🏦 Economy / Policy
• WPI inflation rose to an 11-month high of 2.13% in Feb 2026, driven by manufactured goods, metals and textiles, signalling building cost pressures 📊
• India’s goods exports declined 0.8% to $36.61 billion in Feb, reflecting continued global demand weakness 💹
• Power demand is expected to hit record highs in summer, adding to energy supply concerns ⚡
• Government said exports to West Asia remain stable with 2,600 containers shipped, despite regional tensions 🚢
• India’s exports to the US fell 13% in Feb, while the trade deficit with China crossed $100 billion, highlighting external imbalances ⚠️
• India signed terms of reference with Philippines and Maldives to advance trade negotiations 🌍🤝
• India’s power sector is entering a large renewable expansion phase, with opportunities across generation and transmission 📈
🏢 Companies / Sectors
• Reliance Industries secured a $3 billion, 15-year green ammonia supply deal with Samsung C&T, boosting its clean energy transition outlook 🌱📈
🌍 Global / World
• US Fed is expected to hold rates steady at 3.5–3.75% in the March 17–18 meeting, while flagging inflation risks from the Iran conflict and oil prices 📊
• Trump is reportedly looking to delay a meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping as West Asia tensions dominate US policy focus 🌍⚠️
• The Hormuz crisis has triggered a global sulfur supply shock, with potential spillovers to fertilisers, metals processing and semiconductor inputs 📉