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…
A Shift in Washington’s Language In a surprising change of tone, US President Donald Trump recently described India-US ties as a “very special relationship” and hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “good friend.” This conciliatory approach came only days after Washington imposed steep 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, including punitive duties on Russian crude…
A War That Reshaped Global Trade The Russia-Ukraine conflict, now well into its third year, has upended not only European security but also global energy markets. With Moscow using oil and gas revenues to finance its war effort, countries buying discounted Russian crude have come under the spotlight. Among them, India—now one of the largest…
A Crucial Forum for Emerging Economies The Brics grouping—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—has grown into one of the most significant platforms for emerging economies to coordinate their views on global challenges. Its importance has only deepened amid rising geopolitical competition and turbulence in global trade. India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has consistently…
The Descent of Political Discourse Indian elections have always been intense, colourful, and full of energy. But in recent years, the tenor of campaigns has seen a disturbing decline. Personal attacks, manufactured controversies, and the targeting of families have replaced meaningful debates on governance, development, and policy. The most recent example—the abuse directed at Prime…
