Page 3 - Editorial Comment

Fast-tracking infrastructure: Further reductions in delays are needed

PRAGATI has shown that some of these failures can be overcome through sustained oversight

Governance deficit: Indore tragedy highlights systemic flaws

The Indore water tragedy exposes deep flaws in urban governance, revealing how capacity gaps and inequality persist despite funds, schemes, and "clean city" rankings

Level-playing field: Support to Vodafone Idea should not be exclusive

The five-year AGR moratorium gives Vodafone Idea crucial breathing space, but raises questions on fair competition and a level playing field in India's telecom sector

Customer is the purpose

Banks exist to serve the customers, let us serve them well

Gig workers' strike exposes the hard limits of India's quick commerce model

A NITI Aayog survey in 2024 revealed that 90 per cent of gig workers lacked savings

End of Battling Begums: Khaleda Zia's death may reshape Bangladesh polls

Khaleda Zia's passing reshapes Bangladesh's political landscape, reviving the BNP's prospects and testing New Delhi's recalibrated ties ahead of pivotal February elections

US tariffs, shifting metrics and the risks facing India's economy in 2026

As the US disrupts global trade and India pushes major trade deals, 2026 will test whether reforms, new economic measures and shifting geopolitics can sustain India's growth momentum

SC review signals a long-overdue rethink on protecting the Aravallis

Perhaps the apex court should have gone further in its review. Following its orders, the government has issued a complete ban on all new mining licences across the entire Aravalli range

India's banks are healthier, but the next stress point is already visible

While banking is stable and resilient, it needs to evolve and adjust to the changing dynamics of the Indian financial system

Wind power's rebound is real, but India must fix the bottlenecks soon

Wind energy in India records its strongest revival yet, but transmission gaps, land hurdles, and ecological safeguards must be resolved to sustain momentum toward 2030 targets

Fare hikes take Indian Railways one step forward, many more still to go

The Railways has described the move as "modest" and calibrated to impose a minimal burden on travellers

Securities Markets Code is a welcome step for simpler market regulation

While the Code retains most of the existing provisions, there are additions and changes that warrant mention here - the composition of Sebi and its powers, for instance

India cannot fix its education brain drain without globalising at home

As Western nations tighten student visas, a NITI Aayog report flags a chance for India to emerge as a global education hub-if structural gaps in research, regulation and visas are fixed

Clinging to the H-1B lottery has finally caught up with Indian ITeS

Indian ITeS should have moved away from the H-1B lottery

Caribbean crisis: US actions in Venezuela threaten India's economy

Mr Trump's claim that Mr Maduro is emptying his prisons and illegally flooding the US with criminal elements and that the country is a major source of drug trafficking lacks foundation

Swift resolution required: Capacity gaps threaten insolvency outcomes

As the government is doing a number of things to improve the ease of doing business, it must recognise that a smooth and predictable exit mechanism is as critical as facilitating entry

India's Bangladesh options: Measured responses will serve New Delhi better

The growing anti-Indian movement has added an element of uncertainty to the safety of Indian economic assets too

More ambition needed: New FTAs welcome, but bigger targets lie ahead

An FTA has also been agreed upon with the United Kingdom (UK), which means that India now has formal trade pacts with three of the five Anglosphere economies

Western approaches: PM Modi's three-nation tour has created useful momentum

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) is the second FTA signed between India and a West Asian nation - the first being with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2022

Passengers must pay: Rail freight revenue can increase, but so must fares

A parliamentary panel has urged Indian Railways to diversify freight beyond coal, revisit tariffs and confront passenger fare subsidies to keep the system financially viable