
Why Budget 2026 Must Be a Doctrine of Defence, Not Just a Statement of Accounts
Walk through the textile lanes of Tirupur or the diamond polishing hubs of Surat, and observe how the abstract phrase “global uncertainty” suddenly looks very real. In Tirupur, factories that once hummed six days a week are cutting back to four, rattled by the threat of steep U.S. tariffs. In Surat, diamond units are shuttering as export orders dry up. This isn’t just market noise; it is the sound of a fractured global order knocking on our doors. As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget 2026-27, the stakes have shifted. We are no longer just managing a post-pandemic recovery; we are building a shield against a world weaponized by trade wars and protectionism. With the U.S.








