opinion

Republican budget takes US on path to trillions in new deficits

As Congress ponders a gigantic new budget resolution, supporters of fiscal moderation have gone suspiciously quiet

When being the China alternative isn’t enough

Cordial relations with Beijing and long-standing US ties may no longer be sufficient for supply chains to survive

Building India’s AI edge through smart infrastructure

Building a robust infrastructure for AI should be a priority for India

India needs to sort out the economics of IMEC before China shuts the door

China is doing its best to maintain its supremacy on the seas

Indian Pharma needs to step up its game, to combat risks from trade wars

The next leg of sustainable growth in the sector, especially in the new world order of protectionism, will need to come from innovation

Agrochemical exporters face new risk to earnings from Trump’s reciprocal tariffs

Inventory destocking and price erosion adversely impacted global agrochemical industry growth in 2024.

Chart of the Day: Two numbers behind RBI’s move to lower risk weights on bank loans to NBFCs, MFIs

Microfinance entities have seen their loan book shrink in the third quarter of FY25

British PM Starmer meets Trump | Ukraine issue discussed | U.S.-U.K. talks | N18G

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Washington, D.C., on February 26, 2025, where he emphasized that the most important relationship for the UK is with the United States. During his visit, he met with business leaders at the British ambassador’s residence, hosted by Peter Mandelson. Starmer expressed a desire to forge a new partnership with the U.S., sharing the belief that their best days lie ahead. Starmer’s visit also included a meeting with President Donald Trump. Prior to his trip, he called on Washington to provide a security "backstop" for European peacekeepers in Ukraine. He argued that this would ensure lasting peace in Ukraine rather than a temporary ceasefire. Furthermore, Starmer stated that Britain would contribute to any peacekeeping efforts in the region. Overall, the visit highlighted the importance of strengthening the UK-U.S. relationship and advancing international cooperation on global security issues.

The consequential afterlife of judiciary’s oral observations

Oral observations may not find their way into a formal order. However, they can leave a lasting impression on people, even if they are made in an offhand way. They also run the risk of diluting judicial accountability

Shankar Sharma on what’s next for Indian and US markets

Writing as Le Grand Fromage, the market veteran explains how "Lake of Returns" approach can be used to gauge market sentiment and to make market predictions. The approach posits every asset class and sub- component of it has a natural return reservoir attached to it, based on its long-term history. In order to judge if the market's lake is low or high in terms of water, or returns, we need to look at the kinds of returns we have seen generated in the past few years

History and politics of appointments to Election Commission

In Constituent Assembly debates, there was a consensus that the right to vote should be treated as a fundamental right and, therefore, integrity of electoral process is of paramount importance. As Supreme Court hears a challenge to the Parliament’s law on the composition of the selection committee for EC, also at stake is the question of separation of powers between the judiciary, legislature and executive

India’s Path to Sustainable Mobility: EV and circular economy practices

India aims to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability through electric vehicle adoption and circular economy practices. By integrating both strategies, India can reduce emissions, lower production costs, and foster long-term economic growth in the automotive sector

How SEBI plans to curb manipulation in F&O stocks

The recent changes by SEBI make operations more expensive for market players. From now on, the computation of the MWPL will only consider the OIs of options closer to the current market price. These options are more expensive than OTM options, complicating pushing a stock onto the ban list

India's efforts to empower gig & contractual workers

The Union Budget highlights the inclusion of gig workers under the PM-JAY healthcare scheme and identity formalisation through the e-Shram portal. Haryana’s HKRN model showcases successful worker welfare for contractual employees, paving the way for national-level expansion

Finally, a drop in lead prices to ease pressure on battery makers

Robust replacement market battery sales, particularly for four-wheelers, aided in pass through of higher input costs

Building a Resilient Supply Chain: The road map for India’s critical minerals

India is late in sourcing critical minerals but it has covered a lot of ground

Martin Wolf: The US is now the enemy of the West

Washington has decided to abandon both Ukraine and its postwar role in the world

‘Churnings’ in South Asia

The expansion of Indian influence in Afghanistan is as troubling for Pakistan as the latter’s wooing and courting of Bangladesh is for India. But as the two nuclear-armed military powers jockey for influence to undercut the other, the key question is: can they overcome the limitations of geography to rewrite history? 

Trump leaves Europe’s future considerably weakened -- and uncertain

America’s warming up to Russia is putting Europe in disarray

RBI's credit flow easing measures signal pro-growth tilt

The central bank's move to lower risk weights on bank lending to NBFCs and excluding microfinance loans from higher risk weights applicable to consumer credit should boost lending

The Fed monetary policy framework needs work

The central bank needs to recognize the flaws in its monetary policy framework

The UK can’t approach Trump like France and Germany have

Starmer has to do better than Macron and Merz when dealing with the US president

Streamlining recovery processes for retail lending to boost financial inclusion

Retail lending needs a clear, time-bound recovery process like the Corporate Insolvency Act. Streamlining collections would improve transparency, reduce complaints, and lower borrowing costs, promoting credit access, supporting micro-enterprises, and enhancing financial inclusion in India