The Presidency Chartered Bank of Bombay on 1 Rampart Row was founded in 1840 and was one of three presidency banks that were the precursors of the State Bank of India (1955) Courtesy: State Bank of India
3 May 2018

Indian banking’s chequered history

The history of modern Indian banking in the 19th century is full of examples of lopsided loan portfolios, favouring a few individuals and businesses, which is not very different from today’s world of financial fraud and manipulation of the system for personal gain. The past still holds many lessons

S400 Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
3 May 2018

Indian defence: collateral damage of Russia sanctions

American sanctions on Russian defence companies may end up hurting an innocent bystander: India's defence sector. In particular, they could threaten Indian military procurement, and also may complicate India’s attempts to produce more of its own defence hardware. India needs to study the issue closely to prepare for what may come

15246127726_d994aaef06_o Courtesy: MEA/Flickr
26 April 2018

Modi, Xi take charge

The leaders of India and China have decided not to leave the bilateral relationship to bureaucrats or ministers, but instead handle it themselves at the very top. The April 27-28 meeting promises to be a game-changer as Xi Jinping has accepted the need to improve ties with India as a priority

1T3A1792 Courtesy: Gateway House
26 April 2018

“An open economy facilitates and connects”

There is expertise available, sometimes in small countries, and is in demand worldwide. Protectionism will affect each member of the global community; it will put brakes on projections for India’s growth. The challenges it presents need to be resolved so that everybody benefits, said Gen. (Dr.) V.K. Singh

The historic Bombay Mint Courtesy: Wikipedia Commons
19 April 2018

Rationale for the return of the global rupee

Over 50 years ago, the Indian rupee was a currency of overseas trade besides being the local currency for the Gulf nations and many regions of the Indian Ocean. It fell into a retreat for many reasons. With the Indian economy slated to strengthen 2019 onwards, this is the right time to speed up the rupee’s full capital account convertibility

DSC_5369 Courtesy: Gateway House
19 April 2018

New India @ 2022

In his speech on, ‘New India at 2022’ – Rajiv Kumar, who has just returned from China after a meeting of the Niti Aayog with China's National Development and Reform Commission, says India is at the cusp of sustained, high, inclusive growth because of much greater formalisation of economic activity in the country today