Exclusive | Top headlines from FM Sitharaman on GST, US tariffs, China ties and more

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has outlined the government’s economic roadmap, highlighting GST rationalisation as a key driver of consumption without compromising fiscal discipline. She ruled out bringing fuel and alcohol under GST in the near term, while urging industry to pass on tax benefits to consumers.

On global trade, she reaffirmed support for exporters amid US tariffs and maintained India’s stance on Russian oil imports.

Addressing China, she called for meaningful dialogue on market access and hinted at easing investment norms.

Domestically, she defended fiscal strategy and praised private sector capex momentum.

Here are the top headlines from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s interview with Network 18 Group Editor Rahul Joshi:

GST rate cut

-100% expect GST cuts to boost consumption

-No cut to govt capex or fiscal slippage

-Fuel and alcohol under GST not in the near future

-We’ll talk and nudge the industry on passing GST cuts

US TARIFFS

-Working on a new package to help exporters

-We can’t leave our exporters high and dry

-Hope US tariffs are not a long-haul situation

-It’s been made clear, we’ll continue to buy Russian oil

CHINA

-Need meaningful dialogue on market access for Indian companies

-A lot of work needs to be done on trade ties

-Open to relaxing strict rules on Chinese investment

ECONOMY

-Regulatory institutions should not micromanage

-Private sector moving; see significant change in capex

-Observing borrowing costs, not concerned yet

-RBI has started to diversify from US government securities

-My fiscal math is absolutely fine