Opinion

Trump's state-led capitalism risks eroding established US institutions

The Republican Party, by contrast, has tacitly endorsed Mr Trump's thuggish capitalism, a model nothing like the rules-based market economy that conservatives used to endorse

Under strain, state finances in Kerala and TN need a new fiscal compact

On the utilisation of available resources, stress in state finances can be reflected in the extent to which states are utilising their fiscal deficit to finance the revenue deficit

Monsoon readiness: Focus must be on both immediate and long-term solutions

Reports of setbacks to the sowing of pulses such as tur, moong and urad in parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra underline the vulnerability of rainfed farming

Listing Tata Sons: RBI's directions could strengthen group's governance

Tata Sons was designated an upper-layer NBFC by the RBI in September 2022, mandating its listing within three years

Best of BS Opinion: Policy of incentives for NRIs must be debated

Today's opinions examine RBI incentives for FCNR deposits, the economic legacy of Brexit, India's trade strategy, institution-building for growth and lessons from successful founders

UK's 'Bregret' syndrome: Decade on, Brexit objectives prove unworkable

A decade after the Brexit vote, slower growth, higher trade costs and persistent immigration challenges have fuelled rising public regret over leaving the EU

Currency questions: Higher costs of incentives for NRIs must be debated

RBI's push to attract FCNR deposits may ease external pressures, but improving conditions raise questions over the costs, risks and necessity of the incentives

India's vision of Viksit Bharat needs building institutional architecture

India's path to becoming a high-income economy hinges on building strong, accountable institutions that can harness demographic, energy and AI opportunities

FTAs need investment teeth if India wants global capital to come in

A combined approach of an FTA with an investment protection agreement will help India re-establish its position as an attractive destination for FDI

Best of BS Opinion: RBI strategy, Greenspan's legacy, and Kolkata's renewal

Today's opinions explore India's forex reserve strategy, Alan Greenspan's complex legacy, West Bengal's urban renewal agenda, maize-led farm growth and China's coercive diplomacy

The Greenspan era: "Great moderation" can lead to great disruption

Alan Greenspan's legacy spans economic stability, financial deregulation and debate over the 2008 crisis, while his views on India underscored the need for deeper reforms

Building buffers: Forex inflows should be used to build up reserves

Falling crude prices and US-Iran talks have eased pressure on the rupee, but RBI may continue building forex buffers amid global and domestic uncertainties

El Niño & markets: The signal and the noise for investors amid uncertainty

The strongest El Niño signal appears in the rural economy; market outcomes are often shaped by more powerful forces

The 'maize revolution' could be India's next productivity-led farm success

Maize has emerged as India's fastest-growing field crop, boosting productivity, sustainability and farmer incomes while offering an alternative to surplus rice cultivation

Kolkata's revival depends on urban reform and revival, not industry alone

A revitalised Kolkata can once again become both the heart of the state and the growth engine of eastern India

Best of BS Opinion: Doors matter, but design matters more

Access can create opportunity, but lasting progress depends on the rules, incentives and capabilities that determine how those opportunities unfold

For sophisticated financial inclusion: Looking beyond distribution, access

The rising proportion of citizens interacting across the financial landscape also bears witness to growing financial inclusion

Alternatives to intervention: The case for freer markets, fewer distortions

Stepping in may address immediate pressures, but fewer distortions and freer markets could deliver more durable outcomes

US, Iran want a deal but uncertainty persists over Israeli intentions

Early progress in US-Iran talks offers hope for a deal, but tensions involving Israel, Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz could still derail negotiations

Terms of trade: Negotiations with US must adapt to new realities

India should secure a trade deal with the US that preserves its export competitiveness amid uncertainty over Washington's evolving tariff regime