Columnists

Vikram S Mehta

The writer is the chairman of Brookings India and senior fellow, Brookings Institution.

Pandemic has driven home need for collaborations in public policy between experts and administrators

Mon, Aug 03, 2020

A parallel council with a similarly blended mix should be set up with individual states to take into account local factors, and in the spirit of cooperative federalism.

Why Jagat Mehta would have seen Xi in the Mao mould, not Deng

Mon, Jul 06, 2020

I know my father would have advocated India find a diplomatic solution to the current imbroglio. But given his experience of Maoist China, he would have also urged that our velvet glove of diplomacy must now cover an iron fist of resolve.

In post-Covid world, we will need a mindset of preparedness to deal with all oil eventualities

Mon, Jun 01, 2020

Against the background of these post-COVID market uncertainties and the above factoids, I suggest that the mandarins of our petroleum industry switch to the “just in case” policy mode.

Don’t waste the oil crisis

Fri, Apr 24, 2020

We cannot leverage low and volatile oil prices to our advantage unless we empower traders, free them of bureaucratic control.

Oil in a post-Covid world

Mon, Apr 06, 2020

Behaviours will shift, uncertainties will deepen. India should build strategic reserves, use alternatives like natural gas and increase efficiency of its oil companies.

Greta Thunberg’s protests have inspired a new response to climate challenge

Mon, Mar 02, 2020

Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg offers an example of what is possible if society deems that “enough is enough” of “politics as usual” .

State and society must seek avenues that could end the longstanding tension between the two

Fri, Jan 10, 2020

The society and state are in conflict. A youthful, vibrant, ambitious and connected society is pitted against a hesitant, at times paralytic, politically-shackled and precedent-bound state.

Business case for governance

Mon, Dec 02, 2019

A balance can be found — between demands of shareholders and interests of society.

Indian business needs to change. It is regarded as a contributor to the unjust social order

Mon, Nov 04, 2019

The point is that there is a strong undercurrent of dissatisfaction and public outbursts of anger are being triggered by the slightest spark. This is directed not just against the government. It is also targeted against business.

Cooperation with Saudi could shield India’s oil and gas assets against Pakistani threat

Mon, Oct 07, 2019

Pakistan is heavily in debt to Saudi Arabia and it depends hugely on the kingdom’s largesse to avoid economic collapse. Saudi Arabia has consequently considerable leverage over Pakistan and the latter in turn cannot afford to ignore Saudi economic interests when war gaming an offensive strategy against India.

Forum that facilitates cohesive thinking on economy, also has ears of political leadership, is urgently needed

Mon, Sep 02, 2019

Our administrative apparatus is vertically structured within silo-ed compartments. There is no forum to enable and facilitate interdisciplinary, interdepartmental and collaborative economic decision-making.

What investors really want

Mon, Aug 05, 2019

Modi 2.0 must move the needle towards meeting necessary conditions for incentivising investment.

India should use diplomatic tools at its disposal to help de-escalate US-Iran tensions

Mon, Jul 01, 2019

The US-Iran stand-off is wrapped in a “fog of uncertainty”. No one really knows what will happen but what we do know, based on our reading of Clausewitz and understanding of history, is that it could take no more than a false report, a miscalculation or simply an accident for the region to conflagrate into violent conflict.

Over The Barrel: How to boost the energy drive

Mon, Jun 03, 2019

A blueprint of initiatives the new government can consider.

Non-dollar based trading regime holds key to breaking US stranglehold over oil trade

Mon, May 06, 2019

One of several reasons for America’s economic leverage is that it sits at the epicenter of the global financial system. The dollar is a reserve currency. Global trade is preponderantly carried out in dollars. Oil is priced in dollars.

Time is of the essence, steps must be taken to increase consumption of renewable energy

Mon, Apr 01, 2019

Today, every projection of India’s energy future draws the same broad conclusion: energy demand will move on an upward curve, indigenous supplies will fail to keep pace, energy imports will rise, and the environment will face increasing stress.

What lessons can Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez offer Indian leaders who wish to push climate change policies?

Mon, Mar 04, 2019

The Cortez resolution may eventually end up in the archives like so many other resolutions on the same subject but, today at least, it has to be credited for bringing global warming into the US national conversation.

The techno dystopia

Mon, Feb 04, 2019

Controversy over EVMs shows that regulatory structures are needed to ensure the algorithmic world doesn’t trample on democratic rights.

Carryovers from 2018

Mon, Jan 07, 2019

The science of global warming is incontrovertible. The planet is headed for a climate-induced catastrophe.

Over The Barrel: How to avoid the perfect storm

Mon, Dec 03, 2018

One day, resource scarcity, geopolitical chaos and climate-induced devastation could creep up on us.

Juggler’s art

Mon, Nov 05, 2018

Petroleum minister has to achieve oil supply security and balance the country’s strategic interests

Three men & a possibility

Mon, Sep 03, 2018

Kuldip Nayar and Vajpayee rejected narrative of Partition for India-Pak. Imran Khan can rewrite the script

Trump’s foreign policy: An unlovely triangle

Mon, Aug 06, 2018

Between strategic-energy interests with Iran and a flip-flopping US president, India must find its own balance.

Over The Barrel: Networked and vulnerable

Mon, Jul 02, 2018

A tightly-connected world is more imperilled by cyber attack, disease and global warming. It requires inspired leadership. India and China have an opportunity.

Over The Barrel: Because the business of business isn’t just business

Mon, Jun 04, 2018

Pooling Corporate Social Responsibility funds will facilitate sharing of experiences, reduce duplication of efforts and facilitate a geographically equitable distribution of resources.