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Emerging Capital Markets in the Era of U.S. Protectionism: Challenges and Opportunities
Introduction In recent years, the United States has adopted an increasingly inward-looking economic stance, characterized by protectionist trade policies, a stronger U.S. dollar, rising treasury yields, and a shift away from global economic integration. These policy changes have significant implications for emerging capital markets, which have traditionally relied on stable…
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The Indian Banking Sector: The Turning Point and Lessons from the Past
The Indian banking sector has seen a remarkable transformation over the last decade, with profits soaring and non-performing assets (NPAs) declining. However, this turnaround did not happen overnight; it was the result of a series of critical steps taken during and after the asset quality review (AQR) initiated in 2015.…
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Trade War Between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
IntroductionOn February 1, 2025, President Donald Trump announced significant tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, marking a pivotal escalation in trade tensions. The U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on all goods from Canada and Mexico, with a reduced 10% tariff specifically on Canadian energy products. Additionally, a 10%…
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Revisiting MSME Classification in India: Who Really Benefits from the Revised Definition?
The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is pivotal to India’s economic framework, representing a vast majority of businesses and contributing significantly to employment and GDP. In the Union Budget 2025-26, the government announced substantial revisions to the MSME classification criteria, aiming to foster growth and enhance access to…
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Building Businesses for Uncertainty
In an increasingly unpredictable global environment, businesses must prepare for a wide range of outcomes—both expected and unforeseen. The concept of strategic optionality has emerged as a crucial tool for companies aiming to navigate uncertainty. This approach involves proactively considering multiple potential scenarios and designing strategies to adapt accordingly. However,…
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Trump-Modi Relations, China Plus One, and India’s Economic Strategy
The relationship between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been marked by warmth and shared strategic interests. However, beyond the optics of strong diplomatic ties, economic and trade realities present significant challenges and opportunities for India. One of the key issues in the post-Trump…
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Structural Reforms and Technological Disruptions
In an increasingly uncertain global economic landscape, resilience has become a critical component of macroeconomic stability. Resilience operates at three key levels: the use of force (geopolitical and security resilience), future readiness (economic adaptability and technological innovation), and resilience as a skill (institutional and workforce adaptability). The world today faces…
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Budget Priorities, Human Capital, and Global Trade Wars: Where Should India Focus?
A Budget for the Future: Vision Beyond Infrastructure India’s budget is more than just a financial statement—it serves as a blueprint for the country’s economic vision. While infrastructure spending remains a key component, the real question is whether it alone can drive sustainable economic growth. The answer is clear: infrastructure…
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AI-Driven Service Transformation
The rapid evolution of Generative AI (GenAI) is redefining the landscape of service-based industries. Businesses that once thrived on linear growth models—where revenue expansion was directly tied to workforce expansion—are now witnessing a fundamental shift. The industry is at an inflection point where efficiency and optimization are no longer mere…