Page 7 - Editorial Comment

A broken model: China is unwilling to implement the reforms needed

China's growth model has lasted longer than expected but is now losing momentum, as the government runs out of fiscal space to sustain investment-driven expansion

Rising external uncertainties: Iran war can complicate economic management

Economists expect a CAD of about 1 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) this financial year. This could increase to about 1.5 per cent in 2026-27

Fraud safety net: RBI's new framework will boost trust in digital payments

The framework comes at a time when India's digital-payment ecosystem is rapidly expanding

Himalayan hopes: RSP's decisive victory raises Gen Z's expectations

Mr Shah, popularly known as Balen, rode a wave of GenZ discontent to defeat four-time former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli

Elusive inclusivity: Why gender diversity on boards needs a fillip

Many organisations suffer a "missing middle" in terms of gender diversity, with women dropping out at demanding mid-management levels because of non-conducive social ecosystems

Listing Tata Sons will help resolve multiple issues within the group

Tata Trusts, a philanthropic body, owns 66% of Tata Sons, which oversees about 26 listed companies along with several unlisted firms, adding to the complexity of the group's shareholding structure

Managing the food economy: Procurement must be aligned with requirements

With rice stocks far above buffer norms, India must shift from open-ended MSP procurement to diversified, sustainable agriculture without hurting farmer incomes

Micron's ATMP plant a key first step in India's semiconductor ambitions

Micron's Sanand ATMP plant signals progress, but India's semiconductor ambitions hinge on scaling fabrication, talent, and supply-chain depth beyond mature nodes

Preventive leap: Nationwide HPV drive can target the cervical cancer burden

Cost had earlier been a barrier. In the private market, vaccines such as Gardasil, manufactured by Merck, cost ₹3,000-4,000 per dose

Managing the fallout: West Asian conflict can be challenging for India

Oil imports account for 3.1% of gross domestic product, and according to Nomura, every 10% rise in oil prices worsens India's current account by 0.4 percentage point

Brace for impact: US-Israeli attack threatens global stability

No European ally participated in the attacks, although several have called for Iran to show restraint

A new beginning: New GDP series has improved the scope of estimation

Several elements have been introduced in the new series. For instance, the functions of multi-activity enterprises have been segregated, which will provide a clearer picture

India must confront the fiscal risks of an expanding freebie culture

As subsidies and cash transfers surge, the Supreme Court and Finance Commission warn that unchecked freebies risk straining state finances and long-term growth

AgriStack could transform farming, but execution will decide its fate

AgriStack, pitched as the "next UPI", could transform farm subsidies, tenant inclusion and soil health - but only if farmer, land and crop data are accurate and trusted

Regulating social media: Banning it for children is no silver bullet

A private member's Bill has even proposed disabling the accounts of all under-16 users

On the right track: Asset monetisation will boost efficiency and growth

Given fiscal constraints and the need to lower the debt-to-GDP ratio, the Union finance ministry sees reviving asset monetisation as key to sustaining growth momentum

A battle of attrition: Peace remains elusive in Ukraine as war drags on

Ukraine has lost a quarter of its pre-war population of 42 million, with five million living under Russian occupation and another six million having fled to Europe

Strategic alignment: India joining Pax Silica could secure supply chains

Participation in Pax Silica opens up the possibility of diversified sourcing, processing partnerships, and coordinated stockpiling

AI for all: Global Summit in India offers a path to take the world forward

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 positions New Delhi as a global AI convenor, blending ethics, inclusion and $250 billion in investments to shape the future of artificial intelligence

Tariffs run into legal troubles but will remain at core of Trump's agenda

The US Supreme Court's tariff ruling dents Donald Trump's leverage, reshaping global trade talks and placing India in a relatively stronger negotiating position