Vice Presidential Elections 2025 in Context India’s Vice-Presidential elections have historically been more than a procedural formality; they often serve as a reflection of the country’s political alignments and parliamentary equations. The 2025 election was particularly significant, as it followed the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar in July, citing health concerns but also sparking speculation…
A Timely Boost for Consumers Just ahead of the festive season, Indian car buyers have received an unexpected gift — a significant reduction in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on passenger vehicles. The decision has led to major carmakers slashing prices, bringing relief to families planning big-ticket purchases. From budget hatchbacks to luxury SUVs, models across…
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…
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…
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 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…
SCO Summit and a Shifting Geopolitical Stage The recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, has drawn global attention not just for its scale—hosting 10 member states and 20 invited leaders—but for the symbolism of three major powers sharing a platform. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Russian President Vladimir…
Festival Joy Overshadowed by Fear As Mumbai prepares for the grand finale of the Ganesh festival, a period marked by devotion and massive public gatherings, an unsettling threat has put the city on edge. A message received by the police claimed that human bombs were planted in 34 vehicles and warned of large-scale devastation using…
Celebration with a Purpose As the nation gears up to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17, Odisha has chosen to mark the occasion with a welfare-driven gesture. The state government will distribute work orders for 50,000 houses under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, aligning the day of festivity with a promise of social…
