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Thursday, August 14, 2025
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National Interest

Modi vs non-BJP CMs: When most popular isn’t all-powerful & why Centre-state ties will worsen

Modi’s inability to win many states, and the huge popularity his rivals enjoy there, is pushing Indian politics in a more robustly federal direction.

Read my lips, I’m hurting, says Pakistan’s National Security Policy. What it means for India

The new policy is mostly chaff, but it reveals the most inward-looking Pakistan in 3 decades. It needs breathing space, and is realising loss of stature and friendship with US.

PM Modi’s security failed in Punjab. Waste no time on conspiracies, it’s colossal incompetence

Politicians, especially those in power, are most endangered & protected people. They’ll only be safe if their security can say no, like IAF saying it wouldn’t fly in that weather.

What is Modi-Shah BJP’s ideology? You’re wrong if you say Right wing, because it’s Hindu Left

Modi-Shah BJP government is Right only on religion and nationalism. The rest is as Left as the Congress or any other.

How boorish treatment of Kohli by Ganguly’s BCCI takes Indian cricket back to an inglorious past

Ganguly is BCCI chief, Dravid is coach, Laxman heads NCA. And Kohli, all-conquering (in Tests) captain, is now in firing line. It’s hard to decipher, and infuriating for fans.

Nagaland massacre shows AFSPA is a deadly addiction. Does Modi govt have the courage to kick it?

Much of the Northeast doesn't need a tough law such as AFSPA. No government will dare repeal it, but it can at least be imposed very selectively.

Yes, UPA’s dead. But here’s what Mamata, PK are saying about Congress & why that’s right too

Even in its second successive annihilation by BJP, Congress retained a solid block of 20% votes. That’s why all of BJP’s victims want the Congress at the core of their challenge.

What farm laws retreat by Modi govt tells us about ruling India like a CM with brute majority

No matter how dominant BJP is, India is a federation of states and it has CMs in only 12. Agriculture is largely a state issue, and most of India doesn’t follow it unquestioningly.

There’s much to question Hindutva/RSS about, calling it ISIS is more a rant than politics

Salman Khurshid isn’t the first to succumb to pre-siesta intellectual laziness. Congress leaders taking the cue must read up on ISIS and learn electoral politics all over again.

Crook, TRP-hunter, idiot, clown: How Indian journalist fell from hero to zero for Bollywood

Hindi cinema’s portrayal of journalists has gone from hero in the 1950s to manipulator, even joker. It reflects abuse & trolling they face on social media, especially women.

On Camera

Asim Munir wants to be guardian of the Middle East. He’s fated to fail at home

Countering insurgency needs the Pakistan Army to demonstrate a political will that ties leaders at the centre with those in the borderlands. But it may not have the imagination.

Slashing GST on waste can unlock Rs 1.8 lakh crore, high tax hurting circular economy goals—CSE

Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.

India, US troops to undertake joint military exercise next month, first after Op Sindoor

21st edition of annual joint military exercise will be held from 1 to 16 September, aimed at sharing military tech, operational best practices & disaster relief coordination methods.

Modi’s ready to risk it all for farmers. Farm reform can answer Trump with new Green Revolution

Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.