How oil traders called the Middle East conflict
Open source intelligence and social media posts gave market participants confidence to sell despite turmoil
What is behind Indian rupee's recent rough ride?
The rupee is vulnerable to geopolitical events more now than before
Climate-proof and Profitable: the hidden upside of adaptation investments in India
Adaptation isn’t just climate insurance but also a smart investment. In India, projects that bolster resilience are delivering powerful profits, showing that climate-proofing can be as lucrative as it is necessary
Decoding Economics: Piketty’s new research reveals how the Global South was impoverished to enrich the North
A ground-breaking new analysis by Thomas Piketty and Gaston Nievas reveals how centuries of colonial exploitation systematically transferred wealth from India and other colonies to Europe, fuelling Western prosperity at the expense of the Global South. Their research suggests that, had these transfers not occurred, India could have ended up owning vast assets in Britain itself
Are markets becoming immune to war, geopolitics?
Despite ongoing conflicts from Iran-Israel tensions to the Ukraine war, global equity markets continue their remarkable resilience, barely flinching at geopolitical upheaval. This phenomenon reveals a fundamental shift in how modern markets process risk—filtering every crisis through a single lens: will this affect corporate earnings?
Is India overestimating Israel’s role as a trusted defence partner?
Moving away from a time-tested position of neutrality, India has shown clear signs of being in Israel’s corner. It’s explained by the country’s reliability as a defence partner. Israel’s reliability will eventually be a function of internal and external pressures. It leads to the question if India is overemphasising the reliability factor
From coders to bystanders: Is Indian IT missing the GenAI train?
Accenture’s latest results have sent Indian IT stocks into a tailspin, but the real concern lies deeper than just weak outsourcing numbers. The sector’s inability to engage meaningfully with Generative AI poses a far bigger challenge.
Chart of the Day | How crude oil prices influenced India inflation numbers in last decade
Oil price shocks extend beyond fuel costs and have broader impact on the economies
FTAs are welcome but don’t let them undermine pharma industry and drug access
In last two decades, the country’s IP model continues to serve as a global benchmark for balancing innovation with public health. India’s philosophy remains rooted in a simple principle: innovation and access are not competing goals; they are complementary imperatives. Good health policy isn’t about choosing between science and society; it’s about designing systems where both can thrive, and India’s IP framework proves it’s possible
India’s digital power must be matched by mercantile mindset
India cannot export strategic technology without first understanding what the world is willing to buy. To be a digital power, we must learn to trade like one, not merely posture like one
Martin Wolf: Why global imbalances do matter
If the US wants to accelerate a worldwide discussion with a policy intervention, the obvious one would be a tax on capital inflows
India’s Income Rise: Powered by PM Modi, led by the people
At a time when many nations are choosing uncertainty, India has chosen continuity over chaos, stability over slogans, and growth over gridlock. The world sees it. The markets reflect it. And most importantly, the people have reaffirmed it
Is the glitter gone in gold?
Ceasefire chatter and falling oil prices have spooked some gold investors, raising doubts about bullion's future. But look past the headlines, and the long-term fundamentals still gleam bright
Shashi Tharoor and Ram Madhav on the Constitution is about depth versus dispassion
Their recent books on the Constitution approach it through political lens. It makes the comparison interesting as their approach is from different ends of the political spectrum. A reviewer concludes that while Madhav takes a dispassionate look at the role of framers, Tharoor is more polemical
Chart of the Day | Why India’s trade surplus with the US is likely to get trimmed
The level of tariffs and the basket of merchandise goods traded are to blame for it
Future-Proofing India’s Workforce: How CSR can mitigate AI-driven job displacement
As AI reshapes the workforce, India must leverage CSR and government programmes to upskill workers, minimise displacement, and build inclusive growth through ethical policies, corporate responsibility, and strategic reskilling initiatives
Mixed signals from Middle East tensions leave RBI’s rate cut path in limbo
As the world scrambles to decode the uncertain status of the Iran-Israel conflict, India’s rate-setting panel may have to rethink its dovish stance amid oil shock risks.
War is not spooking markets, but economic realities might soon
War or the tariff tantrums did not shake the Indian equity market confidence. But the trajectory of the domestic economy could spring a real surprise
Pakistan’s Army gets the bucks, but can’t produce a bang
Without checks and balances from civilians, Pakistan’s defence budget increases are unrelated to the state of the economy, which is dismal. Within the military, it’s the officer class that’s the prime beneficiary of the largesse. Most importantly, a generous defence budget has not translated into demonstrable military capability
US strike on Iran: signals for global, Indian policymakers and investors
The US strikes on Iran have exposed a fundamental shift in international relations, where diplomatic agreements are increasingly viewed as disposable and military action speaks louder than negotiated settlements. This erosion of trust is forcing nations worldwide to reconsider their foreign policy strategies, defence spending priorities, and trade and investment approaches
Ease in priority sector norm gives small finance banks room to reduce stress
Listed small finance banks saw their net profit drop 43 percent year-on-year for the March quarter of FY25
Reforming SEBI rules for India’s new-age tech IPOs
India’s tech IPO boom demands regulatory reforms. Current SEBI rules, built for traditional models, must evolve to support NATCs’ asset-light strategies and intangible investments, aligning with global, principles-based disclosure practices
The US, Iran and markets
What matters now is Tehran’s response
Iran’s humiliation nukes the foundation of non-proliferation treaty
NPT divides the world into nuclear haves and have-nots. The have-nots forego the nuclear option under the treaty for safety guarantees. However, from Ukraine to Iran, it’s nuclear weapons owning states which have been aggressors. It makes a mockery of NPT and is bound to catalyse strategic questions by some states on the trade-offs involved in covert nuclear weaponisation
