The Times of India

The upcoming H-1B season for FY 2027 presents unprecedented uncertainty for Indian professionals and US employers. A new wage-weighted selection system, a proposed $100,000 entry fee, and severe consular backlogs in India are forcing companies to rethink hiring strategies, potentially shifting focus to candidates already in the US.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs will launch the Eligible Manufacturer-Importer scheme soon. This initiative offers benefits for two years to manufacturers seeking Authorised Economic Operator certification. The scheme aims to streamline customs processes through technology and reduce physical inspections. It aligns with the government's trust-based administration approach.

China is intensifying its focus on rare earth metals, with Premier Li Qiang visiting a major production base to underscore its strategic importance. This comes as the US builds an international coalition to secure critical mineral supply chains, launching a $12 billion Project Vault to reduce reliance on China's dominant position.

US Congress is challenging President Trump's trade tariff powers, with a House vote against Canada tariffs and an impending Supreme Court ruling on emergency trade authority. This uncertainty, coupled with Trump's unpredictable demands, raises serious doubts about the stability of the new US-India trade framework, suggesting even signed deals might be temporary.

Moodys is of the view that most of these IT sector firms will be able to absorb the higher visa costs without a significant deterioration in their operating or financial profiles. India is in a unique position to bridge the talent gap that the US is facing. Moodys explains that the US is set to face increasing labour shortages because of declining birthrates and a population that is fast aging.

Goyal also stressed that the India-US trade deal, which reduces tariffs on Indian exports to 18%, does not touch sensitive agriculture and dairy sectors. On Saturday, India and the US had released a joint statement on the trade agreement.

Saudi Aramco has reached a significant milestone, achieving 70% local content in its supply chain. This achievement strengthens Saudi Arabia's industrial base and diversifies its economy beyond oil. The program has created over 200,000 jobs and attracted substantial foreign investment. Aramco aims to increase local content to 75% by 2030, further enhancing national capabilities and economic resilience.

At present, India is placed at the 75th position in the index. However, it still trails several countries when measured by the number of destinations that allow Indian passport holders visa-free entry or provide visa-on-arrival access.

Gold and silver price prediction: Gold and silver prices have bounced back from recent lows, and appear to be on path for a long-term rise, believes Abhilash Koikkara, Head - Forex & Commodities, Nuvama Professional Clients Group. The commodity expert shares his outlook for gold and silver in the coming sessions:

Stock market today: Indian stock market indices, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, tanked in opening trade on Thursday morning. While Nifty50 went below 25,900, BSE Sensex was down over 200 points.

Top stock market recommendations: Aakash K Hindocha, Deputy Vice President - WM Research of Nuvama Professional Clients Group recommends these stocks as the top buy calls for today: BPCL, Power Grid, and SAIL. He also shares his view on Nifty, Bank Nifty for February 12, 2026:

From a US perspective, many H-1B holders remain US Tax residents under the substantial presence test despite prolonged physical absence, particularly where the absence is involuntary and the intent to return to USA is clear.

India and the UAE are forging a powerful AI alliance in 2026, prioritising human-centric development for social welfare and equitable growth. The strategic partnership focuses on shared values. It aims to leverage AI for societal benefit through joint infrastructure, workforce development and ethical governance frameworks to set a global precedent.

Practical constraints limit the scale at which Indian refiners can replace existing supplies with oil from the United States or Venezuela. US crude is typically light and sweet, meaning it has lower sulphur content, while many Indian refineries are configured to process medium-grade crude.

Tax compliance has been eased for resident buyers purchasing immovable property from nonresidents. The removal of the requirement to obtain a TAN, allowing TDS deposits through the buyers PAN, streamlines crossborder transactions and reduces administrative friction.