Kathmandu in Flames, Leadership in Disarray In just 24 hours, Nepal’s simmering discontent boiled over into violent street clashes, airport shutdowns, and political upheaval. Kathmandu, once a magnet for tourists and traders, turned into a city of barricades and burning tyres. At the center of this crisis lies a political class that has failed its citizens repeatedly…
From Tariff Shock to Dialogue India–US trade relations have often swung between cooperation and confrontation, with tariffs under President Donald Trump creating a particularly sharp divide. Trump’s decision to double duties on Indian goods — reaching as high as 50 percent, including extra levies linked to India’s Russian crude oil imports — was seen in…
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…
