Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has suggested that the Union Budget, to be presented on February 1, 2026, should focus on a longer-term vision to make the Indian economy more resilient and independent, while accelerating growth, as the world is experiencing an ‘extremely dangerous time’. He said that earlier, India had five-year plans, but even then, the country's budget was not well integrated with them.
Rajan said ‘this is an extremely dangerous time for both the global and the Indian economy, even as we are seeing lots of positive opportunities from the tremendous investment in artificial intelligence (AI). But there is also a lot of danger from becoming too reliant on entities that can squeeze us and make us vulnerable because we do not have a natural market which is nearby, which is rich, that we can supply to other than our own.’
He emphasised that the forthcoming budget may cut some tariff rates that keep India from being well integrated into the supply chain. He said ‘and of course, the states are also helping by creating policies that are friendly towards investment. But we need more of that.’ While noting that India is the fastest-growing large economy, and that needs to be celebrated, he said ‘we also need to make as many sorts of relationships as we can, including with our neighbours, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal.’
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