Amit's Blog

Navigating the Straits: Turkey's Economic Journey and Strategic Ambitions Turkey's economy is currently undergoing a crucial period of transition, moving towards more orthodox macroeconomic policies to tackle its long-standing challenges of high inflation and currency volatility. After a turbulent two decades marked by both impressive growth spurts and recurring crises, the current government has embarked on a stabilization program featuring aggressive interest rate hikes and fiscal tightening. While this shift is showing early signs of success in bringing down inflation and narrowing the current account deficit, it comes at the cost of slower GDP growth in the near term. Beyond these immediate economic adjustments, Turkey faces the long-term structural challenges of an aging population, productivity concerns, and a persistent reliance on external financing. Simultaneously, its burgeoning defense industry is emerging as a significant pathway for both economic diversification ...

  Navigating the Multipolar Maze: India's Geoeconomic Strategy in a Fractious World In an emerging multipolar world, India faces a tightrope walk as the U.S., a key trade partner ($120 billion in 2023), turns "nasty" with sanctions and trade pressures, while China and others vie for influence. Geoeconomics—using economic tools for geopolitical ends—shapes this landscape, with hegemons wielding market access, sanctions, and aid as weapons. India, intertwined with the U.S. for IT and defense, must diversify trade, leverage BRICS and QUAD, and bolster domestic resilience to navigate U.S.-China rivalries. Sanctions ripple beyond targets, pressuring non-sanctioned states like India to comply via trade disruptions or financial exclusion. A multipolar world dilutes U.S. dominance, offering India alternatives like China’s CIPS or Russia’s oil. By hedging strategically, India can balance autonomy with engagement, emerging as a Global South leader. This note outlines India’s prag...

India's Shield of Innovation: DRDO's Journey of Self-Reliance The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) stands as the bedrock of India's indigenous defence capabilities. Over the past four decades, DRDO has transformed from a nascent scientific body into a powerhouse, delivering strategic systems like the Agni and Prithvi missiles, the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, and the Akash air defence system. While celebrated successes have undeniably bolstered India's strategic autonomy and positioned it as an emerging defence exporter, the journey has also been marked by significant challenges, including persistent project delays, cost overruns, and bureaucratic hurdles. However, with renewed focus on cutting-edge technologies, enhanced industry collaboration, and a clear vision for the next five years, DRDO is poised to further elevate India's defence prowess, cementing its role in the nation's journey towards complete self-reliance. The Genesis of Sel...