Indian stocks, bonds, and the rupee are set to rise on Monday after exit polls predicted a decisive victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance is expected to secure well over the 272 seats needed for a majority in the 543-seat lower house. Votes will be counted on Tuesday. This forecast is likely to ease investor concerns following recent market volatility. A strong BJP win would enable the party to implement key economic policies. "This is a resounding vote for continuity," said Vinit Sambre of DSP Mutual Fund, predicting a positive market reaction on Monday.

Reliance Industries, India's leading refining conglomerate, has inked a one-year agreement with Russia's Rosneft to procure a minimum of 3 million barrels of oil per month, payable in roubles. This shift in payment method follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's call to bypass Western financial systems amid sanctions. The deal allows Reliance to secure discounted oil amidst expectations of extended OPEC+ supply cuts. India, the world's third-largest oil importer, has emerged as a major buyer of Russian crude, resorting to alternative currencies for transactions. The partnership underscores deepening energy ties between India and Russia.

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) names Gaurav Banerjee, formerly with Disney Star, as its new CEO, replacing NP Singh. Banerjee, known for his role in content strategy and regional channel expansion, brings extensive experience from Disney Star, where he oversaw Hindi entertainment and Disney+ Hotstar. Starting his career as a journalist, Banerjee's notable contributions include launching Star Ananda and revitalizing Star Plus with hit shows. With a master’s degree in filmmaking and TV production, Banerjee is poised to lead SPNI into its next chapter of growth and innovation.              

Alphabet Inc., led by Sundar Pichai, will start manufacturing Pixel smartphones in Tamil Nadu, as announced by Chief Minister MK Stalin. The company plans to collaborate with Foxconn Technology Group to establish production facilities near Chennai. Additionally, Alphabet's subsidiary Wing may begin drone assembly in the state. This decision follows a visit by Tamil Nadu officials and Foxconn executives to Google's headquarters in California. Tamil Nadu, already a key player in mobile phone manufacturing with significant Apple and Tata operations, will further enhance its industry standing. This move is part of Google’s plan to begin Pixel 8 production in India, announced in 2023.

IndiGo, India's leading airline, announced plans to introduce a business class service by the end of the year. This marks a shift from its current all-economy class model. CEO Pieter Elbers stated that this move aims to offer more options for travelers as India’s economy grows. The new business class will initially be available on the busiest domestic routes, with details to be revealed in August. It remains unclear if this service will extend to international routes. IndiGo has several new aircraft on order, including models suited for long-haul flights.

India's dairy behemoth Amul is embarking on a remarkable global journey, launching fresh milk products in the United States. Partnering with the Michigan Milk Producers Association, Amul will introduce four milk variants across major American cities like New York, Chicago, and Dallas, catering to the significant non-resident Indian and Asian communities. This milestone marks a new chapter in Amul's storied history, which began with a "milk strike" against exploitative trade practices during the British Raj. From its humble cooperative roots in Kaira, Gujarat, Amul has grown into a dairy powerhouse, exporting to 50 nations and uniting 36 lakh farmer members under its cooperative umbrella.

Norges Bank, Norway's central bank, has excluded Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) from its Government Pension Fund Global due to the company's "unacceptable risk" of contributing to human rights violations in war and conflict zones. The decision follows a recommendation from the Council on Ethics and ends APSEZ's observation period since March 2022. APSEZ, part of the Adani Group, operates ports and port services. Two other companies, Weichai Power Co Ltd and L3Harris Technologies Inc, have also been excluded. The Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global is one of the world's largest, owning 1.5% of all shares in listed companies.

Reddit's shares have jumped over 10% after announcing a partnership with OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. The deal grants OpenAI access to Reddit content, while Reddit will gain AI-powered features. This move diversifies Reddit's income streams beyond advertising. The agreement comes as copyright owners, like Sony, challenge AI firms over using their material without permission. OpenAI has recently partnered with publishers like the Associated Press and Financial Times. Google also announced a Reddit data access deal in February to train its AI models. The partnership highlights the growing importance of AI in social media and content creation.

Air India and Vistara held their first joint townhall meeting to address employee concerns ahead of their merger. The meeting, attended by over 20,000 employees, aimed to alleviate fears over career progression, pay, and job security. CEO Campbell Wilson and Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan addressed concerns, including the reduction of flying time and salaries for Vistara pilots. Wilson assured that 120 pilots have been seconded between the airlines and an integrated pilot upgrade sequence will be created to maintain seniority. The leadership team will comprise Wilson, Kannan, and Aloke Singh, CEO of Air India Express.

The Indian stock market experienced a sharp decline on Monday, with the Sensex plummeting 742 points to 71,922 and the Nifty slipping 194 points to 21,861. This downward trend was largely attributed to the continued selling by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) on Dalal Street. As a result, investor wealth shrunk by a substantial Rs 4.85 lakh crore. The auto, consumer durables, and metal sectors were the hardest hit, with stocks such as Tata Motors, JSW Steel, and RIL leading the losses. All 19 BSE sectoral indices traded in the red, with the auto, capital goods, and consumer durables indices experiencing significant declines.