india SL Courtesy: Business World
18 May 2023

India and Sri Lanka Beyond the IMF

The Sri Lankan economy is showing signs of stabilizing after experiencing the worst contraction in its history in 2022. Decisive policies by President Ranil Wickremasinghe, timely Indian aid, and an IMF Programme have laid the groundwork for a return to growth. India and Sri Lanka must now shift from an aid relationship to one which deepens bilateral trade and investment flows.

rupee Courtesy: Amit Bhandari
27 April 2023

Towards multi-currency trade

The dominance of the U.S. dollar in global trade and its status as a fiat currency means it is unlikely to be replaced in the near future. However, the repeated and continued use of sanctions has created the need for a multi-currency trading regime. India must now prepare alternative payment systems and promote the use of the Indian rupee in global trade.

india-uk-istock-1152442-1665421302 Courtesy: Deccan Herald
2 March 2023

UK-India FTA Negotiations: Contentious Issues, Potential Solutions

The eighth round of talks for the proposed India-UK free trade agreement is scheduled in New Delhi in March 2023. Both countries stand to make significant gains from a comprehensive agreement covering tariffs, sustainable growth, SMEs, data flows, and intellectual property. This article reviews motives for the India-UK agreement, the economic gains, contentious negotiation issues and win-win solutions.

Астраханская область главная.jpg Courtesy: LUKOIL
20 July 2022

Astrakhan is India’s gateway to Russia

U.S. sanctions against Russia have made Moscow speed up work on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as it is now Russia's gateway to India and India's to Russia and Central Asia via Iran's Chabahar port. The author, who recently visited the Astrakhan and Volgograd regions, a major INSTC logistics node, writes about the Indian connection, and the corridor's progress and challenges.

wagah border 2 rwoan flickr Courtesy: rwoan/Flickr
10 May 2013

Pakistan’s potential as trade and transit partner

Pakistan’s national elections will take place in the backdrop of a troubled economy, severe energy crisis, and frequent terrorist attacks. Can these problems be solved if the next leadership agrees to open its territories for trade and transit purposes between India and Afghanistan?