India Takes Center Stage at the SCO Summit This year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit placed India firmly in the international spotlight. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attracted attention far beyond the borders of Eurasia. For Washington, however, the optics of New Delhi’s engagement with Moscow and…
SCO Summit: A New Chapter in Asian Diplomacy The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China has emerged as one of the most closely watched diplomatic stages in recent years. For India, the event provided Prime Minister Narendra Modi a chance to demonstrate deft strategic balancing at a time of shifting global alignments. Surrounded by leaders from Russia,…
The Legacy of the Magsaysay Prize The Ramon Magsaysay Award, often described as Asia’s Nobel Prize, was established in 1957 to honor the former Philippine president known for integrity and service. It celebrates individuals and institutions that embody transformative leadership, selflessness, and impact across the continent. Over the decades, the award has recognized humanitarians, reformers, and visionaries whose work has…
Ethanol in India’s Energy Transition Ethanol, a biofuel derived primarily from sugarcane and grain, has been championed worldwide as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. Its adoption reduces dependence on crude oil imports, cuts carbon emissions, and offers farmers an additional revenue stream. India, the world’s third-largest automobile market, has committed to an ambitious target of…
Ethanol Blending: The Bigger Picture India’s ethanol blending programme, which targets E20 fuel (20% ethanol mixed with petrol), has been positioned as a cornerstone of the country’s energy transition. Advocates highlight its promise to cut crude oil imports, lower carbon emissions, and generate fresh income opportunities for farmers growing sugarcane and maize. Globally, countries like Brazil have successfully adopted…
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…
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…
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…
