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Monday, February 23, 2026
TopicDebt

Topic: Debt

Modi govt’s record $187 billion debt sales to pressure Indian bonds

New Delhi plans to borrow 17.2 trillion rupees ($187 billion) in the year starting April 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her budget speech on Sunday.

Pakistan’s Fauji Foundation to sell $1 bn stake to UAE as Islamabad looks to shore up chronic debt crisis

Pakistan's Ishaq Dar says the powerful military backed conglomerate will take the lead of converting loans extended by UAE into a stake, as Islamabad’s external debt load grows.

Punjab’s debt-ridden farmers can’t break free from Green Revolution chakravyuh

Debt-burdened farmers cling to paddy even as it drains soil, water, and future prospects. ‘Crop diversification is a nice buzz word but nothing’s done at the policy level.’

Debt stock of low- & middle-income nations is troubling. Their debt servicing costs are soaring, too

Economic activity has rebounded in LMICs post pandemic, but the debt accumulated in that period has continued to grow, driven by both short & long-term debt.

China’s loans worth $48.1 bn to South Asian nations 5 times that of India’s, Pakistan largest recipient

World Bank's International Debt Report 2024 finds Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka & Maldives together owe $324.6 bn to external lenders.

Bad economics of freebies is triggering financial crises for some states. Fiscal discipline is key

Freebies promised during polls, subsidies, swelling wage & pension bills are adding to the debt pile of states like Himachal Pradesh & Punjab. Revenue expenditure rationalisation can help.

Eye on debt-to-GDP — pivot in govt’s fiscal strategy post FY26 promising, amending FRBM Act will help

The full budget retains focus on fiscal consolidation. In her budget speech, finance minister mentioned the intent will be to fix fiscal deficit with debt-GDP ratio on a declining path.

Unproductive speculation, rising household debt — SEBI, RBI’s concerns about India’s F&O market

RBI said India’s rising retail participation in the F&O market may pose several challenges, and the stock of household debt is 'comparatively high' in relation to GDP per capita.

Maldives’ economy has good growth trajectory, says ex-minister as Fitch downgrades its debt to ‘junk’

The total value of imports is currently higher than that of exports in the Maldives. The Covid-19 pandemic was an external shock that jolted the country’s tourism industry.

India rolls over $50-mn loan on ‘request’ by Muizzu govt, easing Maldives’ growing debt crisis

Maldives’ external debt servicing to touch $1.07 bn in 2026. Economic realities have forced a change in tactics towards India by the ‘pro-China’ Muizzu government. 

On Camera

Nick Jonas wearing a mangalsutra is validation for many Indians. He’s our favourite jiju

Nick Jonas is not trying to modernise the mangalsutra, but his gesture shows that choices can be equal. If commitment must be flaunted, it need not be gendered.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

Suspected brake failure leads to Tejas accident after landing, airframe likely to be written off

The IAF, so far, remains mum on this accident which has led to grounding of the fleet for safety checks.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.