NEW DELHI: At The Times of India Budget Dialogues 2026 held on Tuesday, government officials and industry leaders gathered to dissect the fiscal roadmap, with discussions spanning from digital trust to middle-class welfare. The event featured multiple sessions where experts lauded the budget's strategic approach and long-term vision for India's development.
Building Trust Through Talent and Technology
Abhishek Singh, additional secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), set the tone with a powerful statement on international collaboration. "The US leads in tech, India leads in talent and between tech and talent we build trust," he remarked, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between technological advancement and human capital. This perspective underscores India's growing role in the global digital economy, where its skilled workforce complements technological innovations from abroad.
Fiscal Responsibility and Long-Term Vision
During the first session, titled 'Budget Uncluttered', CP Gurnani, former CEO and MD of Tech Mahindra, described the budget as "very responsible." He drew a sharp contrast with international practices, noting, "in the US they are just increasing the deficit but we are controlling it." This highlights India's commitment to fiscal prudence amidst global economic uncertainties.
The second session, focused on 'March Towards Viksit Bharat', was moderated by former commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal. He praised the budget's "long term vision" and urged stakeholders to look beyond immediate provisions. "It was important to understand it in the larger context rather than just focusing on immediate tax provisions or budget provisions," Barthwal explained, advocating for a holistic view of the fiscal plan.
Digital Infrastructure and Middle-Class Impact
In the same panel, Lt Gen S P Kochhar (Retd), director general of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), emphasized the critical role of digital infrastructure. His comments reinforced the budget's focus on enhancing connectivity and technological frameworks to support economic growth.
The third panel delved into the budget's impact on the middle-class. Sonu Iyer, National Leader of People Advisory Services-Tax at EY India, highlighted benefits for the common citizen. "Simplification of the budget would benefit aam aadmi, especially with attention on right industries like infrastructure, new-generation technology and medical tourism," she said, pointing to sectors poised for growth and job creation.
National Security and Future Growth
The fourth session analyzed the budget against national security considerations. Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd) provided a pragmatic view, stating, "the real test of the Budget lies in outcomes, not allocations." This underscores the importance of effective implementation over mere financial planning.
The final panel, 'India Looking Forward', spotlighted long-term growth drivers. Archana Jahagirdar, founder and Managing Partner at Rukam Capital, discussed the entrepreneurial ecosystem. "The growth of founders depends on the environment they operate in," she noted, stressing the need for policy clarity, capital access, and ecosystem support to foster innovation and economic expansion.
Overall, the Budget Dialogues 2026 showcased a consensus among experts on the budget's balanced approach, combining fiscal discipline with strategic investments in key areas like digital infrastructure and middle-class welfare, all aimed at propelling India towards its Viksit Bharat goals.
