Page 4 - Editorial Comment

Revenue milestone: Airtel is leading the way with record-high Arpu

As Arpu is a key yardstick of a telecom company's financial health, telcos must work on effective monetisation strategies

Recharging the old: How retrofitting can help improve green mobility

Unlike new EV purchases, which remain unaffordable for many low-income users and small fleet operators, retrofitting leverages existing assets

Weighty issues: India's rush to make weight-loss drugs demands user caution

The global market for weight-loss drugs is estimated at $100 billion by the end of the decade

Unfair and unwarranted: US action will result in undesirable outcomes

The initial imposition of a higher 25 per cent tariff last week was also devoid of economic logic

Collaboration for future: Isro and India will benefit from Nasa

Artemis signup allows Isro and the fast-growing Indian aerospace sector to bid for Nasa tenders and the famously frugal Indian engineering sector could find opportunities there and pick up new skills

US tariffs should not be cause for disengaging from trade talks, blocs

The fundamental challenge for the Indian economy is to increase productivity and competitiveness

Back in the sun: Patient and constructive diplomacy pays off in Maldives

As the recent reset with Sri Lanka has demonstrated, mature responses to geopolitical pressures can be as effective as the exercise of hard power

Signs of the future: India must prepare to deal with AI adoption

The fast-changing technology landscape, with the growth and adoption of AI, is making not only tech firms but businesses across the spectrum adapt

An inclusive index: More data needed to strengthen financial inclusion

The index is composed of three key parameters - access, usage, and quality - all of which have shown improvement this year

A shift in mindset: India-UK trade deal paves way for those with EU, US

The question is how much this shift in mindset can be applied now to other trading partners, particularly the European Union (EU)

Winning ways: Delhi must study global best sports management practices

Though encouraging, this news-making spending from one of India's richest among the states and Union Territories may also be viewed as an attempt at constructive competitive federalism

Less discretion needed: Transfer-pricing proposal may lead to litigation

Indeed, in some cases additional discretionary powers will be granted by some proposed changes.

EPFO numbers up, but social-security measures remain stuck in the past

While the absolute increase in formal-sector employment looks encouraging, the additions are not on a scale that would make any significant change in overall employment conditions

Welcoming the dragon: India can gain from easing restraints on Chinese FDI

The NITI Aayog's proposal for Chinese companies to acquire stakes of up to 24 per cent would also balance investor interests with misgivings in Indian policy

Signs of slippage: Certain segments of borrowers require attention

Unsecured lending by scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) steadily grew over the past several years and touched 25.5 per cent of the credit extended in March 2023

Optics to outcome: Corporate India needs to do more on diversity

However, despite some progress at the top, the broader picture remains uneven

A concentration problem: Policymakers should support markets, not champions

India's conscious decision to return to industrial policy and state-guided investment has had the inevitable consequence of empowering the largest conglomerates

EU's code of practice sets key benchmarks for regulating AI development

Most countries have still not been able to catch up. India, for instance, has no dedicated AI law

GCC revolution needs infra, policy stability, and skilled human capital

The deeper question, however, is whether India's human capital is prepared for a shift up the value chain

Mind their language: The State should abstain from imposing choices

The policy, being implemented in phases, stipulates that students learn at least three languages