BUSINESS
India needs to keep a close eye on Russia-China-Iran triangle
Long-term, existing cries of deep friendship notwithstanding, it will be a combination of new economic factors, centred around China, that will drive India’s levers of influence over Russia and Iran
BUSINESS
Israel-Iran conflict: India needs to reconsider risks to its natural gas supply in the near term
Much in the global gas markets will depend upon how the Iran-Israel imbroglio unfolds over the next few weeks and months
BUSINESS
Does India have any strategic play in ASEAN value chain?
China’s gradual dominance in ASEAN has given it clout over global value chains. India’s inability to make a mark in high value chains puts it at an economic disadvantage in this fast growing region
BUSINESS
China’s overcapacities are a significant challenge for India and the globe
China’s quandary is that at one level sustaining economic growth will require investment. At another level, it has built up capacities in sectors like new energy and technology manufactures to a vast extent.
BUSINESS
India’s oil import strategy faces risks from geopolitics, rising prices
India’s opportunistic buying from Russia at substantial discounts is now nearing its end with the country scarcely in a position to cock a snook at US sanctions, unlike China
BUSINESS
For India, Saudi Arabia is both an opportunity and a quandary
Economic changes in Saudi Arabia are an opportunity for India, but bigger rivals are setting roots there and the target sectors compete with its own investment priorities
BUSINESS
The Red Sea crisis will hurt the global economy if it continues much longer
World trade is adjusting to the Red Sea crisis by taking other even if longer routes. While business continues, there’s a cost both in terms of profits foregone as costs increase and higher transit times
BUSINESS
India has little time to lose as new land routes in Central Asia, Iran spring up as trade links
Central Asian and Eurasian region’s geopolitical might is on the rise but India has to speed up its efforts or else fall behind China in yet another trade relationship exercise
BUSINESS
Is the $100 bn FDI target under the India-EFTA trade agreement achievable?
It’s not a governmental commitment to invest the money but India’s industrial priorities in areas where the EFTA countries’ strengths lie, such as green hydrogen, renewable energy and infrastructure, provide enough avenues if the intent is there
BUSINESS
Does India have any real economic leverage over Russia?
India’s purchase of Russian oil was opportunistic and largely based on the ability to negotiate strong discounts. Sans this context, normal trade relations and equations will dominate and India’s current trade leverage over Russia will diminish
BUSINESS
Red Sea Crisis: Rising threat to undersea cables has serious security implications
The Houthi threat to undersea cables in the Red Sea has posed a critical challenge to India, which faces a surging communications load on the cables in the coming years.
BUSINESS
China’s trade tentacles run deep, making decoupling a pipe dream
Not only is there a dependency on China across key sectors that are fundamental to the growth of the Indian economy, but there’s also an underlying dependency across component supply chains
TECHNOLOGY
India can learn from Japan’s speed in setting up semiconductor facilities
There’s no doubt that Japan with its overall technology lead has multiple advantages. But the lessons of how commitment and speed can be built up need to be paid attention to
BUSINESS
India needs a state supported capital strategy for minerals security
India’s critical mineral strategy seeks to bridge the gap between supply and demand based on multifaceted strategies. It now needs to drive partnerships to secure offshore minerals sources amid an aggressive China and intense competition
BUSINESS
Defence sector’s techno-nationalism to yield gains for private sector
India is now targeting a Rs 1.5 lakh crore annual spend on modernising its armed forces until 2030 and domestic production has crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore mark in fiscal 2023
BUSINESS
What can help India’s food processing industry attain its potential?
India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world, but the food processing industry accounts for less than 10 percent of the food produced in the country
BUSINESS
India must secure its nuclear energy supply chain
Like big countries globally, India, too, is quite heavily dependent upon Russia for much of its technologies, and enriched uranium. But India has domestically developed technologies which could help
BUSINESS
A Made in India policy needed to create global SMEs
Indian policy for SMEs is broad brush and not specifically designed to enable manufacturing SMEs thrive. The government must build in incentives to help SMEs compete globally on products and also resolve some challenges
BUSINESS
Indian oil and gas firms must pay more attention to geopolitical risks
Qatar’s growing heft as a key interlocutor in the Middle East amid geopolitical tensions makes it a significant participant in energy negotiations. India depends heavily on Qatar for natural gas
BUSINESS
Geopolitical risks will be the main driver of oil prices in 2024
Demand-supply shifts will as usual play a role in determining oil prices, but growing hostilities in several regions are expected to be a much bigger overhang
BUSINESS
Has the war risk over Taiwan abated post its election?
The geopolitical risks in the Taiwan Straits seem to have abated for the moment, but the rhetoric on both sides continues, Taiwan's with tacit US support. China has resorted to what might be construed as military actions of late
BUSINESS
India’s cold chain infra needs to grow swiftly to smoothen food inflation
A perishable product cold chain is only as efficient as every link in its chain. If any link fails to maintain the same level of integrity, it could result in product losses
BUSINESS
Will India’s dreams in semiconductors come to fruition?
Within India, the knowledge of designing devices and research into high-end semiconductor technology has no well-developed legacy to build upon, leaving the country at a serious disadvantage, though it has made some strides in packaging
BUSINESS
The Green Pivot: India’s solar energy capacity is growing but challenges remain
Solar projects are now looking economically attractive and IRRs (internal rate of return) look good. But the industry is heavily dependent upon imports, particularly from China, for modules and panels
