ADVERTISEMENTs

USISPF hosts post-budget analysis session

Industry experts and economists discussed key fiscal measures, economic growth strategies, and policy reforms aimed at strengthening India's business environment and attracting global investments.

Post-budget interaction and analysis session / X (USISPF)

The U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) hosted a virtual post-budget interaction and analysis session in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) India bringing together industry leaders and economists to assess the key announcements in India’s union budget 2025-26 and their implications for businesses and the economy.

Discussions covered key fiscal policies and macroeconomic implications, with a focus on the Indian government’s efforts to strengthen critical economic sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and digital transformation. Experts also examined the role of private capital expenditure in driving growth, alongside supply-side interventions such as improvements in logistics, supply chain resilience, and production-linked incentives (PLI).



The panel featured Tarun Bajaj, former Secretary, Government of India and chairperson of the US-India Tax Forum; Pranjul Bhandari, MD and chief India and ASEAN economist at HSBC; Dharmakirti Joshi, chief economist at CRISIL; Radhika Rao, senior economist and executive director, economics and strategy research at DBS Bank Singapore; and Malachy Nugent, VP, financial services & head of research at USISPF. The session was moderated by Sanjay Tolia, partner at PwC India & Co LLP.

A key highlight was the emphasis on employment generation and skilling initiatives to prepare India’s workforce for the evolving economy. Panelists also discussed policy interventions and regulatory reforms aimed at boosting investor confidence and unlocking new business opportunities.

Commenting on the budget, Mukesh Aghi, president and CEO of USISPF, stated, “USISPF is confident that the budget will accelerate India’s economic growth, drive increased investments, job creation, and innovation, while further cementing its status as a global economic powerhouse.” 
Aghi added that measures such as removing the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector, simplifying know-your-customer (KYC) processes, and increasing the income tax limit would stimulate economic activity and boost consumer spending.

Bajaj noted that India’s union budget 2025-26 presents a roadmap for consumption-led growth, with a strong emphasis on tax simplification, domestic manufacturing, and ease of doing business. “A cornerstone of the budget is the announcement of the new Income Tax Bill, designed to simplify tax laws. International taxation reforms aim to create a more favorable environment for cross-border businesses,” he said.

Comments