Latest news with #NaushadForbes
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Can India and Asia seize ‘historic opportunity' as US appeal for foreign students wanes?
Advertisement International students have been facing deportations for taking part in political protests to trivial offences such as traffic violations, dimming the allure of the American dream. Cuts to federal research grants have also driven students and academics to seek opportunities abroad. Other countries such as France and Canada have jumped into the fray to bring top academic talent from America to their shores – similar to how global companies compete to bring aboard highly-skilled professionals to give them an edge. For Asian countries such as India, which have struggled for decades to staunch the flow of top scientific and technological talent to America and other western nations, the churn in America's educational and research institutions, represents a historic opportunity. 'The US has long led the world in higher education and public research funding. It is now destroying one of its greatest strengths,' said Naushad Forbes, chairman of the non-profit Ananta Aspen Centre, describing the worsening conditions as one of the most significant acts of self harm in history. India's potential lies in harnessing its demographic dividend from the world's largest young population. Photo: Shutterstock India has the student and faculty talent available. 'We have to take advantage of the situation,' Forbes said, underscoring that intensive efforts are needed in research and development by tapping into academic talent offers the potential to leapfrog in economic growth.
South China Morning Post
31-01-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
India could tackle economic slowdown, US tariff threat in annual budget
India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the federal budget on Saturday amid signs the world's fastest-growing major economy is slowing down, with economists calling for a broad policy reset to address stagnant consumption and drive far-reaching reforms. The International Monetary Fund in its global economic outlook this month estimated the South Asian nation's economic growth to remain at 6.5 per cent through this year and the next amid slowing industrial activity, down from a robust 8.2 per cent in 2023. Despite retaining its status as a global growth leader even with the downturn, India faces a challenging landscape that industry executives hope the budget will tackle by removing pain points such as sluggish consumer demand and stalled privatisation. 'It will be the first full-term budget for the government's third term and I would love to see broad directional reforms,' said Naushad Forbes, co-chairman of multinational engineering company Forbes Marshall. Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the federal budget on Saturday. Photo: EPA-EFE India's last federal budget was in July, after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party returned to power in national elections albeit at the head of a coalition, following a loss of its outright majority.
