Politics

OPINION | Congress–RSS relationship evolution reflected in Kharge’s ‘snake’ remark

RSSFACT: Kharge criticised RSS and BJP sparking controversy while history shows shifting Congress-RSS ties from co-operation before independence to growing political rivalry in recent decades

OPINION | Kalpakkam’s fast breeder reactor alone will not lead to nuclear rejuvenation

The prototype fast breeder reactor reaching criticality is a historic milestone but not sufficient as the national goal is a tenfold increase in capacity by 2047. To realise it, India needs to pursue direct thorium utilisation and simultaneously double down on PHWRs

OPINION | India strengthens border infrastructure as China builds strategic advantage

India is expanding border infrastructure to match China. Rising tensions and past gaps show the need for faster development to improve defence and strengthen its position

OPINION | How China manages its energy security

China’s energy strategy is not about achieving complete self-sufficiency. It is about ensuring that dependence does not translate into vulnerability

OPINION | China’s West Asia Strategy: The method in Beijing's silence

As West Asia absorbs its worst energy shock in half a century, China's quiet response reveals a method for operating under pressure, one that India is now being tested on

OPINION | India’s new pesticide bill must keep pace with emerging export challenges

Indian agriculture faces supply disruptions and rising input costs. Global pesticide rules are getting stricter. This calls for faster reforms and better access to modern crop protection technologies

OPINION | ‘Epic Fury’ morphs into ‘Epic Folly’

Any war, when embarked upon must be a sagacious choice, more so when the commencement of hostilities is a deliberate act – as was the case with the Trump-Netanyahu combine

OPINION | US-Iran ceasefire is welcome but negotiation framework suggests narrowing gaps will be tough

Even the old nuclear deal did not envisage US lifting primary sanctions on Iran, which may now be up for negotiation. Also, will the US restrain Israel?

OPINION | India’s fashion demand shows shift in consumer spending behaviour

India’s consumers are more selective in fashion spending. Demand remains but decisions are slower. Value and usage matter more than trends in purchase choices today

OPINION | How the SDPI is using the Kerala election to emerge as a mainstream party

There are signs of an understanding with the Left Front as the party, once seen as politically radioactive, seeks to eventually create space for itself in mainstream alliances by dislodging IUML

OPINION | Iran ceasefire is likely to hold as Trump needs it

US miscalculations have been apparent for a while and it has begun taking a toll on Trump’s popularity ratings. He was looking for an off-ramp and gains nothing in escalating the conflict

OPINION | Gulf Wars and India’s economic challenges and policy shifts

Gulf wars raised oil prices and hurt India’s economy. The 1991 crisis led to reforms. The 2026 crisis shows risks and need for new reforms

OPINION | In the shifting sands of Assam’s politics, BJP retains its competitive edge

Campaigning in Assam ends today. The contest between the alliances led by the BJP and Congress is keener than it appeared a month ago, but the former remains in pole position

OPINION | Monetary policy may opt for status quo on interest rates

West Asian conflict has imparted a significant level of uncertainty to the economic environment. It may persuade MPC to wait and watch, while RBI uses it liquidity tools to prevent hardening of yields

OPINION | From Normandy to the Strait of Hormuz: The changing world order

The US built and led the modern global order, but now it faces growing constraints from economic pressures and military overreach, while rising powers redefine influence and authority worldwide

OPINION | Renewable energy sources need sustained policy support

The impressive progress since 2014 in expanding renewable capacities has been, in large part, the product of supportive public policies. That must continue

OPINION | Why India needs a duty-free trade in digitally delivered services

With India being a net exporter of digitally delivered services, its IT sector relies on seamless, low-cost cross-border flows—making taxation on such transactions economically self-defeating

OPINION | Transgender Amendment Bill redefines gender identity, reorders recognition and legal protections

The 2026 Transgender Rights Amendment changes identity recognition from self-identification to certification. It limits individual autonomy and narrows legal protections. The law places gender identity under institutional oversight

OPINION | Pakistan minister’s threat highlights lack of understanding of RSS

RSSFACTS: Pakistan’s defence minister has threatened to target RSS “camps”, showing confusion about the organisation. This reflects a poor understanding of its nature. It also highlights deeper misunderstandings between socio-cultural organisations and militarised state perspectives in the region today

OPINION | Squatters Ahoy! Why Assam’s eviction drives are an attempt at reclaiming the `commons’

Assam’s aggressive eviction drives are a strategic reclamation of the "economic commons"—forests, grazing lands, and riverine islands—that the state believes have been usurped by alleged illegal settlers. The minoritisation of the Assamese-speaking natives is also emerging as a worrying marker. Elections aside, the lurking fear about losing the rights over indigenous economic, social, cultural commons is where the real anxieties lie