opinion

Taliban turns Pakistan’s fantasy of strategic depth into a horror show

The outbreak of “open war” between Pakistan and Afghanistan has its roots in developments after the US withdrawal. Pakistan army has no readymade solution to deal with domestic insurgency and until others facilitate de-escalation, things will remain chaotic

OPINION | Revised GDP shows three straight years of 7% plus growth, signalling underlying strength

Manufacturing powers ahead in the new series, boosting October-December quarter’s performance. A lower nominal GDP in relation to the old series may lead to a slight rise in debt-to-GDP ratio 

The Reading List: February 27, 2026

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

OnePlus product roadmap for this year revealed, Nord 6 expected to be the next big release

OnePlus is expected to release multiple smartphones this year, alongside a premium tablet and an audio wearable. These products will target different price segments, as the company is planning a multi-category refresh.

OPINION | The Golaknath case and the evolution of the Basic Structure doctrine

On 27th February 1967, a majority in a 11-judge bench of the Supreme Court declared that Parliament could amend Fundamental Rights. The verdict’s significance lay in the role it played in the evolution of the Basic Structure doctrine of the Court, unarguably the most consequential ruling thus far 

OPINION | India’s trade doctrine privileges comparative advantage over tariff asymmetries

Tariffs are increasingly a function of political cycles and their fallout. India’s negotiations are now undergirded by a coherent doctrine that builds on its core economic strengths 

OPINION | Tamil Nadu’s affordable co-learning initiative to strengthen meritocratic access

Subsidised co-learning infrastructure is a policy blueprint to transform competitive exam access, but true change requires scaling educational equity beyond elite coaching markets

OPINION | Leicester riots report’s claims on RSS and Hindutva questioned

RSSFACTS: A UK study links RSS and Hindutva to Leicester unrest. Critics say it misrepresents facts and ignores civilisational context and historical meaning of Hindutva 

Tamil Nadu polls 2026: Welfare, identity and the battle for Dravidian dominance

As identity politics sharpens and welfare spending surges, Tamil Nadu prepares for its most consequential election in years

IMF Staff’s Verdict on US Economy: A sugar rush with a bitter aftertaste

Beneath the surface of robust 2026 GDP forecasts, the IMF has issued a stark warning: US policy is boosting the rich, punishing the poor, and eroding the nation’s fiscal credibility

Why bans don’t work well on social issues

A recent report looked at the effect of banning real-money gaming in Maharashtra and found that the end objective was not served

Data Story: The curious divergence between the realty index and home sales

January monthly sales of homes over the past five years have been in decline

Howard Marks: The challenge of pricing AI’s impact

The pace at which developments in the technology are occurring is unlike anything we’ve seen before

Chart of the Day: Road construction pace falls to a near-decadal low

Order flows in the EPC sector linked largely to road projects fell sharply in Q3FY26

Are AI-fearing IT doomsayers jumping the gun?

This is a disruption on a scale not seen before. IT companies have proved their ability to reinvent themselves in the past. There is reason to be optimistic, even if cautiously

OPINION | A new GDP series comes in with important changes to enhance accuracy

After a decade, the GDP series is undergoing a revision. Some of the proposed changes will make for a more accurate reading of the economy but the shortcomings of the deflator will remain 

OPINION | Surge in PILs raises concerns over misuse and judicial efficiency in India

As diverse PIL filings surge across courts, concerns grow over misuse, judicial backlog and the dilution of a remedy originally designed to protect the marginalised

OPINION | India-Israel equation needs to evolve from transactionalism to one of shared destinies

Netanyahu wants to free Israel of US military aid within a decade. It opens up new opportunities of collaboration for India and Israel if friction points such as the one on IP are addressed 

Tech groups turn to more chip-backed loans to fund AI arms race

Investors attracted by high yields as companies look to shift debt off their balance sheets

OPINION | India, AI and the market’s blind spot

In a world fixated on identifying AI winners and losers, India remains, at its core, a long-term compounding, bricks-and-mortar economy. AI will enable India to leapfrog the West across core sectors 

OPINION | Tariff reforms propel India’s alco-bev global ambitions

India’s alco-bev sector enters a pivotal phase. It leverages trade reforms and rising premium demand. Stronger export capabilities enhance competitiveness in domestic and global markets

Chart of the Day: What does surging loan ticket size say about Indian households?

Ticket sizes have increased, but higher sizes demonstrate better asset quality as well

Decoding Economics: Dallas Fed data reveal why AI is replacing young workers while turbocharging veterans

A bombshell Dallas Fed report reveals AI is simultaneously creating a wage boom for experienced workers while slamming the door shut on the young

Why are markets buoyant despite uncertainty indices surging to record highs?

Despite global and US uncertainty indices reaching unprecedented peaks in early 2026 amid trade-policy volatility, equity markets remain buoyant as investors bet heavily on continued supportive monetary easing from the Fed and pro-growth fiscal stimulus from the government to overpower near-term fog