Category Archives: News

India–US Trade Deal Signals Transformational Shift in Strategic Economic Partnership

By:- Dinesh Kanabar, CEO and Chairman, Dhruva Advisors, on the India- US Trade Deal

The India–US FTA is far more than a trade arrangement—it signals a strategic reset in the economic partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies. Coming close on the heels of the India–UAE agreement, India has now effectively stitched market access with the most dynamic consumption and investment hubs. For Indian business, this is not incremental—it is transformational. It opens predictable entry into high-value supply chains, technology collaboration and services mobility that were earlier constrained by tariff and regulatory frictions.

Sectors with deep Indian capability stand to gain immediately. Textiles and apparel can re-emerge as global champions with duty rationalisation and rules-of-origin clarity. Pharmaceuticals and life sciences will benefit from faster approvals and trusted-partner frameworks. Fisheries, agri-processing and speciality chemicals gain scale through assured demand and standards alignment. Equally important is the signal to investors: India is now part of a coherent trade architecture spanning the Gulf and the US, offering a reliable alternative to concentrated sourcing elsewhere.

If executed with speed, this pact can redefine India from being a market to being a production base for the world—exactly the pivot our growth story needs.

Punjab and Haryana Host First Regional Dialogue on Circular, Low-Carbon Packaging from Crop Residue

Chandigarh,  Feb 04: A first-of-its-kind regional convening on ‘Building Circular, Low-Carbon Supply Chains for Agri-Fibre Pulp & Paper Packaging in Punjab & Haryana’ was held yesterday at Hyatt Regency Chandigarh. The roundtable, which was co-presented by Asar, a social impact advisory focused on solution driven climate resilience and environmental nonprofit, Canopy, brought together officials from the Punjab and Haryana governments, representatives from the pulp and paper industry, farmer organisations, brands, and sustainability experts to initiate a shared understanding of how crop residue can be transformed into low-impact, low-carbon packaging materials.

This initial dialogue marked the beginning of a consultative process to explore the potential of paddy straw, wheat straw, and other crop residues as valuable industrial inputs.  Discussions focused on understanding current practices, identifying system gaps, and learning from experiences across the value chain, from farm to factory to market.

Punjab and Haryana together generate over 35 million tonnes of crop residue annually. While much of this biomass remains underutilised or burned, participants discussed how it could become a climate-positive resource that supports clean air, reduces carbon emissions, and creates additional income streams for farmers. The dialogue reframed farmers as key partners in circular supply chains, contributing not only to food security but also to sustainable raw materials for India’s growing packaging sector.

Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare in Punjab Government, said, 

“aid that the Punjab Government is continuously working to promote sustainable management of crop residue. He stated that such discussions and joint platforms help policymakers, industry, and farmers understand how crop residue can be better and more sustainably used in value-added industries while addressing environmental challenges and supporting farmers’ incomes.

He further said that India already has the capacity to produce pulp and paper based on agricultural residue, which demonstrates the technical and commercial potential of this sector. In the context of the growing demand for sustainable packaging from the e-commerce, FMCG, and retail sectors, agriculture-fibre-based paper and corrugated packaging solutions hold strong potential to drive regional economic growth, create new industries, and generate employment opportunities in rural areas, while aligning with environmental priorities.”

India already produces around 1.5 million tonnes of pulp and paper from agri-residues across 23 mills, demonstrating technical feasibility at scale. With rising demand from e-commerce, FMCG, and retail sectors for sustainable packaging, agri-fibre-based paper and corrugated solutions present a strong opportunity for regional economic growth aligned with environmental priorities.

Shyam Singh Rana, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in the Haryana Government, said, 

“Haryana’s industrial base provides a strong foundation for circular manufacturing. This dialogue helps us understand how crop residue can be integrated into low-carbon packaging supply chains in a way that benefits both industry and the environment.”

The meeting emphasised the complementary strengths of both states. He shared, Haryana has abundant feedstock and strong policies for crop residue management, and our government is committed to crop residue management and is moving forward in this direction together with our farmers. Haryana also has advanced pulp and paper mill clusters in Yamuna Nagar and Panipat, along with emerging biofuel and industrial infrastructure.

Today, both Haryana and Punjab are progressing in the agricultural sector, and the challenges faced by both states are also similar. The governments of Haryana and Punjab, working together with farmers, can find solutions to the problem of stubble burning through crop residue management. These two states provide an opportunity to explore a regional circular bioeconomy model that connects farmers with processing industries and end markets.

Crop residue management is emerging as a very large industry, and in the coming days we will achieve zero stubble burning”, he said.

The convening highlighted the complementary strengths of both states. Punjab brings abundant feedstock and strong ex-situ crop residue management policies, while Haryana offers advanced pulp and paper mill clusters in Yamuna Nagar and Panipat, along with emerging biofuel and industrial infrastructure. Together, the two states present an opportunity to explore a regional circular bio- economy model that links farmers with processing industries and end markets.

Vinuta Gopal, Chief Executive Officer, Asar, said,

“Crop residue should be seen not as waste, but as a valuable resource. This first dialogue is about understanding how Punjab and Haryana can unlock this potential in ways that benefit farmers, reduce pressure on forests, and support India’s transition to low-carbon materials.”

Participants also acknowledged key challenges requiring deeper assessment, including underutilised residue collection and aggregation systems, limited participation of small and marginal farmers, weak linkages between collection and industrial use, and insufficient policy focus on packaging as a high-value application of crop residue.

Shruti Singh, Country Director, Canopy, said,

 “Forest based supply chains for paper, packaging, and textiles are entering a period of real climate risk. Crop residues offer India a practical, low-carbon alternative that works for the industry. By bringing governments, mills, farmers, innovators and brands into the same room, this dialogue is about understanding what it will take to scale agri-residue based circular supply chains in Punjab and Haryana. This region has the potential to lead India’s shift toward Next Gen materials.”

Participants agreed on the need for continued dialogue and the exploration of a Punjab–Haryana Working Group to assess infrastructure, policy, and investment needs. The convening helped build a shared understanding of key challenges and opportunities, marking an important first step in positioning crop residue as a resource for low-carbon packaging and farmers as partners in circular supply chains.

Bengaluru Hosts Global Talent at 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026

Bengaluru, Feb 4: Bengaluru today took centre stage in the global culinary spotlight as it hosted one of the official competition rounds of the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2026, the world’s largest and most prestigious culinary competition for student chefs. The event celebrates unity, sustainability and cultural exchange through food, bringing together the next generation of culinary talent from across the globe.

Organised by the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) under the aegis of the International Hospitality Council (IHC), London, the Bengaluru round was conducted at the IIHM Bangalore campus kitchens, following stringent international competition and judging protocols. Young culinary talents from Mauritius, Colombia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, England, Equatorial Guinea and Timor-Leste competed in skill-intensive challenges designed to test technique, creativity, innovation, hygiene practices and professional kitchen discipline.

The Bengaluru leg of the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026 is sponsored by Brigade Hospitality – Signature Club as the Venue Sponsor, and Holiday Inn as the ‘United World of Young Chefs’ (UWYC) Venue Sponsor, along with McCain Food Services, Ariane Porcelain, American Pistachios and Karnataka Tourism.

The competition in Bengaluru was judged by an eminent panel of international and Indian culinary leaders, including Prof. David Foskett, Ms. Vita Whitaker, Chef Vincenzo Oliveri, Chef Steven Ronald Munkley, Chef Mark Reynolds and noted Bengaluru-based chef Chef Abhijit Saha, ensuring rigorous, transparent and world-class evaluation standards.

Speaking about the event, Ms. Sanchari Chowdhury, Director, IIHM Hotel School, Bangalore, Head – South India and Co-Director – IndiSmart Learning, said,

“Bengaluru continues to play a significant role in nurturing young culinary talent and strengthening India’s presence on the global hospitality education map. The introduction of the Young Chef India round has added a strong national dimension to the Olympiad, offering aspiring student chefs across the country a valuable platform to benchmark their skills against international standards.”

Talking about the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026, Dr Suborno Bose, CEO, International Hospitality Council (IHC), Founder of the Young Chef Olympiad and Chairman, IIHM, said,

“Over the years, the Young Chef Olympiad has evolved into a unique global platform that goes beyond competition to foster learning, cultural exchange and collaboration through food. YCO 2026 continues this journey by bringing together young culinary talent from across the world, while reinforcing the values of sustainability, professionalism and unity that define the future of the hospitality industry.”

Beyond competition, the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026 in Bengaluru also showcased the spirit of ‘Culinary Youth Diplomacy’, with student chefs and mentors engaging in cultural exchange and collaboration.

Student teams also competed for special recognitions including the YCO Sustainability Award and the Spirit of Young Chef Olympiad International Award, honouring excellence beyond the kitchen.

Highlighting the rich multicultural culinary traditions of participating nations, the 12th IIHM International Young Chef Olympiad 2026 brought together student chefs from seven countries, with each participant showcasing a signature dish from their respective country under the banner of the ‘United World of Young Chefs’. Earlier, on February 1, Bengaluru also hosted the national inauguration of the event.

Union Budget 2026 Boosts Manufacturing Confidence with Focus on Execution, Technology and Ease of Doing Business

 Mr. Kunal Bajaj, Director, Jupiter Group.

“The Union Budget 2026 sends a strong and reassuring signal to India’s manufacturing sector by moving decisively from intent to execution. Continued public capital expenditure, tax reforms to boost manufacturing, and measures such as customs duty rationalisation, deferred duty payment for trusted manufacturers, and supply-chain facilitation directly improve ease of doing business on the factory floor. For packaging manufacturers, the broader emphasis on high-value manufacturing and revitalisation of legacy industrial clusters strengthens domestic capacity and global competitiveness. The Budget’s push towards technology adoption, including AI-led manufacturing processes, will help improve productivity, quality, and operational efficiency. Sustaining GDP growth at around 7% while maintaining fiscal discipline provides the policy stability entrepreneurs value most, reinforcing confidence to invest, expand capacities, and build resilient, India-anchored value chains aligned with Make in India and Viksit Bharat” 

iLEAD Hosts ‘Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0’ PF Awareness Program in Kolkata

Kolkata, Feb 04: iLEAD successfully organized ‘Nidhi Aapke Nikat 2.0’ in association with EPFO Regional Office, Kolkata on January 27, 2026. The district-level outreach program saw active participation from all teachers and staff of the college and addressed PF-related issues like withdrawal, claim settlement, UAN activation, and KYC updates.

Sri Ashis Kumar Das, Enforcement Officer and Sri Satyaki Basu, Assistant led the event.

The program emphasized the importance of PF savings for a secure future, especially for middle-income groups.

From SDVs to AI-Native Cars: The Software Shift Reshaping the Automotive Industry

By:-  Sharad Bairathi, Managing Director, Embitel Technologies

Bengaluru, India, Jan 04: The global automotive industry is entering a decisive phase in its evolution towards Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), with 2026 expected to emerge as a key inflection point. Central-compute and zonal architectures—once limited to premium vehicles—are now set to penetrate the affordable ₹15–25 lakh mass-market segment, fundamentally reshaping vehicle design, manufacturing economics, and user experience.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are rapidly moving away from fragmented Electronic Control Unit (ECU) silos towards unified diagnostics, shared perception data, and end-to-end over-the-air (OTA) coverage. This architectural shift enables the rollout of advanced SDV features while simultaneously reducing system complexity. By cutting ECU counts by 20–40 per cent and lowering wiring weight by nearly 30 per cent, OEMs can scale SDV platforms without significantly increasing vehicle costs.

Today, automotive OEMs and engineering service providers are already deploying ASIL-ready zonal controllers, production-grade SDV middleware, and robust OTA stacks. These platforms are reinforced by stringent regulatory security mandates, ensuring compliant, continuous OTA pipelines with real-time cybersecurity monitoring, a critical requirement as vehicles become increasingly software-centric.

Data Governance Emerges as the Backbone of SDVs

As vehicles transform into software-driven platforms, data governance has become mission-critical. SDVs generate massive volumes of data through real-time telemetry, behavioural analytics, infotainment systems, and location services. To manage this complexity, Master Data Management (MDM) platforms are playing a pivotal role by creating a single, trusted view of each vehicle across its entire lifecycle.

MDM frameworks enable secure OTA updates, reliable AI model training, and scalable connected services. As SDVs transition from concept to large-scale production in 2026, they are also laying the groundwork for the next evolutionary leap in mobility—AI-native vehicles.

From Smart Features to Learning Machines

AI-native vehicles will redefine in-cabin comfort, safety, and intelligence. Features such as micro-adjustments to seating, dynamic climate control, lighting, audio, and display settings will adapt in real time to driver behaviour and preferences. Over time, vehicles will learn autonomously, reducing the need for manual configuration.

The AI co-pilot will unify human-machine interface (HMI), navigation, and personalisation systems, transforming user interaction from menu-driven commands to conversational intelligence.

Safety will see a major leap forward as AI-native vehicles are trained and validated using millions of computer-generated driving scenarios before deployment. These synthetic scenarios allow engineers to test Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)—including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping—against rare and hazardous conditions such as sudden pedestrian crossings, wrong-way driving, and low-visibility environments. By learning from these simulated situations, AI systems can respond more effectively in real-world conditions, even when sensor inputs are imperfect.

Redefining the Future of Mobility

As software-defined vehicles evolve into truly AI-native machines, cars are no longer just driven by code—they are learning, adapting, and improving with every mile. This transformation is redefining automotive safety, intelligence, and mobility, setting the stage for a new era in transportation over the coming decade.

Bring Romance to the Table with SALT’s Exclusive Valentine’s Day Menu

Valentine’s Day at SALT Indian Restaurant & Grill is all about sharing great food and celebrating love through flavours that feel both familiar and exciting. This year, the restaurant introduces a thoughtfully curated Valentine’s Day menu, designed to offer couples an intimate dining experience rooted in Indian cuisine, elevated with a modern sensibility.

Created exclusively for the occasion, the limited-edition menu brings together comforting classics and inventive presentations. Guests can begin with vibrant starters such as Dilwalon Ki Papdi Chaat and the indulgent Paneer Dilbahar Tikka, while seafood lovers can opt for the refreshing Grilled Prawns and Avocado Salad. The main course offerings continue the romance with standout dishes like Rasella Murgh Musallam, Surf ‘N’ Turf and the luxurious Lobster Angara, each crafted to be rich, flavourful and perfect for sharing.

Complementing the menu is a special selection of Valentine’s cocktails and mocktails that add a playful touch to the evening. Signature cocktails like Good Night Kiss, featuring vodka with hints of pink grapefruit and lychee, and Cupid’s Arrow, a creamy blend of white rum and strawberry, set the mood effortlessly. For non-alcoholic indulgence, mocktails such as Be My Valentine and Love Song bring together fruity and dessert-inspired notes, making every sip feel celebratory.

Desserts like the Baked Rasgulla Mille-Feuille and Gulab Anjeer Ki Kulfi provide a sweet conclusion to the meal, rounding off the experience on a nostalgic yet contemporary note. Paired with SALT’s warm lighting, refined interiors, the Valentine’s offering is ideal for couples looking to enjoy a relaxed yet special evening together.

Whether marking a milestone or simply spending quality time with someone special, SALT’s Valentine’s Day menu promises an experience where romance is served at every course.

BC Jindal Group Welcomes Budget 2026 Push for Clean Energy Manufacturing

Mr. Shyam Sunder Jindal, Promoter, BC Jindal Group.

“In the Budget 2026, it is encouraging to note the Government’s focus on domestic manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries and solar glass to augment India’s goal of installing 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030. Extending the exemption of the basic customs duty on capital goods used for manufacturing lithium-ion cells for battery energy storage systems and on sodium antimonate used in solar glass are welcome steps. This move is poised to play a constructive role in building a power sector that is capable of seamlessly catering to India’s growing energy needs while supporting the country’s clean energy transition,”

Belrise Merger Strengthens Core Manufacturing Platform; Expands Rapidly in Defence and Aerospace

Feb 04: Belrise Industries Limited (BIL), one of India’s leading integrated automotive component manufacturers, is accelerating its transformation into a scaled, diversified precision-engineering company through the merger of two profitable group companies having strong operating metrics, Badve Autocomps and Eximius Infra Tech with Belrise Industries Limited, significantly strengthening its operating platform, group structure and long-term growth visibility. The company is also expanding rapidly in the aerospace & defense division.

Badve Autocomps reported revenues of ₹1,421 crore, EBITDA of ₹187 crore with operating margins of 13.2%, and a PAT of ₹79 crore, while Eximius Infra Tech recorded revenues of ₹696 crore, EBITDA of ₹85 crore with operating margins of 12.2%, and a PAT of ₹33 crore. Together, the merger is expected to add approximately ₹1,000 crore in revenue (post related party eliminations) to the consolidated entity. Additionally, Belrise marks its entry into global aerospace supply chains with its first international acquisition, Europe-based SDM. The announcements are aligned to the company’s objective of building a global aerospace supply chain.

Commenting on the developments, Shrikant Badve, Managing Director of Belrise Industries Limited, said,

“The merger of Badve Autocomps and Eximius Infra Tech with Belrise Industries is a defining step in simplifying our group structure and building a larger, more integrated manufacturing platform, giving us the scale and capability to engage OEMs more deeply and move further up the value chain as a system-level supplier. This consolidation was a key commitment articulated in our DRHP at the time of our IPO, and with this merger, we have delivered on that promise.”

Executed at close to book value, the merger implies a P/E of 8.3x for the merged entities on FY25 basis, compared to 30.9x for the listed entity on a TTM basis, resulting in immediate EPS accretion for Belrise shareholders. EY acted as the independent registered valuer for the transaction, while JM Financial provided the fairness of opinion. The consolidation is also expected to materially reduce related-party transactions by approximately ₹1,152 crore.

1. Post-merger, Belrise will emerge as one of the largest players in India’s two-wheeler plastic components segment, with an estimated market share of around 25%.
2. The combined platform significantly enhances Belrise’s ability to increase content per vehicle through engineered plastic components and integrated system offerings, with content per vehicle expected to rise by over ₹3,000 in two-wheelers, or approximately 20%.
3. The merger is also expected to deepen wallet share among existing OEM customers by 30% and improve customer stickiness.
4. Around 34% of incremental revenue post-merger are expected to come from the passenger and commercial vehicle segments, supporting diversification beyond two-wheelers.

Alongside the merger, Belrise is also scaling its presence in the defence and aerospace sector. The company has completed its first-ever international acquisition in the aerospace segment through the purchase of SDM, a Europe-based manufacturer specializing in high-precision machined components for aero-structures, aero-engines and robotics. SDM supplies to some of the world’s leading aerospace OEMs, including the largest global commercial aircraft manufacturer and a leading French fighter aircraft OEM, providing Belrise direct entry into global aerospace supply chains. SDM is expected to generate revenues of approximately €3–4 million in FY27, forming a base for Belrise’s longer-term aerospace ambitions.

Belrise has also entered a strategic collaboration with Israel-based Plasan Sasa to localise advanced armoured vehicle technologies and the Autonomous Electric Mission Module (ATEMM) in India, with initial assembly planned domestically and a pathway into Plasan’s global manufacturing ecosystem.

Commenting on the expansion, Swastid Badve, Chief of Staff to the Managing Director, Belrise Industries Limited, said,

“The acquisition of SDM represents a critical inflection point in Belrise’s expansion into high-precision, safety-critical aerospace manufacturing. SDM’s capabilities and its presence in global aerospace supply chains provide us immediate access to international programmes and a strong foundation to build an export-oriented aerospace platform from India. Our collaboration with Plasan Sasa further complements this strategy as we selectively scale our presence in defence applications through localisation and advanced manufacturing.”

US-India Trade Deal Seen as Neutral to Positive for Indian Refiners: ICRA