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One year of Trump 2.0: The glitz and gab of Davos cannot disguise America's voluntary winding down
One year into Trump 2.0, the US president's 'unsettled' approach has opened multiple fronts, with the Greenland demand overshadowing more consequential geopolitical shifts. While the US' economic and military strengths allow it to proceed, a vacuum is emerging in West Asia, leading to new regional power dynamics and a multipolar world driven by opportunistic tactics rather than strategic design.
Since late 2024, RBI has been frowning at investors having control of multiple lenders. PE firms that have held 20% or more in non-bank lenders have previously had to divest holdings. Imposing such non-compete clauses for PEs may even be perceived as a regulatory overreach. It is likely to impact credit growth among those who remain unbanked, reduce exit optionality and squeeze out critical FDI equity inflows
Move over IT, India has to get AI
India's IT sector is embracing Artificial Intelligence to drive future growth. With revenues exceeding $300 billion, the industry is a key economic pillar. AI adoption is accelerating across sectors, creating new opportunities. Indian firms are investing in reskilling and acquisitions to capture this shift. Challenges like talent shortages and globalization headwinds exist.
The upcoming budget must pivot towards sustainable economic advancement, steering clear of just showcasing favorable figures. Fulfilling earlier pledges related to renewable energy resources and infrastructural upgrades is crucial. Furthermore, in the wake of the Tiger Global decision, restoring confidence in the tax system is vital.
Tiger Global case: SC has unleashed the 'Tiger', now CBDT must show how to tame it
Tiger Global Supreme Court ruling: India's Supreme Court ruling in 'Tiger Global' has clarified treaty abuse principles. However, investors and taxpayers face uncertainty. The court stressed substance over form, but detailed guidance is missing. Clarity is needed on what constitutes 'substance' for treaty benefits. This impacts capital gains and cross-border transactions. The tax administration must now provide practical guidance.
Why India must rapidly scale up nuclear power to meet soaring energy demand
India must rapidly expand nuclear power to meet rising electricity demand, ensure grid stability, cut pollution and support growth. New reforms, private participation, SMRs and global tie-ups can help scale capacity fast.
View: Why India needs businesses, not the government, to lead R&D investment
India's limited presence in global corporate R&D, with only 17 companies in the top 2,000 investors, highlights a critical structural imbalance. Dominated by public funding, the nation lags behind developed economies where private sector R&D drives innovation and global competitiveness. This needs a transition to a business-led ecosystem.
Make PLI truly performance-linked: Why India's most efficient industrial policy needs sharper design
Indias PLI scheme has driven investment, output and exports at low fiscal cost by rewarding performance. With simpler design and sharper focus, it can become a core pillar of Indias manufacturing strategy.
Budget 2026: India stands at a strong economic point. Macroeconomic stability has been achieved and sustained. However, growth remains steady, not accelerating. The focus must now shift to structural reforms. These reforms are crucial for unlocking higher growth. Budget 2026 presents a key opportunity for decisive action.
View: Six reforms that can complete Indias trade liberalisation story
India aims to complete major economic reforms by 2027. Trade liberalization is a key focus. This involves reducing customs duties, withdrawing quality control orders, signing trade deals with the US and EU, and joining the CPTPP. The government will also monitor exports and manage the rupee's value. These steps will boost India's global trade integration.
Is India's WTO strategy harming its global trade future?
India's insistence on consensus at the WTO is seen as a diplomatic escape, hindering urgent reforms in a fractured geopolitical landscape. While advocating for leadership in WTO reforms, India's resistance to plurilateral initiatives risks sidelining it from shaping future global trade rules, necessitating a proactive approach to rule-making.
Go on, push the pedal hard on car export
It's the perfect moment to really get involved in the electric vehicle industry and move up the ladder. Companies should be looking to invest and innovate now to capture a bigger piece of the growing EV market. This is the opportune time to build stronger positions and reap the rewards as the sector continues to boom.
Quickness, it's still what they'll shop by
Quick commerce thrives on instant delivery. While 10-minute promises may be tough, speed remains key. Regulators are watching delivery times due to gig worker conditions and city traffic. Technology and hybrid models with local stores could offer solutions. India's quick commerce boom shows its potential to solve last-mile delivery challenges.
Kolkata's crumbling nostalgia is no longer a liability It's powering a tourism revival
Once dismissed as a city living in the past, Kolkata is quietly reinventing itself as a nostalgia-driven tourism hotspot. From heritage walks and lit-up colonial buildings to old eateries and river cruises, its forgotten charm is now its biggest draw.
Oscar-nominated or not, this film takes humans beyond the usual data labelling
Training AI to identify living and non-living things in our world is wonderfully used as a metaphor for an adivasi mother's struggle to teach her daughter to adapt to their new environment.
A for Assam: Modis vision and a decade of transformation
Assam stands at the cusp of a new age, thanks to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The once tumultuous landscape is now a portrait of tranquility, as incidents of insurgency have significantly dropped. Simultaneously, robust infrastructure projects like expansive highways and innovative bridges are reshaping the state, establishing it as a vital corridor for trade and travel.
Leaving palates in a pickle: Lack of familiarity is often behind food discrimination
A recent incident at the University of Colorado, where Indian PhD scholars faced racist comments over the smell of palak paneer, highlights lingering food prejudices. Despite increased global connectivity, unfamiliarity and ignorance can lead to xenophobic reactions, as seen with various cuisines historically struggling for acceptance in the US.
China's eternal loop: Country's history is not a river of wisdom but a carousel of control
China's history is a brutal cycle of power, paranoia, and collapse, repeating across dynasties. Despite rebranding, the Communist Party continues a tradition of one-party rule, fear, and purges. While lifting millions from poverty is a notable achievement, the suffering of ordinary people remains a constant, with regimes changing names but the cycle of control enduring.
Echoes of 1924: US visa freeze isnt just about welfare, its a move to slash legal immigration
The Trump administration has halted immigrant visas from 75 nations. This move mirrors past US policies that significantly limited immigration. The freeze aims to cut legal immigration by half. The State Department cited welfare usage by migrants as the reason. This policy change targets legal immigration, not illegal entries. The ban is expected to face legal challenges.
Down with US petroarchy: Venezuela, sanctions and oil, what India risks in a new energy cold war
India navigates a complex energy landscape. US actions in Venezuela highlight global energy market volatility. India, reliant on imported energy, seeks affordable supplies while managing sanctions and geopolitical pressures. Diversification, strategic reserves, and flexible diplomacy are key. India must balance national interests with global dynamics to avoid economic repercussions from energy price fluctuations and trade restrictions.
