Modi’s Budget Expected to Boost Spending, Push Reforms to Counter Trump

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is likely to announce measures to improve the ease of doing business and boost infrastructure spending, while sticking to fiscal consolidation in the upcoming budget, as punitive US tariffs cloud the outlook.

In the budget due Feb. 1 — among India’s most closely watched annual events — Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to push public spending as private investment remains muted amid lackluster earnings and foreign outflows. She is also expected to simplify the import-duty regime and ease compliance for small businesses.