Tax & Spend

Modi Shuns Populist Budget as Focus Stays on Infrastructure

  • Finance minister curbs fiscal deficit, reduces borrowing
  • Last budget before polls lacks major spending, tax measures

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi.

Photographer: Prakash Singh/Bloomberg
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India’s finance minister delivered a budget speech lacking in any major spending and tax measures to lure voters in upcoming elections, a sign that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is confident his government can return to power without resorting to populist programs.