Opinion

RBI walks the line between growth confidence and inflation risk

Inflation risks may prove to be broader than what that explanation implies

As the US closes its doors, world economies must prepare for a new future

How the US is abandoning the openness that helped it win the Cold War

Does the struggle for subsistence precede the struggle to live well?

Material abundance has not broken democratic capitalism - nor has it absolved societies of the harder, older task of learning how to live well

At empire's end: Countries have to guarantee their security on their own

As Washington turns inward, the world must confront what a narrowing US role means for security, alliances and the fragile order it once underwrote

Budget 2026 makes employment room for disabled, but not in public spaces

The Budget gives us a clear image of inclusion at work. What it does not yet show is whether inclusion is meant to extend beyond the desk

FM Sitharaman shows adequate caution in drawing up a conservative Budget

It is useful to remember that the miracle economies to our East, the so-called Asian Tigers, sustained high growth for decades by following prudent fiscal policies

A 'placeholder' monetary policy underscores RBI's wait-and-watch approach

The decision for the status quo on the policy rate was unanimous. As for the stance, one of the six MPC members, Ram Singh, held a different view, favouring a change to "accommodative"

Best of BS Opinion: Budget's fiscal reset and the real cost of AI expansion

Here are the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

Outrunning digital frauds

Fraud moves fast, so must we

Powering data centres: AI leadership depends on control of power supply

Google's Intersect Power deal shows how AI's explosive energy needs are pushing Big Tech from buying clean power to owning it-reshaping grids, climate goals and regulation

Fiscal policy planning: Why India needs a clearer medium-term plan

India's fiscal discipline has improved, but high debt, future spending pressures and bond-market constraints make deeper consolidation increasingly difficult

Centre must push prudent state spending to improve general-govt debt levels

Centre must encourage prudent spending by state governments to improve general-government debt levels

Best of BS Opinion: Defence reset, urban push, and the politics of Keeladi

Here are the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

India's cities need mobility reform, not just infrastructure spending

The Budget puts cities at the heart of growth, but without fixing buses, walking and last-mile links, India's urban mobility crisis will keep choking productivity

Defence spending rises in Union Budget, but capability gains remain key

Operation Sindoor shapes FY27 defence Budget as India lifts spending to 2% of GDP, boosts capital outlay and modernisation to prepare for a potential two-front conflict

India's trade deals are a win, but fiscal vulnerabilities are also growing

India weathered the Trump tariff shock better than expected, but high public debt and slower fiscal consolidation pose risks even as trade deals lift growth and investor sentiment

From sonar to AI, acoustics is emerging as a decisive weapon of war

If US action in Venezuela and the Ukraine war are anything to go by, acoustics will not merely support military power in future wars - it will shape it

Pause and reflect: Why February may not be the time for rate cuts

With FY25-26 CPI inflation likely to average at 2.1 per cent Year-on-Year and FY26-27 CPI inflation to still average below the 4.0 per cent target, the question of 'space' is still easy to answer

Balancing between trade and politics in the evolving India-US equation

The new India-US reciprocal tariff deal offers relief and predictability, but ties market access to strategic concessions, reshaping how bilateral trade will be negotiated

Best of BS Opinion: India-US tariff pact offers a cautious breather

Here are the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today