A Shift in the Winds of Diplomacy Afghanistan’s rugged frontiers have long shaped South Asia’s security and political equations, and India has historically stood at a cautious distance from the Taliban. For decades, New Delhi resisted engagement with the group, considering it an extension of Pakistan’s influence and a destabilizing force in the region. Yet, the…
The Quiet Creek with High Stakes Amid the vast salt marshes of the Rann of Kutch, a seemingly unremarkable tidal estuary has held the power to trigger diplomatic clashes and military alerts for over seven decades. This is Sir Creek—a 96-kilometre-long strip of water that empties into the Arabian Sea. While appearing desolate, the creek is…
A Test of Friendship in Shifting Geopolitics The decades-old bond between Russia and India has weathered Cold War rivalries, energy crises, and shifting global alliances. In recent years, the partnership has faced renewed scrutiny, especially from the United States, which has tried to dissuade New Delhi from buying Russian crude in the wake of the…
India’s Big Semiconductor Bet In the digital age, semiconductors are the invisible backbone powering everything from smartphones to satellites. Recognizing their strategic importance, India launched its Semiconductor Mission in 2021 with a massive outlay of ₹76,000 crore to build capacity in chip design, fabrication, and display manufacturing. The ambition is clear: reduce dependency on imports, join global…
A Legacy of Nurturing Ideas At the heart of India’s innovation landscape stands IIT Kanpur’s Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC). Established in 2000 with support from SIDBI, it began as a modest initiative to encourage entrepreneurship. Over 25 years, it has grown into one of the most influential academic incubators in the country—transforming ideas into…
The Race for Fifth-Gen Supremacy The fifth-generation fighter jet is the pinnacle of modern military aviation—defined by stealth, advanced avionics, and software-driven combat superiority. Nations that field such aircraft sit in a very exclusive club, led by the United States, Russia, and China. Now, India is charting its own path with the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA),…
A Dark Chapter Revisited The night of November 26, 2008, remains etched in India’s memory as one of the most harrowing episodes of terror. Ten armed militants from Pakistan unleashed a wave of coordinated attacks across Mumbai, striking landmarks like the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and Nariman House. Over three days of…
Modi’s Call for Homegrown Tech Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently championed the idea of Swadeshi—supporting indigenous goods and services to build self-reliance. That call has now extended into the digital realm, where messaging platforms dominate everyday communication. With ministers echoing Modi’s appeal, attention has turned toward Arattai, an India-made messenger app that promises to be a…
Clash Over Content Regulation Elon Musk’s social media platform X has once again found itself in a legal battle in India, following a Karnataka High Court ruling that allowed authorities to remove online content through a government portal without judicial oversight. The court had stated that “social media companies cannot be allowed to work unregulated in…
Setting the Stage at the UN At the 80th high-level session of the UN General Assembly in New York, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a speech that resonated well beyond the hall. Opening with a warm “Namaskar from the people of Bharat,” he outlined India’s vision for navigating today’s fractured global landscape. His message was firm…
