Trump's Tariff War: 'Swadeshi economics' could be the only way to protect India's interests
Sanghnomics: The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch has been a proponent of Swadeshi economics and has a few suggestions that could protect India’s interests amid tariff war with the US. From making bilateral agreements to boosting “Atmanirbhar Bharat” policy, these are a few ideas that SJM thinks could help India chart its way forward
Trump’s aim may be to force India to lower tariffs, not reciprocate rates
India’s growing bilateral trade surplus appears to be the factor that has catalyses charges of unfair practice. A law proposed by US Congress representatives gives the President the option to use tariffs as tools to force another country to lower its levies. This is likely to be first choice approach of the US, aiming to increase its exports and eventually wiping out its bilateral trade deficit with India
Can Europe rebuild its economic, military muscle?
Europe faces mounting security and economic challenges as it grapples with Donald Trump’s unpredictable policies, rising geopolitical tensions, and internal divisions. The EU’s proposed ReArm Europe Plan aims to rebuild defence capabilities while balancing economic resilience and green commitments
Ceasefire Chess: Putin's Uniform, Trump's Ultimatum, and Zelensky’s Dilemma
The Ukraine peace talks involve many complex issues and the egos of leaders from three countries. The U.S. is using economic pressure to force Russia’s Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire, but Putin is looking for a military victory. The immediate challenge is the lives of a large number of Ukrainian soldiers caught in Russia’s Kursk region
An early summer poses yet another risk for the Indian economy
Weather-related vagaries are increasingly becoming visible, making it imperative for policymakers to take steps to protect the economy
Pakistan stares down the barrel of a gun, yet again
After an audacious train hijack on March 11, the Baloch Liberation Army has continued to target Pakistan’s security personnel through smaller attacks. The country is in the grip of a relentless cycle of violence, with no long-term solution as the polity is subservient to an army which continues to repeat mistakes. Pakistan’s neighbours need to be mindful of a spillover effect
Should investors buy more, sell, or hold on? The answer is a simple one
Investors behind the 145 million new demat accounts opened since 2019 are in unfamiliar territory, where bears rule the roost. What they do now will determine how their returns fare in the long run
Why it is important to implement a 1978 legislation to keep Arunachal safe
RSSFACTS: Arunachal Pradesh faces a rise in Christian conversions, impacting its demographic and strategic balance. The Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram demands the implementation of the 1978 Religious Freedom Act to protect indigenous faiths and cultural identity amid growing opposition
The Reading List: March 14, 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.
Online education’s potential is beyond question, but there are challenges to overcome
Despite the rapid growth of online higher education, skepticism remains, particularly regarding employability and skill readiness. Affordability is another concern, as many students find online higher education expensive
Half-a-CM: Trials and tribulations of Omar Abdullah
Omar Abdullah’s tenure as Jammu & Kashmir’s CM has seen limited progress, with key issues like statehood restoration, liquor bans, and reservation policies unresolved. His leadership is increasingly questioned amid growing frustration over the region’s diminished autonomy
China’s obesity crisis is big business
Pharmaceutical groups are rushing to dominate market that will grow to 900mn people by 2030
Zydus’s MedTech plan underlines transformative changes in pharma sector
Pharma companies are trying to build revenue resilience by adding new business lines
Indian Gaming Industry’s Next Big Challenge: Empowering indie developers
The Indian gaming market is rapidly growing, with indie developers facing challenges in resources and tools. Building indigenous game engines, AI-driven solutions, and specialised cloud platforms, alongside strong support ecosystems, could empower developers to compete globally while catering to local needs
India needs to act decisively to combat climate change
Action needs to be backed by money to make an impact but with Western commitments in doubt, it falls upon the government to step in to bridge the gap
With inflation cooling, monetary policy will deliver growth support
India’s economic landscape is shifting as cooling inflation paves the way for a more accommodative monetary policy. With the RBI easing rates and liquidity conditions improving, policymakers are now focusing on reviving growth amid global uncertainties
With inflation below 4 percent, MPC likely to cut policy rates next month
India's retail inflation eased to 3.61 percent in February 2025, its lowest in five months, driven by falling food prices. With inflation below 4 percent, the door is open to another rate cut in April
Startup Street: Does location influence startup funding, valuation?
Location trumps many factors when it comes to getting funding for startups
Why India should keep out TikTok in the age of information warfare
Even as some Chinese apps make their comeback in the country, TikTok should not be allowed in India due to cognitive autonomy concerns. Its algorithm can be potentially used to amplify or de-amplify content to suit ByteDance's, and thereby Chinese Communist Party's, objectives
Chart of the Day: IT stock valuations still out of sync with revenue growth rates
The current revenue estimates indicate notably slower growth in FY25 and FY26 compared to pre-COVID years
Platform economy faces regulatory heat on price parity agreements
A recent European Court of Justice’s decision tightened the screws on price parity clauses on the ground that they can inhibit competition. India’s Competition Commission is also increasingly veering around to the view that these clauses could adversely affect both consumers and new market entrants. Platforms may have to tweak their business model to accommodate the emerging regulatory stance
Certainty is now a scarcity in markets
Capricious policies from Washington have created a very unpredictable economic environment
All’s not well between the US and Japan amid Trump’s return to power
Japan’s ties with the US face uncertainty under Trump, with trade disputes, security tensions, and shifting global alliances. Concerns over US reliability are pushing Japan to strengthen regional partnerships, maintain economic ties with Washington, and cautiously re-engage with China
A Nasdaq meltdown, like China’s big tech in 2021?
The US is risking a massive devaluation of growth stocks
