POLITICS
Indus Waters Treaty: No immediate impact, but Pakistan will hurt later from data paucity
Keeping the Treaty in abeyance will not stop any water from flowing to lower riparian Pakistan. Leave aside the waters from the Western Rivers, even the water from Ravi which goes into Pakistan, and which is India’s share under the Treaty, will continue to flow unhindered. What can happen is a breakdown in data sharing mechanism, which will hurt Pakistan during monsoon and winter
BUSINESS
America’s messy Afghan withdrawal has left the region awash with arms
When the US hastily withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, it left behind an arsenal estimated to be worth $7 billion in military hardware. The spillover effects are visible in Pakistan and, to a certain extent, in Jammu and Kashmir. Between 2022 and 2024, a series of recoveries, particularly across Jammu’s Doda-Kishtwar-Kathua-Udhampur belt, some featuring night-vision devices, suggests a potential cross-border influx of advanced gear
BUSINESS
MSMEs brace for a challenging year
Even before tariff-related uncertainty worsened economic outlook, MSMEs witnessed a slowdown in sales growth last. Trump tariffs will have both a direct impact and an indirect one on the segment. To help them, the government, in addition to its ongoing tariff negotiation with the US, needs to address issues undermining competitiveness
BUSINESS
Chart of the Day: Why gold prices can touch the $4000 mark
Analysts at JP Morgan predict that gold will reach $4,000 by the second quarter of 2026 and continue to rise for the remainder of the year.
BUSINESS
The Reading List: April 25, 2025
A selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance, curated by our research and opinion teams
BUSINESS
Chart of the Day: Asia’s rate differential with US shows a structural change
The dollar is not the go-to safe haven asset anymore and that is a big change for the bond markets.
WORLD
Suspension of Indus Treaty shouldn’t shock Pakistan; it was warned
During Modi’s tenure between 2014 and 2019, Indus Treaty was referred to twice, indirectly and then directly. During his second tenure, Modi referred to the IWT, directly, once in January 25, 2023. In his current third tenure, the Modi government sent Pakistan a notice in August 2024 for treaty modification. Finally, in April 2025, it’s been suspended. Proxy wars have consequences
BUSINESS
The Innovation Deficit: Moving from quick fixes to quantum leaps
India’s startup landscape is dominated by ventures catering to consumer convenience which are useful, but insufficient for long-term technological leadership. Here are three steps to boost investment in deep tech
BUSINESS
Chart of the Day: What the IMF forecasts say about India
The IMF’s forecasts show that India’s share of world output will continue to increase steadily
POLITICS
Bluff and Bloodshed: Unmasking General Munir's Kashmir gamble
The Pahalgam massacre bears a chilling resemblance to the Hamas attack on unarmed civilians. It’s a desperate attempt to lure India into a trap. Pakistan anticipates an Indian retaliatory strike. Such a response would be a strategic trap, playing directly into Munir’s hands. India must project strength without succumbing to full-scale war
BUSINESS
India’s make-or-break moment to ignite a manufacturing revolution
The Centre must adopt bold, decisive reforms to transform manufacturing nodes into dynamic hubs and realise their full economic potential. In this article, five actionable steps are mentioned that the Central government could take to capitalise on this opportunity
BUSINESS
Chart of the Day | Profitable IPOs take centre stage globally
Mere returns on listing do not suffice to appease investors
BUSINESS
Chart of the Day: On a slippery road
Road construction has slowed down in the past two years. While the reasons are known, whether they will continue to hold back growth is the key question
BUSINESS
The Reading List: April 18, 2025
Our research and opinion teams have curated a selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance for your weekend read
TECHNOLOGY
‘Special responsibility’ under competition law: Drawing new boundaries in the online gaming sector
It is a settled position under the Indian law that once an entity is established as a dominant enterprise in a given relevant market, there is a special responsibility casted upon it to comply with the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002. In the case pertaining to Google and WinZo the Commission has held that it is a ‘practical necessity’ for technology firms to be present on Play Store given its overarching presence in the Android ecosystem
BUSINESS
India’s era of secondary funds is here
The market for private capital is attracting a more diverse set of players which, in turn, attracts more funds by providing everyone with timely exit opportunities. As the early investors in India’s startups approach the end of their typical 7 to 10-year lifecycle, a growing number of secondary funds are transacting with them. The market here is set for a big change
BUSINESS
Chart of the Day | Why the future bodes well for power equipment firms
Higher transmission capex will likely generate higher demand for power equipment like transformers, statcoms, circuit breakers and switchgears
INDIA
The truth about Indian education – challenges, loopholes, and solutions
India's education system is outdated and failing its youth. A hybrid, digitally-driven model with continuous assessment, aligned curricula, and NEP 2020 execution can power a skilled, job-ready Viksit Bharat by 2047
TECHNOLOGY
AI generated art leaves us with fuzzy boundaries
Sharp debates over Studio Ghibli-style self-portraits encapsulate a fundamental fault line: Where do we draw the line between inspiration and theft? Even the outrage depends on the stature of the artist whose work has been used in training models. Adding to the dilemma is that AI, originating from the same training model, can serve both a public cause and a narrow end
BUSINESS
Singapore–India partnership to ‘chip-in’ for semiconductor excellence
India and Singapore are strengthening semiconductor ties through strategic cooperation, investments, and policy support. India’s growing market, skilled workforce, and incentives position it as a rising global hub in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and innovation
INDIA
India needs a balanced approach towards building a trusted digital data protection framework
The Draft DPDP Rules aim to support India's data protection law, but concerns exist regarding data localisation, data retention, and age verification. A more pragmatic, flexible approach is needed to balance privacy, business needs, and innovation
TECHNOLOGY
The Future is Equal: Strategies to close the gender gap in AI
India leads globally in women STEM graduates but faces barriers in workforce participation, leadership roles, and academia. To advance AI, diversity is essential. Addressing biases, work-life balance, and support initiatives is crucial for inclusivity
BUSINESS
Are global markets over-reacting to US tariffs? A contrarian view
Despite escalating US-China tariffs, India remains resilient with strong IT exports, favourable macroeconomic conditions, and a growing manufacturing hub. Reduced dependence on US trade, combined with strategic policies, positions India for continued growth
WORLD
Nepal’s nostalgia for monarchy is misplaced
Pro-monarchy protests in country have their roots in the frustration with the current system. Governance failures are many and limit the potential of the country. Yet, Nepal has made progress on many fronts since 2015 when the current Constitution was adopted. The solution lies in reforming the current system instead of taking a step back to a past that was not rosy
