politics

OPINION | India faces diplomatic test amid Nepal's political upheaval

Nepal's Gen Z protests and political turmoil challenge India’s diplomacy, testing its Neighborhood First policy. India seeks to balance cautious optimism with strategic engagement as Nepal undergoes significant political changes

Rahul Gandhi’s election integrity campaign has grabbed attention, but can it deliver votes?

The real test lies not in television debates or press statements but on the ground—will Gandhi’s gambit strike a chord with voters, or will it fade into yet another episode of political shadowboxing remains to be seen

OPINION | Conversions Back in Focus: Kerala debate rekindles a national question

RSSFACTS: A recent article by Kesari sparks debate on religious conversions in Kerala, with the RSS challenging missionary activities. The controversy revisits historical anti-conversion measures and their impact on India’s religious landscape

OPINION | If Pakistan does not apologise for its army’s genocide in 1971, ties with Bangladesh won’t really blossom

Bangladesh recently asked the visiting Pakistani foreign minister to apologise for the mayhem unleashed 54 years ago. Successive Pakistani governments have sidestepped the issue but it refuses to go away. The events preceding Bangladesh’s liberation are an albatross that limit the efficacy of Pakistan’s outreach

OPINION | What business leaders can learn from Prime Minister Modi

In a world where external developments are increasingly shaping economic and strategic landscapes, C-suite executives and board directors could learn valuable leadership lessons from PM Modi

OPINION | Indo-Saudi ties can evolve to another level with collaboration on critical minerals

Critical minerals are a key currency for geopolitical power. It is within this context that a mineral partnership with Saudi Arabia acquires renewed salience. In the evolving Indo-West Asian corridor, such a collaboration could recalibrate supply chains and position India as a more resilient actor in the emerging mineral economy

OPINION | GST 2.0: Modi's next-generation reform for growth and affordability

GST 2.0 introduces a simplified tax structure, reduces rates on essentials, and supports MSMEs, boosting economic growth while improving affordability for consumers and businesses alike

OPINION | Golden Visas and Residency: India’s growing influence in global diplomacy

Countries are using residency and Golden Visa programmes to attract India's wealthy and skilled professionals, reshaping India's global economic, diplomatic, and cultural influence while posing domestic challenges

The Arab Summit's restraint masks a seismic shift in Middle East power dynamics

An emergency Arab-Islamic summit has condemned Israel's actions against Hamas leadership while Gulf states activate joint defence mechanisms, putting US diplomatic influence and Middle East stability at a critical crossroads

OPINION | Himalayan challenge awaits Nepal’s PM Sushila Karki

The country’s economy is not in a good shape and a critical cabinet selection has met with opposition. However, Karki’s first moves showed that she has a grip on the situation. That said, there remain unknown risks confronting Nepal which will make the job of interim PM hard

OPINION | US security guarantees are bleeding credibility as Russia and Israel push boundaries

Beginning with the war on terror that US embarked on in 2001, the country has seen an erosion in its reputation as a reliable security partner. The recent incidents in Qatar and Poland have only added to the narrative that the security umbrella is full of holes

OPINION | RSS@100: Evolution of the Sarsanghchalak role

RSSFACTS: The Sarsanghchalak, or Chief Mentor, leads the RSS, with the position evolving over its 100-year history. The role has been passed down through nominated leaders, ensuring organisational continuity and ideological integrity

OPINION | Mamata Banerjee steps up the attack on BJP leadership to safeguard her electoral cushion

West Bengal’s CM launched an unprecedented personal attack in the Assembly on the national leadership of her primary rival in the forthcoming state assembly election. It was a calculated move to protect her support base among Muslim voters and dispel a suspicion that she has a tacit understanding with the BJP

OPINION | Politics behind social media ban that triggered massive protests in Nepal

The tragic deaths of Gen Z protestors in Kathmandu on September 8 has its roots in the frustration they experience over lack of livelihood opportunities in the country. Linked to is the failure of political parties to create conditions that could provide the country’s young with hope

Indo-US ties are based on mutual benefit, not ‘strategic freeloading’

Ill-informed commentary from a section in the US suggests that India is a strategic freeloader in a manner similar to NATO allies. That is a wholly inaccurate portrayal of the bilateral relationship which is based on a two-way flow of advantages. Also, India is charting its own path to enhance its Comprehensive National Power

The Partition Dilemma: Political compromise and exhausted leadership

RSSFACTS: Mohan Bhagwat referenced HV Seshadri’s The Tragic Story of Partition, critiquing Congress leadership for compromising Bharat's unity, highlighting their exhaustion and political bargaining, while showcasing RSS efforts in protecting Hindus and Sikhs

Political calculations underpinning GST 2.0

It ticks all the right boxes by protecting the base which contributes the bulk of GST revenue while moving most items of mass consumption to a lower slab. That’s the template all political parties agree on 

K Kavitha’s exit from BRS shows that even in political families, it’s a man’s world

Her accusations against two cousins and frustration with her sibling has come after a steady erosion of power within the party. Kavitha’s isolation and the likelihood that the fallout of her exit will be negligible is a clear sign of the pecking order in not just in BRS but also other family-dominated political parties

Economic Bullying: Why tariffs and sanctions hurt but don’t work

Tariffs and sanctions cause economic pain but rarely achieve political goals. They increase costs for consumers, strengthen adversaries' resolve, and often serve commercial, not strategic, interests

China’s WWII victory parade has an Indian foundation

WWII remembrance is a highly politicised contemporary global event. India doesn’t really figure in these narratives. That’s a pity because it’s Indian blood and treasure that played a consequential role in the outcome. Something Indians, unfortunately, are not well acquainted with

Russia, India, China: Beyond the bonhomie

India's euphoria over Modi's visit to China masks deeper complexities. While terror concerns were addressed, subtle diplomatic wins were overshadowed by China's strategic vision. India navigates a tricky global landscape

Why military training for youth and children is a misguided idea

Military training for youth, though patriotic in intent, lacks clear objectives and evidence, risks militarising society, burdens youth, diverts resources, and undermines democratic, philosophical, and developmental principles of good citizenship

Imagined fears in Tripura over demographic change and illegal immigration

Within the state’s BJP-led coalition there are differences on the cut-off dates that should be used if the Election Commission conducts a special intensive review, a demand of TIPRA Mohta which is a constituent of the coalition that represents tribal interests. Census data shows that demographic anxieties are overblown and their projection may have a lot to do with forthcoming local body polls 

Indians are not ‘arrogant’ and this is not ‘Modi’s war’

India’s approach to energy security, trade, and international relations is rooted in its sovereign rights, democratic principles, and commitment to peaceful progress. Navarro’s criticism that ignores these realities is counterproductive, and ultimately, it is global peace and prosperity that suffer from such divisive narratives