Courtesy: wantchinatimes.com
Economic development and increments in scientific knowledge and technology, which in turn rest on R&D, are interconnected. India is falling behind and must allocate a greater share to R&D, while China must elevate the efficiency of its research expenditure—this focus will allow the two countries to continue to grow
Courtesy: RIA-Novosti, Mikhail Klimentyev, Presidential Press Service
A fall in oil prices has pushed down the values of oil companies globally, giving India a rare chance to acquire assets cheap and hedge its economy against future increases in energy prices. There are plenty of plum assets to pick from—such as Rosneft, the state-owned Russian oil major
Courtesy: colorlibrary.blogspot.com
Even though the India-Latin America relationship is yet to realise its potential, there are unique initiatives bridging this gap. The landmark office of Tata Consultancy Services in Chennai, hailed for its energy efficiency, has been designed by two Uruguayan architects—an effort which represents the growing synergy
Courtesy: MEA Flickr
During President Obama’s visit to India to attend the Republic Day parade, if he and Prime Minister Modi announce specific agreements related to the two most vibrant components of the relationship—defence and technology—it will pave the way for real progress on the September 2014 US-India joint statement.
Courtesy: Wikipedia.org
Incumbent Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa lost to his opponent Maithripala Sirisena in the recent elections. The reasons have been attributed to nepotism and dwindling support from the Sinhala community. With considerable challenges awaiting the new government, it would be wise to not rule out a return of Mahinda
Courtesy: wikimedia.org
Global markets stumbled across all asset categories in the first two weeks of 2015. With the domestic economy showing signs of improvement, structural improvements are now needed to shield the Indian economy from such shocks
Courtesy: MEA/Government of India
India’s engagement with Africa currently is trapped in a discourse from another era. With a change in governance structures and demographics, African countries are keen to elevate the level of trade and investment ties. India is in an advantageous position due to historical linkages but China and the U.S. are already ahead in the game
Courtesy: wikimedia.org
The five-day strike threatened by Coal India’s unions has driven home the risks India faces due to excessive dependence on a single company. The Indian economy needs to be secured against such blackmail by diversifying—using more gas and hydropower, and by getting other public sector firms such as NTPC into coal mining
Courtesy: psychotropicon.info
Cyber crime has transcended hacking and other online illegal activities—the black markets of the “hidden” internet are now a potent threat. This “darknet” is used by illicit traders, saboteurs and terrorist groups—with serious financial and security implications for the Indian government and business sector
Courtesy: globalsherpa.org
The Indian government has undertaken a massive financial inclusion scheme to bring bank accounts to the poor. But poverty alleviation needs to be addressed at multiple levels for which the Latin American example of using targeted and customised conditional cash transfer programmes can help India