Vikram S Mehta
The writer is the chairman of Brookings India and senior fellow, Brookings Institution.
Authors you can follow
More From Vikram S Mehta
The unlikely bulwark
The much-maligned bureaucracy has become a hurdle in the way of populist misadventure
Mon, Apr 02, 2018
Over The Barrel: The fourth political revolution?
A new political model is needed that is more responsive to changes being wrought by forces of globalisation, technology, humanity.
Mon, Mar 05, 2018
New era, old budget
The absence of energy from the finance minister’s script showcased a larger disconnect
Mon, Feb 05, 2018
Over The Barrel: An energy agenda for 2018
Ten challenges the government must look in the eye in the new year.
Mon, Jan 01, 2018
An uncertain energy future
India’s renewable energy targets are too ambitious. It will have to make choices and trade-offs
Mon, Dec 04, 2017
The new oil game
China is showing increasing interest in the Middle East. India must track its moves
Mon, Nov 06, 2017
Over the Barrel: A Russian acquisition
What are the geopolitical implications of the sale of Essar Oil to Rosneft, given the deepening of energy relations between China and Russia?
Mon, Oct 02, 2017
Over the barrel: Energy needs inspiration
Socio-political and economic realities do not favour the prospects of renewables. Policy-makers need to think out of the box.
Mon, Sep 04, 2017
A patchy green
Draft national energy policy falls short of striking a sustainable balance, or clarifying lines of accountability
Mon, Aug 07, 2017
Over the barrel: An energy warning and lesson
Developments in Australia and Qatar highlight India’s need to diversify sources and develop an integrated systems approach to planning
Mon, Jul 03, 2017
Over The Barrel: A note to the class of 2017
They must work to stanch the anger that has thrown up leaders like Trump. Their focus should not be the individual, but systemic causes
Mon, Jun 05, 2017
Over the barrel: Oil more slippery
Caught between forecasts of growing demand and geopolitical uncertainty, the oil market is increasingly difficult to interpret
Mon, May 01, 2017
Over The Barrel: Democrat’s dilemma
The Uttar Pradesh election has placed the Prime Minister in a position of rare strength. Will he use the space he has created for himself to be a statesman or fall prey to hubris?
Mon, Apr 03, 2017
A sentinel’s censure
The latest collection of P. Chidambaram’s articles is an indictment of India’s evolution as a liberal democracy
Mon, Mar 06, 2017
Over the barrel: Prepare for an oil change
India hasn’t yet joined the global move towards clean energy. But for how long can it hold out?
Mon, Feb 06, 2017
Finding the sync
Last year raised questions over relevance of liberal democratic processes, called for a review
Mon, Jan 02, 2017
Over the barrel: The case for an energy ombudsman
A new department with executive authority will ensure energy sector is reinvigorated
Mon, Dec 05, 2016
Over the barrel: A swadeshi index
World Bank rankings on ease of doing business ignore the complexity of the Indian landscape. An indigenous framework is needed.
Mon, Nov 07, 2016
Over the barrel: The life and death of the oil age
Slump in oil prices could be temporary or more long-lasting. Policymakers must plan for all scenarios.
Mon, Oct 03, 2016
Over the Barrel: Pipelines over politics
An energy source that is cheap and relatively clean has not found its place due to political shortsightedness and pricing issues
Mon, Sep 05, 2016
Over the barrel: How India reformed its petroleum sector
Political compulsions ensured that the process was done slowly, steadily and stealthily
Mon, Aug 01, 2016
Over The Barrel: Divided, volatile world ahead
Brexit could not have come at a worse time. The world is a risky place, and many problems can only be addressed through global institutions and international cooperation.
Mon, Jul 04, 2016
Over The Barrel: Hope floats
The caveats are many. But there are compelling reasons to believe that the economy will slowly but surely pick up momentum
Mon, Jun 06, 2016
Over the barrel: In the right environment
The presentation concludes with a vision statement that the “way forward” will be linked to the attainment of “sustainable development goals”.
Mon, May 02, 2016
Hydrocarbon policy India Over the Barrel: How to Help
New hydrocarbon policy is an improvement. But government must address ‘softer’ operating issues.
Wed, Apr 06, 2016