India

Hindu Business Line | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedBizdev-Partnering

TATA Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran expressed strong interest in investing in Telangana during a meeting with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos. The group plans to set up new manufacturing plants in the state and support government initiatives such as the rejuvenation of the Musi river.

The Telangana delegation presented their “Telangana Rising 2047” vision, which includes upgrading major stadiums in Hyderabad, a project TATA has agreed to support. The group also plans to invest in the hospitality sector by establishing hotels in key temple towns like Medaram, Vemulawada, and Bhadrachalam.

Discussions included a world-class resort on the expanding Srisailam highway, leveraging local attractions and infrastructure suitable for business conferences. TATA is ready to partner on this resort initiative. Additionally, the group is optimistic about future investments in AI data centers, semiconductor production, and electric vehicle manufacturing in Telangana.

The Economic Times | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth

David Rubenstein, co-founder of the Carlyle Group, provided insights on the global economic outlook, US-China relations, and India’s economic future during an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Despite initial concerns, President Trump’s tariff policies have not triggered the predicted recession or high inflation, with the US economy currently growing at around 3%, unemployment at 4.4%, and inflation below 3%. Rubenstein noted that while Trump’s pro-business stance generally pleases corporate America, not all policies are uniformly supported or implemented, and business leaders adapt to regulatory changes pragmatically.

Rubenstein highlighted the evolving US-China dynamic, acknowledging that despite tariff tensions, China maintains a record trade surplus through increased sales in other markets. He believes Trump and Xi Jinping will continue diplomatic engagements, but neither sees the other as their main problem. Instead, US concerns focus on Russia, Ukraine, the domestic economy, and upcoming midterm elections. The bipartisan continuation of tariffs under President Biden signals a sustained, complex US-China economic competition. Rubenstein emphasized the emergence of a bipolar economic world dominated by the US and China, but predicted that India could become the world’s largest economy within 20 to 30 years due to its young, growing population, in contrast to China’s aging demographic.

Regarding private equity, Rubenstein asserted that despite recent public market strength focused on a few mega-cap stocks, private markets have historically outperformed and remain robust and thriving, especially in India. He noted the growth and increasing competition in India’s private equity and credit markets over the past 25 years, expressing optimism about India’s economic trajectory supported by a capitalist-friendly government. Rubenstein advised Indian policymakers to foster homegrown private investment and encourage the return of Indian talent from abroad to further stimulate growth.

On investment strategy, Rubenstein recommended diversification across public equities, public credit, and private investments, with many US endowments holding 20-30% in private markets. He acknowledged higher expected returns but increased risks in emerging markets, now often termed the Global South. Carlyle balances AI investments with other sectors, recognizing AI as a transformative but still early-stage phenomenon while also identifying value in undervalued industries.

Lastly, Rubenstein addressed global geopolitical risks, expressing skepticism about an imminent Chinese takeover of Taiwan, citing lessons from Ukraine and China's prolonged peace. He emphasized the need for private equity firms to blend youthful innovation with experienced leadership to navigate future challenges. Carlyle plans to continue expanding its presence in India across sectors including credit and infrastructure, fueled by India’s large population and growth potential.

The Economic Times | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedTrade Issues and Numbers

US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), stating that the two countries are "going to have a good deal." He praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a close friend and a respected leader during an interview with Moneycontrol following his address at the 56th Annual Summit of the World Economic Forum.

India's Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal indicated that the first tranche of the BTA is "very near," though he did not provide a specific timeline. The agreement, formally proposed in February 2025, aims to more than double bilateral trade between India and the US from USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion by 2030.

The trade talks were initiated during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Washington in February 2025. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that since February 2025, both countries have conducted multiple negotiation rounds to reach a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement, with several occasions where they were close to finalizing the deal.