TK Arun

T.K. Arun, ex-Economic Times editor, is a columnist known for incisive analysis of economic and policy matters.

Why India’s Health Crisis Isn’t Just Personal Choice

India’s wellness boom hides a paradox: health isn’t just about diet and exercise. Air, water, urban design, stress, and social systems shape well-being far more than individual choices.

TK Arun

August 28, 2025 at 5:59 AM IST

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The Many Winners of the Alaska Summit

At the Alaska Summit, Trump backed away from harsher Russia sanctions, aligning with Putin on lasting peace over ceasefire. This can shield India from bigger trade blows.

TK Arun

August 18, 2025 at 4:50 AM IST

Kremlin

Chuck the Ethanol Blending Programme, E27 Petrol Will Be a Disaster

Ethanol blended petrol is eating into foreign exchange reserves, besides the exchequer and the area under oil seeds

TK Arun

August 4, 2025 at 6:18 AM IST

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Time to Launch Strategic AI Limitation Talks?

For India to have a serious voice in the debate, it will have to produce cutting edge AI models of its own

TK Arun

July 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM IST

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Niti Aayog’s China Proposal Like Letting the Fox Guard the Henhouse

Opinion

Chinese investment should be eased not on the basis of the size of the foreign stake but by the strategic significance of the sector in question

TK Arun

July 21, 2025 at 2:24 AM IST

The Right Time for Some Aid Diplomacy, Specifically AIDS Diplomacy

As the US retreats from global health aid, India has a chance to fill the void, especially in AIDS relief across Africa, strengthening both its soft power and historic ties with the continent.

TK Arun

July 15, 2025 at 2:18 AM IST

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Innovation Needs Risk Capital, Not Moneylenders

R&D Scheme

India's ₹1-trillion R&D push sounds bold, but if it's built on loans, not risk capital, it may smother innovation before it starts. Research needs backing, not bankers.

TK Arun

July 5, 2025 at 4:07 AM IST

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The Message From Migrating Millionaires

Millionaires are on the move, seeking better taxes, freedom, and living standards. What does this mass migration mean for countries like India, and how can they stop the wealth drain?

TK Arun

June 30, 2025 at 6:17 AM IST

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Promise The Moon, Then Blame The Stars

Cash-strapped states are hitting pause on promises. As expenses soar and income lags, India’s welfare politics faces a fiscal reckoning.

TK Arun

June 16, 2025 at 10:49 AM IST

AI Generated

When Guns Get The Budget And Bread Gets Crumbs

Rising global conflicts are driving up defence spending, forcing nations to divert resources from welfare to weapons. The guns-over-butter tradeoff is reshaping economies worldwide.

TK Arun

June 3, 2025 at 3:23 AM IST

The China Challenge And How To Meet It

China’s tech and strategic dominance is rising as India remains mired in structural gaps. India must invest deeply in education, R&D, and systemic reform to stay relevant.

TK Arun

May 22, 2025 at 3:17 AM IST

Of Ukraine’s Allies And Fair-Weather Friends

The West sees Putin's war as imperial; Moscow calls it NATO deterrence. But peace remains hostage to territory, aid and politics with global economies caught in the crossfire.

TK Arun

May 18, 2025 at 5:34 AM IST

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Uncertainty, Not Inventory, Is Hurting The American Economy

There is more than just excessive imports behind the American economy's contraction in January–March. And it may be a portent.

TK Arun

May 6, 2025 at 7:40 AM IST

Becker1999/ Via Wiki Commons

Clearing The Air: How Carbon Removal Can Rewrite Our Future

The world has just scratched the surface of what is possible by turning captured carbon dioxide into usable products. Possibilities are limitless, at least in theory.

TK Arun

April 28, 2025 at 4:28 AM IST

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India’s Bond Market Needs A Big Bang Reform Now

Trump’s tariff chaos has unsettled US bonds. India must seize this moment to reform its debt market and revive private infrastructure play.

TK Arun

April 19, 2025 at 6:18 AM IST

Trump Tariffs Make Americans ‘Yippy’, And China Goes ‘Yippee’

Opinion

The trade war helps China come out as the more stable, respectable and respectful superpower

TK Arun

April 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM IST

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What Drives Trump's Madness

One has to identify the specific bee in Trump’s bonnet that is driving his tariff offensive to fashion an effective policy response.

TK Arun

April 4, 2025 at 1:48 PM IST

Gage Skidmore

Verdicts Diluting Sexual Assault Charges Hurt Not Just Gender Justice But Economy Too

Opinion

The safety of women outside the home is a major determinant of women’s willingness to be part of the workforce.

TK Arun

March 28, 2025 at 2:11 PM IST

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South’s Progress In Social Development Fuels Delimitation Debate

Southern states' population stability stems from social progress, not control measures. Should they be penalised in Parliament seat

TK Arun

March 18, 2025 at 9:27 AM IST

Trump’s NATO Taunt May Become Europe’s Economic Salvation

Europe is under immense pressure to increase its defence spending and weapons present themselves as a new economic opportunity.

TK Arun

March 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM IST

The Bureau

India’s Economy Expands 7.8% in June Quarter, Highest in Five Quarters

Rupee Hits Record Low as Tariff Shock Fuels FPI Outflows

Trump Tests the Guardrails of US Credibility

India’s Industrial Output Growth Hits Four-Month High of 3.5% in July

Fed Eyes Data Before Rate Decision; Trump’s 50% Tariff on India in effect

Fitch Affirms India Rating Days After S&P Upgrade, Points to Tariff Risks

Lifting the Lid on Regulatory Silence

How Some Importers Mined a Scheme for Exporters to Dodge Exchequer

Sanjeev Sanyal on Trump, India’s Growth Path, and Process Reforms

Sarci-Sense: About Silent Goodbyes & How Middle-Age Friendships Disappear

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