BUDGET 2026 LIVE Sitharaman’s Ninth Budget amid Trump Tariffs and Fragile Recovery

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman began presenting the Union Budget, making history as the first to deliver nine consecutive Budgets, a record even as P Chidambaram presented nine but not in succession. The speech comes at a delicate moment for the economy, with India’s recovery uneven, manufacturing momentum tentative, and global headwinds intensifying. Expectations are elevated as policymakers look to cushion the impact of renewed trade friction and potential tariff actions under US President Donald Trump. The Finance Minister faces a tightrope walk, balancing revenue pressures against the need to support domestic demand without unsettling fiscal math or markets. Investors and policymakers will be watching closely for signals on capital spending, tax policy, and borrowing assumptions, as the Budget sets the tone for navigating a more hostile global environment while keeping India’s growth engine on track.