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The FinePrint

US companies trying to woo IAF, but here’s why it’s never inducted an American fighter

In early years, India chose UK, given the colonial military structures it inherited. Later, Soviets stepped in with incentives when IAF had to compete with Pakistan's US fighters.

New IAF doctrine advertises aerospace power too much. It overshadows focus on core beliefs

The cutting-edge elements of the IAF are fraying. The operational strategy has to be anchored in what is going to be available; calling it aerospace is aspirational for now.

Harvard paper on Congress decline, cited by PM Modi in Lok Sabha, has more lessons for BJP

The Harvard paper isn't about when the Congress lost its numero uno status. It’s about how it looked like when it was at the top, and that's why BJP must take note.

2 clerks, 1 director, 1 room—AIIMS Darbhanga a story of political rush to announce & forget

A 2015 plan to give Bihar its second AIIMS has remained confined to an office space in Darbhanga and a status symbol for the local people. Here's what happened in 8 years.

Highs & lows of PayTM: How the original e-wallet provider reached first-ever operating profit

This journey to operational profitability has been a long one, and hasn’t been particularly easy for the company, says CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma.

Misogyny, jihadism—Imran Khan’s complex inner world points to where Pakistan is headed

Imran Khan ought to have been discredited by now. But he remains Pakistan’s most charismatic politician—and confident he can capitalise on the economic chaos in the election.

Smack & ‘solution’ are consuming Delhi’s homeless kids. For them it’s a refuge

Chasing the next high is the only thing that ‘makes life worth living’ for many of Delhi’s street children, some as young as 8. Most don’t want to be ‘rescued'.

Pakistani brides falling for Indian designers and ‘Sharia-compliant’ Sabyasachi lehengas

Tarun Tahiliani, Anamika Khanna, Abhinav Mishra, and Gaurav Gupta are selling big in Pakistan via Dubai. But with couture that shows less skin before the qazi.

J&K anti-encroachment drive triggers fear & panic, ‘razes livelihoods’ in Valley

Till now, 1.87 lakh acres of land freed as part of drive in UT, say reports. Despite L-G & J&K administration assurances, small business establishments & shops are being razed.

He gave birth, she became a mom: How transgender couple broke barriers to become parents

Kerala couple Zahad and Ziya became India’s first transgender couple to have a biological child this week. But before the happiness, there was heartbreak and struggle.

On Camera

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.

India-US set to ink mini trade deal soon, reach understanding on agricultural & dairy products

Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.

Not just AK-203, India & Russia to jointly manufacture AK-19 and PPK-20 for domestic use and export 

India-Russia JV is also racing to deliver 7,000 more AK-203 assault rifles by 15 Aug. These are currently being made with 50% indigenisation and this will surge to 100% by 31 December.

Strategic partner one day, tactical nightmare the next: India’s learning Trumplomacy the hard way

Public, loud, upfront, filled with impropriety and high praise sometimes laced with insults. This is what we call Trumplomacy. But the larger objective is the same: American supremacy.