Page 13 - Editorial Comment
Resetting trade: Govt should inform how trade talks with US are progressing
Resetting trade with the US and the European Union would be a step forward for India, and the government must work on building domestic approval of deals as quickly as possible
 "Resetting trade: Govt should inform how trade talks with US are progressing")
Another trade hurdle: How quality control orders are hurting India
The tacit reason for QCOs is to prevent substandard goods from China that many worry are flooding Indian markets
 "Another trade hurdle: How quality control orders are hurting India")
Private investment conundrum: Policy intervention to improve prospects
India's gross fixed capital formation at constant prices is expected to be at 33.4 per cent of GDP this financial year
 "Private investment conundrum: Policy intervention to improve prospects")
A cryptic move: US cryptocurrency reserve sparks puzzlement and alarm
The US, for example, holds around $17 billion equivalent of cryptocurrencies seized from criminals, and China is estimated to hold around $19 billion
 "A cryptic move: US cryptocurrency reserve sparks puzzlement and alarm")
The employment paradox: Skilling schemes need more realistic streamlining
Last year, a study by TeamLease showed that India produces a staggering 1.5 million engineers every year, but only 45 per cent meet industry standards
 "The employment paradox: Skilling schemes need more realistic streamlining")
Sustainable recovery: The policy challenge is to increase trend growth
In recent years, government capital expenditure has been a key driver of growth and is likely to continue playing this role in the foreseeable future
 "Sustainable recovery: The policy challenge is to increase trend growth")
The new bilateral age: EU FTA urgency key to shaping the new trade order
The World Trade Organization (WTO) seemed unable to rein in China's hidden subsidies to its exporting sectors, and to restore a level playing field for global trade
 "The new bilateral age: EU FTA urgency key to shaping the new trade order")
Road to decentralisation: Rural local bodies need to be strengthened
Overall, devolution to rural local bodies increased from 39.9 per cent in 2013-14 to 43.9 per cent in 2021-22, said the govt report
 "Road to decentralisation: Rural local bodies need to be strengthened")
Unprecedented visit: A whole-of-govt approach needed for India-EU ties
Resetting relations between two large, complex, and heavily regulated economies needs to be read from a much broader perspective
 "Unprecedented visit: A whole-of-govt approach needed for India-EU ties")
Fixing India's soil crisis: Farmer awareness, tech can arrest degradation
Excessive nitrogen application at the cost of micronutrients and manure not only reduces soil productivity over time but also contributes to nutrient runoffs and groundwater contamination
 "Fixing India's soil crisis: Farmer awareness, tech can arrest degradation")
Safe haven: With economic weaknesses, gold prices are likely to go up
The global economy is weak and supply-chain issues that started with the pandemic have been exacerbated by the Ukraine war and turmoil in West Asia. As a result, there's been inflation
 "Safe haven: With economic weaknesses, gold prices are likely to go up")
A level playing field: Tackling spam calls needs collective action
In the past, Trai had come up with many regulations to curb unsolicited calls and messages but they have largely remained ineffective
 "A level playing field: Tackling spam calls needs collective action")
Now, to governance: Delhi's new govt has opportunity to deliver seamlessly
The received wisdom is that Delhi's administrators must address two sets of constituents: The middle class and the poor
 "Now, to governance: Delhi's new govt has opportunity to deliver seamlessly")
India must boost AI research to retain top talent and stay competitive
With a large chunk of the tech world's capital and talent being deployed towards monetising AI, competition among countries in this arena will be fiercer than ever
 "India must boost AI research to retain top talent and stay competitive")
Trump's outreach to Putin disrupts US-Ukraine policy and Nato ties
The key element of Mr Trump's deal appears to centre on veiled threats to withdraw US military aid to Ukraine to persuade Kyiv to cede to Russia territory
 "Trump's outreach to Putin disrupts US-Ukraine policy and Nato ties")
The growth path: Economic Survey 2025 presents a realistic assessment
It discussed the medium- to long-term challenges in detail, which should guide policymaking
 "The growth path: Economic Survey 2025 presents a realistic assessment")
Durable foundation: The Constitution reflects India's founding values
Constitution remains a guarantor of Indian democracy despite the efforts of those who seek to undermine it
 "Durable foundation: The Constitution reflects India's founding values")
Fiscal health check: NITI Aayog's initiative will inform policymaking
The FHI covers 18 large states and has been developed with a focus on five sub-indices: The quality of expenditure, revenue mobilisation, fiscal prudence, debt index, and debt sustainability
 "Fiscal health check: NITI Aayog's initiative will inform policymaking")
No grey areas: Regulated trading before listing will increase transparency
Transaction prices on the grey market are opaque and impossible to verify
 "No grey areas: Regulated trading before listing will increase transparency")
Withdrawal symptoms: US is ceding global leadership where it matters most
Both decisions represent expressions of Mr Trump's "America First" agenda
 "Withdrawal symptoms: US is ceding global leadership where it matters most")