Industry Leaders Hail Bold Union Budget for Growth, Tech & Infrastructure

Industry leaders have widely welcomed the Union Budget 2026-27 for its bold vision combining economic growth with social inclusion. Key figures praised the strong emphasis on skilling, research, and initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission and the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0. The budget's focus on building data centre, cloud, and AI infrastructure is seen as critical for long-term competitiveness. Additionally, the sustained push on capital expenditure for highways and connectivity is expected to benefit sectors like luxury automotive and overall mobility.

Key Points: Union Budget 2026-27: Industry Leaders Praise Bold Growth & Tech Focus

  • Emphasis on skilling & innovation
  • Push for electronics & semiconductor manufacturing
  • AI & quantum tech as force multipliers
  • Infrastructure & logistics focus
  • Fiscal prudence for long-term investment
2 min read

Union Budget 'bold' for combining growth with inclusion

Sunil Mittal, Atul Soneja & others welcome Budget's emphasis on skilling, AI, semiconductors, and infrastructure. Read key industry reactions.

"bold for combining growth with inclusion - Sunil Bharti Mittal"

New Delhi, Feb 1

Industry leaders on Sunday welcomed the Union Budget 2026-27 for its emphasis on skilling, innovation, Electronics Component and Manufacturing Scheme and semiconductors, adding that it will make India a global electronics manufacturing hub.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises called the Budget "bold" for combining growth with inclusion. The strong emphasis on skilling, alongside sustained investments in science, innovation, and research are timely and will strengthen domestic capabilities, advancing import substitution in critical sectors, Mittal said.

Mittal lauded emphasis on infrastructure and logistics, with a focus on energy efficiency and impetus for the data centre ecosystem.

Atul Soneja, Chief Operating Officer, Tech Mahindra, said the Budget reinforced India's emergence as a trusted technology and innovation partner. He welcomed initiatives such as the IndiaAI Mission, the National Quantum Mission and an enhanced R&D ecosystem, saying they align policy, technology and talent to accelerate India's innovation trajectory.

"The government's recognition of cutting‑edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence as force multipliers for good governance is particularly encouraging," Suneja said.

"The launch of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 will significantly strengthen the country's technology ecosystem by deepening the integration of hardware and software capabilities, positioning India as a leader in next‑generation digital infrastructure," he added.

Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India and South Asia, said placing AI at the centre of economic and governance priorities signalled the government's thrust on a competitive, and technology‑led economy.

He lauded Budget's focus on data centres, cloud and AI infrastructure, adding that as AI adoption accelerates, secure and resilient compute capacity will underpin public services, enterprise innovation, and long‑term competitiveness.

Balbir Singh Dhillon, Brand Director, Audi India, said the Union Budget's strong emphasis on infrastructure and capital expenditure is a positive enabler for India's mobility landscape.

"Improved highways and intercity connectivity, especially across Tier-II and Tier-III markets, are strengthening the ownership and usage ecosystem for luxury automobiles. The government's focus on fiscal prudence, macroeconomic stability, and ease of doing business reinforces confidence for long-term investments in the automotive sector," he mentioned.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Skilling is mentioned every year, but I hope the execution on the ground is better this time. We have so many engineering graduates who need relevant industry training. The IndiaAI Mission sounds promising if it reaches smaller cities too.
R
Rohit P
All this talk of AI and semiconductors is great, but what about controlling inflation for the common man? My grocery bill is still too high. Growth must translate to lower prices for essentials.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in tech, the emphasis on R&D and the National Quantum Mission is very exciting. It shows long-term vision. If India can build its own tech ecosystem, it will change the global game.
V
Vikram M
Infrastructure development in Tier-II and III cities is crucial for balanced growth. Better highways mean better connectivity for businesses and families. This should have happened years ago, but better late than never.
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Karthik V
The budget seems bold on paper, but I'll believe it when I see the results. Announcements are one thing, implementation is another. Hope the funds reach the right projects without delays and corruption.

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