'In the Indian government there are no illusions about the United States reliability or the possibility of having any kind of preferential treatment from Washington when it comes to trade.'
The minister learns from Europe's economic suicide, and pulls off a difficult balancing act.
Events around the Gaza flare-up reveal that Iran is ceding space to a resurgent Egypt under President Morsi, says Claude Smadja
Next year might be better than the last.
The last European summit, in June, was supposed to have decided that the European Stability Mechanism would use its euro 500 billion to help directly recapitalise banks in distress, once a euro-zone banking supervisor authority was established.
Arguments for direct US military intervention in Syria are just not strong enough, says Claude Smadja
The fiery 'India Shining' and 'India Everywhere' slogans of a not-so-distant past may have been empty bluster, as the bravado has been replaced by a mood of despondency in the Indian business community.
Overall, the populist/ electoral elements in the budget have remained measured with the finance minister being clearly aware of a higher-than-expected rise in oil prices, less-than-planned tax revenues and the wider deficit for FY 17/18, constraining his margin of maneuver, says Claude Claude Smadja.
The Budget provides a reassuring message about Prime Minister Narendra Modi staying the course.
The Chinese leader is today facing some open, or less subtle, criticism from within the party and from liberal intellectuals who are increasingly concerned by the concentration of power in his hands and the increasing authoritarianism of the regime, says Claude Smadja.
Europe will have to make some hard choices if it wishes to take on the militant group responsible for the horrible attacks in Paris.
This is the time when the US would need the conceptual strategic thinking of a Henry Kissinger, able to ally diplomatic skills with a well-conceived worldview of what the emergence of a new balance of forces will mean for a US whose ability to shape global events has definitely declined but still exists, says Claude Smadja.
'The stage is set for increasing tensions in a highly volatile region as crucial as ever from a geopolitical standpoint,' predicts Claude Smadja.
'India has not integrated into any major trade agreement'.
'That the 'I' word is swirling around Washington these days attests to the atmosphere that has taken hold and cannot but have a negative impact on political and economic decision-making,' says Claude Smadja.
Both the Greek and Iranian deals are extremely imperfect and fraught with uncertainty, says Claude Smadja.
'The leadership is confronted with an economy growing at its slowest pace in 20 years,' points out Claude Smadja.
'The optimistic advice might be "fasten your seat belts" and the pessimistic one might just turn out to be "brace for impact",' says Claude Smadja.
One has to wonder what is so wrong with the European Union.
While enjoying long-awaited economic good times - and hoping they will last as long as possible - some caution and some prudence might be the best protection against bad surprises, says Claude Smadja.
The Chinese leader will display his grip on the Communist party and chart his plans for his country's future.
The US needs to find global support, especially from Russia and China, to make North Korea back down, says Claude Smadja.
'The mood in Beijing is already nervous and feverously watchful.' 'Developments in China will be scrutinised as intensely and nervously as the ones in Washington,' says Claude Smadja.
We are witnessing a new phase where business leaders are realising globalisation has to take into account national identities and cultures, says Claude Smadja.
Negotiating a sustainable compromise with Iran is not getting any easier, and this delay might not yield the desired result of bringing Tehran's nuclear programme under stringent limits, says Claude Smadja
Budget will get a welcome reception from the international biz.
The time is over when United States President Barack Obama thought he could afford to make a joke about the ISIS.
The deal with Iran does not address any of the major issues thrown up by Tehran's ambitions, says Claude Smadja.
ISIS' advances in Iraq and Syria are not just tactical but strategic victories -- born of US errors and confusion
There is no war against Islam, but there is definitely one against Islamic radicalism, says Claude Smadja.
Pushing a barrel of oil back to around $100 would require a reduction of production of about two million barrels a day - a cut that would fall predominantly on Saudi Arabia.
Xi Jinping has accumulated great power, but he faces trials that are just as great, says Claude Smadja.
2014 was a year for downturn for most economies across the globe.
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