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Wednesday, January 14, 2026
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Between Political Lines

Moderate Democrat victories signal a bigger shift than Mamdani. The party is bouncing back

New York is America’s most cosmopolitan outpost, not its heartland. One must look at what happened elsewhere in the US on 4 November.

Bihar beyond Buddha and Mandal—why the 2025 polls are critical for Indian democracy

It is not often noted, but in the North, Bihar is the only state where the BJP has not come to power on its own. The party's desire to turn Bihar into UP should not be ignored.

America under Trump — more than democratic backsliding, less than a right-wing revolution

The attempted revolution faces three structural limits, and is likely to falter.

Pakistan is getting new friends. Conflicts with India will only grow

Pakistan is likely to enjoy closeness with the US, China and Saudi Arabia. This is different from its relative isolation of recent years.

Charlie Kirk assassination is telling us something about American democracy

Most observers say that the degree of polarisation in the US today is much greater than in the '60s, with the political elite so deeply divided that bridges may be harder to build.

China will be more central to India now. Though an anti-US unity is premature

Even with the option of EU markets, China will have to be a significant part of India’s economic policy. But the difficult security relationship is an important complication.

Indian foreign policy is in free fall. Can we balance national pride with new power reality?

Unless dramatic reversals take place, the core of India’s foreign policy, which, at least since 2000, has focused on the US, Pakistan, China, and Russia, stands on the verge of collapse.

India’s export basket has no irreplaceables. It’s a vulnerability in Trump’s power politics

Tariffs have been used in the past by countries like Japan and South, to promote or hinder industrialisation. The surprise in Trump’s tariff argument is two-fold.

Bihar mimics 19th-century American South. Citizenship is now weaponised to exclude voters

Disenfranchisement by institutional fiat is profoundly undemocratic. The effect of the ECI's new documentary process in Bihar will tilt the scales in favour of the BJP.

The meaning of Zohran Mamdani: Globalisation failed to lift all boats

At a deeper level, both Left and Right populism are linked to globalisation, the world’s greatest economic force between 1980-2010.

On Camera

Debt target to central schemes, expect three significant changes in Budget 2026

The absence of major adjustments in tax rates has meant a decline in general interest in the annual budgets, with less curiosity about what they contain. Budget 2026 could change that.

Grounded no more: Andhra govt revives no-frills Dagadarthi airport near Nellore to boost south coast link

As Visakhapatnam readies a mega airport, the Andhra Pradesh government has revived its shelved Dagadarthi project, aiming to boost cargo and connectivity on the south coast.

Army chief lambasts Chinese infra push in Shaksgam Valley. ‘We consider it illegal action’

Speaking at annual press conference, Army chief reiterated that India does not recognise 1963 Sino-Pakistan border pact under which Pakistan illegally ceded Shaksgam Valley to China.

Thank you Donald Trump, again. India now has reason to shed fear of trade deals and risky reform

UK, EFTA already in the bag and EU on the way, many members of RCEP except China signed up, and even restrictions on China being lifted, India has changed its mind on trade.