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…
A Relationship Once Celebrated The personal camaraderie between U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was once hailed as a symbol of deepening bonds between the world’s largest democracies. Their joint rallies, warm exchanges, and visible chemistry gave the impression of a partnership rooted not just in diplomacy but in mutual admiration. Yet, as former U.S. National Security…
A Ride That Stole the Spotlight At the recently concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, a seemingly routine car ride between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin drew global attention. What began as a short commute in Putin’s Russian-made Aurus limousine stretched into a 45-minute confidential discussion, highlighting the…
Why the Second Wave of GST Reform Matters The Goods and Services Tax (GST), launched in 2017, was hailed as a historic step towards unifying India’s complex indirect tax system. Over time, however, multiple rate slabs and classification disputes created confusion for businesses and consumers alike. Fast forward to 2025, the government has unveiled what Prime Minister Narendra…
India’s Semiconductor Push Gains Momentum India’s semiconductor mission has rapidly emerged as one of the nation’s most ambitious technology programs, aimed at reducing reliance on imports and establishing a resilient ecosystem for the digital age. Against this backdrop, Semicon India 2025—the country’s flagship semiconductor conference—has become the focal point for showcasing achievements, attracting global partnerships, and…
Why GST Needs a Reset Since its rollout in July 2017, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has dramatically altered India’s tax framework by merging numerous state and central levies into a single system. While it improved compliance and efficiency, the multi-slab structure and frequent revisions have often confused businesses and consumers alike. With India’s economy expanding at 7.8…
