NewKerala.com

Jaishankar Hails Sitharaman's Budget as "Reform Express" for Viksit Bharat

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar congratulated Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting the Union Budget 2026-27, calling it a continuation of the "Reform Express." He highlighted key proposals targeting future industries like AI, biopharma, and advanced manufacturing through missions for semiconductors and rare earths. The budget also aims to boost connectivity via high-speed rail and strengthen food security. Jaishankar stated these measures are crucial for shaping India's prospects and realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed Viksit Bharat.

Key Points: Jaishankar Praises Sitharaman's Union Budget 2026-27

  • Focus on AI & future industries
  • Push for advanced manufacturing
  • Boost to connectivity & logistics
  • Investment in competitive workforce
  • Step towards Viksit Bharat
2 min read

EAM Jaishankar congratulates FM Sitharaman on Union Budget

EAM S Jaishankar congratulates FM Nirmala Sitharaman on a budget focused on AI, advanced manufacturing, and realizing PM Modi's Viksit Bharat vision.

"Congratulate Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman ji for presenting a budget with the message that the Reform Express rolls on. - S Jaishankar"

New Delhi, February 1

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday congratulated Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting the Union Budget with the message of Reform Express.

Jaishankar said that the budget proposals will be crucial in shaping India's prospects.

In a post on X, he said, "Congratulate Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman ji for presenting a budget with the message that the Reform Express rolls on. As we enter the second quarter of this Century, these budget proposals will be crucial to shaping our prospects."

Jaishankar further highlighted some takeaways.

"Promoting industries of the future: Bio-pharma, AI & Data Centers and Carbon Capture; Encouraging advanced manufacturing: Semiconductor Mission 2.0, Rare Earth Corridors, Electronic Components and Chemical Parks; Boosting connectivity and logistics: High-Speed Rail lines, Dedicated Freight Corridors, coastal cargo movement, container manufacturing and inland waterways."

Jaishankar further said that the budget is helping to prepare a globally competitive space.

"Preparing a globally competitive workforce: university townships, investment in skills and inclusive education. Unleashing talent and creativity in Orange Economy, tourism, hospitality, digital knowledge, sports and traditional knowledge. Strengthening food and health security: high value agriculture, incentivizing fisheries, animal husbandry and income enhancement. Another step towards realizing PM Narendra Modi ji's vision of Viksit Bharat."

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today announced the launch of Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform to strengthen agricultural advisory services.

Presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said the platform will integrate the AgriStack portals and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) package on agricultural practices with AI systems.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The emphasis on the 'Orange Economy' and traditional knowledge is very welcome. It's high time our creative industries and heritage got this kind of policy push alongside high-tech sectors. Hoping for good execution on the ground.
R
Rohit P
All these big words - Reform Express, Semiconductor Mission 2.0. Sounds impressive on paper. But as a middle-class taxpayer, I want to see how this translates to more money in my pocket and lower prices. The devil is in the implementation details.
S
Sarah B
The focus on coastal cargo and inland waterways is smart. India has so much coastline that's underutilized for logistics. Reducing road and rail congestion while being greener is a win-win. Good to see long-term infrastructure thinking.
K
Karthik V
As someone in tech, the push for AI and data centers is exciting. But we also need to ensure data privacy laws are robust and we're not just creating infrastructure for foreign companies. Hope 'Semiconductor Mission 2.0' means real, cutting-edge fab units in India.
M
Meera T
The agricultural AI platform is a great idea, but will it reach the small farmer in a village with poor internet? We need parallel investments in rural digital connectivity. Otherwise, it remains a tool for the already well-off.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50