SCO and India’s Diplomatic Stakes The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), founded in 2001, has steadily evolved into one of the most influential regional blocs in Eurasia, encompassing major powers like China, Russia, India, and Central Asian states. For New Delhi, participation in SCO is more than symbolic—it is an avenue to engage both friends and competitors…
A New Phase in India’s GST Journey Since its launch in 2017, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been hailed as India’s most transformative indirect tax reform, unifying multiple state and central levies into a single national framework. Yet, over the years, its multiple rate slabs and uneven burden across sectors created complexity for…
A Historic Step in Bilateral Trade The signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in July marked a milestone in economic diplomacy, positioning the world’s fifth and sixth largest economies as strategic partners in shaping global commerce. Negotiated over three years, the deal liberalises tariffs on 99% of India’s exports to the UK and…
A Legacy of Friendship and Shared Vision India and Japan share a relationship rooted in trust, mutual respect, and parallel visions of prosperity. From the post-war years, when Japan’s technology and industrial expertise met India’s vast market and skilled workforce, to today’s rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, both nations have consistently expanded their cooperation. Japan has been a…
Historical Ties: From Early Diplomacy to Strategic Cooperation India and Kuwait have shared longstanding and multifaceted relations rooted in history, trade, and cultural exchange. India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kuwait following its independence in 1961, initially represented through a Commerce Commissioner before opening a full-fledged embassy. Over the decades, the…
Honouring the Nation Builders Teachers’ Day, observed annually on September 5, stands as a national tribute to the guiding lights of society. The date commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s second President and a distinguished teacher, symbolising the country’s reverence for education and mentorship. This year, the occasion gains further significance as…
Linking Policy with Tradition In Odisha, the festival of Nuakhai is more than a celebration—it is a thanksgiving ritual to the Earth and a symbol of farmers’ resilience. On this culturally significant day, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will distribute ₹1,041 crore under the CM Kisan Yojana, benefitting over 51 lakh cultivators across the state. The decision…
A Tariff Dispute Turns Personal The ongoing trade dispute between Washington and New Delhi has taken an unexpected turn, with reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined to answer at least four phone calls from U.S. President Donald Trump. According to German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), this rare diplomatic snub reflects India’s growing frustration…
The Workhorse of Indian Air Power For more than six decades, the MiG-21 has been the face of the Indian Air Force (IAF)—a supersonic interceptor that evolved into a trusted combat companion. Introduced in the early 1960s, this Russian-origin jet was once the very symbol of speed and agility, shaping generations of fighter pilots and forming…
A New Front in Sino-Indian Tensions Water, once viewed as a shared natural resource, is rapidly becoming a strategic weapon. The announcement of China’s plan to build the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet has reignited concerns in India about a looming “water war.” For India, this is no minor…
