BUSINESS
Commerce Without Conflict: Why the world needs a new compact for trade
The world cannot return to the “golden age” of globalization. That said, commerce without conflict is not a naïve aspiration; it is a practical necessity. Therefore, governments cannot afford to abandon the rules-based system altogether – doing so would harm even the most powerful economies
BUSINESS
Chart of the Day: Fund managers take shelter in China
India's stock markets have fallen from grace, sliding from top Asian pick to least favoured as Trump's tariffs trigger a massive foreign investor exodus
WORLD
Sky Grab: China's ambitious plans to dominate the orbital internet race
China’s launched Guowang, a mega-constellation of low earth orbit satellites, which may overwhelm Starlink in scale. What’s unfolding is not simply commercial competition, but a contest over who shapes global information flows. The genuine concern is not the existence of another global constellation — redundancy is healthy. The danger lies in the values embedded within it
BUSINESS
The Reading List: August 22, 2025
A look at some articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance, curated by our research and opinion teams for your weekend read
BUSINESS
Technical factors contribute to wider spreads in longer dates G-Secs, what next?
Rising long-end yields driven by elevated SDL issuance, subdued demand from long-term investors, and RBI's neutral stance, may moderate if growth slows or tenor adjustments are made
BUSINESS
Chart of the Day: EM funds circled back to China in July as tariffs sliced Indian valuations
India was the most underweight market among emerging markets in July
WORLD
Strategic Autonomy Needs Influence: Neutrality without engagement is isolation; India’s moment to lead in the Middle East is now
Demonstrating strategic autonomy without influence results in strategic isolation. India’s economic stake in a transforming Middle East is huge. As the West loses its attraction there, India, which doesn’t carry historical baggage, needs to capitalize on emerging opportunities
BUSINESS
Be Ready Before GST 2.0: Key challenges Indian businesses must navigate
Businesses have to cope with existing stock and related issues when a new GST rate structure is enforced. It can lead to confusion and possible losses. However, anticipating potential downsides will help them sidestep liabilities
TECHNOLOGY
The India Advantage: Ethical AI and inclusive innovation
Fueled by its national AI mission, India's structural advantages offer a new playbook for ethical and inclusive innovation
BUSINESS
Chart of the Day | Robust capacity addition may create demand-supply mismatch in cement industry
Surplus capacity is not good news as large manufacturers compete for market share that could weigh on prices
BUSINESS
Ctrl+Alt+Comply: Why India’s digital laws need a system update
As India races to regulate its growing digital economy, businesses are finding themselves entangled in a web of overlapping laws and duplicative compliance obligations. Without coherence and coordination, this new regulatory architecture risks overwhelming the very ecosystem it aims to discipline
INDIA
Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: Empowering youth and boosting employment
The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) aims to generate 3 crore jobs by 2027, focusing on youth employment, formalising jobs, and enhancing social security across sectors, particularly manufacturing
BUSINESS
The Power of the Pivot: Recognising and reversing organisational decay
Organisations, like individuals, can decline through small shifts -- mediocrity, procrastination, and failure to execute. Leaders must recognise these signs early, enforce standards, streamline decisions, and commit to disciplined execution for sustained growth
BUSINESS
IBC Rewired: Practical fixes for a complex economy
Nearly a decade of insolvency law’s operation has shown that there are loopholes in its design which limit its potential benefit. The recently introduced amendment bill seeks to resolves key jurisprudential conflicts, streamline procedures, and empower creditors
WORLD
Chart of the Day: Tariffs impact India’s market confidence
India's stock market has plummeted from being Asia's most favoured investment destination to the least preferred among global fund managers, as Trump's punitive tariff threats and corporate earnings concerns trigger a dramatic investor sentiment reversal.
BUSINESS
India Buys in Hindi, Dreams in EMI: Why the metro-first strategy is broken
India's market is diversifying beyond metros. Brands must evolve strategies, catering to both urban and rural needs, balancing aspiration with accessibility, and embracing regional preferences for sustainable growth
BUSINESS
The Reading List: August 15, 2025
A look at some articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance, curated by our research and opinion teams for your weekend read
INDIA
Why India must zero-rate exports to empower its trade sector
India is recalibrating its export policies, transitioning from MEIS to RoDTEP. The scheme must be expanded to cover all products exported from India. It is imperative for India to strengthen its trade policies supporting the exporting community by zero-rating exports in terms of taxes and duties imposed
BUSINESS
Chart of the Day | Interstate collection efficiency improves in power transmission assets
Improved collections are also translating into a drop in receivables, thereby improving financial outlook for power assets
TECHNOLOGY
Tech for Good: Leveraging open data to advance the SDGs
India’s SPOs must leverage data, technology, and AI to drive compliance, improve decision making, and accelerate social impact, with support from funders and open data platforms
BUSINESS
GCCs are an Indian success story. Tax reforms are needed to keep it that way
While India remains a front-runner in the global GCC landscape, economies such as the Philippines, Mexico and Poland are rapidly positioning themselves as strong contenders. India needs to tweak transfer pricing and GST rules, among others, to stay ahead
BUSINESS
Trump’s AI Strategy: Beyond the race for global supremacy
The US AI Action Plan prioritises global dominance over safety, risking market concentration and weaker regulations worldwide. Open models and interoperable standards can spread AI benefits more equitably while safeguarding public interest
BUSINESS
Unlocking India’s potential in the global toy market
India’s toy sector shows strong export growth, but must deepen global partnerships, boost domestic production, and attract infrastructure investment to strengthen its role in the labour-intensive global toy market
BUSINESS
India’s Distressed Asset Market: Ready for growth
The IBC and new RBI frameworks are transforming India’s distressed asset market, improving transparency, recovery rates, and investor confidence, while regulatory reforms and strategic partnerships create growing opportunities for global private equity participation
