If India fails to action key reforms, its geopolitical leverage will reduce and it will be forced to ally more closely with the US on less favourable terms.
Intensifying power conflicts over Covid-19 will manifest themselves in new forms. It will become difficult for New Delhi to sidestep them without suffering some costs.
In 2022, athletes claimed they were asked to wind up training early at Thyagraj Stadium so that the IAS couple could walk their dog. Then came the memes and public outrage.
Instead of buying more Mirages outright in early 2000s, the requirement was tweaked in favour of a medium-weight, multi-role fighter with Mirage-like performance.
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.
COMMENTS