Commentary
Find our newspaper columns, blogs, and other commentary pieces in this section. Our research focuses on Advanced Biology, High-Tech Geopolitics, Strategic Studies, Indo-Pacific Studies & Economic Policy
Firstpost | How India should respond to Trump’s reciprocal tariff threat?
By Anisree Suresh
The India-US relationship is taking a new turn as discussions progress to provide a strategic framework for trade relations through the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). As per the joint statement released during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, plans are in place to negotiate the first tranche of a multisectoral BTA by September 2025.
While the US is one of India’s biggest trade partners, India has never secured a free trade agreement with the US. However, with the threat of reciprocal tariffs looming over trade relations, it is high time that Washington and New Delhi secure a trade agreement to provide a platform for continued engagement. India may have to make some big promises and abandon its protectionist stances in its sensitive sectors to secure a deal with Washington.
By Anisree Suresh
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Deccan Herald | Delimitation and its complex play of disparities
By Miheer Karandikar
The past few decades have brought drastic changes in states’ populations, leading to two main problems – a high population/MP ratio and dramatic variation across states. Addressing this will require a package of solutions rather than a single silver bullet.
By Miheer Karandikar
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Money Control | Revamping Urban Local Bodies: Addressing financial and governance challenges
By Miheer Karandikar
India’s municipal corporations face severe financial and governance issues, relying heavily on state and central grants. With limited revenue, inadequate staffing, and delayed elections, they struggle to provide essential services. A comprehensive overhaul is needed to empower local governments, ensure fiscal autonomy, and improve service delivery
By Miheer Karandikar
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Money Control | Rupee internationalisation is no cakewalk
By Anisree Suresh
India and Myanmar are working on a local currency trade settlement mechanism. Despite the bilateral trade being a negligible share of India’s overall trade, the challenges in creating a smooth settlement process here are a pointer to the larger issues which need to be addressed if the Rupee is to be used to settle trades with larger partners
By Anisree Suresh
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The Print | Why US is the ideal partner in India’s manufacturing dream—and what the two nations must do
By Sarthak Pradhan
India must leverage its state capacity to implement policies that support businesses while avoiding coercive actions that create chilling effects on companies and investments.
By Sarthak Pradhan
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The Print | India’s manufacturing sector is stagnant. Relying on PLI not enough, policies need a relook
By Sarthak Pradhan
India’s high tariff rates, which have been increasing since 2014, are almost double than those of Vietnam and China.
By Sarthak Pradhan
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Money Control | Looking beyond privacy and platform governance: A case for reorienting public discourse in India
By Lokendra Sharma
The menace of influence operations is more significant than privacy and platform governance issues because of the long-term and ‘unseen’ impact of the earlier. Liberal democracies are particularly susceptible to this menace
By Lokendra Sharma
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Money Control | The Onion and Basmati Rice story: Does India need a minimum export price?
By Anisree Suresh
The recent lifting of the Minimum Export Price (MEP) aims to boost agricultural exports, yet critics argue it's a redundant policy harming small farmers and failing to control food inflation. India's export bans on rice and fluctuating MEPs reflect ongoing efforts to manage domestic supply and prices, while the country remains a major exporter of both onions and basmati rice
By Anisree Suresh
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Money Control | India-Singapore Trade Ties: Boosting economic relations amid regional challenges and changing global landscape
By Anisree Suresh
Despite growing ties, India must address protectionist policies, enhance service sector access, and explore broader Southeast Asian trade opportunities to fully leverage regional economic integration
By Anisree Suresh
Read the full article here.