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The introduction of GST 2.0 has led to sharp reductions in car prices across India, ranging from entry-level hatchbacks to luxury SUVs. Buyers can now save between ₹65,000 and ₹8.9 lakh, depending on the model.Mahindra (Up to ₹1.56 lakh off)Bolero Neo: ₹1.27 lakh cheaperXUV 3XO: ₹1.40 lakh (petrol), ₹1.56 lakh (diesel) cutThar range: Up to ₹1.35 lakh lowerThar Roxx: ₹1.33 lakh reductionScorpio Classic: ₹1.01 lakh cheaperScorpio N: ₹1.45 lakh cutXUV700: ₹1.43 lakh lowerTata Motors (Up to ₹1.45 lakh off)Tiago: ₹75,000 cheaperTigor: ₹80,000 reductionAltroz: ₹1.10 lakh cutPunch: ₹85,000 lowerNexon: ₹1.55 lakh cheaperHarrier: ₹1.40 lakh cutSafari: ₹1.45 lakh cheaperCurvv: ₹65,000 reductionToyota (Up to ₹3.49 lakh off)Fortuner: ₹3.49 lakh cutLegender: ₹3.34 lakh lowerHilux: ₹2.52 lakh cheaperVellfire: ₹2.78 lakh cutCamry: ₹1.01 lakh cheaperInnova Crysta: ₹1.80 lakh reductionInnova Hycross: ₹1.15 lakh cutOther models: Up to ₹1.11 lakh lowerSkoda (Up to ₹5.8 lakh benefits with offers)Kodiaq: ₹3.3 lakh GST cut + ₹2.5 lakh festive offers = ₹5.8 lakh savingsKushaq: ₹66,000 GST cut + ₹2.5 lakh festive offersSlavia: ₹63,000 GST cut + ₹1.2 lakh festive discount = ₹1.8 lakh totalRenault (Up to ₹96,395 off)Kiger: Highest cut in lineup, up to ₹96,395New rates effective September 22BMW (Up to ₹8.9 lakh off)2 Series Gran Coupe: ₹45.3 lakh3 Series LWB: ₹60.5 lakh5 Series LWB: ₹72.4 lakhX1: ₹50.6 lakhX5: ₹93.7 lakh (down from ₹1.003 crore)X7: ₹1.2 crore (down from ₹1.3 crore)Mercedes-Benz (₹2.6 lakh – ₹11 lakh cuts)S-Class S 450 4MATIC: ₹1.88 crore (₹11 lakh lower)GLS 450d AMG Line: ₹1.34 crore (₹10 lakh cut)GLE 450 4MATIC: ₹1.07 crore (₹8 lakh reduction)E-Class LWB 450 4MATIC: ₹91 lakh (₹6 lakh cut)GLC 300 4MATIC: ₹73.95 lakh (₹5.3 lakh lower)GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line: ₹52.70 lakh (₹3.8 lakh cut)C 300 AMG Line: ₹64.30 lakh (₹3.7 lakh lower)A 200d: ₹45.95 lakh (₹2.6 lakh cheaper)Hyundai (Up to ₹2.4 lakh off)Grand i10 Nios: ₹73,808 cutAura: ₹78,465 cheaperExter: ₹89,209 reductioni20: ₹98,053 cuti20 N-Line: ₹1.08 lakh cheaperVenue: ₹1.23 lakh cut (₹1.19 lakh for N-Line)Verna: ₹60,640 lowerCreta: ₹72,145 cutCreta N-Line: ₹71,762 lowerAlcazar: ₹75,376 cheaperTucson: ₹2.4 lakh reductionMaruti Suzuki (Expected Price Cuts) Maruti has not officially announced price reductions yet, but the following cuts are anticipated post-GST 2.0: Alto K10 – ₹40,000 WagonR – ₹57,000 Swift – ₹58,000 Dzire – ₹61,000 Baleno – ₹60,000 Fronx – ₹68,000 Brezza – ₹78,000 Eeco – ₹51,000 Ertiga – ₹41,000 Celerio – ₹50,000 S-Presso – ₹38,000 Ignis – ₹52,000 Jimny – ₹1.14 lakh XL6 – ₹35,000 Invicto – ₹2.25 lakh

Political lobbyist Jason Miller, whose lobbying was hired by India, met US President Donald Trump and a few officials of his administration, against the backdrop of tensions in ties between the two countries over Washington's policy on trade and tariffs. Miller heads SHW Partners LLC that was hired by the Indian embassy in April reportedly for USD 1.8 million for a year. Miller did not mention the purpose of his meeting with Trump and other officials, but posted several photos including one with Trump on social media. "Fantastic week in Washington with so many friends being in town, topped off of course by having the opportunity to stop in and see our President in-action! Keep up the great work, @POTUS @realDonaldTrump!," he posted.— JasonMiller (@JasonMiller) The relations between New Delhi and Washington are on a major downturn after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent including a 25 per cent additional duties for India's purchase of Russian crude oil. India described the US action as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable". However, there were signs of efforts to check the downturn with President Trump on Friday describing India-US relationship as "special" and that he will always be "friends" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I will always be friends with Modi, he is a great prime minister, he's great. I'll always be friends but I just don't like what he's doing at this particular moment," Trump said a news conference. "But India and the United States have a special relationship. There is nothing to worry about," he said. Prime Minister Modi also reciprocated to the US President's remarks. "Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump's sentiments and positive assessment of our ties," Modi said. "India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership," he noted on 'X'.

Since the severe foreign exchange crisis of 1991, one word that has become familiar to every Indian household is foreign investment, or FDI. The primary role of foreign investment was to balance our balance of payments, provide additional capital to a capital-starved economy, and support the stability of our currency. The question today is whether gold could perform the same role that FDI has long been expected to play.Over the past decade, foreign investment, both direct and portfolio, has totaled approximately $400 billion. During the same period, India’s gold imports accounted for between $450 and $500 billion, forming a substantial part of the import bill. Annual gold purchases typically range between $35 and $55 billion, constituting a major share of total import expenditure, contributing heavily to the merchandise trade deficit. It is clear that the inflows from FDI almost compensate for the outflows caused by gold imports. The problem is that these purchases of gold are locked into unproductive household savings rather than being directed into the creation of productive assets.India today is the largest holder of gold. In 2019, the World Gold Council estimated that Indian households had accumulated up to 25,000 tonnes, making India the single largest gold holder in the world. Indian households collectively own significantly more gold than the combined reserves of the ten largest central banks. The value of this household gold is estimated at about $3.2 trillion, equivalent to nearly 75 per cent of India’s nominal GDP. If this stock of gold were channelled into the productive sector for capital formation, it could replace much of what FDI provides.Avoiding the nearly $500 billion outflow on gold imports over the past decade and a half would also have significantly improved India’s balance of payments, bringing it closer to equilibrium and reducing the persistent deficit. Gold imports are among the largest items in India’s import bill and have long been a major driver of the imbalance in external accounts. Official gold exports remain low atabout $10 to $15 billion, while unrecorded exports are estimated at $50 to $100 billion. The result is a gold trade deficit of around $400 billion, which has had a deep impact on India’s trade balance and foreign exchange outflows.India’s overall trade deficit over the last decade stands at about $1,700 billion. Of this, gold accounts for nearly $400 billion. If the gold trade deficit were excluded, the adjusted trade deficit would fall to roughly $1,300 billion, narrowing the gap significantly.India’s attraction to FDI stems from the promise of capital, technology, global knowledge, and foreign exchange. FDI introduces efficiency, innovation, and international benchmarks, but much of the technology can also be purchased separately. Its most important contribution has been the supply of capital and foreign exchange, both of which strengthen the balance of payments and help manage the trade deficit. Since April 2000, India has attracted about $750 billion of cumulative equity FDI, underscoring its position as an appealing investment destination. Yet, if the true strength of FDI lies in the capital it provides, India’s vast household gold holdings already represent a comparable or greater pool of wealth. The real challenge is not the absence of capital but how to unlock and channel this domestic stock into productive use. If that can be achieved, reliance on foreign inflows could be reduced and India’s own wealth could become a sustainable driver of growth.Our foreign exchange reserves include about $225 billion of US Treasuries, which generate yields ~4%. In comparison, gold, which accounts for around 10 per cent of India’s foreign exchange reserves, has delivered a ten-year compounded annual growth rate of above 12 per cent in dollar terms. While gold is undoubtedly more volatile and Treasuries provide steady liquidity and income, the higher returns on gold make a strong case for reconsidering the composition of reserves, particularly for a country like India where gold holdings are substantial.The paradox is illustrated by the record repatriation of nearly $100 billion by overseas investors in FY25, compared with ~$90 billion in the previous year. While FDI helps capital formation, a large share of the value created eventually flows back outside the country in the form of profit repatriation and dividend payments.Economic policy must evolve with the times. In 1991, India urgently needed FDI. Today, however, capital is no longer scarce. On the contrary, large amounts of capital now flow outward through overseas investments and repatriations. These trends demonstrate India’s maturity as a market. What is needed now is a creative scheme to draw out the massive reserve of gold held by Indian households and channel it into the productive economy. This would generate much-needed capital from domestic sources and ensure that the benefits remain within the country.

Oravel Stays Limited, the parent company of Oyo, announced its rebrand to PRISM on Sunday. The company said the new corporate brand name reflects its 'expanded' global portfolio and 'long-term' vision.The company said the Oyo brand will continue to serve as the recognisable, consumer-facing identity for budget travel. PRISM, in turn, assumes the role of the parent company brand that spans technology solutions, premium hospitality, extended-stay residences, celebration venues, and experiential living concepts, besides its core of budget hospitality.Founded in 2012 by Ritesh Agarwal, Oyo began as a budget travel-tech brand, standardising and organising small hotels using technology. The company said it has expanded well beyond its Indian budget hotel mainstay into multiple countries, premium hotels, vacation homes and more.The company said it has scaled into a 'diversified global travel-tech, hospitality and living ecosystem' serving more than 100 million customers across 35+ countries.The group's portfolio today spans hotels under brands such as Oyo, Motel 6, Townhouse, Sunday and Palette. In the vacation homes segment, it operates brands such as Belvilla, DanCenter, CheckMyGuest and Studio Prestige. The extended-stay category is represented by Studio 6, acquired through G6 Hospitality in the U.S. Additionally, the portfolio encompasses workspaces and celebration spaces, offered through Innov8 and Weddingz.in. The group also offers hospitality technology solutions, including AI-driven partner tools and data science platforms.“The transition to PRISM marks the establishment of a future-ready corporate architecture designed to align our expanding portfolio with our long-term vision,” said Ritesh Agarwal, founder and group CEO, PRISM. “PRISM is powered by a strong technology engine, deeper investment in data science and AI, and a commitment to helping our partners grow profitably while delighting customers worldwide," he added.