Table of Contents

Punitive tariffs imposed by the US on India will hurt. Yet two truths stand out. First, India cannot afford to forsake or even downplay globalisation, as some have suggested. Second, the policy responses needed to mitigate the damage are the very reforms that India should be pursuing, regardless of the tariffs. Read the Opinion Piece in The Print

On April 2, President Donald Trump announced sweeping and unprecedented tariffs on U.S. trading partners, intensifying global economic uncertainty and triggering a sharp stock market decline in the United States and elsewhere. India should seize this moment to set a bold new ambition: to become a more reliable trading partner to the world than either China or the United States. Its size and long-term potential lend credibility to such a vision. Realizing it, though, will require a fundamental rethinking and overhaul of India’s trade policy approach. Read the Foreign Policy magazine piece: Can India Finally Grab Its Trade Moment?

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had a vision for South Asia and India’s place in it. He believed that India’s destiny was intrinsically tied to its partnership with its neighbours. His convictions inspired many initiatives that fostered economic interdependence and people-to-people (P2P) connections. Examining some of his core initiatives provides a good organising framework to discuss South Asia’s economic integration, which remains a work in progress.  Realising Manmohan Singh's Vision

As Sri Lanka concludes debt restructuring agreements, and the focus shifts to enhancing growth, the new President’s maiden budget speech has hinted at the policy pathway that can be expected. And it is encouraging. President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake Budget 2025 in Parliament last week (17th February), and the proposals relating to trade and competitiveness reforms demonstrated remarkable consistency with budgets of recent administrations, with commitments to trade reforms and expanding trade relations. It has helped.

Read More

South Asia is emerging as a key player in the global energy sector due to its growing energy demand, strategic location, and potential for renewable energy production. The region has made significant progress in cross-border electricity trade (CBET), with countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh actively exchanging power. India plays a central role in facilitating this trade by integrating its power grid with neighboring nations, enabling efficient electricity distribution.

A major development in 2024 was the first power transfer from Nepal to Bangladesh via India, marking a step towards a multilateral regional energy market. Initiatives like "One Sun, One World, One Grid" (OSOWOG) aim to enhance trans-regional energy connectivity, promoting renewable energy integration and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. The trans-regional grid interconnections needed for it can help expand energy cooperation beyond South Asia, fostering large-scale electricity trade. To achieve thi, regulatory coordination, investment in infrastructure, and financial incentives are necessary to ensure seamless energy exchange. Establishing regional regulatory forums, standardizing grid codes, and encouraging foreign investments will be crucial for success.

With electricity demand expected to reach 810 GW by 2040, South Asia is well-positioned to become a global energy hub. Strengthening energy cooperation and integrating renewable sources will lower electricity costs, improve energy security, and support economic growth. By leveraging regional collaboration and technological advancements, South Asia can shape the future of clean energy trade and become a leader in global energy markets.  Read More