Davos 2026: The highlight for the global elite at the World Economic Forum has been navigating the uncertainty due to the ongoing geopolitical turmoil, according to Anant Goenka, Vice-Chairman of RPG Group. ''In the last four-five years, geopolitics has taken over the theme of artificial intelligence (AI),'' Goenka told NDTV Profit in an exclusive interview at Davos, Switzerland.
According to Goenka, the risk for India is very low. ''Our macros are so strong. Today, if you go and think what can go wrong, there's not much that comes to mind. On top of that, we are growing well. There are various reform actions, whether its actions to boost consumption and ease-of-doing business. People are looking at diversifying and moving into stable and high-growth economies. So, India has certaintly been gainiing importance over the years and this year its no less,'' explained Goenka.
Also Read: Budget 2026: D-Street Investors Seek Equity Tax Relief, Higher Exemption Limit On LTCG
Coming to expectations form the upcoming Union Budget 2026, Goenka expects the government to increase the defence budget capex amid the current geopolitical turmoil. ''Secondly, critical minerals are getting more important. So a program where we can extract minerals and thirdly, a continued focus on reform agenda with a high focus on exports, production capital, and labor reforms,'' added Goenka.
Market participants have urged the government to ease capital market taxation, including a higher exemption limit on long-term capital gains, ahead of the Union Budget for 2026-27. They also suggested that the government avoid further increases in transaction taxes. The Union Budget will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1.
Also Read: Davos 2026: India's Civil Aviation Growth Story Is Just Getting Started, Says Ram Mohan Naidu
D-Street stakeholders also demanded enhancement of the tax-free exemption limit on long-term capital gains (LTCG) from equity investments to provide greater relief to retail and long-term investors. With the Union Budget scheduled for February 1, the market is in a "wait-and-watch" mode. Investors are cautious about potential shifts in fiscal deficit targets and government borrowing plans for the next fiscal year.
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