Blurb: The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum held a post-budget discussion with India’s Chief Economic Advisor to review reforms, investment outlook, and economic resilience after the Union Budget

New Delhi

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum hosted Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran for a post-budget dialogue to discuss India’s growth plans and investment outlook. The interaction focused on economic resilience, fiscal priorities, and measures announced in the Union Budget 2026.

USISPF said the Budget signals stability through tax certainty, easier compliance rules, and a forward looking policy framework. Industry leaders discussed how these steps could translate into higher investment, innovation, and long term confidence. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the US Embassy and members of USISPF’s India Board.

The forum earlier welcomed the Union Budget 2026-27, calling it a balanced roadmap to boost competitiveness and ease of doing business. It praised steps on trade facilitation, customs reform, tariff rationalisation, and banking sector improvements. USISPF highlighted digital customs systems, AI based inspections, and faster cargo movement at ports. These reforms are expected to cut delays, improve transparency, and lower logistics costs for businesses.

USISPF President Mukesh Aghi said the Budget modernises India’s economy and supports future growth. He welcomed the tax holiday for cloud services using local data centres, calling it a major boost for jobs. Aghi said support for AI, IT, and data centres will help India become a global digital hub. He added that USISPF looks forward to working closely with the government to deepen US-India economic ties.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget in Parliament on February 1. She said the Budget is driven by youth power and clear duties to support long term development. The dialogue reflected shared goals to strengthen reforms, attract global capital, encourage innovation, and build a resilient economy that supports sustainable growth, jobs, and stronger cooperation between India and the United States. Such engagement signals confidence in India’s policy direction after the latest Budget announcement today.