45874457001_77239716a2_c Courtesy: MEA/Flickr
11 June 2020

A critical logistics agreement with Canberra

At the 4 June, India-Australia, virtual summit, one of the most critical, among several agreements signed, was the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA). India has logistics support agreements with many countries. How is the MLSA with Australia any different? Given the geo-strategic maritime competition with China, this agreement is uniquely significant and could be especially beneficial for the Indian Navy.

shutterstock_1046468212 Courtesy: Shutterstock
10 June 2020

Germany’s E.U. ‘COVID-19’ Presidency 2020

In July 2020, Germany takes over as President of the European Union. It’s a fraught time to lead the union which has been slow to react to COVID-19 and needs a new direction. With the pandemic, the U.S.- China stand-off, and a global economic crisis – Chancellor, Angela Merkel has her work cut out.

CG-Final Courtesy: rawpixel
4 June 2020

Can ISRO do what SpaceX did?

The launch of the U.S.’s Dragon-2 astronaut capsule by SpaceX has a resonance in India too. India’s future heavy-lift launchers, already under development, can be competitive if they are transformed to Two-Stage-To-Orbit and made reusable. The successors to Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, developed in public-private partnerships, can result in a vast domestic launch market for India’s heavy-lift rocket capability.

shutterstock_524792053 Courtesy: Shutterstock
28 May 2020

Digital India story Covid-19 resistant

India’s e-commerce sector has shown resistance to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a welcome outcome, and to ensure its success, strong regulatory policy in e-commerce is needed to ensure a level-playing field. This will benefit the customer and strengthen the Digital India and Make in India visions of the government. Can emerging markets look to India for a model e-commerce policy where the regulator has played a part, but not overregulated?

Ecomm policy Courtesy: Shutterstock
26 May 2020

Digital India story Covid-19 resistant

India’s e-commerce sector has shown resistance to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a welcome outcome, and to ensure its success, strong regulatory policy in e-commerce is needed to ensure a level-playing field. This will benefit the customer and strengthen the Digital India and Make in India visions of the government. Can emerging markets look to India for a model e-commerce policy where the regulator has played a part, but not overregulated?

shutterstock_132894758 Courtesy: Shutterstock
25 May 2020

Globalisation: good-bye to the hype

Globalisation has resulted in the interdependence of nations through the largely unimpeded transmission of investment capital and information, and integrated business operations. The leading beneficiaries have been the global 1%, and China. While it is too late and not possible to roll back an interconnected world order, globalization as we know it will recede, as will China’s standing in the world.

Sameer 5 Courtesy: DRDO/Twitter
18 May 2020

A defence-industrial agenda for India

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent announcement of defence reforms is an appropriate opportunity for India to create a vibrant and profitable defence-industrial base by focusing on the procurement process, capitalising on emerging technologies and partnering with like-minded countries.

shutterstock_1715136076 Courtesy: Shutterstock
14 May 2020

Invoking force majeure in a crisis

For countries and companies reeling from the severe economic impact of COVID19, force majeure is a mighty legal tool that has not received much attention in contracts. An analysis of what it is, how it works and how it can be enforced.