Enticing post-COVID Japan to India
Japan has determined $ 2.2 billion for rehabilitation of industries exiting China. Prime Minister Modi’s new stimulus package, close to 10% of GDP, could be the impetus Japan needs to refocus FDI to India
Japan has determined $ 2.2 billion for rehabilitation of industries exiting China. Prime Minister Modi’s new stimulus package, close to 10% of GDP, could be the impetus Japan needs to refocus FDI to India
Compared to many countries India’s digital initiatives to monitor and control the impact of COVID19 have been surprisingly successful and swift. Creating and implementing the deep IT infrastructure necessary for this success is the National Informatics Centre (NIC) - the government’s pan-India, digital backbone.
Under the ‘Artemis Accords’ the U.S. is planning an international coalition to extract natural resources from the Moon. China is concurrently planning an Earth-Moon Special Economic Zone. India’s antiquated endorsement of the 1979 Moon Agreement is shackling its true potential for economics-driven space exploration. India must immediately do away with Cold-War era, vintage whims of global commons.
To tackle Covid19 the Indian government has invoked the colonial-era Epidemics Act of 1897, originally enacted to tackle the Bombay Plague of 1896. The plague wreaked havoc across Bombay and presented some of the same challenges the government faces today, including a migrant labour exodus. History teaches by examples - here is a glance in to the past
The government’s short-term approach to tax planning brings in immediate revenues but has the long-term downfall of driving away business, and encouraging tax evasion. No country has taxed its way to prosperity and India is no exception.
The shifting geopolitics of the COVID19 crisis might be an opportune time for India to consider new strategies for managing and curtailing Pakistan’s military aggression in the future. One policy tool used effectively by other countries is the imposition of economic sanctions. India needs to devise a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach.
The COVID19-caused migration of India’s large workforce to their rural roots holds immense promise for the country’s agriculture productivity and farmer incomes. Precision agritech and satellite-as-a-service (SAAS) can reduce the urban-rural skill, remuneration, and digital divide. Time to privatize space technology for agricultural benefit.
The post-COVID19 environment may entail austerity measures for the armed forces. India’s most technology-savvy force, the Indian Navy, can lead a transformation by accelerating Artificial Intelligence applications, and keeping budgets tight through collaborations with industry.
The OPEC’s proposed cut in oil production earlier this week may not enable the energy market to recover. Recovery is likely only after COVID-19 is brought under control, but there are ways India can capitalise on the current low oil prices for its own energy security
Over the last month, India’s Corona-diplomacy has been evident. The government’s two-point plan is to protect its citizens and help its neighbours and friends.