G. Chandrashekhar

Chandrashekhar is an economist, journalist and policy commentator renowned for his expertise in agriculture, commodity markets and economic policy.

India’s Sugar Export Ban May No Longer Be Just About Sugar

Rising oil prices, ethanol demand and tightening sugar balances suggest India’s latest export ban may reflect fuel-security concerns as much as food inflation worries.

G. Chandrashekhar

May 15, 2026 at 9:58 AM IST

iStock.com

Is Cotton Mission a Strategic Sovereignty or a Statistical Chimera

India’s cotton revival plan aims to reclaim self-sufficiency, but low yields, weak R&D and climate risks may test its ambitions.

G. Chandrashekhar

May 6, 2026 at 12:16 PM IST

Istock.com

UAE’s OPEC Exit Could Erode Cartel's Cohesion

The UAE stayed in OPEC for six decades. It took one strategic pivot and $150 billion in capacity investment to end that relationship. The consequences for global oil supply and pricing could be far-reaching.

G. Chandrashekhar

May 5, 2026 at 8:53 AM IST

istocks/imaginima

El Nino Tests Kharif and India’s Farm Economy

A weak monsoon threat amid El Nino risks could hit Kharif output, widen import dependence and strain rural incomes, testing policy preparedness.

G. Chandrashekhar

April 29, 2026 at 9:00 AM IST

iStock.com

India's Gold Addiction Is Bleeding Its Foreign Exchange Dry

India imports billions in gold while hundreds of millions go hungry. The policy contradictions demand scrutiny, and the exchequer is paying the price.

G. Chandrashekhar

April 28, 2026 at 5:29 AM IST

iStock.com/D. Talukdar

Palm Oil Panic Is Misplaced as Supply Buffers Temper Indonesia’s Noise

Indonesia’s B50 rhetoric has lifted sentiment, not altered fundamentals. Ample supply, peak output and India’s policy levers should keep palm oil risks manageable.

G. Chandrashekhar

April 22, 2026 at 12:55 PM IST

iStock.com

Will the Iran War Accelerate or Delay Energy Transition?

War-driven energy shocks raise costs and uncertainty, forcing a trade-off: accelerate the shift to renewables or delay transition as economies fall back on fossil fuels for stability.

G. Chandrashekhar

April 12, 2026 at 7:09 AM IST

iStock.com

The Watchword in This VUCA World is ‘Security’

A decade of shocks—from pandemics to wars and trade disruptions—is reshaping policy priorities, with nations and firms racing to secure supply chains, energy and resilience

G. Chandrashekhar

April 8, 2026 at 4:20 AM IST

Istock.com

Towards Smarter, Greener, Indigenous Fertilisers

With global supply chains increasingly fragile, fertiliser security has become central to India’s food security. Reducing import dependence through more sustainable and efficient nutrient use must be a priority.

G. Chandrashekhar

April 6, 2026 at 11:55 AM IST

WikiCommons

Inflation’s Triple Shock: Crude, Crops and Currency Pressures

A volatile oil market, fragile farm outlook and weakening rupee threaten to stoke inflation, testing policy credibility and burdening India’s most vulnerable.

G. Chandrashekhar

March 27, 2026 at 8:21 AM IST

iStock.com

Be Wary of Gold Price Correction

Gold’s rally, inflated by a $700–1000 war risk premium, is colliding with rising yields, a stronger dollar and weak demand, raising the risk of a deeper correction.

G. Chandrashekhar

March 24, 2026 at 3:24 AM IST

iStock.com/rvimages

India’s Rabi Crop Estimates May Be Too Optimistic

The government’s second advance estimates project record wheat and mustard output, yet heat stress, weak rainfall, and yield math suggest caution.

G. Chandrashekhar

March 16, 2026 at 2:50 AM IST

iStocks/branex

Twin Risks of War and Weather Threaten Indian Economy

A widening West Asian conflict and a looming El Niño are creating a dangerous mix for the Indian economy, as higher energy costs and weather-hit crops could push inflation up and complicate growth prospects.

G. Chandrashekhar

March 11, 2026 at 9:03 AM IST

WikiCommons

India’s Trade Pact With Europe Offers Promise, Not Quick Gains

The India–EU FTA offers scale and promise, but strict standards, climate rules and structural gaps mean gains will be gradual, uneven and hard-earned.

G. Chandrashekhar

February 18, 2026 at 4:34 AM IST

PMO

Wheat Under Heat: Rising Temperatures Raise Harvest Concerns

Rising temperatures in key northern states could impact wheat yields just as harvest nears, posing risks to supply, prices, and procurement efforts amid fragile reserves.

G. Chandrashekhar

February 11, 2026 at 7:12 AM IST

iStocks/branex

Why Govt Should Hike Customs Duty on Gold, Vegetable Oils

Budget 2026

India’s surging gold and edible oil imports are widening the trade deficit, pressuring the rupee and hurting farmers, making a strong case for restoring higher import duties.

G. Chandrashekhar

January 29, 2026 at 7:04 AM IST

iStock.com/D. Talukdar

Budget Must Treat Critical Minerals as Economic and Security Assets

Budget 2026

India’s growth and security now depend on critical minerals. This Budget must move past intent and set out how the country plans to secure supply.

G. Chandrashekhar

January 23, 2026 at 5:01 AM IST

istock.com

Budget Must Rescue Indian Agriculture From Drift and Denial

Budget 2026

India’s farm crisis needs more than MSPs and subsidies. Budget 2026 must pivot to outcomes, technology and accountability, or risk surrendering food security and farmer incomes.

G. Chandrashekhar

January 21, 2026 at 12:09 PM IST

iStock.com

Millets: Turning a Policy Mirage into a Daily Food Miracle

Even after increases in minimum support prices, returns over cost for millets are still inferior to crops such as wheat or mustard.

G. Chandrashekhar

January 16, 2026 at 11:25 AM IST

iStock.com

Disengaging with Iran Only Sensible Way Out

Opinion

US secondary tariffs put India–Iran trade in a bind, forcing New Delhi to weigh strategic ties against far larger economic exposure to the US market.

G. Chandrashekhar

January 14, 2026 at 7:33 AM IST

iStock.com

The Bureau

Benchmarks End Lower, Post Monthly Losses Amid US-Iran Uncertainty

India Cuts Monsoon Rain Forecast to 90%

RBI Says Bond Yields May Face Upward Pressure If Global Easing Stalls

Cash Growth Outpaces Economy as Currency in Circulation Rises Nearly 12%

Large-Ticket Frauds Drive Sharp Rise in Bank Fraud Value Despite Fewer Cases: RBI Report

RBI to Sharpen Focus on Neutral Rate in Wider Policy Modelling Push

RBI to Transfer Record ₹2.87 Trillion Surplus To Govt, CRB Buffer Set Lower at 6.5%

Flawed Design, Poor Planning Make Extreme Heat Conditions Worse For Indian Cities

Learning to Shoot: I Tried to Fly Before I Could Walk