The ‘great rivalry’ angle was also blown out of proportion, given that India now holds a handsome record of wins against Pakistan in T20 World Cup matches—8-1.
On bilateral ties, Admiral Paparo said India-US ties have an exponential effect on deterrence, because it demonstrates a unity of purpose among us to maintain the peace.
The key to fighting a war successfully, or even launching it, is a clear objective. That’s an entirely political call. It isn’t emotional or purely military.
Sometimes, we end up embroidering the truth as we overthink and overanalyse a fastidious lady’s personal wardrobe preferences for significant occasions.
Pakistan not only has zero chance of catching up with India in most areas, but will inevitably see the gap rising. Its leaders will offer its people the same snake oil in different bottles.
New disclosures under US’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) also reveal that after Operation Sindoor, Pakistan’s lobbyists asserted it would 'welcome' America’s role as mediator.
While New Delhi has long maintained that no third party brought about the ceasefire between India & Pakistan in May 2025, China for first time claimed credit earlier this week.
India's richest civic body’s outlay is 8.77% higher than last year’s, with the biggest allocation being made for infra growth. BMC also proposed an AI boost to its service delivery.
The clear majority of comments to this article unironically underscore the problems that the Indian State has.
They want to enjoy the status of regional Imperial power, but without any of the responsibilities, let alone consequences — just like the Imperialists elsewhere.
And the replies to my comment, given the display-name I’d choose — would only further that if they go the predictable way.
It is a great article sir. However, I would like to make a small suggestion to the title of this article. Instead of India in the article, I would request you to replace that with Indians. While it’s true that the government never stops short of playing the Hindutva card, but we cannot overlook the presence of this sentiment and overplaying of it to more than permissible limits among the general public. Because the social media handles you are talking about are mostly run by media persons or common people not related to the Indian government in any way. So if there is a public display of muscle flexing by the government, that is amplified by the common Indians who in equal measure represent this same feeling and sentiment.
Shekar ji. I have been a great fan of your political analysis. But I find in recent times your thinking is getting muddled and missing some key points in your opinion pieces.
India. has for all times been punching above its weight, with no economic/social prowesses to boast about except for the potential of a huge market. In today’s world our GDP per capita is low, lower than our African friends or BRICS group. And on the social/ humanity index we are far off the mark.
The Hindutva rhetoric has caused more damage than good on the external front. If we are calling Bangladesh to exercise restrain and protect minorities, what has been India’s record on this side of the border? We too have some terrible human rights issues (Manipur) …. Where the head of the state has been allowed to call the shots!! Look at Assam, UP or MP or Karnataka or the newly formed UT in the former J& K. Violence has not abated and minorities are under the pump..
And we are trying to call the shots with no economic power to hold out against our adversaries on all sides. Even a place like Maldives is showing us the exit door.
The way out is to tone down the Hindutva rhetoric, demonstrate economy capabilities by setting long term businesses in our neighbouring countries. Open reciprocal travelling. And stop thinking every mullah is a terrorist or Christain clergy is there to prostelyise. Look at Europe countries at war 90 years ago are united economically under a union. What holds us in India taking the lead.
It’s the only way to mitigate the risk to our democracy given the geopolitical situation of India
Maybe its just me, but parts of this article don’t make a lot of sense. While I agree with the author in that India can and should do more to promote friendly relations with its neighbors, I don’t think that India can/should turn a blind eye to what happens in these countries. If India has valid concerns about the treatment of minorities in its Muslim-majority neighbors should it remain silent and not say/do anything? Also, in the case of countries like Pakistan, nothing much has been/will be achieved by India’s overtures. If someone openly declares themselves to be your enemy (and tries to harms you at every opportunity they get), maybe its best you believe them and stay away.
So many of the fine thoughts and sentiments of this column have been swirling in my mind. Always think of the Gujral Doctrine as inherently wise, benevolent, foreseeing the economic and political rise of China, to which each neighbour would turn for both mutual benefit and hedging. India’s rise, its place in the world, must all be anchored in South Asia. Mushqil nahin hai.
This opinion piece may be intellectually dishonest. India’s neighbors are messed up for reasons internal to their polities. It’s not India’s fault. There’s little India can do except to manage the after shocks. There’s no reason for India to bend over backwards and shed its “religiosity”.
This article is an excellent example of denying realities. The truth is that none of India’s neighbours have been able to get their act together since they became sovereign countries. Each one is dysfunctional in it’s own way. Neither India becoming more humble or less religious (whatever that means) ever going to change this. This has been the case irrespective of who is in power in Delhi.
Subcontinental setbacks have a message for India: Junk victimhood & respect thy neighbour
Bangladesh is just latest example of disquiet in India’s neighbourhood. We need to junk domestic politics & excessive religiosity, acquire humility in our approach to neighbours.
What a shit of title & article!
It should be other way, India’s neighbours should junk excessive religiosity and acquire humility!
The clear majority of comments to this article unironically underscore the problems that the Indian State has.
They want to enjoy the status of regional Imperial power, but without any of the responsibilities, let alone consequences — just like the Imperialists elsewhere.
And the replies to my comment, given the display-name I’d choose — would only further that if they go the predictable way.
It is a great article sir. However, I would like to make a small suggestion to the title of this article. Instead of India in the article, I would request you to replace that with Indians. While it’s true that the government never stops short of playing the Hindutva card, but we cannot overlook the presence of this sentiment and overplaying of it to more than permissible limits among the general public. Because the social media handles you are talking about are mostly run by media persons or common people not related to the Indian government in any way. So if there is a public display of muscle flexing by the government, that is amplified by the common Indians who in equal measure represent this same feeling and sentiment.
Shekar ji. I have been a great fan of your political analysis. But I find in recent times your thinking is getting muddled and missing some key points in your opinion pieces.
India. has for all times been punching above its weight, with no economic/social prowesses to boast about except for the potential of a huge market. In today’s world our GDP per capita is low, lower than our African friends or BRICS group. And on the social/ humanity index we are far off the mark.
The Hindutva rhetoric has caused more damage than good on the external front. If we are calling Bangladesh to exercise restrain and protect minorities, what has been India’s record on this side of the border? We too have some terrible human rights issues (Manipur) …. Where the head of the state has been allowed to call the shots!! Look at Assam, UP or MP or Karnataka or the newly formed UT in the former J& K. Violence has not abated and minorities are under the pump..
And we are trying to call the shots with no economic power to hold out against our adversaries on all sides. Even a place like Maldives is showing us the exit door.
The way out is to tone down the Hindutva rhetoric, demonstrate economy capabilities by setting long term businesses in our neighbouring countries. Open reciprocal travelling. And stop thinking every mullah is a terrorist or Christain clergy is there to prostelyise. Look at Europe countries at war 90 years ago are united economically under a union. What holds us in India taking the lead.
It’s the only way to mitigate the risk to our democracy given the geopolitical situation of India
Hear, here…! ?????? ????????
Maybe its just me, but parts of this article don’t make a lot of sense. While I agree with the author in that India can and should do more to promote friendly relations with its neighbors, I don’t think that India can/should turn a blind eye to what happens in these countries. If India has valid concerns about the treatment of minorities in its Muslim-majority neighbors should it remain silent and not say/do anything? Also, in the case of countries like Pakistan, nothing much has been/will be achieved by India’s overtures. If someone openly declares themselves to be your enemy (and tries to harms you at every opportunity they get), maybe its best you believe them and stay away.
So many of the fine thoughts and sentiments of this column have been swirling in my mind. Always think of the Gujral Doctrine as inherently wise, benevolent, foreseeing the economic and political rise of China, to which each neighbour would turn for both mutual benefit and hedging. India’s rise, its place in the world, must all be anchored in South Asia. Mushqil nahin hai.
This opinion piece may be intellectually dishonest. India’s neighbors are messed up for reasons internal to their polities. It’s not India’s fault. There’s little India can do except to manage the after shocks. There’s no reason for India to bend over backwards and shed its “religiosity”.
This article is an excellent example of denying realities. The truth is that none of India’s neighbours have been able to get their act together since they became sovereign countries. Each one is dysfunctional in it’s own way. Neither India becoming more humble or less religious (whatever that means) ever going to change this. This has been the case irrespective of who is in power in Delhi.
Great insight!! That’s the Shekhar that we need all the time!
Subcontinental setbacks have a message for India: Junk victimhood & respect thy neighbour
Bangladesh is just latest example of disquiet in India’s neighbourhood. We need to junk domestic politics & excessive religiosity, acquire humility in our approach to neighbours.
What a shit of title & article!
It should be other way, India’s neighbours should junk excessive religiosity and acquire humility!