How the EU succumbed to Trump’s tariff steamroller
Relief at avoiding trade war is tinged with regret at not taking firmer stand from the start
Are carbon clouds gathering over the India-UK FTA?
The UK has sidestepped the tricky issue of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) , which, if imposed, can significantly affect India’s gains from the trade deal
RBI study finds Indians can’t agree on inflation expectations
Given the diversity in socio-economic conditions, Indian households do not converge near a common inflation expectation
How language politics could reshape West Bengal's electoral landscape
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a fierce counter-offensive against what she terms "linguistic terrorism," accusing the BJP of systematically targeting Bengali speakers in detention camps across multiple states
What China’s $137B dam on the Brahmaputra means for India’s Northeast & Bangladesh
There are serious concerns about the risks from dam construction by China in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra. But the risks may have been exaggerated, because this is mostly a hydropower project. Besides, any flooding would first hit China’s Tibet region. India should focus on getting river flow data from Beijing
Data Story | Is global steel output feeling the heat from US tariffs?
In June 2025, global steel output fell by 6.2 percent over a year ago and by 4.7 percent sequentially, with the largest steel producer China suffering a 9.2 percent decline
Income-tax Bill 2025 needs to revisit concept of beneficial ownership
A nuanced, clearly defined approach to beneficial ownership is essential, one that preserves the integrity of the tax system without penalizing legitimate corporate activity. After all, if the goal is to simplify, we must ensure we don’t complicate the process
Reinventing the Rupee: How India’s digital currency revolution is taking shape
The CBDC isn’t a feature. It’s a new logic embedded in money. And when logic changes at the base layer, everything upstream — including value chains — changes with it.
Billion-dollar Rain: Why India can’t afford to ignore urban flood risk
On 26 July 2005, Mumbai recorded 944 mm of rainfall in a single day—almost 40% of its annual rainfall—coinciding with high tide and peak hourly rainfall of up to 80mm. It remains the costliest natural catastrophe for the Indian insurance industry. Increasing urban concretisation and also growing instances of intense short-duration rainfall have magnified risks for urban India since then
Vault Matters | Why now isn’t the time to upgrade banks
While there are at least four bank requests pending for regulator’s blessings to get a bump up in the value chain, now is the time to observe and assess, not react and regret
The Reading List: July 25, 2025
For your weekend read, our research and opinion teams have curated a selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance
Shrimp, Scotch and Strategy: India’s new trade doctrine in action
A trade deal is never just about tariffs; it is about the story a country tells about itself. With the India-UK CETA, this narrative is changing. India is no longer a hesitant participant in global trade. It is now a negotiator with ambition, willing to make tactical retreats in the service of strategic goals
Why is it so hard to replace HSBC’s Mark Tucker?
The years of a FTSE 100 chairmanship being a nice way to avoid boredom in semi-retirement are long gone
Unlocking the power of India’s 470-million women
India’s 470 million working-age women are a massive untapped economic force. Recognising their invisible labour and designing contextual financial solutions is key to unlocking inclusive, sustainable national growth
How rural India can power the next trillion-dollar growth
Rural India, home to 64% of the population, is central to India's economic future. With rising agri-sector growth, policy support, and investment, it’s driving GDP, consumption, and inclusive development forward
Investors beware the dangers lurking in private credit
For some observers, the rapid rise of this asset class invites unsettling historical comparisons
When a Catholic priest called RSS the ‘true heir of Mahatma Gandhi’
Father Anthony Elenjimittam’s 1951 book argues that the RSS, not Congress, embodies Gandhi’s legacy, challenging secularism and defending its cultural ideals while debunking false narratives surrounding Gandhi’s assassination
The contrasting fortunes of ultra-luxury housing sales in Singapore and India have a message
While sales of ultra-luxury houses are struggling in the rich city-state, India saw a stunning 85 per cent year-on-year rise in the first half of 2025
India should lead climate change fight after US U-turn
The US - historically the world’s largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter and currently still among the top three - will soon exit the global climate framework
Green shoots or false hopes? What headline Q1 IT numbers don’t tell you
The industry has reported disparate earnings, with some reporting record revenue-growth, some posting margin-expansion, and others disappointing on both counts
Let the Dragon breathe energy into India’s manufacturing!
Lifting curbs on Chinese FDI with adequate safeguards may not be a bad idea for India’s factory growth
Can the India-UK trade deal take businesses to a new high?
From auto and textiles, footwear and jewellery, to whisky and salmon, the trade deal has encompassed most sectors. Will companies bite the bait?
Chart of the Day: Why the rupee is losing even when the dollar is weak
Liquidity compulsions and forex reserves optics will keep the RBI an active foreign exchange market participant
Trailing Corbett sahib
It is 150 years since Jim Corbett was born but his legend lives on. His books which richly detail Himalayan forests remain the staple of many a library. A look at a man whose life and deeds tell a story of deep affection for India and her people, but one that was inextricably linked to idea of the British Raj as Independence saw him leave for another colony
Man with Machine: AI and the future of law in India
AI is transforming India's legal profession by improving document review, legal research, drafting, and case law analysis. However, ethical concerns like data sourcing, liability, and regulatory frameworks need careful consideration
