\">   Get <b style=\"font-weight: 700\">Enterprise<\/b> daily   <\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-10\">The roundup of news and trends that move your markets and shape corporate agendas delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<p>  <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/egypt\/en\/user\/NewsLetters\" type=\"button \" class=\"btn-green px-3 d-flex align-items-center\" rel=\"noopener\">Subscribe here<\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">YOU\u2019RE READING EnterpriseAM MENA <> India, your C-suite briefing on the movement of trade, investment, people, and ideas along one of the world\u2019s most exciting corridors. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9am UAE, we dive deep into the business, finance, economy, and policy headlines and trendlines that will move markets and set the tone for your day. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Were you forwarded this briefing? <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sub.ent.news\/mena-india\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Tap or click here to sign up without charge for your own<\/a><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sub.ent.news\/mena-india\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">copy.<\/a> <\/p>\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">MUST VISIT-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The <\/strong><strong>Qatar<\/strong><strong> Foundation <\/strong><strong>has launched the world\u2019s first museum dedicated to India\u2019s <\/strong><strong>pioneering modernist painter MF Hussain<\/strong>, setting a significant milestone in the late artist\u2019s global resurgence. The <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/lawhwaqalam.org.qa\/museum\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Lawh Wa Qalam Museum<\/a> in Doha houses more than 150 of Hussain\u2019s works, including his final Arab Civilization series, created in exile while in Qatar, alongside personal objects and rarely seen early pieces from India. Unveiled with a facade-scale projection of his most iconic motifs, the museum realized Hussain\u2019s 2008 blueprint for a space that would preserve both his Indian and Arab legacies. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> THE BIG STORY ABROAD- <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Russian President Vladimir Putin met US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow <\/strong><strong>to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine.<\/strong> Putin\u2019s aide Yuri Ushakov described the discussions as \u201cconstructive\u201d but said much work remains. The meeting followed US consultations with Ukrainian officials in recent weeks to revise a 28-point peace proposal criticized for favoring Moscow. (<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/china\/witkoff-kushner-meet-putin-moscow-discuss-an-end-ukraine-war-2025-12-02\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Reuters<\/a> | <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cwyv0ex7v8ro\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">BBC<\/a> | <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2025\/12\/02\/putin-witkoff-kushner-meeting-ukraine-plan\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Axios<\/a> | <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/12\/02\/world\/europe\/putin-witkoff-trump-ukraine-meeting.html\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">New York Times<\/a> | <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/world\/live-news\/trump-ukraine-russia-venezuela-12-02-2025\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">CNN<\/a> | <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/world\/2025\/12\/02\/russia-putin-witkoff-kushner-ukraine-talks-moscow\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Washington Post<\/a>) <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>In Washington, US President Donald Trump said he will announce his nominee for <\/strong><strong>Federal Reserve chair in early 2026<\/strong>, naming White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett as a leading contender to replace Jay Powell when his term ends in May. Trump said the search, which once included about ten candidates, is now \u201cdown to one,\u201d though final interviews with senior officials will continue in the coming weeks. The president reiterated his criticism of Powell for not cutting interest rates fast enough. (<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/d84661cb-26e6-4f55-8096-8ab4a8d47755\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Financial Times<\/a> | <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/us\/trump-says-new-federal-reserve-chair-be-announced-early-next-year-2025-12-02\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Reuters<\/a> | <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-12-02\/trump-says-he-ll-announce-new-fed-chair-early-next-year\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Meanwhile in crypto markets, BTC climbed back above the USD 90k mark<\/strong>, rebounding after a steep selloff, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-12-02\/crypto-markets-steady-as-indicators-point-to-weak-sentiment?srnd=homepage-middle-east\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a> reports. The recovery came after the Securities and Exchange Commission signaled plans for an \u201cinnovation exemption\u201d for digital asset firms and Vanguard announced it would allow trading of crypto-focused ETFs and mutual funds on its platform. Despite the recovery, sentiment remains fragile with traders staying cautious ahead of next week\u2019s Fed rate decision. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\"> MARKET WATCH- <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Foreign<\/strong><strong> portfolio investors withdrew INR 37.6 bn (USD 420 mn) from Indian equities in <\/strong><strong>November<\/strong>, reversing October\u2019s net inflows and reflecting a broader risk-off mood, according to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fpi.nsdl.co.in\/web\/Reports\/Monthly.aspx\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">data<\/a> from National Securities and Depositories. The pullback followed three months of heavy selling in July-September amid uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve\u2019s rate-cut timeline, a stronger USD, and geopolitical tensions. Sectoral pressure in IT services, consumer services, and healthcare deepened the caution, analysts told <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/fpis-resume-selling-in-november-withdraw-3765-crore-from-equities\/article70341343.ece\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">The Hindu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>A late-November rally<\/strong> <strong>pushed Nifty and Sensex to new records<\/strong>, which, alongside stronger 2Q earnings, has lifted sentiment. December investment flows will depend on US interest rate signals and progress on <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/mena-india\/en\/news\/edition\/mena-india\/b1ce24ff-166d-40ef-af3d-8adba6c1a0e4\/red-hot:-india%25e2%2580%2599s-economy-grew-at-8.2%2525-in-2q\/d4a50d1e-7527-4cb1-9274-9cce5a25f60a\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">the India-US trade pact<\/a>. So far in 2025, FPIs have pulled INR 1.43 tn (USD 16.04 bn) from equities, while adding USD 90 mn to debt under the general route and withdrawing USD 60 mn through the voluntary retention window.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/fireside-ventures\/\">Fireside Ventures<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/oil-and-gas\/\">oil and gas<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/policy\/\">Policy<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/solar-energy\/\">solar energy<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/venture-capital\/\">Venture Capital<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/what-were-tracking-today\/\">WHAT WE\u2019RE TRACKING TODAY<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"85316\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"85316\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">2<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">INVESTMENT WATCH<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/indias-stride-ventures-is-expanding-in-the-gulf-targeting-usd-500-mn-in-aum\/\">\r\n                            India\u2019s Stride Ventures is expanding in the Gulf, targeting USD 500 mn in AUM                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/indias-stride-ventures-is-expanding-in-the-gulf-targeting-usd-500-mn-in-aum\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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Deployment will be prioritized in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Fariha Ansari Javed, partner for GCC and global capital formation at Stride, told EnterpriseAM in an interview.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">(<strong>** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links<\/strong> to our background and outside sources.)<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The firm has raised about USD 300 mn in institutional commitments toward its funds in <\/strong><strong>India, the UAE, and the UK<\/strong>, with a planned global close of USD 600 mn. This includes an ADGM Fund V for which Stride announced a first close <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/uae\/en\/news\/story\/9c91ff9b-4525-43b0-b27c-a8ac203338cf\/india%5B%E2%80%A6%5D53e-reaches-first-close-on-adgm-fund-v-with-usd-250-mn-target\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">earlier this year<\/a>. The raise is backed by sovereign wealth funds, global banks, asset managers, treasuries, and ins. firms.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>What\u2019s driving deployment? <\/strong>\u201cThe India-GCC corridor is evolving into a two-way flow of capital and operational scale, marking a shift from unilateral investment to cross-border expansion,\u201d Javed said. Indian companies are entering Saudi Arabia and the UAE to tap into larger-ticket sizes driven by stronger unit economics and policy support. A growing base of Gulf-based startups is \u201cleveraging India for technology, talent, and cost-efficient scaling,\u201d while adopting India-style playbooks in FinTech, logistics, SaaS, proptech, and B2B SaaS.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Stride focuses on high-growth, asset-light, tech-enabled businesses<\/strong> by leveraging Indian experience and applying it in the GCC with regional nuances \u2014 \u201cwhere India\u2019s operating depth combines with the GCC\u2019s capital availability and regulatory momentum,\u201d Javed told us.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Partnership with SAB:<\/strong> Earlier this year, Stride partnered with Saudi Awwal Bank\u2019s investment arm <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sabinvest.com\/en\/sab-invest\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">SAB Invest<\/a>, which Javed described as a \u201ccornerstone of its broader GCC strategy.\u201d The move \u201ccombines SAB Invest\u2019s best in class asset management platform and deep understanding of the Saudi market with Stride\u2019s global venture and growth debt expertise,\u201d she added. The partnership has already begun deploying credit in high growth startups and SMEs in the kingdom with shariah-compliant structures.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Stride intends to commit about USD 500 mn in Saudi Arabia by 2028<\/strong>, with selective exposure to Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain through partnerships rather than standalone vehicles, while maintaining a sector-agnostic approach, Javed said. The firm plans to enhance its scale in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in 2026 to mature its platform with an eye on other GCC markets.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Changing dynamics across the Gulf and India:<\/strong> Equity markets have turned far more selective globally, reshaping founder behaviour across both India and the GCC, Javed told us. \u201cIndia is a mature and expanding venture debt market, with annual issuance of over USD 1 bn. As founders optimize dilution and preserve runway, venture debt has shifted from being a supplementary product to a core part of capital planning,\u201d she said. In the Gulf, she sees a strong pivot towards on-balance and off-balance sheet structures driven by preference for non-dilutive capital and by the region\u2019s deep liquidity.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Active agreement pipelines<\/strong> are concentrated in fintech, SaaS, healthcare, logistics, climate, and energy transition, and ticket sizes in the Gulf are significantly larger than in India, with on-balance sheet transactions averaging USD 20 mn and off-balance sheet SPV structures exceeding USD 50 mn.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>IN CONTEXT- <\/strong>The GCC has accelerated reforms and seen a rise in private credit and alternative finance, making the region an increasingly attractive hub for structured financing vehicles, according to a State Street Global Advisors <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ssga.com\/ie\/en_gb\/institutional\/insights\/why-the-gcc-is-emerging-as-a-global-private-markets-hotspot\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a>. Saudi Arabia\u2019s economic transformation under Saudi Vision 2030 and regulatory frameworks in financial centers like Abu Dhabi Global Market and Dubai International Financial Center have helped reposition the Gulf as a capital-markets and private-credit hub.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/capital-markets\/\">CAPITAL MARKETS<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/india-gcc-corridor\/\">India-GCC Corridor<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/investment-watch\/\">INVESTMENT WATCH<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/stride-ventures\/\">Stride Ventures<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/venture-debt\/\">Venture Debt<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"85318\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"85318\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">3<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">ECONOMY<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/industrial-output-growth-slows-in-october-fdi-gains-momentum-in-1h\/\">\r\n                            Industrial output growth slows in October, FDI gains momentum in 1H                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/industrial-output-growth-slows-in-october-fdi-gains-momentum-in-1h\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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Up first:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Industrial output<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>India\u2019s<\/strong><strong> industrial output <\/strong><strong>growth<\/strong><strong> slowed significantly to 0.4% in October from <\/strong><strong>4% in September this year<\/strong> due to fewer working days during the festival-heavy month, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/new.mospi.gov.in\/uploads\/latestReleases\/latest_release_1764585139186_f8ee1708-49cb-4885-8727-9e618a3095a2_IIP_Press_release_October_2025.pdf\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">data (pdf)<\/a> from the Statistics Ministry shows. This marks a 3.5 percentage point slowdown in growth compared to October 2024.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">(<strong>** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links<\/strong> to our background and outside sources.)<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>A tale of two trends: <\/strong>Output of infrastructure and construction goods rose 7.1%, capital goods gained 2.4%, and intermediate goods edged up 0.9%. But primary goods contracted 0.6%, consumer durables fell 0.5%, and consumer non-durables dropped 4.4%, indicating weaker discretionary and essentials demand.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Sectorally, manufacturing grew 1.8% on the back of basic metals<\/strong> (6.6%), refined petroleum (6.2%), and motor vehicles (5.8%). Mining declined 1.8%, while electricity output fell 6.9% amid cooler weather and extended rains. Industrial output grew 2.7% in April-October, supported by 3.9% manufacturing growth, flat electricity generation, and a 1.9% mining contraction.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">PMI-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>India\u2019s<\/strong><strong> manufacturing momentum cooled sharply in November<\/strong>, with the HSBC-S&P Global PMI falling to 56.6 from 59.2 \u2014 a nine-month low and below the flash estimate, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/india\/indias-factory-growth-slows-nine-month-low-us-tariffs-dent-demand-pmi-shows-2025-12-01\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Reuters<\/a> reports. The index stayed above 50.0, indicating expansion, but output and new orders saw their weakest growth since February. This deceleration was mainly due to US punitive tariffs, which curbed demand and delayed projects.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Export orders slowed to their weakest rise in over a year<\/strong>, coinciding with a nearly 9% y-o-y drop in US shipments and contributing to a record trade deficit. Business confidence slid to its lowest since mid-2022 as firms faced stiffer competition and decelerated hiring, the newswire added. Moderating input costs provided some relief, with output charges at their weakest since March. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">FDI-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Foreign<\/strong><strong> direct investment was up 18% y-o-y in 1H (April to September) FY 2026 to USD <\/strong><strong>35.1 bn<\/strong>, according to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dpiit.gov.in\/static\/uploads\/2025\/12\/7b947761f3bb819d1092c7a189f37834.pdf\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">government data<\/a> released on Monday. FDI inflows in 2Q (June to September) increased by 21% y-o-y to USD 16.5 bn. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Singapore was the largest source of FDI<\/strong> <strong>for 1H<\/strong>, delivering USD 11.9 bn. Inflows from the US more than doubled in 1H to USD 6.6 bn despite tensions in bilateral relations triggered by steep tariffs imposed by Washington. Investments from Mauritius were valued at USD 3.47 bn and from the UAE at USD 2.3 bn. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Government seeks additional funds-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The<\/strong><strong> Finance Ministry has sought parliamentary approval for INR 414.5 bn (USD 4.62 bn) <\/strong><strong>in net additional spending this fiscal year<\/strong> to fulfil administrative and subsidy needs, according to the ministry\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dea.gov.in\/files\/budget_division_documents\/First%20batch%20of%20Supplementary%20Demands%20for%20Grants%202025-26.pdf\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">supplementary demands for grants (pdf)<\/a>. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed INR 41.03 bn (USD 460 mn) for defense procurement and capital needs, alongside INR 125 bn (USD 1.4 bn) to compensate state-owned energy firms for cooking gas subsidies and INR 110 bn (USD 1.2 bn) for fertilizer imports. The rest of the proceeds will go to administrative expenses. The request comes on top of the budgeted USD 566 bn expenditure for the fiscal year ending in March 2026. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">Monetary Policy forecast-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>State-owned lender Bank of Baroda forecasts that t<\/strong><strong>he<\/strong><strong> Reserve Bank of India will keep the <\/strong><strong>repo rate unchanged at 5.5%<\/strong> and maintain a neutral stance in its 5 December policy review, analysts at Bank of Baroda <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bankofbaroda.bank.in\/-\/media\/project\/bob\/countrywebsites\/india\/economic-scenario\/thematic-reports\/2025\/25-11\/bob-economics-rbi-monetary-policy-expectations-1dec2025-01-23.pdf\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">write<\/a>. The lender predicts a continuity in growth momentum in 3Q \u2014 following a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/mena-india\/en\/news\/edition\/mena-india\/b1ce24ff-166d-40ef-af3d-8adba6c1a0e4\/red-hot:-india%25e2%2580%2599s-economy-grew-at-8.2%2525-in-2q\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">8.2% growth rate in 2Q FY 2026<\/a> \u2014 on the back of strong urban consumption, rural demand, and a gradual pickup in private investment. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The bank expects tamed inflation<\/strong>, well below the central bank\u2019s estimates, following a record <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/mena-india\/en\/news\/story\/d4a50d1e-7527-4cb1-9274-9cce5a25f60a\/india-%2B-us-trade-agreement-to-conclude-by-year-end%3B-e-commerce-giants-to-offer-loans\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">low of 0.25% in October<\/a><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/mena-india\/en\/news\/story\/d4a50d1e-7527-4cb1-9274-9cce5a25f60a\/india-%2B-us-trade-agreement-to-conclude-by-year-end%3B-e-commerce-giants-to-offer-loans\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">. Despite the space for a rate cut, Baroda forecasts the RBI is likely to maintain a cautious stance as economic growth remains robust and US tariff driven headwinds could require monetary easing in future reviews.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/data\/\">data<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/economy\/\">Economy<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/fdi\/\">FDI<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" 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data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2025\/11\/1761.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"1761.jpg\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2025\/11\/1761.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ent.news\/2025\/11\/1761.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" \/>                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                \n<article id=\"post-85320\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-85320 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-ipo-watch tag-asg-hospital tag-atomberg tag-enterpriseam-india tag-ipo-watch tag-torrent-gas tag-wakefit wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-audio mb-0\"><audio controls preload=\"metadata\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/ent.news\/audio\/2025\/12\/.2b564606-4cfa-4dd3-91dd-46a5eaca5f34.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure><p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>India\u2019s IPO market remains hot heading into the end of the year<\/strong> as companies rush to beat the New Year\u2019s buzzer. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"> <strong>Bengaluru<\/strong><strong>-based home and sleep solutions retailer <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wakefit.co\/?srsltid=AfmBOoolyWLzW7GkSPWbCCRCxS4Viey_b8W-ooCmU_0Yd4221lS7mWJb\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Wakefit Innovations<\/a><\/strong><strong> will <\/strong><strong>open its IPO for retail investors on 8-10 December<\/strong>, with listing expected on 15 December, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/india\/indias-wakefit-innovations-sets-ipo-price-band-185-195-rupees-2025-12-02\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Reuters<\/a> reports. The company has set a price band of INR 185-195 per share, eyeing a valuation of up to INR 59.96 bn (USD 669 mn).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">(<strong>** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links<\/strong> to our background and outside sources.)<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The offering includes a fresh issue of INR 3.77 bn<\/strong> (USD 42.2 mn) and an offer-for-sale of 46.7 mn shares by founders and existing investors including Peak XV Partners Investments VI, Redwood Trust, Verlinvest, SAI Global India Fund I, and Paramark KB Fund I, according to a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/nsearchives.nseindia.com\/corporate\/Registration_27062025055322_DRHP.pdf\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">draft filing<\/a> on the NSE offer-documents archive. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Use of proceeds: <\/strong>Wakefit plans to allocate INR 161.4 mn (USD 1.8 mn) for lease and license fee payments on its store network and INR 108.4 mn (USD 1.2 mn) toward brand marketing. A further INR 30.8 mn (USD 340k) will go toward opening 117 new stores, and INR 15.4 mn (USD 170k) will be used for equipment and machinery, with the balance going to general corporate requirements.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Pre-IPO placement: <\/strong>The company raised INR 56 mn (USD 630k) from DSP India Fund and 360 One Equity Opportunities Fund, issuing 2.87 mn shares at INR 195 each.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>About the firm:<\/strong> Wakefit offers a range of mattresses, furniture, and home accessories through its digital platform, company-owned stores, and tie-ups with e-commerce marketplaces and multi-brand retailers. It is among India\u2019s fastest-growing local consumer brands in the home-solutions category, with total income reaching INR 10 bn (USD 120 mn) by end-March 2024, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/market\/ipo\/wakefit-ipo-opens-on-december-8-from-key-dates-to-offer-details-here-are-10-things-to-know-from-rhp-11764501692736.html\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Livemint<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>ADVISORS-<\/strong> Axis Capital, IIFL Capital Services, and Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities India are lead bookrunners on the issue, while MUFG Intime India is the registrar.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">ASG Hospital Plans INR 35 bn IPO-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Rajasthan<\/strong><strong>-based super-specialty eye care chain <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/asgeyehospital.com\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">ASG Hospital<\/a><\/strong><strong> is considering an IPO that <\/strong><strong>could raise up to INR 35 bn (USD 391 mn)<\/strong>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-11-28\/general-atlantic-backed-asg-hospital-eyes-391-million-india-ipo?srnd=phx-india-v2\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a> reports. The proposed offering would involve a mix of fresh shares and stock sales by existing investors, and dilute some 15% of the company\u2019s equity. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>What they\u2019re targeting:<\/strong> ASG is aiming for a valuation of around INR 232.4 bn (USD 2.6 bn), with the listing expected next year. The company has invited investment banks to pitch for advisory roles, according to the news outlet. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Backers: <\/strong>ASG Hospital is backed by US private-equity firm General Atlantic and India-focused investor Kedaara Capital.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Sector backdrop: <\/strong>The potential IPO would follow recent listings from peers including <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dragarwal.com\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr.<\/a><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dragarwal.com\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Agarwal\u2019s Health Care<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medanta.org\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Global Health (Medanta)<\/a>, and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jupiterhospital.com\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Jupiter Life Line Hospitals<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">More in the IPO pipeline-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Mumbai<\/strong><strong>-based consumer electronics manufacturer <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/atomberg.com\/?srsltid=AfmBOorzsO6JwLWmlFsSZ14Pko5IQ96KyEhB-26NkBTIWs0lvM4fNY9J\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Atomberg Technologies<\/a><\/strong><strong> is mulling an <\/strong><strong>IPO that could raise nearly INR 16.6 bn (USD 200 mn)<\/strong>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-12-01\/temasek-backed-atomberg-is-said-to-plan-200-million-india-ipo?srnd=phx-india-v2\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a> reports, citing unnamed sources. The company has reportedly started early discussions with investment banks and aims to launch the IPO next year. Its current investors include Singapore\u2019s SWF Temasek Holdings, Steadview Capital Management, Jungle Ventures, and Inflexor Ventures. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Gujarat<\/strong><strong>-based city-gas distributor <\/strong><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.torrentgas.com\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Torrent Gas<\/a><\/strong><strong> has appointed three banks for a planned <\/strong><strong>IPO that could raise up to INR 37.5 bn (USD 450 mn)<\/strong>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-12-02\/india-s-torrent-gas-hires-citi-two-others-for-450-million-ipo?srnd=phx-india-v2\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a> reports, citing people familiar with the matter. The company has mandated Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Capital, and Citigroup India\u2019s unit as book-running lead managers. The planned IPO could value Torrent Gas at around INR 250 bn (USD 3 bn) and will test investor appetite for city-gas distributors as firms scale operations to meet the government\u2019s push for cleaner fuels.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/asg-hospital\/\">ASG Hospital<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/atomberg\/\">Atomberg<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/ipo-watch\/\">IPO WATCH<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/torrent-gas\/\">Torrent Gas<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/wakefit\/\">Wakefit<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"85322\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"85322\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">5<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">M&amp;A WATCH<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/carlyle-could-write-a-usd-300-mn-ticket-for-indias-nido-home-finance\/\">\r\n                            Carlyle eyes Indian housing-finance boom with Nido investment                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/carlyle-could-write-a-usd-300-mn-ticket-for-indias-nido-home-finance\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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Talks are ongoing and no definitive agreement has been reached. If completed, the agreement would add Carlyle to a growing list of large global and foreign investors backing India\u2019s rapidly expanding housing-finance sector, alongside Blackstone and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">(<strong>** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links<\/strong> to our background and outside sources.)<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Edelweiss\u2019s chairman has signalled openness to external equity to scale its home-loan <\/strong><strong>business<\/strong>, according to an <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn1.edelweissfin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Earnings-Call-Transcripts-Q2FY26.pdf\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">earnings call<\/a> in September. Carlyle, which has invested roughly USD 8 bn in India over the past 25 years, said it aims to make larger investments and build platforms across financial services. Carlyle also <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/o\/FEQOI\/https:\/\/realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/housing-finance\/carlyle-group-exits-pnb-housing-finance-sells-10-44-stake-for-rs-2712-crore\/120841406\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">sold<\/a> its decade-old stake in PNB Housing Finance as well as in Yes Bank earlier this <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/archive.is\/o\/FEQOI\/https:\/\/www.smfg.co.jp\/news_e\/pdf\/e20250917_02.pdf\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">year<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/housing-finance\/carlyle-group-exits-pnb-housing-finance-sells-10-44-stake-for-rs-2712-crore\/120841406\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Economic Times<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Background: <\/strong>India\u2019s housing-finance market has become a key target for private capital in recent years, driven by rising home demand, under-explored mortgage credit, and strong valuation potential. Large global funds including Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Blackstone have invested in Indian home-loan lenders such as <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/companies\/news\/blackstone-cci-approval-kolte-patil-acquisition-real-estate-125061001285_1.html\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Kolte-Patil Developers<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2187554\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Aadhar Housing Finance<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/carlyle\/\">Carlyle<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/ma-watch\/\">M&amp;A Watch<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/nido-home-finance\/\">Nido Home Finance<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"85324\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"85324\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">6<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">ALSO ON OUR RADAR<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/myntra-to-enter-uae-malaysia-and-australia-after-singapore-pilot\/\">\r\n                            Indian fashion platform gears up for expansion in UAE, Malaysia, and Australia                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/myntra-to-enter-uae-malaysia-and-australia-after-singapore-pilot\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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The move builds on the Walmart-owned fashion platform\u2019s strong traction in Singapore as it eyes markets with a large Indian diaspora. Operations will run through Myntraglobal, which fulfils cross-border orders from India via local partners, allowing the firm to scale without on-ground teams.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>This marks the company\u2019s second foray into the UAE<\/strong> \u2014 one of Myntra\u2019s fastest-growing international traffic sources. A previous partnership in 2020 with Emaar group\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.moneycontrol.com\/news\/business\/companies\/myntra-goes-from-local-to-global-enters-middle-east-with-5x-growth-aim-5618031.html\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Noon and Namshi<\/a><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.moneycontrol.com\/news\/business\/companies\/myntra-goes-from-local-to-global-enters-middle-east-with-5x-growth-aim-5618031.html\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a> was unsuccessful and the efforts did not yield results, leading Myntra to pause regional operations. The push is a key focus area for CEO Nandita Sinha (<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nandita-sinha-3020275\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Linkedin<\/a>), who steered Myntra to profitability and wants a sustainable, India-led offering tailored to diaspora shoppers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">AUTO-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"> <strong>Ashok Leyland sets up Saudi subsidiary: <\/strong>India-based commercial vehicle manufacturer <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ashokleyland.com\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Ashok Leyland<\/a> has incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary in Saudi Arabia to establish an assembly plant, according to a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bseindia.com\/xml-data\/corpfiling\/AttachHis\/1458fdd7-e217-4483-920b-854ed040d20e.pdf\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">filing (pdf)<\/a>. The subsidiary will serve the domestic market and regional demand. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">FINANCE-<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The<\/strong><strong> government of India will sell up to 6% of its stake in state-owned Bank of <\/strong><strong>Maharashtra through an offer-for-sale<\/strong>, with the window opening for non-retail investors on 2 December and for retail investors on 3 December, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fortuneindia.com\/markets\/govt-to-divest-6-in-bank-of-maharashtra-via-ofs-retail-window-to-open-on-dec-3\/128473\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Fortune India<\/a> reports. The offer includes a 5% base sale and a 1% green-shoe option, and the base tranche alone could raise about INR 18 bn (USD 216 mn) at current market prices. The government held 79.6% in the lender as of the September quarter, and shares closed at INR 57.66 on the announcement day, valuing the bank at about INR 443.5 bn (USD 5.3 bn).<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/also-on-our-radar\/\">ALSO ON OUR RADAR<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/auto\/\">auto<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/e-commerce\/\">e-commerce<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/myntra\/\">Myntra<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"85326\" class=\"issue-section markets\">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"85326\">\r\n            \r\n                <div class=\"issue-story-header text-center\">\r\n                    <div class=\"index-number\">7<\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <p class=\"f-graphik\">PLANET FINANCE<\/p>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"story-title\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/pundits-pencil-in-rate-cut-next-week-as-fed-divisions-widen-on-where-the-cycle-should-stop\/\">\r\n                            Pundits pencil-in rate cut next week as Fed divisions widen on where the cycle should stop                        <\/a>\r\n                    <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                    \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__btn share-dropdown-cta dropdown-toggle-btn\" style=\"position:relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ent.news\/internal\/408834.svg\" alt=\"\">\n        Share Story\n        <!-- Dropdown Menu -->\n        <ul class=\"share-menu\">\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/pundits-pencil-in-rate-cut-next-week-as-fed-divisions-widen-on-where-the-cycle-should-stop\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    Open in new tab                    <!-- <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"assets\/media\/placeholder\/svg\/new-tab.svg\" alt=\"\"> -->\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <li class=\"list-inline-item\">\n                <a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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This would come on the heels of two 25 bps cuts <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/uae\/en\/news\/story\/f4fa3768-a450-4162-a3d6-e6bdaa1bfbb6\/%253cmark%253efed%253c%2Fmark%253e-cuts-rates-for-the-first-time-this-year,-resuming-widely-anticipated-easing-cycle\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">in September<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/enterprise.news\/uae\/en\/news\/story\/63354d75-f1f1-4402-896d-7b51aa4e20d7\/%253cmark%253efed%253c%2Fmark%253e-delivers-second-rate-cut-this-year\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">October<\/a>, with the latest cut bringing the target range down to 3.75-4% as policymakers grappled with weak labor data and murky economic indicators in the wake of the government shutdown.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>This also comes as a lack of consensus among Fed officials deepe<\/strong><strong>ns.<\/strong> Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted \u201cstrongly differing views\u201d within the rate-setting committee over whether to focus on price stability or maximum employment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Policymakers are also split about what a neutral rate \u2014 the level that neither st<\/strong><strong>imulates nor restrains the economy \u2014 would be<\/strong> ahead of Fed officials giving their predictions next week, with estimates diverging more than at any point since 2012, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-12-02\/federal-reserve-interest-rate-decision-likely-to-show-divide?embedded-checkout=true\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a> reports. Estimations from September put it between 2.6-3.9%, with 19 officials coming up with 11 different predictions. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>There\u2019s always some disagreement over where the neutral rate<\/strong> \u2014 also known as r-star \u2014 is, especially because it can only be inferred and later judged in the rearview mirror, but this time, the degree of disagreement is more intense \u2014 and potentially, more consequential. \u201cIt starts to become potentially a binding constraint for some of the more hawkish Fed members,\u201d Stephen Stanley, chief US economist for Santander, said. \u201cIt definitely means that each successive cut becomes harder and harder.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>AI + tariffs influencing the outlook: <\/strong>Broader AI adoption could lift productivity and push the neutral rate higher, according to Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari. Investment in AI, along with supportive fiscal and monetary policies, were cited as factors helping the global economy cope with US President Donald Trump\u2019s tariff agenda, according to an OECD report cited by <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2025-12-02\/world-economy-shows-surprising-resilience-to-tariffs-oecd-says\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">Bloomberg<\/a>. Fed Governor Stephen Miran, on the other hand, maintains that US policies like tariffs and tax cuts may be pushing neutral rates lower, supporting the case for more easing.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Looking ahead: <\/strong>A changing of the guard at the Federal Reserve in 2026 could also reshape views on the neutral rate, with incoming policymakers expected to lean toward lower interest rates \u2014 adding another layer of uncertainty to the path of future policy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Speaking of: <\/strong>US President Donald Trump is set to announce the new Fed Chair early next year, he said last week, and White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett is a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/markets\/us\/hassett-may-be-shadow-fed-chair-five-months-2025-12-01\/\" style=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">top contender<\/a>. His election would grant Trump a 5-2 majority on the board of the central bank. <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\">\n<p class=\"tag-border-left\">MARKETS THIS MORNING- <\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Asian markets are mostly in the green<\/strong> after Wall Street indices rallied yesterday, with South Korea\u2019s Kospi leading gains with a c.1.1% rise, Japan\u2019s Nikkei climbing more than 0.7%, and China\u2019s CSI 300 adding 0.2%. Hong Kong\u2019s Hang Seng was the only outlier, dipping 0.7%. <strong>Over on Wall Street<\/strong>, futures point to another strong open on the heels of the tech-fueled rally. <\/p>\n<div class='stock-ticker-panel'>\n<table class='table stock-ticker-table markets-table'>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>ADX<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">9,747<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.4% (YTD: +3.5%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>DFM<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">5,837<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.4% (YTD: +13.1%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Tadawul <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">10,536<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-0.1% (YTD: -12.5%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>EGX30 <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">40,626<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-0.2% (YTD: +36.6%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-down'>\n<td class='td-list-down'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets1'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets1'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Boursa Kuwait<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">8,145<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">-1.2% (YTD: +17.9%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>QSE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">10,674<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.5% (YTD: +1.0%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>S&P 500 <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">6,829<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.3% (YTD: +16.1%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-none'>\n<td class='td-list-none'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>FTSE 100 <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">9,702<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">0.0% (YTD: +18.7%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Euro Stoxx 50 <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">5,686<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.3% (YTD: +16.1%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-none'>\n<td class='td-list-none'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Brent crude <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 62.45<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">0.0%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Natural gas (Nymex) <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 4.86<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.3%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>Gold <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 4,250<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.7%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>BTC <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">USD 91,655<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+6.0% (YTD: -2.1%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-up'>\n<td class='td-list-up'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets11'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets11'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>S&P 500 <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">6,829<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">+0.3% (YTD: +16.1%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class='tr-row-none'>\n<td class='td-list-none'>\n<p><svg class='e-icon e-TypeMarkets'><use xlink:href='#e-TypeMarkets'><\/use><\/svg><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\"><strong>FTSE 100 <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">9,702<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\" style=\"border-right-style:solid;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;border-bottom-border-top-width:1pt;border-right-width:1pt;border-left-border-right-border-left-width:1pt;border-top-style:solid;border-left-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1pt;width:139.2pt;border-top-border-bottom-style:solid\">\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;text-align:left\">0.0% (YTD: +18.7%)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>THE OPENING BELL-<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>The S&P BSE Sensex opened in red <\/strong>reaching 84,848 in early trading, down 0.3%. The index is up 8.08% YTD.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><strong>Over on the NIFTY 50, the index also opened in red <\/strong>reaching 25,926 in the morning trade, down 0.4%. The index is up 9.2% YTD.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n    <div class=\"tags-section\">\n        <div class=\"f-graphik\">Tags:<\/div>\n        <div class=\"tags-list\">\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/financial-markets\/\">Financial markets<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/interest-rates\/\">interest rates<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/planet-finance\/\">PLANET FINANCE<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                            <a rel=\"tag\" href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/tag\/us-federal-reserve\/\">US Federal Reserve<\/a>\n                <!-- <span class=\"sep\">,&nbsp;<\/span> -->\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"85328\" class=\"issue-section \">\n<div class=\"issue-section__content\">\n<div class=\"stories\">            <!-- Show divider before story section -->\r\n        <div \r\n            class=\"\r\n                story-section            \"\r\n            id=\"calendar\">\r\n            \r\n            <div class=\"story__body\">\r\n\r\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/mena-india\/2025\/12\/03\/85328-2\/\">\r\n                    <div class=\"photo photo--above\">\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                <\/a>\r\n\r\n                \n<article id=\"post-85328\" class=\"content-area-description single-story post-85328 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-calendar wpautop entry\">\n\n\t\t\t<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-primary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-primary-background-color has-background is-style-wide\">\n\n\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mt-0 has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-normal-font-size\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\">\n\t\t\t<strong> CALENDAR<\/strong>\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">DECEMBER<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>1-19 December (Monday-Friday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/winter-session-of-parliament-scheduled-from-dec-1-to-dec-19-2025-kiren-rijiju\/\" style=\"\">Winter Session of Indian Parliament<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>3-7 December (Wednesday-Sunday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/engimach.com\/\" style=\"\">ENGIMACH Automation & Manufacturing Technology Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Helipad Exhibition Center (Gandhinagar), Gujarat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">4-5 December (Monday-Tuesday): India-Russia Bilateral Summit (Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s India Visit), New Delhi. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>8-9 December (Monday-Tuesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/telanganarising2047.org\/\" style=\"\">Telangana Rising 2047<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Hyderabad, Telangana.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>11 December (Thursday), <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ficci.in\/event_details\/28032507259215\" style=\"\">FICCI Commercial Real Estate Conclave<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Taj MG Road, Bengaluru.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">JANUARY <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">1 January (Thursday): India assumes the Presidency of Brics.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>19-20 January (Monday-Tuesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradeindia.com\/tradeshows\/145470\/international-crop-science-conference-exhibition-2026.html\" style=\"\">International Crop Science Conference and Exhibition<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Le M\u00e9ridien Conference Center, Dubai.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">26 January (Monday): Republic Day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>27 January (Tuesday): India-EU <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mea.gov.in\/press-releases.htm?dtl\/40336\/Joint_Press_Release_on_the_11th_India__EU_Foreign_Policy_and_Security_Consultations_and_the_6th_IndiaEU_Strategic_Partnership_Review_Meeting_in_Brusse\" style=\"\">Summit<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"> (to potentially finalize FTA), New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>27-30 January (Tuesday-Friday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/indiaenergyweek.com\/event\/2026\/_home\" style=\"\">India Energy Week<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, ONGC Advanced Training Institute, Goa.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>30 January-1 February (Friday-Sunday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indiaagriexpo.com\/\" style=\"\">India Agri Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Ludhiana Exhibition Center, Punjab.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">31 January (Saturday): Commencement of Budget Session 2026, Parliament of India, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">FEBRUARY<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>1 February (Sunday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dea.gov.in\/files\/announcements_documents\/Budget_Circular202627.pdf\" style=\"\">Union Budget 2026-27<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Parliament of India, New Delhi. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>3-6 February (Tuesday-Friday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indembassydili.gov.in\/section\/upcoming-events\/52nd-year-of-chemtech-world-expo-2026-3rd-6th-february-2026-bombay-exhibition-centre-goregaon-mumbai-india\/\" style=\"\">ChemTech World Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Jio World Convention Center, Mumbai.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>9-10 February (Monday-Tuesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcciapune.com\/initiatives\/pibs\/\" style=\"\">Pune International Business Summit (PIBS)<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, SL Kirloskar Convention Center, JW Marriott, Pune.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>14-18 February (Saturday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/mail.mgovcloud.in\/zm\/reUrlCheck.do?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihgfdelhifair.in&uvd=080112bc01b0ca97b3b9c382fe8695f75900007551b3edcfcc2ddb715e6c6aafa782978c518a566cb3f6f21a7ffe245f0866d9739a2e499cb927e87a01a88796ae6f12bc9f57b01a3453a8582efd9c34348988c22f6b91180b551b1f376e9f25031cfc37c4ea8c2dd794586260eb4f7ab8d4b819af61d02b8c79bca5ed6019798dfd57476ad58a6ae69453df1092abdeb0411daa73a5e4730634ee6589ce7c65e0c0d835fceb01d9978da96482e3f4d3f54cb2fbe191fc12a2a26b6fc98eaaec21\" style=\"\">IHGF Delhi Fair<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"> (Spring), New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>19-20 February (Thursday-Friday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/impact.indiaai.gov.in\/\" style=\"\">India-AI Impact Summit<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>25 February (Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wsds.teriin.org\/\" style=\"\">World Sustainable Development Summit<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Taj Palace, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">MARCH<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">4 March (Wednesday): Holi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>12 March (Thursday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/b2b.economictimes.indiatimes.com\/entrepreneur-summit?ag=events_listing&utm_source=events_listing&utm_medium=eventListing\" style=\"\">ET Entrepreneur Summit & Awards<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Bengaluru.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>19-22 March (Thursday-Sunday): Bharat Urja Manthan - <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.globalenergyconclave.com\/\" style=\"\">Global Energy Conclave<\/a><\/span><span>, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">20 March (Friday): Eid Al Fitr.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>23-25 March (Monday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indiasoft.org\/delegates-registration\/\" style=\"\">Indiasoft: International IT Exhibition & Conference<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>23-25 March (Monday-Wednesday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartcitiesindia.com\/\" style=\"\">Smart Cities Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>23-25 March (Monday-Wednesday):<\/span> <span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;font-size:11.5pt;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/plastiworld.org\/\" style=\"\">PlastiWorld India<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size:11.5pt\">, Jio World <\/span><span>Convention<\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;font-size:11.5pt;\"> Center, Mumbai.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">31 March (Tuesday): Mahavir Jayanti.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700\">Signposted to happen sometime in March 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">Election Commission of India is expected to announce polling dates for elections in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, and the union territory Puducherry.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">APRIL<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">3 April (Friday): Good Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>23-25 April (Thursday-Saturday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/conclave.railanalysis.com\/\" style=\"\">Rail & Metro Technology Conclave<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>29 April-2 May (Wednesday-Saturday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bharatbuildcon.com\/\" style=\"\">Bharat Buildcon<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>7-10 April (Tuesday-Friday), <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiarubberexpo.in\/\" style=\"\">India Rubber Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, ITPO, Pragati Maidan, Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">MAY<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">1 May (Friday): Buddha Purnima.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">26 May (Tuesday): Eid Al Adha.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">JUNE<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>24-25 June (Wednesday-Thursday): <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/homelandsecurityexpo.in\/datesvenue.php#\" style=\"\">India Homeland Security Expo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">26 June (Friday): Muharram.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700\">Signposted to happen sometime in 1H 2026:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Signing of <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/business\/india-business\/india-qatar-trade-deal-by-q3-next-year-piyush-goyal\/articleshow\/124350957.cms\" style=\"\">India-Qatar Freetrade Agreement<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\"> (details yet to be announced);<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>India-EU Trade and Technology Council <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mea.gov.in\/press-releases.htm?dtl\/40336\/Joint_Press_Release_on_the_11th_India__EU_Foreign_Policy_and_Security_Consultations_and_the_6th_IndiaEU_Strategic_Partnership_Review_Meeting_in_Brusse\" style=\"\">Ministerial Meeting<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Brussels, Belgium.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">AUGUST <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">15 August (Saturday): Independence Day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">26 August (Wednesday): Prophet Mohammad\u2019s Birthday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">OCTOBER <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">2 October (Friday): Gandhi Jayanti (Mahatma Gandhi\u2019s birthday).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">20 October (Tuesday): Dussehra.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700\">NOVEMBER <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">24 November (Tuesday): Guru Nanak Jayanti.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:700;\">DECEMBER<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span>8-11 December (Tuesday-Thursday), <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration-skip-ink:none;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/expandnorthstar.com\/\" style=\"\">Expand North Star<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">, Dubai. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1.15;orphans:2;widows:2;text-align:left\"><span style=\"font-weight:400;\">25 December (Friday): Christmas Day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-${ID} -->\n\n\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div> <!-- \/.story -->\r\n    \n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ashok Leyland, Stride, Myntra eye Gulf opportunities | Russian oil \u2014 again? | Industrial output growth slows | FDI in India rises | Wakefit targets USD 669 mn valuation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":85313,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85312","issue","type-issue","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","wpautop","entry"],"acf":{"mongo_id":"393d602d-20d7-46c3-b472-1b1c42a1db45","teaser":"Ashok Leyland, Stride, Myntra eye Gulf opportunities | Russian oil \u2014 again? | Industrial output growth slows | FDI in India rises | Wakefit targets USD 669 mn valuation","photo_url":"https:\/\/ent.news\/2025\/12\/187.jpg"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin 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