Amit's Blog

West Bengal’s economy has transitioned from an industrial powerhouse to an agriculture and services-driven model over five decades. While agricultural successes and social progress offer hope, industrial decline and infrastructure delays pose challenges. With projected 10.5% GSDP growth in 2024-25 and significant investments, the state has potential for revival. Implementing reforms to improve business ease and project execution will be critical. Despite impediments like corporate relocations, West Bengal’s resilient agricultural base and recent developments provide optimism for a balanced economic future. __________________________________________________________________________ Key Points Research suggests West Bengal’s economy shifted from industry to agriculture and services over 50 years, with mixed growth. It seems likely agriculture, especially rice and fish, has been a success, while industrial decline and corporate exits are key failures. The evidence leans toward improved...

  The Russian Far East: China’s New Resource Frontier—And the Looming Threats Introduction: A Pivotal but Perilous Partnership The Russian Far East, a vast and sparsely populated region rich in farmland, oil, gas, and minerals, is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of Sino-Russian economic cooperation. As Western sanctions squeeze Moscow and Beijing seeks food and energy security, the two nations are deepening ties here—but not without risks. This blog post explores: How China is expanding its footprint  in the Russian Far East. Why this partnership is reshaping global trade  and geopolitics. The major threats  that could derail it—from Arctic competition to sanctions evasion cracks. 1. China’s Growing Dominance in the Russian Far East A. Investments and Key Sectors China has poured  over $10 billion  into the region, focusing on: Agriculture  (1+ million hectares of farmland leased, mainly for soybeans, wheat, and corn). Energy  (Arctic LNG, oil pipe...

Russia will thrive as an Asian energy hub, but its golden era of EU dominance is over. Profits will hinge on evading sanctions and building infrastructure (e.g., Arctic LNG 2). By 2030, it’ll remain a heavyweight, but one increasingly boxed in by geopolitics and green transitions. ________________________________________________________________________ Russia has long been an energy titan, its vast reserves of oil and natural gas fueling economies worldwide. But as geopolitics evolve, sanctions tighten, and green energy rises, the landscape of Russian energy exports—crude oil, piped natural gas, and liquefied natural gas (LNG)—is undergoing seismic shifts. In this deep dive, we’ll explore Russia’s current export volumes and revenues, pinpoint the top destinations, trace changes from 2004 to 2024, assess its competitiveness in the European Union (EU) market, and forecast the mix by 2029. Finally, we’ll ponder Russia’s future as an energy exporter in a rapidly changing world. Current Sn...

The EU’s shift from Russian to U.S. oil and gas marks a seismic economic realignment. While it secures supply and reduces Moscow’s influence, it raises costs, introduces new vulnerabilities, and challenges the green agenda. By 2029, a more diversified, LNG-heavy EU energy mix could stabilize prices, but only if choke points and geopolitics cooperate. Economically, the U.S. gains, the EU adapts, and Russia fades—yet the full cost-benefit equation remains a work in progress, balancing security, sustainability, and price. This pivot isn’t just about energy; it’s a reshaping of global economic power, with the EU caught between old dependencies and new alliances. ________________________________________________________________________________ As of April 9, 2025, the European Union (EU) stands at a critical juncture in its energy landscape. Historically reliant on Russian oil and gas, the EU has undergone a dramatic shift in its supply chains, driven by geopolitical tensions, notably Russia...

  Introduction India has made significant strides in literacy, education, nutrition, and healthcare since independence. However, when compared with regions like  East Asia (China, South Korea, Thailand), Southeast Asia (Indonesia), and Central Asia , as well as  Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) , India’s progress has been uneven. While some Indian states rival global leaders, others lag behind even the poorest African nations. This blog compares India’s performance across  four key metrics —literacy, primary school enrolment, infant mortality, and child nutrition—over  1970, 1990, 2005, and 2020 . It identifies  why India underperformed  relative to peers and suggests  remedial measures . Finally, it highlights the  top 5 and bottom 5 Indian states  (with populations over 25 million) to showcase regional disparities. 1. Comparative Performance: India vs. the World A. Literacy Rate (%) Region 1970 1990 2005 2020 India ~34 ~52 ~65 ~77 Sub-Saharan ...