8OCTOBER, 2026TOP STORIESThe Indian Navy will commission INS Samarthak at Naval Base Karwar on October 16, 2026. The multi-purpose vessel is designed to support testing, surveillance, training, and rescue operations. Built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) under the Make in India initiative, INS Samarthak is the first of two ships under the Samarthak-class project.Unlike conventional warships built for specific combat roles, the vessel can perform several tasks at sea. It will support weapons testing, unmanned systems, maritime patrol, and humanitarian missions. Its induction also marks another step in the Navy's efforts to expand its fleet of indigenously built support vessels. Space startups attracted a record USD 20.8 billion in funding during the third quarter of 2026. Investors are backing launch providers, manufacturers, and other space infrastructure businesses. The latest figures point to growing commercial demand and stronger government spending in the sector.According to a report by global investment firm Seraphim, the funding nearly tripled from USD 7.4 billion in the second quarter. Even without Blue Origin's USD 10 billion financing, investment reached a record USD 10.8 billion. The report also recorded 216 deals, compared with 140 in the previous quarter. The numbers suggest that investor interest extends beyond a few major companies. Commercial orders, defense requirements, and government-backed programs are helping attract capital to the expanding space economy. India's nuclear energy expansion could open new opportunities for domestic equipment manufacturers as the country plans to add 91 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, requiring an estimated Rs 15 lakh crore in investment. Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Chairman Ghanshyam Prasad outlined the investment requirement, highlighting the scale of infrastructure development needed to meet the country's long-term electricity demand.For India's manufacturing sector, the proposed expansion raises questions about domestic capabilities in heavy engineering, specialized steel, reactor components and power generation equipment. However, converting the nuclear energy target into industrial growth will depend on project execution, private investment, technology development and the ability of domestic suppliers to meet stringent nuclear safety and quality standards. Electric trucks in India are gaining traction as industrial companies explore cleaner freight solutions. Jindal Stainless has deployed 10 electric trucks to transport finished goods from its Jajpur plant in Odisha to Kharagpur and Kolkata in West Bengal. The company also operates 80 LNG trucks and is introducing CNG vehicles for other logistics operations.Managing Director Abhyuday Jindal said the company's decarbonisation efforts extend beyond manufacturing plants to supply-chain transportation. The deployment indicates rising interest in electric commercial vehicles; however, broader adoption depends on charging infrastructure, performance and operating costs. The company estimates its combined electric, LNG and CNG initiatives could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 71 tons monthly. Self-reliance rhetoric collides with hard numbers as India's China bill hits USD 105.93 billion in the first nine months of 2026. Official campaigns promote Atmanirbhar Bharat, domestic manufacturing, and reduced dependence on Chinese goods. Yet the latest customs data reveal a widening trade gap that continues to grow despite stronger Indian exports.China shipped USD 125.19 billion worth of goods to India while India sent only USD 19.26 billion in the opposite direction. The USD 105.93 billion deficit stands 20.7 E:\MADHUSMITA\2026\COVER\IOL\CAST AND BLOWER COJINDAL STAINLESS DEPLOYS 10 ELECTRIC TRUCKS IN INDIASELF-RELIANCE RHETORIC MEETS REALITY IN INDIA'S 106BN CHINA BILLSPACE STARTUPS RAISE USD 20.8 BILLION: WHAT'S DRIVING THE SURGE?INDIA'S NUCLEAR ENERGY PUSH: RS 15 LAKH CR FOR 91 GW CAPACITYpercent higher than a year earlier and underscores the persistent gap between policy promises and commercial reality. Indian businesses still rely heavily on Chinese electronics, machinery and chemicals even as leaders speak of self-sufficiency.
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