Author: News Desk
India has emerged as one of the leading sources of private capital mobilised by the World Bank Group, alongside the United States and the United Kingdom, according to World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. Speaking at the institution’s annual meetings in Bangkok on October 16, Banga highlighted the growing participation of investors from across the world in financing development projects. The World Bank Group mobilised $112 billion in private capital in fiscal year 2026, compared with approximately $35 billion in FY22. Investors from 110 countries contributed to the funding, reflecting a broader international pool of capital for development initiatives. Banga…
Global investment firm Blackstone plans to double its investments in India to $100 billion over the next five years, strengthening its presence across sectors including real estate, infrastructure, financial services, healthcare and digital infrastructure. The firm currently has around $50 billion invested in the country, President Jon Gray told CNBC-TV18 in an interview. The proposed expansion reflects Blackstone’s long-term outlook for India, supported by economic growth, a rising middle class, infrastructure development and opportunities in the country’s capital markets. Data Centres and AI Infrastructure in Focus Blackstone is exploring opportunities linked to artificial intelligence, including data centres, cloud infrastructure and…
Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal has said the group’s satellite communications venture, Eutelsat OneWeb, is ahead of Elon Musk’s Starlink in the queue for regulatory approvals to launch satellite internet services in India. His remarks come amid a public dispute over Starlink’s entry into the Indian market and the approvals required to begin commercial operations. Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026 in New Delhi, Mittal said Bharti had applied for approvals around five years ago, while its ground network had been ready for approximately three years. He added that the company’s satellites had been positioned over India…
Tamil Nadu has launched a dedicated semiconductor incentive scheme to attract investments in chip manufacturing and strengthen its position in India’s advanced electronics industry. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay unveiled the Tamil Nadu Semiconductor Ecosystem Scheme 2026 at the state Secretariat in Chennai on October 15. The initiative aims to support investments across the semiconductor value chain, from chip design and wafer fabrication to assembly, testing, packaging and manufacturing equipment. The scheme is designed to complement incentives offered by the Union government while addressing the specific requirements of companies planning semiconductor-related projects in the state. Two Tracks of Incentives for…
Bengaluru-based Ostrich Mobility Instruments has partnered with US-based Pride Mobility Products Corporation in a national sales collaboration aimed at expanding access to advanced assistive mobility and rehabilitation solutions across India. The partnership brings together Pride Mobility’s global portfolio of powered mobility and rehabilitation products with Ostrich Mobility’s domestic distribution network, engineering expertise and customer service capabilities. The companies aim to reach more people seeking greater mobility, independence and improved quality of life, particularly elderly individuals and people with disabilities. Pride Mobility, headquartered in Duryea, Pennsylvania, has operated since 1986 and offers products through brands including Jazzy, Quantum Rehab, Go Go,…
Mumbai-based drone manufacturer ideaForge Technology has secured ₹151 crore in government financial support to develop YETI, a heavy-lift autonomous aerial logistics vehicle designed to transport supplies across difficult terrain. The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology, signed an agreement with the company under the government’s Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund on October 14, 2026. The project has a total estimated cost of ₹302 crore, with the government support provided through debt financing. The initiative aims to advance YETI from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 to TRL 9 through further engineering, integration, testing and validation.…
Reliance Industries has responded to Elon Musk’s criticism over Starlink’s delayed entry into India, saying it welcomes competition in the satellite communications market and has never feared rivals. The company also stated that its own satellite internet services under Jio are awaiting regulatory clearances. The statement, issued on October 16, follows Musk’s allegations that powerful business interests were preventing Starlink from launching in India to protect existing telecom operators. Musk had directly targeted Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani on social media, questioning the competitive environment and referring to him sarcastically as “Prime Minister Ambani”. Reliance Says the Same Rules Apply to…
The University of Liverpool has officially opened its first campus in South India, marking a new milestone in UK-India higher education collaboration. Located at Alembic City in Whitefield, Bengaluru, the campus welcomed nearly 300 students for its inaugural academic cohort on October 15, 2026. The opening ceremony was attended by Karnataka Industries Minister M. B. Patil, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones and former Liverpool FC player Robbie Fowler, among other officials and industry representatives. The campus is the first Russell Group university campus in Karnataka. Five Initial Areas of Study The Bengaluru…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated five major development initiatives worth around ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh on October 15, focusing on transport connectivity, energy infrastructure, cultural heritage conservation and water security. The projects include a new passenger terminal at Leh airport, a 298-km road linking Ladakh with Himachal Pradesh, a hydropower facility, a petroglyph conservation park and 40 village water bodies. Leh Airport Gets a New ₹640 Crore Terminal The new passenger terminal at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh has been built at a cost of ₹640 crore. Spread across approximately 23,800 square metres, the facility is designed to handle…
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has begun construction on a ₹2,500 crore international terminal expansion under Project Anantha, marking a major step in strengthening the airport’s infrastructure and international passenger-handling capacity. The foundation stone for the project was laid on October 16, 2026. The expansion aims to increase the airport’s annual international passenger-handling capacity from the current 3.5 million to approximately 11.5 million passengers. Project Anantha: Expanding International Capacity The development will cover approximately 92,552 square metres, with construction beginning near the departure area of the existing international terminal at Chacka. The project is designed to accommodate rising passenger demand while improving…