TOI Budget Dialogues 2026: ‘Deficit increasing in US, India controlling it’

NEW DELHI: “The US leads in tech, India leads in talent and between tech and talent we build trust,” said Abhishek Singh, additional secretary, ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY). He was speaking at The Times of India Budget Dialogues 2026 on Tuesday. Speaking during the first session, ‘Budget Uncluttered’, CP Gurnani, former CEO & MD of Tech Mahindra, described the budget as “very responsible”. He pointed out that “in the US they are just increasing the deficit but we are controlling it.” The second session, focused on ‘March Towards Viksit Bharat’, was moderated by former commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal, who praised the budget’s “long term vision” and said it was important to understand it in the larger context rather than just focusing on immediate tax provisions or budget provisions. In the same panel, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) director general Lt Gen S P Kochhar (Retd), emphasised the importance of digital infrastructure.The third panel attempted to understand the impact of the budget on the middle-class. Sonu Iyer, National Leader, People Advisory Services-Tax at EY India, said simplification of the budget would benefit aam aadmi, especially with attention on right industries like infrastructure, new-generation technology and medical tourism.The fourth session analysed the Budget against the backdrop of national security.Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd), said the real test of the Budget lies in outcomes, not allocations.The last panel, ‘India Looking Forward’ spotlighted the country’s long-term growth and the role of capital, policy clarity and ecosystem support.Archana Jahagirdar, founder and Managing Partner at Rukam Capital, said the growth of founders depends on the environment they operate in.