Nepal’s nostalgia for monarchy is misplaced
Pro-monarchy protests in country have their roots in the frustration with the current system. Governance failures are many and limit the potential of the country. Yet, Nepal has made progress on many fronts since 2015 when the current Constitution was adopted. The solution lies in reforming the current system instead of taking a step back to a past that was not rosy
The changing global financial order and its consequences
Amid rising geopolitical tensions, fiscal imbalances, and unexpected policy shifts, the world’s reliance on the dollar is starting to waver. As cracks emerge in this long-standing financial architecture, global markets may be entering uncharted territory
Sorry Guv, even you have a deadline
Politics in India at the sub-national level plays out through the Governor’s office. It’s mainly taken the form of Governors sitting on bills passed by State Assemblies by exploiting loopholes in the Constitution. Supreme Court on April 8 closed one such loophole by explicitly setting a timeline for Governors to act when Bills are presented to them. It bodes well for federalism
What can the world do with Hamas?
Both EU and Arab League members want to exclude it from administering Gaza if a truce with Israel is reached. Hamas however, remains an ingrained factor in the Palestinian question. Palestinians would turn to Hamas because of feeble Fatah. Hamas may not score over Israel, but it remains a dominant player within Palestine
What will be the impact of Waqf Act on Bihar state elections?
In the shadow of a contentious new law, Bihar’s political landscape is simmering with possibilities. Allies are walking a tightrope while rivals sense opportunity
Pakistan’s ugly geopolitical playbook exploits Afghan refugees for aid and other concessions
Pakistan has long leveraged the displacement of Afghans to its advantage by reinforcing colonial-era borders, extracting foreign humanitarian aid, and asserting regional dominance. Forced displacement has always been a tool in Pakistan’s geopolitical playbook
Indian policy makers need to look beyond the erroneous World Happiness Index
Sanghnomics: India ranked 118th in the World Happiness Index, raising concerns over the unrepresentative data. The India Policy Foundation advocates prioritising happiness over GDP with a focus on health, education, poverty, and governance
Why a new Waqf law was needed to protect India’s Scheduled Tribes
RSSFACTS: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, addresses tribal land rights, with ABVKA highlighting misuse of the 1995 Waqf Act. The bill includes provisions to protect tribal lands from unlawful usurpation by Waqf Boards, benefiting Scheduled Tribes
Is Bihar politics on the cusp of a huge change where caste is losing its potency?
Caste isn’t going away overnight but there are signs of change. The most persuasive evidence is from both the increasing participation of women voters and their priorities. Civic, social and economic issues matter to them. Close to a million youth will cast a vote for the first time in the 2025 Assembly election. Will they add impetus to the move away from caste?
Rajasthan vs. coaching industry: One step forward, half-a-step back
In a bid to protect students from the pressure cooker atmosphere of the coaching ecosystem, Rajasthan government tabled a bill in the Assembly. Criticised by both treasury benches and opposition for bending backwards to satisfy the coaching industry, the proposed law falls short of adequately safeguarding vulnerable students
Operation Searchlight: The genocide that propelled the Bangladesh Liberation War
Operation Searchlight, launched on March 25, 1971, marked the brutal military crackdown by West Pakistan on East Pakistan, triggering the Bangladesh Liberation War. Rooted in political, economic, and linguistic oppression, this genocide ultimately led to Bangladesh’s independence after nine months of struggle
Indo-US ties recorded an inflection point 25 years ago. This base will insulate the relationship from hiccups in trade and technology
In March 2000, US President Bill Clinton addressed the Indian Parliament, an occasion that encapsulated a nascent bipartisan change in approach to ties with India. The challenge for India in the years ahead to make the engagement with the US more robust will be to navigate two interrelated strands – trade and technology
Four takeaways from Raisina Dialogue on contemporary geopolitics
From Ukraine to information warfare, discussions at the Raisina Dialogue revealed insights about the shifts in contemporary geopolitics that India would do well to adapt to
Germany finally shakes off its fiscal straitjacket to cope with tectonic shifts
Both houses of Germany’s Parliament have approved carveouts in the country’s restrictive “debt brake” in the wake of mounting economic and geopolitical challenges. A militarily assertive Germany, rearmed with public spending, can alter the balance of power within Europe and NATO. For Washington, it offers a much-needed “burden-sharing” partner. For Russia and China, it is a clear signal that Europe is mobilising for long-term strategic competition
‘Freebie’ road to chaos
History is replete with states imploding on the heels of overspending. From ancient Rome to Sri Lanka, we have seen fiscal recklessness led to instability and shook the very foundation of a state. India’s political parties clearly haven’t learnt any lessons. Recent elections have seen parties win on the back extravagant welfare promises which are followed by a fiscal struggle. It’s time for pragmatism
Observing China through Western lens
China’s actual defence spending remains a mystery, with Western estimates placing it within an unusually wide range. Indians fall into a cognitive information trap by relying on these sources. India needs to enhance it capabilities to understand China, which should lead to knowledge production that caters to India’s strategic interests
Pakistan’s economy is back. But so is terrorism
Its nascent revival may be short-lived if insecurity in the borderlands comes to urban centers
Pakistan stares down the barrel of a gun, yet again
After an audacious train hijack on March 11, the Baloch Liberation Army has continued to target Pakistan’s security personnel through smaller attacks. The country is in the grip of a relentless cycle of violence, with no long-term solution as the polity is subservient to an army which continues to repeat mistakes. Pakistan’s neighbours need to be mindful of a spillover effect
White House says US in period of 'economic transition'
In a recent White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the state of the U.S. economy following a significant plunge in the stock market. Leavitt explained that the country is currently undergoing an "economic transition," emphasizing President Trump’s ongoing commitment to restoring American manufacturing and global dominance. With tariffs on steel and aluminum set to take effect tomorrow, Leavitt reiterated the administration's stance and its focus on revitalizing U.S. industry. Watch as the White House responds to tough questions about the economic outlook and the president's role in this volatile moment.
Greenland Elections | Pro-business Opposition Wins | Trump's Acquisition Threat
Greenland’s centre-right opposition won the general election, with nearly 90% of ballots counted. The Demokraatit party, advocating for gradual independence, led with about 30% of the vote, followed by Naleraq, which seeks immediate independence and closer US ties, at 25%. The pro-independence Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party, led by Prime Minister Mute B Egede, came in third with over 21%. Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark for 300 years, governs its domestic affairs, but foreign and defense policies are decided in Copenhagen. Around 44,000 Greenlanders voted for 31 MPs and the local government. US President Donald Trump has shown interest in acquiring Greenland, citing its strategic location and mineral resources, and has repeated his intention since taking office again in January. However, Greenland and Denmark have firmly rejected the idea, with Egede stressing that Greenland is not for sale and deserves respect.
All’s not well between the US and Japan amid Trump’s return to power
Japan’s ties with the US face uncertainty under Trump, with trade disputes, security tensions, and shifting global alliances. Concerns over US reliability are pushing Japan to strengthen regional partnerships, maintain economic ties with Washington, and cautiously re-engage with China
Putin's faced some tough US presidents. Not this one
The US president says no one has been harder on Russia, but these days no one has been weaker
Criminal-politician nexus is a structural problem undermining internal security
Dhananjay Munde’s resignation from Maharashtra’s council of ministers once again turns the spotlight on the shadowy links between criminal elements and the political class. The former’s role in election funding represents a serious challenge to the country’s internal security
Why the ‘Tiger’ need not dance with the ‘Dragon’
Sanghnomics: As US-China trade tensions rise, China seeks India’s support. However, India remains cautious due to past economic and security concerns. Experts argue India should prioritise ties with the US while leveraging trade opportunities arising from the tariff war
