IMF

Pakistan admits its vulnerability to global oil shocks, lacking strategic reserves like India, which holds 60-70 days of stock. Islamabad's limited reserves leave it exposed, unlike India's stable prices aided by fiscal space and strategic stockpiles. Pakistan's IMF commitments restrict its ability to offer consumer relief amid soaring crude prices.

As Indian-Americans excel and India’s economy expands, perceptions are being rewritten. Not everyone in the US is comfortable with that new reality.

India’s economy is still expanding quickly, but the country is no longer fifth in the IMF’s latest global GDP rankings. A weaker rupee, dollar-based comparisons and a new GDP series help explain why the headline has changed without overturning the larger growth story

Pakistan aims to repay the remaining $1.5 billion loan to the UAE by April 23, following a $2 billion repayment. This comes as the country anticipates a $1.2 billion disbursement from the IMF after recent negotiations. Saudi Arabia has also extended a $3 billion deposit maturity, depositing $2 billion to bolster reserves.

In fact, IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook (April 2026) sees India sitting at the sixth spot this financial year too. What has led to the sudden fall? Why has India dropped to the sixth position, falling behind the UK, instead of overtaking Japan to become the fourth largest economy?

Anthropic's powerful AI model, Claude Mythos, capable of finding software vulnerabilities, has prompted a global financial sector scramble. Banks, regulators, and central bankers are urgently assessing risks and accelerating cybersecurity investments. Project Glasswing offers controlled access for defensive security work, highlighting the evolving threat landscape.

For RBI the situation is clear: The resilience of the global economy, already inflicted with trade tensions, is being tested by the conflict in West Asia. The biggest takeaway from the RBI bulletin is that India’s domestic supply chains may come under risk from a prolonged war scenario, though strong macroeconomic fundamentals provide a buffer.

In India, growth for 2025 is revised upward by 1.0 percentage point relative to October, to 7.6 percent. IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas noted that, in the absence of the conflict, growth projections for 2026 might have been revised upward to 3.4 percent.

Barclays CEO CS Venkatakrishnan issued a stark warning about Anthropic's Mythos AI, deeming it a serious threat to the global banking system. He anticipates increasingly powerful AI models will emerge with distressing frequency, necessitating rapid adaptation and robust safeguards from financial institutions worldwide.

India's foreign exchange reserves surged by $2.362 billion to $703.308 billion in the week ending April 17, following a previous gain of $3.825 billion. This increase, driven by rising foreign currency assets and gold reserves, marks a rebound after a decline caused by Middle East geopolitical tensions.

Global financial leaders are raising concerns about new AI models from US tech firms, fearing they could exploit cyber vulnerabilities in the banking sector. The rapid advancement of AI, exemplified by Anthropic's Claude Mythos, presents a significant challenge, prompting urgent calls for robust governance frameworks to prevent misuse and safeguard economies.

Anthropic is reportedly preparing to roll out its powerful and controversial AI model, Mythos, to European and UK banks within the coming days, a report by news agency Reuters said, citing sources familiar with the matter. While JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America have been testing Mythos internally through Anthropic's “Project Glasswing” initiative, reports have said that the company is planning to offer it to UK banks as well.

The UAE has requested a US financial safety net amid concerns that an Iran war could severely damage its economy and investor confidence. Talks included a currency-swap line proposal, as the UAE fears needing to use other currencies for transactions if dollar shortages arise.

Pakistan is set to receive $5 billion in financial support from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, easing pressure on its external position and foreign exchange reserves. This crucial aid comes as Islamabad prepares to repay $3.5 billion to the UAE this month, with Finance Minister Aurangzeb engaging in economic outreach at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast the possibility of El Nino conditions during the South West monsoon season. Economists and experts note that a weak monsoon will add to the woes caused by higher crude oil prices, and fertilizer supply disruptions.

Pakistan is holding talks with Saudi Arabia and China to secure financial assistance as it prepares to repay a loan of roughly $3 billion to the United Arab Emirates, sources told Bloomberg.

In this interview, economist Ajit Ranade explains why the anger in Noida ran deeper than one wage hike. At the heart of it, he argues, are stagnant incomes, contract labour, rising prices, and a factory economy built on persistent insecurity

AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio criticizes Anthropic's restricted release of its powerful 'Claude Mythos' AI, capable of finding zero-day vulnerabilities. He argues that concentrating such critical cybersecurity decision-making in one private company, primarily US-based, risks leaving global infrastructure unprotected. Bengio calls for international oversight to ensure fair access and prevent misuse.

Global equity strategist Christopher Wood notes Pakistan's recent stock surge is an IMF-driven rebound, not a structural shift. He views Pakistan as a high-beta trading opportunity tied to bailout cycles, contrasting it with India's stronger long-term investment potential due to its robust fundamentals and consistent earnings.