Israel’s airstrikes on Iran may fuel global geopolitical instability
The fallout on energy markets and the brittle West Asian security situation will depend on the scale and nature of Iran’s response. This conflict is being played out in the backdrop of a breakdown in the longstanding nuclear consensus among major powers, enhancing geopolitical risks. Middle powers such as India, Germany and Japan have a stake in sustaining the current equilibrium and therefore need to step up
RSS draws global attention as US delegation attends RSS meet
RSSFACTS: A US delegation attended RSS’s prestigious valedictory session of third-year camp in Nagpur, signalling rising global curiosity and willingness to engage directly with the organisation, challenging long-held stereotypes in Western discourse.
How India’s decision to slash alcohol import duties impacts domestic spirits industry
India’s new trade deal with the UK reduces import duties but poses competitive challenges for domestic spirits, with local brands facing pressure from established global players and regulatory hurdles. This article offers a home-grown brand’s perspective
Dhaka Diary 2: Will an election change anything?
Bangladesh’s economy is in trouble, with critical economic indicators weakening since the July 2024 ouster of Sheikh Hasina. Political uncertainty looms with the equation between Yunus and BNP turning fractious. More importantly, for many ordinary Bangladeshis, there’s a sense of quiet despair at the lack of political choice and the absence of positive economic developments. An Indian journalist gauges the public mood in Dhaka
Trump’s tariffs and executive overreach face legal hurdles, global repercussions
Trump’s second-term tariffs, imposed under emergency powers, face legal challenges. Courts question executive overreach, giving countries like India greater leverage in trade negotiations while the administration explores alternative legal pathways
Dhaka Diary 1: Fading impact of July 2024 uprising
It’s almost a year since street protests toppled the Sheikh Hasina regime. The fervour that undergirded the protests and the anticipation of far-reaching change have given way to something akin to weary acceptance. An Indian journalist in Dhaka spoke to a cross-section of Bangladeshis to discern that they yearn good governance
'Dhool chehre pe thi, aap aina saaf karte rahe': Devendra Fadnavis jibes at Rahul Gandhi on allegations against EC
Devendra Fadnavis said the defeat in Maharashtra has hurt Gandhi and his allies. People of Maharashtra will not forgive Gandhi if he continues to insult their mandate, the CM added.
‘For Bihar and its people’: Chirag Paswan declares he will contest Bihar assembly polls
I will contest the assembly polls in Bihar. I will contest not just in Bihar but for Bihar and its people, said Chirag Paswan
Lessons in Leadership and Unity from Golwalkar: Shaping RSS ideology and succession
RSSFACTS: Marking its centenary, the RSS showcases smooth leadership succession, social reform, and a global vision rooted in Hindutva, as outlined during Golwalkar’s transformative tenure
ASEAN in the Crosshairs: Balancing great powers
The 46th ASEAN Summit highlighted regional security, economic resilience, and Myanmar’s crisis, amid great-power tensions, internal divisions, and evolving partnerships with Europe and global actors
Geospatial technology and its role in India’s Act East policy
India is enhancing regional influence through infrastructure like KMMTTP, reducing reliance on Bangladesh, while leveraging geospatial technology to manage complex terrains, monitor security threats, and counter China's growing strategic presence
Op Sindoor will be the nucleus of BJP’s election drive
Elections to key states, beginning with Bihar this year and ending with West Bengal next summer, are ahead. Early signs indicate that Op Sindoor will be the focal point of BJP’s positioning. Harnessing emotional issues to its pitch to voters is an art the party has mastered and one that leaves its opponents without an answer
Will Bangladesh Army stage a coup?
The gulf between the Yunus-led caretaker government and the military brass is evident. A deterioration in both political and security conditions have catalyzed speculation of a coup. That said, when studied against the backdrop of conditions that enable a coup, Bangladesh seems unlikely to witness a military takeover. At present.
Invisibilising Taiwan
A flawed interpretation of a UN General Assembly resolution has allowed multilateral bodies such as WHO to keep Taiwan out from contributing to its work in full measure. Individual countries too have used this resolution to limit engagement with Taiwan. To counter China’s influence, Taiwan has to expand its diplomatic outreach to ensure it’s not shut out
China, Yunus, and the Crisis in Dhaka: Why India’s next move on Hasina matters
Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s hopes of political revival appear to have been dashed. A judicial tribunal has indicted her while the Supreme Court has lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami which is believed to be close to Pakistan. On his part, Chief Advisor Mohmmed Yunus is trying to survive the political storm
‘One Nation, One Symbol’ is key to India’s self-reliance
Sanghnomics: Swadeshi Jagaran Manch started a campaign to promote self-reliance and national security, advocating a ‘Made in India’ symbol to curb foreign goods, strengthen the economy, and support domestic industries
India-Nepal Ties: A strong bilateral partnership amid China’s looming presence
India-assisted development projects in Nepal are aimed at addressing pressing needs at the ground level as well as strengthening infrastructure and connectivity
Will Shashi Tharoor leave Congress? Tensions rise ahead of Kerala 2026 elections
Shashi Tharoor’s participation in a national diplomatic delegation has reignited tensions within the Congress party. With Kerala elections on the horizon, internal rivalries and leadership ambitions are back in the spotlight
Trump’s war on US universities will help India only if we can fix our higher education mess
Expenses of Indian students abroad is one the largest contributors to foreign exchange outflow. It also reflects the relatively poor state of higher education here. An inhospitable climate in the US should catalyse a serious strategic approach to universities in India, with private sector playing a bigger role. It should be in sync with national goals, which means it will have to be all about STEM
RSS@100: Unravelling the road map for next 25 years and beyond
RSSFACTS: Mohan Bhagwat outlines RSS’s centenary goals: uniting Hindu society, maintaining an apolitical stance, and promoting global transformation rooted in cultural harmony, long-term vision, and inclusive social practices
Stealth eagle gliding in the Indian sky
Allowing the private sector to compete to build a stealth fighter plane for IAF represents an inflection point in more ways than one. It’s a vote of confidence in the domestic manufacturing base, public and private. Furthermore, it’s a signal that the government will not let India lose its fighter combat edge on account of the China-to-Pakistan supply chain. That said, the challenge of getting a grip on an adequately powered engine remains
India’s battle against fake news, debunking it post by post, pic by pic
The Indian government fought the fake news war peddled during Operation Sindoor. Social media handles were monitored and several news channels were issued warnings. The government and the armed forces stayed vigilant and were able to thwart the misinformation war
Nara Lokesh 2.0 holds the promise of a blockbuster
TDP is in the midst of its three-day Mahanadu at Kadapa, the home ground of its arch-rival Jagan Reddy. Beyond the symbolism of holding its meeting there, the party is expected to announce a more substantive change, the appointment of Nara Lokesh as working president. From being dismissed as a dynast a decade ago, Lokesh has come through a trial by fire. While Chandrababu Naidu is TDP’s unquestioned leader, his son’s star is in ascent
Cracks in INDIA bloc? Strain ahead of 2027 UP polls as SP unwilling to give Congress more seats
Sources within the SP say Akhilesh is determined to prioritize his party's strength over alliance formalities. His core strategy centers around building a robust booth-level network, particularly among the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) communities.
