Modi_mug shot_1 Courtesy: narendramodi.in
6 February 2015

Budget 2015: accelerating tranformation

Looking at India through the lens of business transformation, Prime Minister Modi has taken a bold step to change the country's behavioural DNA, but the country also requires bold policy decisions and visionary reforms in the upcoming budget. Only then can there be real change and transformation in the Indian economy

WEBANK-151623_copy1 Courtesy: Wanted China
4 February 2015

China’s ebanks: a new regime

WeBank, China’s first online-only bank has been launched with great expectations. It can potentially reform the country’s mismanaged financial sector by opening up credit to private SMEs and prove a model for other developing countries.

Hands_Modi-Obama Courtesy: http://photos.state.gov /libraries/america/3239/
23 January 2015

India-U.S. BIT: not a done deal yet

India is revising the model draft agreement of its existing bilateral investment treaties. Some of the new clauses are unlikely to be accepted by either U.S. negotiators or U.S. corporations without substantial dilution

Fidel Castro with Nixon Courtesy: Getty Images
19 December 2014

Cuba: end of isolation

The U.S. has finally ended its outdated policy of isolating Cuba. It is a triumph for the proud and courageous Cubans who have withstood so many overt and covert destabilisation attempts by the U.S. It is also a victory for Latin America which has opposed the U.S. embargo and advocated normalization of relations with Cuba

Xi_Modi Courtesy: Narendra Modi (wikimedia.org)
27 November 2014

China’s connectivity tips for India

A major theme at the multilateral summits this month was connectivity, with China at the forefront. India is trailing behind due to a shortfall in investment and political will, among other factors. Prime Minister Modi must follow up on his meetings at the SAARC Summit by robustly taking forward India’s connectivity agenda

michaelfroman Courtesy: wikimedia
11 November 2014

How fair is America’s ‘fair trade’?

There is a sense in Washington that if the U.S. is not tough with India, it will send a wrong signal to other countries. But the ongoing investigations by the Obama administration into India’s IPR regime and trade practices have become an unpleasant part of doing business with America

mia-main Courtesy: wikimediacommons
31 October 2014

India needs an anti-tapering strategy

India faces heightened geoeconomic risks as the U.S. exits its unconventional monetary policy and the value of the dollar appreciates against major currencies. We can mitigate the risks with a multilateral safety net to provide liquidity, and by attracting FDI through the ‘Make in India’ programme

india china Courtesy: Wikipedia
23 September 2014

India-China: evolving geoeconomics

The trade deficit and border issues have usually overshadowed the public discourse between India and China. However, below this surface, bilateral business and financial engagement is growing. India will have to engage judiciously with China to ensure that the resulting geoeconomic benefits remain in our favour