India Business

Gopichand Parmanand Hinduja, co-chairman of the Hinduja Group and one of the most influential figures in global business, passed away in London at the age of 85. His demise signifies the end of an era for one of India’s most illustrious business dynasties. Known for his strategic acumen, understated leadership, and philanthropic vision, G.P. Hinduja played a pivotal role in transforming a modest family enterprise into a diversified global conglomerate with interests spanning finance, energy, automotive, and infrastructure.

Gopichand Hinduja, the influential industrialist and chairman of the Hinduja Group, passed away in London at the age of 85. A pillar of global enterprise and philanthropy, Hinduja played a defining role in expanding the group’s footprint across industries such as banking, energy, automotive, and technology. Known for his strategic foresight and understated leadership, he was instrumental in shaping the conglomerate into one of the world’s most diversified business empires.

Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL), the flagship company of the Adani Group, has announced plans to raise up to Rs 25,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) or other permissible modes. The move underscores the conglomerate’s renewed focus on strengthening its balance sheet, funding growth initiatives, and expanding into emerging business verticals such as green hydrogen, airports, and data centers.

In a significant consolidation move within India’s metals sector, Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA) has acquired Tata Steel’s ferro chrome plant, further reinforcing its dominance in the ferroalloy industry. The acquisition aligns with IMFA’s long-term strategy to expand production capacity, secure raw material linkages, and enhance operational efficiency.

Ashok Leyland, one of India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has entered into a strategic partnership with Punjab National Bank (PNB) to enhance financial accessibility for its dealer network. The collaboration aims to streamline credit facilities and working capital support, enabling dealers to manage inventory and business expansion more efficiently. Through this alliance, both entities seek to promote smoother financial operations, particularly for small and medium-scale dealers across India.

Global credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service has reaffirmed Reliance Industries Ltd’s (RIL) long-term issuer rating at Baa2 with a stable outlook, underscoring the company’s robust business model, diversified revenue streams, and strong financial flexibility. The agency said RIL’s credit profile remains resilient, backed by its dominant position across energy, retail, and digital services.

In a decisive move to uphold market integrity, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has imposed penalties on 20 entities for their involvement in manipulating the share price of Quasar India Ltd. The investigation revealed coordinated trading patterns aimed at artificially inflating stock prices and misleading investors. The regulator found evidence of synchronized trades and circular transactions that violated fair market conduct norms.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has entered into three strategic agreements with Oil India Limited (OIL), Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), and Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd. (FACT) to advance India’s energy infrastructure, petrochemical capacity, and sustainable production initiatives. The agreements, announced at the 28th Energy Technology Meet in Hyderabad, cover the development of a new greenfield refinery in Andhra Pradesh, a 700-kilometre product pipeline connecting the Northeast to eastern India, and a waste-to-fertiliser project in Kerala.

Tata Trusts has announced the reappointment of Mehli Mistry as a Trustee, reaffirming his longstanding association with one of India’s most influential philanthropic organizations. Mistry’s reappointment underscores the Trusts’ commitment to continuity, strategic governance, and impactful social initiatives across sectors such as education, healthcare, livelihoods, and rural development. Analysts view this decision as a signal of stability in leadership, ensuring that Tata Trusts’ multi-decade vision continues to translate into actionable programs that benefit millions across India.

The State Bank of India (SBI) has been awarded the prestigious “World’s Best Consumer Bank 2025” by an eminent global financial publication, highlighting its innovative customer-centric services, digital transformation, and robust operational performance. The accolade underscores SBI’s position as a leading banking institution not only in India but also on the global stage.