Clearing non-tariff hurdles key to clinching trade deals
Negotiating countries are now using NTBs or NTMs to drive hard bargains in commercial negotiations
Bajaj Finance shows art of setting expectations serves well
The lender has set the guidance for FY26 on various metrics that it aims to achieve.
Chart of the Day | RBI’s liquidity push under Sanjay Malhotra: Fuelling credit growth or falling short?
Liquidity is available but that’s not enough to push up credit growth.
AI and Competition: CCI weighs risks of algorithmic collusion
As AI tools reshape pricing and competition dynamics, regulators like the CCI are scrutinising their potential to enable collusion. A nuanced, case-by-case approach is essential to balance innovation with market fairness and accountability
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
India justice report calls for reforms in judiciary through honest assessment
The India Justice Report 2025 highlights major challenges in India’s judiciary, including judge shortages, high caseloads, poor infrastructure, and inadequate legal aid, urging urgent reforms to improve access to justice and system efficiency
As Maoists make their last stand, what lies ahead for tribals?
Karegutta Hills in Chhattisgarh is where thousands of security personnel have converged to finish off the Maoist leadership. The ongoing battle is likely to close the chapter on a movement that waged war on the State for over 50 years. That will be a good development but questions on the nature of engagement in future between tribals and others are still up in the air
‘Core’ GDP is the signal among all the noise
Against an uncertain policy outlook, we need to utilise durable economic statistics that tell the real story
Rajiv Bajaj on what they don’t teach you at Harvard Business School
The MD&CEO of Bajaj Auto is the only one in his family who hasn’t gone to business school. His management insights have evolved on the job and from eclectic sources such as Charles Darwin’s concept of “survival of the fittest”. He shares his ideas on how to seamlessly blend the accumulated wisdom of a legacy business with the disruptive potential of a startup.
What’s dragging down industrial production?
Industrial production growth in the Jan-March 2025 quarter was lower than in the preceding quarter, suggesting that industrial growth has already lost momentum, even before the impact of any tariffs and disruption in world trade
Chart of the Day: Can India become a wind energy hub in Asia Pacific ex-China?
Global onshore wind power project auctions outside China reached record levels in 2024. A large part of the project awards are in India
IDFC First Bank’s micro loan pain may be over as margins show signs of relief
A healthy deposit growth has been a good anchor for IDFC First Bank
Data Story: Where India stands in global military spending
According to new data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military spending surged in 2024, with India maintaining a steady rise while keeping its defence budget within fiscal limits. Despite spending only a fraction of China’s defence outlay, India remains among the top global military spenders.
Emotional Capital in Trading: The forgotten aspect
Winning traders have the mindset of a champion, which comes from extremely disciplined practice over long periods
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
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
War Economics: The Kargil cess template and market’s irrationality
The Kargil War led to increased defence spending, tax reform, and military modernisation in India. It also exemplified the 'war puzzle', where anticipated conflict boosts markets, while surprise wars trigger negative investor reactions
Who can get Trump to back off? Markets
Markets, not Congress or courts, have proven the only effective check on Trump's erratic trade policies. Investor backlash forced policy reversals, creating uncertainty for global trade partners like India amid ongoing US-China tariff negotiations
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.
The spectre of dollar doomsday still looms
Whatever happens with Trump’s tariffs, investors need to prepare for a new market paradigm
Banking Central | New India Bank scam is yet another reminder of the rot in India’s co-operative banks
Co-operative banks were to be the financial backbone for small depositors — shopkeepers, pensioners, and salaried workers who trusted these institutions with their life savings
With Bangladesh, India needs to go the extra mile
China and Pakistan are aiming to move closer with Bangladesh with diplomatic and economic efforts. What India needs to do to protect its own interests
The cost of hustle culture - why rest is not a weakness
Redefining success through balance, India must move beyond burnout culture, embracing mental wellness, community, and tradition. By valuing rest and resilience, we can foster a thriving, human-centric society rooted in sustainable productivity and wellbeing
Rule incentive for GST to perform better
The notification of GST tribunal rules sets the stage for a better adjudication procedure to address tax litigation
The Eastern Window | How can India keep China away from supporting Pakistan in a conflict?
The government is looking for ways to give a tough response to Pakistan and end cross-border terrorism while trying to avoid an all-out war. But if there is an escalation, it is imperative to ensure that China stays away from supporting Pakistan
