The Morning Brief

As global tensions intensify from tariffs to terror the question arises: Are India-China relations quietly warming beneath the surface? Despite diplomatic frost after the Galwan clash, trade tells a different story. In 2023, bilateral trade reached a staggering $136.2 billion, with China remaining one of India’s top partners. From telecom to pharma, Chinese components power critical sectors of the Indian economy. China has even begun sending positive signals issuing over 85,000 visas to Indians in just four months and allowing Indian leadership in Chinese firms’ local operations. So, is this economic interdependence a path to reconciliation or just strategic convenience? Even as New Delhi curbs Chinese apps and investments, the flow of goods and even visas continues. Host Anirban Chaudhury talks to Wendong Zhang, Professor and Economist at Cornell University; Ashok Kantha, India’s former ambassador to China; and ET’s Dipanjan Roy Choudhury about why, as China faces a bruising tariff war with the US, India may be more economically indispensable than it appears. Is this economic pragmatism a sign of strategic recalibration?Tune In.Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Tariffs trump trade, The Curious Case of IndusInd Bank, The Influencer Economy’s Quiet Reset, India’s Biggest Hospital has a Chronic Illness and much more.You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and LinkedinCatch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India’s move to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance marks a watershed moment with far-reaching consequences is the starkest example of weaponizing the natural resource in recent times. The IWT, critical to both countries and a lifestream for Pakistan, has survived 6 decades of hostilities and 4 armed conflics. But it has been marked with disputes and disagreements. The Pahalgam attacks was the last straw that made India take the extreme step of keeping it in abeyance. In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury speaks with leading experts Anubhuti Vishnoi, Senior Editor,at The Economic Times and Pranab Dhal Samanta, Executive Editor (Politics),at The Economic Times to unpack the legal, political, and strategic dimensions of this bold decision. What does holding the treaty "in abeyance" truly mean under international law? Could this signal a shift in India’s approach to critical resource diplomacy? And as energy security takes center stage, will Jammu & Kashmir finally unlock its vast hydroelectric potential?Moreover, could India’s stance on the IWT set a powerful precedent for future water-sharing agreements across the region—and challenge the established global norms? Stay tuned as we explore the high stakes, hidden challenges, and historic opportunities emerging from this unfolding story.   Tune in.Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Tariffs trump trade, The Curious Case of IndusInd Bank, The Influencer Economy’s Quiet Reset, India’s Biggest Hospital has a Chronic Illness and much more.You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and LinkedinYou can follow Pranab Dhal Samanta on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin You can follow Anubhuti Vishnoi on her social media: Twitter and LinkedinCatch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India has responded to the terror attacks in Pahalgam that claimed at least 25 lives of innocent tourists. A quick probe has been followed by a 5 point onslaught that strikes at an age-old water sharing agreement, infiltration,  visas and diplomatic representation. Is a war imminent? Host Anirban Chowdhury is joined by ET’s defence expert Manu Pubby and diplomatic editor Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury for an in-depth breakdown of the ongoing investigation, India’s counter strike and what lies ahead. Tune in. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Tariffs trump trade, The Curious Case of IndusInd Bank, The Influencer Economy’s Quiet Reset, India’s Biggest Hospital has a Chronic Illness and much more.You can follow Manu Pubby on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin or StoriesYou can follow Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin or Stories  Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hakeem Irfan Rashid, an Economic Times Kashmir correspondent and expert on Kashmir affairs, joins the discussion to unpack the shocking Baisaran Valley terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives. He analyzes the calculated targeting of civilians and its chilling implications for the region’s post-Article 370 image. The talk delves into the implications for local tourism, highlighting the fear now gripping the valley as cancellations flood in. Rashid also addresses the pressing needs for improved security infrastructure and the rising calls for statehood amidst escalating communal tensions.

Dr. Ishani Roy, a DEI strategist and the Founder of Serein, teams up with Munira Loliwala, Vice President at TeamLease Digital, to dissect the global debate on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. They delve into the implications of the Trump administration's rollbacks and how these may shape DEI initiatives in India. The duo discusses the varying commitment levels between multinational corporations and Indian startups, exploring how the latter might leverage DEI for compliance and talent retention, while identifying challenges in traditional sectors.

Bipin Sapra, a Tax Partner and global trade expert at EY India, delves into the ambitious US-India bilateral trade deal, targeting a staggering $500 billion in trade by 2030. He navigates the complexities of negotiations amid tariffs that could shake up export dynamics. Topics include potential gains for sectors like electronics and agriculture, the implications for India's manufacturing strengths, and how this deal could strategically disrupt China's market dominance. It's a compelling discussion on the future of global trade.

Nikhil Jain, founder of ForeignAdmits, and Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder of Collegify, dive into the potential abolition of the OPT program, a key post-graduation opportunity for international students. They discuss the implications for Indian students, who make up over 40% of OPT approvals. The duo emphasizes the financial stress faced by students with hefty education loans and explores alternative study destinations like Canada and the UK as safer options. The conversation highlights the urgent need for students to navigate these significant changes.

Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, a leader in cloud computing and philanthropy, shares profound insights on the evolving tech landscape. He discusses Salesforce's innovative ties to India, emphasizing its talent pool and philanthropic initiatives. Benioff highlights the dual challenge of navigating AI's rapid growth and the ethical implications of its use. He touches on issues of AI commoditization and immigration barriers, advocating for responsible AI while asserting that the U.S.'s lead in this race is overstated. A must-listen for tech enthusiasts!

In this engaging talk, Chris Watling, founder of Longview Economics, dives into the dramatic shifts in global markets following Trump's fluctuating tariff plans. He analyzes the recent stock market surge amid U.S.-China trade tensions and questions its sustainability. Watling also dissects Trump's unique negotiation tactics, especially towards smaller nations, and discusses the Federal Reserve's likely response to ongoing tariff uncertainty. Finally, he offers an optimistic outlook on the U.S. economy, suggesting that fears of recession may be overblown.

Sankaran Naren, CIO of ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund with over 30 years in the market, discusses the recent shifts in U.S. tariff policies and their effect on global markets. He analyzes the implications of the U.S.-China trade tensions and what it means for investors. Naren also highlights India's economic stance, suggesting it could attract investments as companies look to move away from China. Additionally, he shares insights on navigating market uncertainties, the significance of U.S. bond yields, and strategic asset allocation for investors.