Arjun Malhotra writes on globalization, technology diplomacy, and the strategic arithmetic of a multipolar world. His column ranges from Delhi's boardrooms to West Asian capitals, with a particular interest in how Indian interests are shaped by the friction between great powers.
Recent work
DRC Ebola Emergency Reinforces India's Pandemic Preparedness Leadership
The World Health Organization has declared a new Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo an international emergency, with experts warning of rising pandemic risks. The crisis validates India's investments in health security infrastructure and positions its pharmaceutical sector as crucial for international emergency response.
India Chairs BRICS Trade Group as UNCTAD Confirms Bloc's $1.17 Trillion Trade Surge
India's chairship of the BRICS Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues convenes in Ahmedabad as a landmark UNCTAD report documents the 13-fold expansion of intra-BRICS trade from $84.2 billion to $1.17 trillion. India's own export diversification into pharmaceuticals, automotive components, and electronics underscores its rising role in the bloc's trade architecture.
WTO Reform Stalemate Exposes Trade Architecture Breakdown After Yaoundé
The UK's frank admission of disappointment at the WTO's MC14 conference in Yaoundé reveals the depth of dysfunction in global trade governance. With no substantive outcomes on major decisions, the world's premier trade body faces an institutional crisis that could reshape how international commerce is regulated.
Rising Oil Prices Could Accelerate India's Materials Revolution
Higher oil prices amid global instability are spotlighting the deep connection between fossil fuels and plastics production. For India, this creates both inflationary pressure and an unexpected opportunity to accelerate its transition toward sustainable materials and circular economy models.
Theatre Filming Surge Reflects Global Shift in Performance Culture
The Wicked star stopped her West End Dracula performance when she spotted filming, underlining a global theatre crisis where illicit recordings threaten live performance integrity. The incident reflects broader cultural shifts affecting performing arts worldwide.