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
The Quint | A Partner in Taiwan
By Anushka Saxena
India welcomed a third representative office from Taiwan in Mumbai despite China’s efforts to undermine the latter.
By Anushka Saxena
Read the full article here.
Money Control | Germany is India’s gateway to tighter European integration
By Vanshika Saraf
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and PM Modi will today co-chair the 7th Intergovernmental Consultations. India’s largest trade partner in Europe is upbeat about cooperation with India in the backdrop of its goal of reducing economic dependence on China. An institutional framework to enhance cooperation built over two decades offers an ideal platform to take ties to the next level.
By Vanshika Saraf
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Money Control | India-China equation reset is at a new normal, not the old one
By Manoj Kewalramani
Power asymmetry between the two countries and the likelihood of just a limited easing in the trade relationship make going back to pre-2020 phase impossible. Moreover, there’s no evidence of a dialogue yet on next step towards de-escalation. Keep your fingers crossed and expectations contained
By Manoj Kewalramani
Read the full article here.
The Hindu | The shifting sands within global supply chains
By Lokendra Sharma and Pranay Kotasthane
Proposed U.S. rules on Chinese connected car tech and Israel’s pager attacks indicate the changing focus of global supply chains — from resilience to security
By Lokendra Sharma and Pranay Kotasthane
Read the full article here.
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
Read the full article here.
Deccan Herald | India’s waning interest in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
By Amit Kumar and Vanshika Saraf
China's military exercises highlight regional tensions as Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te asserts sovereignty. His recent remarks signal a policy shift, encouraging potential cooperation with Beijing, despite ongoing tensions. Lai’s statements challenge China’s role as a peace broker in global conflicts.
By Amit Kumar and Vanshika Saraf
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Money Control | China-Taiwan Tensions: A shift in cross-Strait policy language
By Anushka Saxena
China's military exercises highlight regional tensions as Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te asserts sovereignty. His recent remarks signal a policy shift, encouraging potential cooperation with Beijing, despite ongoing tensions. Lai’s statements challenge China’s role as a peace broker in global conflicts.
By Anushka Saxena
Read the full article here.
The Indian Express | India-China border agreement: Five reasons to be cautiously optimistic
By Manoj Kewalramani
The announcement is just the first step in a long process of normalisation of the situation along the boundary areas. For starters, the agreement needs to be implemented on the ground, with patrolling becoming normalised
By Manoj Kewalramani
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The Diplomat | India’s West Asia Quandary
By Adya Madhavan
Other governments that enjoy friendly ties with Israel have not hesitated to criticize it. What explains India’s reluctance?
By Adya Madhavan
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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
Read the full article here.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute | What we can tell from China’s ICBM test
By Anushka Saxena
China’s decision to test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean on 25 September was unusual—but not very unusual, because the country has similarly tested shorter-range ballistic missiles over a variety of geographies.
By Anushka Saxena
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India Bioscience | How will BioE3 policy shape the Indian bioeconomy?
By Shambhavi Naik
The Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment (BioE3) policy marks a pivotal moment for India’s life sciences sector. By prioritising bio-manufacturing, it aims to drive economic growth, environmental sustainability, and job creation. However, its success will depend on sustained funding, regulatory reforms, and the creation of interdisciplinary skill hubs.
By Shambhavi Naik
Read the full article here.
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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The Diplomat | Beijing’s Potential Retaliation Looms as EU Approves Chinese EV Tariffs
By Rakshith Shetty
China will attempt to punish the states that held firm on the tariffs, while sparing those that switched positions.
By Rakshith Shetty
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Deccan Herald | Needed: AI-enabled intel-sharing
By Yusuf T. Unjhawala
Such a solution would overcome agency silos and ensure seamless and real-time information flows.
By Yusuf T. Unjhawala
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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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The Print | India should steer clear of an ‘Asian NATO’. Its strategic flexibility is at stake
By Yusuf T. Unjhawala
Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba’s proposal for an Asian NATO stems from his belief that the absence of a collective defence alliance could lead to wars. It’s a step too far for India.
By Yusuf T. Unjhawala
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Nikkei Asia | China isn't ready to shift to a consumption-driven economy
By Amit Kumar
Investment-led export-oriented approach has acquired further salience under Xi
By Amit Kumar
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The New Indian Express | China's high-altitude heliports in Tibet a sobering reminder of threat to India along LAC
By Y Nithiyanandam
The military dynamics of Tibet are undergoing a fresh change with the construction of high-altitude helicopter infrastructure in the area.
By Y Nithiyanandam
Read the full article here.