The US has placed India on its watch-list of ‘currency manipulators’. This is a warning: economic sanctions may follow if the US determines that India is, indeed, a manipulator. There is no immediate danger. The US has three criteria for […]
Watch It, Mr Watch-Lister Read More »
Almost all opinion polls predict a hung assembly in Karnataka. Yet let me stick my neck out and say the BJP will probably form the next government, on its own or in collaboration with the Janata Dal(S). One reason is
3 reasons why BJP will rule in Karnataka Read More »
After years of senseless protectionist battle, India has deservedly lost to the US in a trade dispute in the WTO on chicken exports. So, cheap American chicken legs, kept out for years, are now arriving in India. This will cut
India should see opportunity in breasts, not threat in legs Read More »
Finance Commission should prod states to empower city governments The terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission have raised a storm of protest, because they mandate the use of 2011 census data, not the 1971 data used by earlier
Fighting Counter-Devolution Read More »
Global oil prices have risen to a four-year high of $75/barrel. Domestic petrol and diesel prices have soared. The Narendra Modi government abolished subsidies and price controls in late 2014, taking advantage of the crash in world prices at the
Modi must resist urge to indulge in petrol populism Read More »
Once, India had a supposed problem called the population explosion. Today, in a dramatic reversal, India gets congratulations for garnering a huge demographic dividend. The working age (15-65 years) proportion of its population is growing fast and will keep growing
North India deserves credit for the demographic dividend Read More »
Threats to global growth moderate Narendra Modi’s election prospects In January, this column highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s streak of lucky breaks (‘Modi is a Very Lucky Man,’ goo.gl/D6wxo4). These included awidely forecast surge in global GDP growth in 2018, spurring
Storms Outside Our Teacup Read More »
The farmers’ march in Maharashtra last month got much sympathy from a public fed on stories of rising farm suicides. But the agitating farmers demanded waivers of all farm loans and electricity dues. Such outrageous demands for freebies may impress
Farmer agitations reflect clout more than distress Read More »
Rumblings of discontent from the five southern states once again raise the question whether they might get together to demand a separate Dravida Nadu. The latest resentment is over the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission, which will
Why the move for a separate Dravida Nadu is bound to fail Read More »
India may end up gaining by losing the WTO case on export subsidies On the one hand, US President Donald Trump says the World Trade Organisation (WTO) does not provide a level playing field, and so threatens unilateral trade barriers. India
Behave Like a Grown-Up Read More »
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