Page 75 - Opinion

Govt must go beyond RDI, fund bluesky research at the university level

The RDI scheme may address some of the concerns about private-sector R&D, though it will be critically important to support the right sort of projects

India's current account deficit manageable, but financing needs monitoring

The spectre of higher tariffs imposed by the US means export prospects, including for India, will be subdued in 2025

RBI's change in project finance rules may sow the seeds of a future crisis

Given that the project does not generate any revenue at this stage, loan repayment generally starts after the construction is over and the project has begun operations

Best of BS Opinion: India must go from pro-business to pro-market

Today's newsletter ties together multiple issues, but the central theme remains one of much-needed reform and regulatory action, be in in job creation or aviation or industry

Rivers as kin, not property: A powerful case for ecological empathy

There is hope that we can conserve what remains and revive what has been lost of our rivers - but it begins with acknowledging that a river is a living, breathing entity

Still no closure on Air India plane crash as questions outpace answers

The crash report due next week may not be conclusive, but the spate of diversions, emergency landings, and narrow escapes over past month has brought need to improve aviation safety front and centre

US' approach to Pak terror raises questions on Quad's effectiveness

The fact that a Quad foreign ministers' meeting was held a day after Mr Trump was sworn in for a second term and talks began for a New Delhi summit later this year is seen as a sign of hope

Employment push: New job scheme must be supported by structural reforms

The widespread skill mismatch and the low penetration of technical and vocational education have further compounded the problem

India's industrial strategy is feeding big business, but not growth

Growing business concentration is helping big business, but not the economy

Best of BS Opinion: India could face trade and investment challenges

Today's opinion page pieces look at the many challenges India faces, from trade, logistics reforms, AI in governance and a demographic time-bomb

India at WTO: Ably defending the indefensible in trade negotiations

India's WTO negotiators have performed brilliantly in defending the 'perceived' national interest - but did they read the national interest correctly?

Defusing the demographic time-bomb: Tackling the jobs-and-care crisis

Older persons past their productive age are considered burdens on economies. Governments cannot provide sufficient pension and medical care without taxing younger people who are earning

Governing with AI: Future-ready policy decisions need adaptive systems

Artificial intelligence can help enable real-time decision-making, but its potential depends on how govts adapt

Digital decade: India's journey from inclusion to tech innovation

The next decade will be even more transformative. We are moving from digital governance to global digital leadership, from India-first to India-for-the-world

Speeding up trade: Operational gaps in cargo clearance need attention

The study flags delays in duty payment, frequent amendments to shipping and entry documents, and inefficient query resolution as key contributors to higher clearance times

External risks: Trade and capital flows to impact economic growth

The developments in the US can affect the Indian economy through different channels. It will not only be critical to watch the kind of trade deal offered to India

Best of BS Opinion: PLIs can't succeed without deeper structural reforms

Today's pieces span multiple issues, from overseas acquisitions by PSUs, PLI schemes' success, the proposed India-US BTA, and the debilitating effect of quality issues across sectors

Slashing food tariffs: NITI's push for US mkt access may hurt food security

In the 1960s and early 1970s, India faced food shortages and depended on US food imports under PL-480 - a US law that allowed surplus food to be sold or donated to countries like India

Strategic opportunity: Mazagon-CDPLC deal boosts India's maritime influence

This strategic deal between MDSL and CDPLC was the outcome of extensive discussion between Indian and Sri Lankan officials

The problems India ignores: Fixes, not vision, key to 8% economic growth

There are dozens of issues that slow our growth far below potential. They don't need a grand vision, but they urgently need attention if India is to grow at over 8 per cent