Editorial Analysis

India’s textile sector is targeting a $350 billion industry by 2030, making sustainability central to export competitiveness, market access, resource efficiency and responsible employment-led growth.

India has welcomed the passage of the New Zealand law for the implementation of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a step toward operationalising an agreement aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment ties.

Terrorism has evolved from large hierarchical organisations into decentralised networks using drones, cyber tools and emerging technologies, pushing India to adopt a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy.

Recently, Andhra Pradesh launched Pillale Sampada (‘Children are Wealth’) at a World Population Day programme, signalling a shift from population control towards addressing low fertility and ageing.

The recent ‘Eight Points of Outcomes and Consensus’ and the Modi–Xi meeting at the BRICS Summit have revived debate over whether bilateral ties are entering a durable détente.

India’s research output has surged between 2020 and 2025, but weak citation impact, low patent commercialisation and rising retractions raise concerns over a growing ‘paper fortress’.

The escalating US–Iran conflict, linked to efforts to restrict Iran’s nuclear capabilities, has renewed debate over nuclear proliferation, deterrence and whether rapidly advancing AI poses a greater security threat.

New York City Mayor has announced a one-year moratorium on most generative AI tools for public-school students up to Class 8 during 2026–27, citing concerns over independent thinking and human connection. 

Forward-Deployed Engineering (FDE) has gained prominence as AI adoption shifts from experimentation to operational deployment, with defence and other sectors seeking engineers to adapt AI to real-world workflows.

The global economy is witnessing demographic ageing and labour shortages, creating an opportunity for India to convert its young population into a strategic asset through global skills mobility.