Opinion / The Economic Times
India's entrepreneurial surge sees nearly 2 lakh companies registered last year, a threefold increase from a decade ago. While digitisation has eased business registration, delays persist due to manual processes. Global examples highlight how automation and integrated systems can achieve speed, security, and compliance, paving the way for India to streamline its company registration process to under 24 hours.
GST 2.0 marks an important beginning, but affordability alone cannot secure India's healthcare future. To ensure that today's gains translate into lasting impact, cost relief must go hand in hand with a stronger innovation ecosystem. Patients will benefit most when breakthrough medicines and therapies are developed in India, made affordable through efficient regulation, and scaled up through local manufacturing.
India's progress hinges on evolving from a nation that builds to one that imagines, by embracing design as a core discipline. This shift requires integrating art and engineering, empathy and precision, to create systems that work for many, fostering trust and cultural significance.
India's food safety framework, led by FSSAI, is transitioning from rule-making to cultural integration. Key priorities include a digital leap with AI, a risk analysis center, national diet studies, regulatory harmonization, and long-term pesticide residue management to build public trust and global credibility.
India's startup ecosystem, a global leader in numbers, lags in funding depth. To foster global champions and avoid incremental innovation, a 1 lakh crore Bharat Fund of Funds for Technology Startups is proposed. This initiative aims to attract significant private capital, boost strategic sectors like AI and semiconductors, create millions of jobs, and solidify India's position as a technology leader.
India and Britain have signed a landmark Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), hailed as post-Brexit Britain's biggest deal. The agreement, built on boldness, fairness, and certainty, aims to strengthen economic ties and provide a clear framework for businesses, fostering shared prosperity amid global challenges.
Contaminated cough syrup, containing lethal diethylene glycol, caused child deaths in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, exposing critical flaws in India's pharmaceutical quality control. Multiple safeguards failed, from manufacturing to distribution, highlighting the urgent need for robust regulatory reforms and proactive prevention to ensure drug safety.
British PM Keir Starmer's visit highlights India-Britain climate and energy cooperation. Both nations have met ambitious emission targets. Their partnership channels British capital into India's solar manufacturing, supporting schemes like PM Surya Ghar and PM KUSUM. This collaboration aims to improve daily lives through clean energy, fostering innovation and economic growth.
Toxic cough syrup has claimed more young lives in India. Despite past tragedies and international warnings, the nation's drug control system shows recurring failures. Officials are suspended and arrests are made, but the root causes of substandard medicines persist. This pattern raises serious questions about consumer safety and the value placed on Indian lives.
Donald Trump's focus on Pakistan is reshaping US foreign policy. This shift impacts India's standing and regional stability. Pakistan's army chief is actively seeking to please Trump.
India is taking small steps to make the rupee a global currency. This aims to reduce dollar reliance and boost trade. However, past examples from China and Britain show that full currency convertibility is risky. Premature liberalization can lead to capital flight and economic instability. India must proceed with extreme caution, avoiding ambitious moves towards full convertibility for decades.
Bihar will vote on November 6 and 11. Results are expected on November 14. The elections are marked by a debate over the updated electoral rolls. This Special Intensive Revision aims to clean up voter lists. The Election Commission is working to ensure all eligible voters are included. This process could impact voter turnout in the state.
Donald Trump's focus on Pakistan differs from past US policy. This strategy faces hurdles in mining projects and its deepening ties with China. Pakistan's role as an Islamic world ally and an irritant to India presents further complexities. The article questions the long-term benefits of this approach for the US.
The India-EFTA Tepa agreement, effective October 1, includes binding commitments of $100 billion investments and 1 million jobs over 15 years. This landmark deal supports 'Make in India' and India's economic growth, diversifying trade and enhancing market access for goods and services, while also boosting professional mobility.
RBI's October 1 announcements heralded a significant credit market overhaul, moving beyond gradualism to implement sweeping reforms. These measures aim to remove structural bottlenecks, enabling banks to fund domestic M&As and substantially boosting IPO financing limits. This bold shift signals the financial system's readiness to support India's ambitious growth targets.