world bank and imf

India's enduring love for gold spans centuries, evolving from tradition to modern investment. Women hold vast reserves, and the market is set for significant growth. Digital gold and ETFs are gaining traction alongside traditional jewellery. Gold remains a symbol of prosperity, security, and auspiciousness for Indians across generations.

RBI is not alone in repatriating its gold reserves. Several central banks like France’s Banque de France, Germany’s Deutsche Bundesbank, Serbia’s National Bank have done the same - buy why?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

S&P Global in its latest report titled India's Strong Fundamentals Would Cushion The Blow Of An Oil Shock says India is equipped to handle some strain. The report assumes a base case scenario of oil prices at an average of $130 per barrel for 2026 and $100 in 2027.

Today is Akshaya Tritiya, an auspicious day in the Hindu calendars, believed to bring lasting prosperity and good fortune. Buying gold on this day is considered auspicious. Experts believe that returns on gold over the last few years reinforce its role as a long-term wealth preserver.

Pakistan may resort to fuel rationing at petrol pumps if the US-Iran conflict escalates, finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb warned. While currently managing demand through price adjustments and targeted subsidies, the government acknowledges this approach's limits. Disruptions to oil flows via the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for Pakistan's imports, have already caused significant price hikes and public unrest, forcing policy shifts.

India's Unified Payments Interface now leads the world in real-time payment transactions, accounting for 49 percent globally. This homegrown system has transformed financial inclusion, reaching informal markets and enabling seamless transactions. UPI's success is a global reference model, expanding its reach internationally and evolving into a comprehensive financial platform.

India's financial landscape has been revolutionized by UPI, the nation's digital payments centerpiece. Launched in 2016, it has become the world's largest real-time payment system by volume, processing billions of transactions monthly. UPI has significantly expanded financial inclusion, bringing millions into the digital economy and setting a global benchmark for inclusive financial innovation.

Fundamentally, foreign exchange reserves tell us about a country’s ability to service its external debt. The more robust the cover, the better a country’s position of economic strength. So how strong is India placed in terms of foreign exchange reserves?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India's strong debt management, with an 81% debt-to-GDP ratio, positioning it favorably among major economies amidst global economic volatility. The ongoing Middle East conflict poses a systemic threat to global energy, impacting supply chains and economic stability, while the RBI's MPC begins deliberations amid inflation concerns.

Usually, Pakistan goes populist and softens the blow. So, what forced it to let prices jump all at once?

Having tasted blood, Iran is not going to go back to free naval passage. Other countries may well follow suit

Pakistan grapples with soaring fuel prices, prompting free public transport in Islamabad and Punjab for 30 days. Despite a revised petrol price, public anger persists. The government aims to ease economic burdens amid global energy disruptions and IMF pressure, with similar measures seen in Karachi and Bangladesh.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, a trailblazer in global finance, is navigating economic uncertainty stemming from conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. Her career, marked by numerous 'firsts' as a lawyer and politician, showcases a consistent ability to manage crises and redefine leadership roles.