Aligning with the Future: Arvind Singhal on India's 2026 Economic Strategic Wishlist

The conclusion of 2025 has left the Indian economy at a critical crossroads. Labour-intensive industries are grappling with shifting global tariffs, while the bilateral trade deficit with China has reached a staggering $100 billion. 

In a comprehensive “Wishlist for 2026” featured in Mint, Arvind Singhal, Chairman and Founder of The Knowledge Company, argues that for India to thrive, it must first shed the administrative remnants of its past.

Read the analysis at: https://www.livemint.com/opinion/columns/wish-list-2026-government-challenges-india-economy-make-in-india-china-imports-rupee-dollar-ease-of-doing-business-11766997002473.html

For India to capitalize on global economic shifts, Singhal identifies the state’s administrative heart as the primary area requiring structural transformation.

This reform is essential as the government confronts challenges ranging from under-invoiced imports to the need for faster security clearances in airports and more efficient tax systems.

The analysis outlines several critical shifts required to sustain economic momentum:

• Focused Industrial Policy: ‘Make in India’ requires evaluation to prevent mission creep across too many industries. A shift toward ‘Hand-Make in India’ could reduce GST on handlooms and empower labor-intensive sectors.

• Currency Realignment: Leading economists suggest that allowing the rupee to slide toward ₹100 per dollar could serve as a vital resolution for the RBI to exploit foreign markets and aid exporters.

• Addressing the China Deficit: Reducing dependence on China is viewed as a national priority. This involves consistent messaging to favor Indian-made products over cheaper imports that threaten local industry.

• Simplification of Business Metrics: Moving from “Ease” to a more truthful focus on reducing the “Unease of Doing Business” by cutting down on complex circulars and mind-numbing references to administrative precedent.

Ultimately, the wishlist for 2026 demands that the government think more like a service provider and less like an overlord, ensuring that labor protections and work conditions align with global standards.

The Knowledge Company’s strategic advisory practice is dedicated to helping businesses navigate the evolving policy landscape and administrative complexities of the Indian market. We bridge the gap between legacy governance models and the agile, future-ready strategies required for 2026.

Our Key Strategic Service Areas:

• Policy Advocacy & Regulatory Navigation: We assist clients in understanding and navigating the “unease of doing business,” providing strategies to manage regulatory complexity and administrative hurdles.

• Retail Ecosystem Transformation: TKC works with brands to align their supply chains with national priorities, such as domestic manufacturing and ‘Hand-Make in India’ initiatives, to enhance local brand resonance.

• Market Entry & Competitive Strategy: We provide deep data analysis on trade deficits and import/export trends, helping organizations build resilient strategies against global tariff shifts.

• Strategic Human Capital Advisory: Aligning with the shift toward viewing employees as an investment, we help organizations optimize their labor practices to drive long-term productivity and demand.

Ready to align your business with the future of India’s economy? Connect with TKC to turn administrative and economic challenges into strategic opportunities.