BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has said that the Union Budget 2026 will strongly reflect India’s national priorities, with a clear focus on its young population, skilled workforce, manufacturing sector, and medium and small-scale enterprises (MSMEs). Speaking on the expectations from the budget, Singh underlined that India’s demographic strength and growing aspirations will remain central to policy planning.
He noted that India today is home to a young and ambitious generation, supported by a rapidly expanding base of skilled workers. “The budget will cater to the aspirations of our people, especially the younger generation, skilled professionals, manufacturing companies, and MSMEs,” Singh said, adding that these sectors are key drivers of India’s long-term economic growth and global competitiveness.
Singh also highlighted the growing strategic and economic cooperation between India and Arab nations, describing it as a significant pillar of India’s external engagement. He pointed out that India already enjoys robust trade relations with countries in the Arab world and expects the upcoming budget to further strengthen these ties. According to him, enhanced cooperation will give a fresh boost to bilateral and regional trade.
Importantly, Singh emphasized that India’s engagement with Arab nations goes beyond direct trade. He described the Arab region as a vital global hub that can help Indian businesses expand into new markets. “We are not only talking about bilateral trade or regional trade. We see Arab countries as a gateway to Europe, Africa, Latin America, and South America,” he said.
The minister’s remarks reflect India’s broader vision of using strategic partnerships to integrate more deeply into global value chains. As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, expectations are high that it will align domestic economic priorities with India’s expanding global footprint, strengthening both internal growth engines and international trade linkages.
