Ishan Bakshi

Ishan Bakshi is a senior member of the Opinions team at The Indian Express. He writes extensively on macroeconomics and matters of public policy in India.

Professional Profile

Role: Associate Editor

Specialisation: He provides high-level analysis of fiscal and monetary policy, centre-state fiscal relations, employment and the informal sector, and global trade dynamics (particularly on relations between US, China and India). He also writes on areas such as electricity reforms, and tracks new age sectors such as AI and tech.

Editorial Focus: His columns often challenge the "business-as-usual" approach, advocating for deeper structural changes rather than temporary bailouts or protectionist measures.

Recent Notable Articles (2024 – 2025)

His recent work highlights critical shifts in the Indian and global economy:

1. Fiscal and monetary policy and federalism

"On interest rates, is RBI joining the right dots?" (Nov 2, 2025): A critique of the Central Bank's neutral stance, arguing it doesn't align with the need to stimulate economic activity.

"As states want more, the 16th Finance Commission will have to walk a tightrope" (May 5, 2025): An analysis of the pressures and pulls facing states in India, and the challenge before the Finance Commission

"Modi 3.0 wants to take India to new economic heights. Where is the roadmap?" (March 10, 2024): Examining the ideas that drove the Modi government's agenda in its first and second term, and the likely policy agenda for the government's third term.

2. Trade in the age of Donald Trump

"India needs a well thought out trade strategy, but first it needs a China strategy" (June 22, 2025): Arguing that China’s role in global production is a reality India must strategically navigate.

"India and remaking of the global supply chain" (April 27, 2025): Assessing India's ability to grab a larger share of the second round of global supply chain reconfigurations.

3. Challenges to the Indian economy

"Another bailout of discoms won't change the situation. Usher in competition" (Dec 7, 2025): A call for privatizing power distribution to weed out billing and labor...

Authors you can follow

More From Ishan Bakshi - Page 5

Sensex, Nifty, Sensex closing, BSE Sensex, NSE Nifty, BSE Sensex closing, NSE Nifty closing, tax rates cut, corporate tax, corporate tax rates cut, Nirmala Sitharaman, rupee, rupee vs dollar, indian rupee vs US dollar, Business news, Indian Express

Union Budget 2019: Govt to meet part of its borrowings from abroad — a departureSubscriber Only

July 06, 2019 05:00 IST

Union Budget 2019: The bond markets has reason to cheer given the huge borrowing programme of the government. The relief was reflected in the10 year bond yields which fell below 6.6 per cent and closed finally at 6.69 per cent.

Sat, Jul 06, 2019

Union budget 2019, budget 2019, budget 2019 highlights, budget 2019 india, budget india, union budget, Nirmala Sitharaman, budget updates, union budget 2019 india, Budget explained, budget important points, budget 2019 income tax, incom tax slab, income tax slab rate,

Explained: Unpacking the BudgetSubscriber Only

July 06, 2019 01:30 IST

How has the first-time finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, scored on her debut? Has the first Budget of PM Narendra Modi’s second term laid the foundation for achieving the goal of making India a $5-trillion economy by 2025? Will the Budget address the pressing concerns of the Indian economy? The Indian Express cuts through the clutter.

Sat, Jul 06, 2019

economic survey, economic survey 2019, economic survey highlights, minimum wage economic survey, cea kv subramanian

Economic Survey 2019 big ideas: Rationalise minimum wages architectureSubscriber Only

July 04, 2019 14:45 IST

The Survey's recommendations, in line with the revised code, entail fixing minimum wages based on either the level of skill — different wages for the unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled — or the geographical region, or both.

Thu, Jul 04, 2019