The US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework — a version 2.0 of the collapsed Trans-Pacific Partnership — is welcome counter to China’s economic might in Asia. IPEF focuses on harmonising supply chains and standards, sidestepping political opposition to free trade. To challenge the China-dominated Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, IPEF must prove it’ll boost trade.
Modi govt’s petrol, diesel tax cut is fiscal tango India needs to manage economic headwinds
Modi government’s decision to cut petrol and diesel taxes, among other steps to fight inflation, is a pleasant surprise. This is the kind of monetary and fiscal tango India needs to manage economic headwinds hurting recovery. States need to match these cuts with their own before RBI raises rates again.