Strategic Partners at a Crossroads India and the European Union are racing to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) before the end of this year. After years of stalled negotiations, talks were relaunched in 2022 and have since gathered momentum, driven by shifting global trade realities. For India, the urgency stems from strengthening partnerships amid U.S….
A Nation in Crisis Nepal has plunged into its gravest political upheaval in years. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned abruptly after violent protests against his government’s controversial ban on social media platforms spiraled out of control. What began as youth-led demonstrations over digital freedom quickly transformed into a broader revolt against corruption, nepotism, and misgovernance. The…
War That Redefined Gaza The war between Israel and Hamas, now stretching into its second year, has devastated Gaza and reshaped the regional landscape. The conflict began in October 2023 when Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Israel’s military response was overwhelming—an offensive that has destroyed much…
A Generation in Revolt Nepal has witnessed one of its most turbulent weeks in recent memory. A sweeping ban on 26 social media platforms—including Facebook, X, and WhatsApp—sparked a powerful backlash led primarily by Gen Z activists. Within days, protests escalated into violent confrontations in Kathmandu and beyond, leaving 19 people dead and more than 300 injured….
India’s Semiconductor Mission – A Strategic Beginning India’s ambition to become a global semiconductor powerhouse has gained momentum since the launch of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) in January 2022. The program was designed to not only establish chip fabrication plants but also create a complete ecosystem involving specialty gases, chemicals, advanced machinery, and a highly…
Why the Raid Happened The United States’ immigration enforcement took a dramatic turn last week when federal agents raided Hyundai’s electric vehicle battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia. The operation, part of a months-long probe into labor practices, resulted in the detention of 475 workers—nearly 300 of them South Korean nationals. Officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs…
A Ban That Sparked a Generation Nepal is facing one of its bloodiest civil uprisings in recent years after the government’s decision to block 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp. What began as a policy move to curb fake accounts and online fraud quickly ignited widespread anger among the country’s youth, who…
A Household Brand with Big Ambitions LG Electronics India, a trusted name in consumer electronics and home appliances for nearly three decades, is preparing for one of the most high-profile debuts on Dalal Street. Since its establishment in 1997, the company has grown into a market leader across refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and televisions, consistently…
Policy and Promise India’s bio-economy, once a fledgling sector, has grown into a major pillar of sustainable growth. Rooted in the country’s biotechnology policy framework, it integrates renewable resources, biotechnology, and industrial innovation to create value in food, energy, health, and environment. In 2014, India’s bio-economy was valued at just US$10 billion. A decade later, it is projected…
An Election and a Strategy As the nation prepares for the Vice-Presidential election on September 9, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced it will abstain from voting. The decision fits the party’s long-followed “equidistance” approach—keeping equal distance from both the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-backed INDIA bloc. For years, this stance…
