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Welcome to The morning report brought to you by Renil S Varghese — your quick dive into the top stories shaping the business world today. Fast, insightful, and to the point. Check out the top news for the day.
1. Ajit Pawar: A restless power centre who redefined Maharashtra politics
Ajit Pawar, a relentless and ambitious Maharashtra leader long known as the “forever Deputy Chief Minister,” died suddenly in Baramati at 66 while preparing for election rallies and the state budget. His career, marked by intensity and controversy, included a dramatic 2023 break from mentor Sharad Pawar when he joined the BJP and took control of the NCP name and symbol. A workaholic with strong rural connect, he was elected MLA eight times. His death leaves his faction uncertain, with possible continuance under wife Sunetra Pawar or a return to Sharad Pawar’s camp, though the BJP-led government remains stable.
2. India secures tools to guard FTA gains against EU green measures
India’s India‑EU FTA adds two shields against EU green trade rules: a Non‑Violation Complaint (NVC) and a Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). These allow early consultations and fast-track fixes when measures like CBAM or the EU Deforestation Regulation erode market access—even without a formal breach. With CBAM now in its definitive phase, Indian steel and aluminium exporters face a 15–22% hit. A planned 2028 CBAM expansion to 180 downstream products—and possibly chemicals, polymers, refinery, glass, ceramics—could deepen losses. India also secured a CBAM annex with MFN treatment, ensuring any flexibilities granted to others apply to India.
3. No delivery delays, Boeing to supply 25 planes to Indian airlines in 2026
Boeing plans to deliver around 25 aircraft to Indian airlines in 2026, maintaining a pace of two planes per month with no delays, according to Ashwini Naidu at the Wings India event. Deliveries will include 737 Max jets for Akasa Air and Air India Express, and 787‑9s for Air India, up from 19 aircraft last year. Earlier 737 Max delays stemmed from the FAA’s 38‑per‑month production cap, later eased to 42. Boeing projects India–South Asia passenger traffic to grow 7% annually, requiring 3,300 new aircraft by 2044, along with 141,000 aviation professionals, including pilots, technicians, and cabin crew. [thehindubu…ssline.com]
4. Industrial growth accelerates to 7.8% in Dec
India’s factory output rose to a 25‑month high of 7.8% in December 2025, driven by strong growth in manufacturing, mining, and electricity. Manufacturing surged 8.1%, led by electronics (34.9%), motor vehicles (33.5%) and transport equipment (25.1%). Mining grew 6.8%, and power output increased 6.3%. However, industrial growth for April–December FY26 slowed to 3.9%. Four of six use‑based segments strengthened, with consumer durables up 12.3%. IIP growth hit 5.2% in Q3, supporting expectations of 7.1–7.2% GDP growth. Experts say rising consumer demand, investment revival, and the India‑EU FTA will boost manufacturing and medium‑term growth.
Published on January 29, 2026
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