NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed Microsoft’s “largest ever investment in Asia” as the tech giant announced that it will invest $17.5 billion in India to advance its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.In a social media post on X, the prime minister said that the world is optimistic about India when it comes to AI.“When it comes to AI, the world is optimistic about India! Had a very productive discussion with Mr. Satya Nadella. Happy to see India being the place where Microsoft will make its largest-ever investment in Asia,” PM Modi said.“The youth of India will harness this opportunity to innovate and leverage the power of AI for a better planet,” he added.This comes moments after Microsoft’s chief executive Satya Nadella announced that the company will invest $17.5 billion in India to support the country’s rapidly expanding artificial intelligence ecosystem.In a post shared on X, Nadella said, “Thank you, PM Narendra Modi ji, for an inspiring conversation on India’s AI opportunity. To support the country’s ambitions, Microsoft is committing US$17.5B — our largest investment ever in Asia — to help build the infrastructure, skills, and sovereign capabilities needed for India’s AI-first future.”According to a press release issued by Microsoft, “Together, Microsoft and India are poised to set new benchmarks and drive the country’s leap from digital public infrastructure to AI public infrastructure in the coming decade. We are shaping a future that is more equitable and uniquely Indian in its scale and impact.”“Microsoft’s investment in India focuses on three pillars — scale, skills and sovereignty — aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of building a comprehensive ecosystem that drives AI innovation and access at a national scale,” it added.Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India and South Asia, said, “Microsoft has been part of India’s fabric for more than three decades. As the nation moves confidently into its AI-first future, we are proud to stand as a trusted partner in advancing the infrastructure, innovation and opportunity that can power a billion dreams.”“Building on the $3 billion investment announced in January 2025, our new $17.5 billion commitment and deep partnership across India’s technology ecosystem are focused on turning India’s AI ambition into impact for every citizen. This transformation is anchored on three pillars: hyperscale infrastructure to run AI at scale, sovereign-ready solutions that ensure trust, and skilling programs that empower every Indian to not just join the future but shape it,” he added.The announcement comes just days after Nadella met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the meeting, PM Modi and Nadella discussed the country’s AI roadmap and growth priorities.

Sourav Ganguly, Mohammed Shami, and Ajit Agarkar

Mohammed Shami‘s recent performance in domestic cricket has been exceptional, with 11 wickets in his last three matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His latest achievements include figures of 3/34 against Puducherry and 4/34 against Haryana, following his impressive 4/13 against Services.Despite being absent from the Indian national team, Shami continues to demonstrate his prowess in domestic tournaments, including the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has raised questions about Shami’s exclusion from the national team. The situation has highlighted tensions between Shami and the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, with the pacer expressing concerns about a lack of communication. “I’m sure the selectors are watching. I’m sure there is communication between Mohammed Shami and selectors; I don’t know. But if you ask me, in terms of fitness and skills, it’s the Mohammed Shami we know of. So I really don’t see any reason why can’t he keep playing Test matches and one-day and T20 cricket for India because the skill is enormous,” Ganguly stated during an event.Shami’s international career has faced uncertainty following his ankle surgery after the 2023 World Cup. His recovery was complicated by subsequent injuries, preventing his return to the squad.The experienced pacer missed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia despite being considered for selection. His last appearance for India was during the Champions Trophy, where he claimed nine wickets in five matches.At 35 years old, Shami’s cricket future requires careful consideration. The Indian pace attack currently features Jasprit Bumrah, who is being managed carefully, and Mohammed Siraj, who needs support.A potential return to international cricket could help ensure a smooth transition in India’s bowling lineup. While Test cricket might present challenges due to its demanding nature, Shami’s inclusion in the ODI format could provide him with valuable playing time.Shami maintains his ability to deliver impactful performances with the ball. His experience and skill set could still benefit the Indian cricket team across different formats.

India’s primary market is settling into a fresh groove, with annual IPO issuances of around $20 billion emerging as a structural trend rather than a one-off spike, according to JP Morgan, reported PTI.The investment bank said India has already seen $21 billion worth of IPOs in 2025, matching last year’s level, and is likely to close the year with over $23 billion in issuances as large offerings, including ICICI Prudential AMC’s planned Rs 10,000-crore issue, move ahead.“Yearly issuance of $20 billion is the new normal for India. It is the new watermark and will become an annualised run rate from here on,” JP Morgan’s head of equity capital markets Abhinav Bharti told reporters in Mumbai, PTI quoted.Bharti said nearly 20 per cent of IPO demand is currently coming from consumer technology and new-age businesses, a share that could rise above 30 per cent over the next five years. At least 20 startups with private market valuations running into hundreds of millions of dollars are preparing to tap the markets, he added.Among these, four to five companies are gearing up for IPOs of over $1 billion each, with the combined fundraise potentially reaching $8 billion. Two of these large issuances will be from technology-driven firms, according to Bharti.On valuations, he said the Indian market has largely resolved challenges faced in the past by new-age businesses, noting that some recent issues advised by the bank are trading at a premium. He also pointed to private equity investments made in earlier years as a key driver sustaining a strong pipeline of IPO exits.Bharti acknowledged that a significant share of recent IPO activity has been offer-for-sale by existing investors, reflecting sluggish private capital expenditure and muted fundraising through qualified institutional placements. He said overall equity capital market activity, including follow-on offerings and institutional placements, has been softer in 2025.Total equity issuances this year are expected to be around $65 billion, down from $72 billion in 2024, largely due to a decline in QIPs. QIP fundraising has dropped to $10 billion so far this year, compared with over $22 billion last year, with $3 billion coming from State Bank of India alone, he said.JP Morgan expects foreign portfolio flows to return to Indian markets next year, citing relatively improved valuations. The bank also sees India as a defensive investment destination for global investors amid the artificial intelligence-driven boom in developed markets.India’s overall market capitalisation is projected to double to about $10 trillion over the next five years, becoming the world’s third-largest after the US and China, JP Morgan’s co-head of investment banking Nitin Maheshwari said.On mergers and acquisitions, Maheshwari said outbound activity is gaining traction, supported by strong corporate balance sheets, low leverage and rising confidence among Indian companies, with Japan and the Middle East continuing to show the strongest inbound interest, particularly in financial services.

Gold’s sharp rally over the past few years is forcing investors to rethink asset allocation, especially at a time when equity markets are still struggling to revisit earlier peaks.In the last one month alone, gold prices have jumped nearly 7.5%, rising from Rs 1,19,289 per 10 grams on November 5, 2025, to Rs 1,28,221 on December 5, 2025, according to MCX data. Over longer periods, the performance has been even stronger, with gold delivering absolute returns of about 70% over one year, 105% over two years and nearly 139% over three years. A Rs 1 lakh investment made three years ago would now be worth roughly Rs 2.39 lakh, āccording to an ET report.A decade-long view underlines the scale of the rally. Gold prices on MCX have risen from about Rs 25,235 per 10 grams in December 2015 to around Rs 1,27,723 in December 2025, translating into an absolute return of over 400% and a compounded annual growth rate of about 17.6%.Buy on dips, not at peaksDespite record-high prices, bullion experts say gold’s long-term fundamentals remain intact, though timing and discipline matter.Aksha Kamboj, vice president of the India Bullion & Jewellers Association and executive chairperson at Aspect Global Ventures, says investors should avoid chasing rallies. “Risks of inflation, geopolitical tensions and ongoing central bank accumulation all favour gold. A better approach is to gradually accumulate on dips instead of chasing peaks and to hold gold as part of a diversified portfolio rather than expecting short-term windfall gains,” she said, ET quoted her as saying.Navneet Damani, head of research (commodities) at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, also advises a phased approach. He recommends gradual accumulation while increasing allocations if prices correct, following a buy-on-dips strategy.Samit Guha, managing director and CEO of MMTC-PAMP, says gold’s historical performance supports its role in long-term wealth creation. “Gold is a safe-haven asset, and long-term data shows an upward trend in prices, making it a strong portfolio hedge,” he said.What could push prices furtherExperts cite multiple factors that could continue to influence gold prices, including US Federal Reserve interest rate policy, movements in real yields, the strength of the US dollar, central bank buying and geopolitical uncertainty.Guha said that while rising real yields can create short-term pressure, steady central bank demand and global uncertainty continue to underpin gold’s appeal as a store of value.How much gold should be in a portfolioOn allocation, analysts suggest moderation. Damani says conservative investors should allocate about 8–12% of their portfolio to gold, given current geopolitical and macroeconomic risks. More aggressive investors, who rely heavily on equities, may limit gold exposure to 5–8%, mainly to reduce downside risk during periods of volatility.Choosing the right form of goldWhen it comes to selecting an investment route, experts stress the importance of matching the product to the objective.Guha notes that physical gold in the form of 24K coins and bars with 999.9 purity suits traditional or ceremonial needs, while jewellery entails making charges of 10–12%. For investors focused on efficiency and liquidity, gold ETFs and Sovereign Gold Bonds are more suitable due to lower costs, ease of management and tax benefits. He advises investors to seek professional guidance before choosing the preferred option.SIP or lump sum?On investment style, most experts favour a systematic approach. Damani says SIP-style investing removes the pressure of timing the market. Lump sum investments, he adds, are suitable only for those with a long-term horizon and strong conviction about valuations.Guha also prefers periodic buying combined with opportunistic purchases on dips, saying this helps average costs and reduce timing risk. Lump sum investments, he said, work best for investors confident about price levels or those deploying surplus funds.Liquidity and time horizon matterLiquidity needs and investment horizon should also guide choices. Investors seeking flexibility and quick exits may prefer gold ETFs or gold mutual funds, which allow easy entry and exit without long lock-ins, Guha said.Overall, experts broadly agree that gold remains relevant as a long-term portfolio diversifier, but investors should focus on disciplined accumulation, avoid chasing highs, and align gold exposure with risk appetite and liquidity needs.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

‘Dhurandhar’ which released in cinemas on December 5 has turned out to be the biggest opening film for Ranveer Singh, and beaten his previous releases like ‘Padmaavat’ and ‘Simmba’. The film directed by Aditya Dhar, also stars Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and marks Sara Arjun’s debut. ‘Dhurandhar’ managed to create a lot of buzz since the film released and thus, there was a huge growth in the Sunday numbers as compared to Friday. On Monday also, the film managed to hold well and remained in the Rs 20 crore range which is quite good. Though, the Monday drop is natural and happens for all movies. Dhurandhar Movie ReviewIt had an opening of Rs 28 crore on day 1. On Saturday, it saw a growth of around 14 per cent and made Rs 32 crore. Meanwhile on Sunday, the jump was phenomenal as the film made around Rs 43 crore which was 34 percent more than the Saturday numbers. On Monday, the collection is Rs 23 crore . This was a drop of more than 50 percent when compared to the Sunday numbers but if the film manages to stay in the same range all through the week, it would be great. On tuesday, it has started on a decent note and made Rs 3.44 crore till afternoon. The total collection of the film in India so far, according to Sacnilk is Rs 129.69 crore. The film is expected to continue in the double digit range atleast all through the week, and going by the buzz it created on social media with now the songs also catching up and going viral, it should be able to live up to the expectations.

Day wise collection of the film:

Day 1 [1st Friday] Rs 28 Cr –Day 2 [1st Saturday] Rs 32 CrDay 3 [1st Sunday] Rs 43 CrDay 4 [1st Monday] Rs 23 Cr ** –Total ₹ 126 Cr

Indian rice exporters are having a hard day at Dalal Street on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump hinted at a possibility of another round of tariffs on Indian rice imports. The announcement triggered an immediate rout on the markets, raising concerns among investors. Kohinoor Foods saw the sharpest fall, sliding 9.9% to Rs 24.41, its intraday and 52-week low on the BSE. After the dip, the stock rose, to Rs 27.81, adding over 2.5%.LT Foods also fell heavily, dropping 6.5% to Rs 368, while KRBL retreated 2.7% to Rs 370.05. Later in the day, KRBL managed to come back in green figures, adding over 1.5% while LT Foods around also recovered, trading at Rs 376 at BSE, around 11:40 AM. Chaman Lal Setia Exports, another major player in the space, slipped 4.5% to Rs 243.05. However, it trimmed its losses to 0.29 loss, later. The sell-off was sparked by remarks Trump made during an event at the White House where additional assistance for American farmers was announced. The US President said that he intended to “take care” of what he described as the “dumping” of Indian rice in the US market, claiming that lower-priced imports from India, Vietnam and Thailand were damaging the competitiveness of domestic growers. “They shouldn’t be dumping,” Trump said. “You can’t do that,” he further added, as cited by Bloomberg. The suggestion of fresh tariff action comes at a time when the US administration is under pressure from the country’s farming community, a politically influential group ahead of the midterm elections. Farmers have been dealing with rising input costs and uncertain crop prices, some of which have been linked to earlier tariff decisions, ET reported. Trump also hinted that rice may not be the only commodity facing scrutiny, signalling that Canadian fertiliser imports could also be subjected to higher duties. Canada supplies a large share of potash to the US, and although certain imports fall under the North American trade agreement, new tariffs would raise production costs for US farmers. Potash and phosphate were recently added to the US critical minerals list, fuelling expectations of a push for greater domestic output.

More tariffs for India?

Washington had already imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, back in August. This consisted to the already levied 25% tariff and the additional 25% duties that US alleged was a due to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil that fueled Moscow’s war machine against Ukraine. A US delegation is due in India this week, but the likelihood of securing a rollback on tariffs is seen as low, ET reported. Canada, another US trade partner, has also been navigating uncertainty. Earlier proposals from Trump suggested duties on Canadian goods outside the USMCA framework could rise by up to 10%, potentially taking them to 45%. With policy signals from Washington once again clouding the outlook for agricultural trade, investors will be keeping a firm eye on rice-exporting stocks. Any further movement in US tariff policy, especially in sectors tied to farming communities, is expected to play a decisive role in market direction in the coming days.

The ministry of civil aviation on Tuesday directed senior officials to conduct on-ground inspections at major airports to assess the situation firsthand and review the challenges passengers are facing.This comes as the operational breakdown at IndiGo continues to cause chaos at airports around the country. Officials at the rank of deputy secretary, director and joint secretary have been instructed to reach the designated airports within te next day. The locations under inspection include Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Guwahati, Goa and Thiruvananthapuram, a list reflecting the airports worst affected by passenger distress and repeated cancellations.The DGCA will also cut the IndiGo schedule by 5%. As the airlines has 2,200 daily flight, the reduction means 110 flights daily.“Airline has been told. Which all flights to be cut being worked out,” officials told TOI. The ministry, along with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has been monitoring the situation in real time, since December 3, treating the disruptions to IndiGo operations as an extraordinary situation. A statement from the office of Union minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed that a high-level review meeting involving top officials was held to take stock of conditions across airports. Every senior official deployed to airports has been tasked with physically verifying airline functioning and the quality of passenger-related services. Feedback gathered directly from travellers have to be addressed and rectified immediately, the Ministry said in a statement cited by ANI. The crisis was also addressed in Parliament. On Monday, Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu told the Rajya Sabha that the hardship faced by passengers has no connection to the Aircraft Maintenance and Scheduling System (AMSS) and was, rather, the outcome of the airline’s internal crew rostering and operational planning.He also pointed out that consultations on Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) were held with all stakeholders and reiterated that safety standards remain non-negotiable. He further noted that stringent Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) exist to safeguard passengers hit by delays and cancellations. Regulatory scrutiny has intensified in parallel to the government intervention. On December 6, the DGCA issued show-cause notices to IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers and Chief Operating Officer Isidro Porqueras.