Category Economy and Infrastructure

Copy of Insights 1

Future-Ready Cities: Could Diplomacy Drive India’s Urban Infrastructure Transformation?

In an era of rapid urbanization, India’s cities stand on the cusp of transformation. From revamping water systems to building smarter mobility networks, the nation needs robust infrastructure guided by forward-looking public policy. India’s cities are at a critical juncture. With rapid urbanization expected to push nearly 600 million Indians into cities by 2036 (NITI Aayog, 2023), the need for sustainable infrastructure has never been more urgent.

eas

Pathway to Progress: North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) 2017

When India speaks of inclusive development, the Northeast often features at the center of the conversation, a region of not only picturesque beauty and rich diversity but also persistent infrastructure gaps. In 2017, recognizing that existing central schemes were not fully bridging these gaps, the Government of India launched the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDONER).

US

Why trade barriers won’t bring back U.S. industrial power

Changes in America’s economic structure, coupled with its global dominance in the services sector, explain why manufacturing now occupies only a modest share of the nation’s GDP

The latest installment of the Make-America-Great-Again (MAGA) assault on globalised economic growth takes the form of an import duty of 100% on a segment of pharmaceuticals.

Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) - 2012

Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) – 2012

Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) started in July 2012 as a three-year scheme addressing India’s growing import dependency. In 2015, it underwent its first major revision, extending the program to 2020, adding 15 verticals, and simplifying approval processes to encourage faster investment. By 2017, strategic amendments further expedited procedures and extended deadlines to the end of 2018. Applications closed in December 2018, but implementation continues. In 2020, the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) was launched as a successor, focusing on incentivizing component manufacturing with 25% capital expenditure support.

manufacturing

India-Vietnam Electronics Manufacturing Partnerships, 2025

Electronics has become one of the most important sectors of the 21st century, powering industries from IT to consumer goods and energy transitions. For India and Vietnam, two of the fastest growing economies in Asia, electronics manufacturing is not just about exports but about higher income, jobs and global competitiveness.

India

Caught Between Superpowers, India Stays Guarded

At the centre of the issue is the US goods trade deficit with China – $295.4 billion in 2024. President Donald Trump, in his 2016 election campaign, said China was “raping” the US. It needs to be noted that while China, Mexico, and Canada had massive trade surpluses with the US, the latter imposed tariffs on almost all countries.

dist

District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committees (DISHA) 2016: A Decade of Decentralized Governance

India’s developmental journey over the past decade has brought into sharp focus the need for better coordination between central and state schemes. While numerous programs are launched at national and state levels, their actual impact ultimately depends on district administration and local governance. It was in recognition of this reality that the Ministry of Rural Development constituted the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) in June 2016 to ensure better coordination and effective implementation of central government schemes at the district level. They replaced the earlier District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee. The core purpose of DISHA is to bridge the institutional and administrative gaps that often emerge as flagship schemes travel from conception to implementation.

Talk to Us