shipping-containers-Nantong-eastern-China-Jiangsu-Province-trade-ap Courtesy: The Week
13 April 2023

India-Russia in the shadow of sanctions

In 2022, increased sanctions were imposed on Russia by the U.S., E.U., and their allies. The track record of Western sanctions shows they are quick to be imposed, but slow to be removed. In the current environment, it is reasonable to assume that sanctions on Russia will stay in place for a very long time. India should plan its defence and commercial relations accordingly.

world-bank png Courtesy: CNBC-TV18
13 April 2023

Deepening multilateral development bank reform

The World Bank has published a reform roadmap for multilateral development banks. It touches upon operational change, but in a limited way. The roadmap remains largely silent on how a 21st century World Bank can better address some of the long-standing frustrations that borrowers express about working with it and other such development banks.

3D Isometric Flat Vector Conceptual Illustration of Green Investments, Alternative and Ecological Clean Power Courtesy: Dreamstime
5 April 2023

Enabling climate finance creatively

The focus on climate finance must take into account the high cost of debt, foreign exchange risk and weak public energy utilities in the developing economies. A creative and workable solution to all these issues is to establish a Global Climate Finance Agency, managed by a reputed multilateral agency with some of the capital support promised by the developed countries.

pic for website Courtesy: IMF
19 January 2023

Trade Integration: South Asia and East Asia

Since the 1990s, South Asia–East Asia trade and free trade agreements have accelerated as India’s trade realigned toward East Asia. As regional trade recovers after the COVID-19 pandemic, South Asian economies have opportunities to participate in global value chains and services trade. BIMSTEC may catalyze more effective regional cooperation for small and large economies alike.

e-Rupee Courtesy: Shutterstock
22 December 2022

India’s Digital Rupee: Opportunities and Concerns

On Dec 1, the Reserve Bank of India introduced the Indian Digital Rupee-R (retail) on a pilot basis with four participating banks. Reserve Bank historian and former central banker Bazil Shaikh explains what a digital rupee is vis a vis traditional money, the advantages and concerns, and its future in cross-border transactions.

EuropeProtests-01[85] copy Courtesy: Gateway House
17 November 2022

Protests across Europe

Discontent over high energy prices, spiralling living costs, and anti war sentiments have gripped Europe, resulting in protests and civil unrest across the continent. With no immediate solution in sight, public resentment is likely to intensify through the coming winter months

Putin's Speech Valdai Courtesy: Valdai Discussion Club
3 November 2022

At Valdai, Putin’s vision of emerging world order

The reference to India by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Valdai Discussion Club may be interpreted as encouragement to New Delhi to use its good offices to nudge the warring sides to the negotiating table. Mediation is a big power game, and this may be the right time for India, at the cusp of the G20 Presidency, to start with a record of success

Moutai PNG Courtesy: The Economic Times
27 October 2022

China’s new corporate top dogs

A quick look at the list of top Chinese companies shows that the vaunted private sector has receded and the state-owned giants now dominate. Under the new Xi Jinping regime, they are unlikely to relinquish their position. What does this mean for China – and for India?

IBSA 1 Courtesy: PTI
20 October 2022

IBSA, G20 and the Global South

The consecutive Presidencies of the G20 for India, Brazil and South Africa provides a rare, unique opportunity to forge an agenda common to both the G20 and IBSA. The timing is coincident: with Russia and China consumed by conflict and zero-Covid respectively, BRICS has receded. IBSA can convert both crises into an opportunity and become relevant to the Global South’s current and future challenges.

Sberbank Russia Courtesy: Getty Images
6 October 2022

Sanctions on Russia: The Long View

Wide-ranging economic sanctions on Russia are likely to stay for several years, if not decades. Given Russia’s critical global role as a supplier of key commodities and military hardware, India should pursue long term solutions to continue this trade.