UK-India FTA | Opportune time for cotton textiles to weave better fortunes
India’s overall textile exports, particularly cotton textiles, had stagnated over the last decade due to tariff disadvantage and rising procurement price of yarn
War, insurance, and the limits of protection amid India-Pakistan tensions
Standard insurance policies in India exclude war-related losses, covering only specified risks like terrorism. Courts uphold these exclusions, leaving peace and diplomacy as the only true safeguards in conflict zones
UK FTA can help Indian IT manage costs better, but no immediate earnings boost
The free trade agreement (FTA) does not propose changes to visas or immigration policies
A new chapter awaits Yes Bank, post Japanese investors' entry
A new management would be a good catalyst for Yes Bank’s valuation, feel analysts
The making of India’s drone military-industrial complex
Operation Sindoor and its aftermath heralded the age of drone warfare in the Indian subcontinent. India’s drone manufacturing ecosystem proved its mettle last week. Populated by both startups and old industrial houses, the drone ecosystem now needs to add scale and quicken the pace of technological absorption. The government can help by compressing timelines in drone procurement
Beyond the Trade War: How China wants to usher in a new global world order
US-China negotiations in Geneva end on hopes of a breakthrough. But the real story goes beyond tariffs — it’s about China’s grand ambition to lead the next global order
10 lessons from the 4-day conflict with China-backed Pakistan
The government will certainly conduct an in-depth assessment of the military and diplomatic experience during the conflict. A close examination is required to strengthen our fighting capabilities and enhance our diplomatic skills because the problem with Pakistan is far from over
India’s aerial shield has held up well, but will need upgrades to combat China’s stealth aircraft
India’s multi-layered air defence system has successfully repulsed scores Pakistani aerial attacks over three successive nights. By acquiring advanced systems and simultaneously producing at scale domestically, India has steadily built air defences that can absorb and inflict punishing attrition over prolonged combat. It has also focused on protecting key targets. For instance, India has ambitions of covering Delhi and Mumbai with a limited ballistic missile defence (BMD) shield that can intercept accidental or rogue launches of some nuclear-capable ballistic missiles
Raising the cost for Pakistan: Lessons from the past
Lt. Gen. R.K. Nanavatty’s military leadership, detailed in Shooting Straight, highlights India's strategic responses to Pakistan-backed terrorism, including plans like Operation Kabaddi, while exposing political indecision during key moments like Operation Parakram
India’s role in helping Red Army withstand the Siege of Stalingrad
India has been slowly coming around to recognizing the contribution of Indians to the Allied victory in WWII - which has largely been viewed as part of the colonial legacy. As India implements Operation Sindoor this Victory Day, it becomes important to preserve the memory of the myriad contributions and sacrifices made by these brave men
The Reading List: May 9, 2025
A selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance, curated by our research and opinion teams
Britain’s trade deal with Trump may not be good news for the world
Starmer’s choice undermines multilateralism and poses risks to the UK
Operation Sindoor: Why Pak Army is deliberately targeting Sikhs?
RSSFACTS: Pakistan’s recent targeting of Sikh sites echoes past Muslim League-led violence against Sikhs. Historical context reveals deep-rooted hostility, with Sikhs repeatedly defending their faith and homeland alongside Hindus
Chart of the Day | Low rated NBFCs saw growth, profitability plummet in FY25
Given their low rating, these NBFCs cannot access bond markets easily.
Data Story | A war could break the back of Pakistan’s already fragile economy
Pakistan’s economy stands to face much more heat than that of India in the event of aggression
Can India go from assembler to ecosystem player in mobile phones?
What started as a US-China tariff tussle may now be India’s ticket to becoming a global electronics powerhouse
Are market linked debentures the smart bet amid the current downturn?
In today’s uncertain environment, MLDs offer a much-needed balance
Dollar has been sliding even as US yields rise; What does this mean for Indian stock markets?
Trade deals are being pursued by countries amid tariff uncertainty
SC judgment on Bhushan Steel bankruptcy is a blow to JSW and Indian business
The IBC suffers from systemic issues that would need radical changes
As ‘Hitman’ Sharma steps away, questions on transition abound
Rohit Sharma, a legend in white ball cricket, was a late bloomer in the longer format. It showed that beneath the classy elegance was a batsman with a gritty core. As a captain, he was a success in all formats despite the defeats at the tail end of his test captaincy. His departure leaves us with two questions: Does BCCI have a plan for the transition? Who can step up to fill Rohit’s shoes?
Operation Sindoor: Will it hurt India’s tourism industry?
If the conflict prolongs, it could impact Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) into the country that are key to higher revenues for airline and hospitality companies, besides raking in foreign exchange for the country.
The Fed digs in
And making sense of Trump’s economic vision
Chart of the Day | Surge in exits augurs well for PE:VC investments
The share of exits via the public market route rose from 38 per cent of the total value of exits in 2022 to 59 per cent in 2024.
How Pakistan’s terror network gets funded
Pakistan hosts numerous terrorist groups with diverse funding sources including extortion, smuggling, Zakat collections, and foreign aid misuse. Despite international scrutiny, these networks thrive through state support, charity fronts, and a weak digital financial system
