Endeavours within a democracy: The case of One Rank One Pension

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Reading Time: 4 minutesTo proclaim patriotism is a popular act, at least politically. To make use of patriotism is a plank of a nationalist and is the first recourse of every politician. Who will vote anyone to power if they did not speak … Continue reading

Modi’s Hectic November!

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Reading Time: 8 minutes“Modi! Modi! Modi!” chanted the crowd, which seemed to have learnt from watching the videos of his speech in New York. With hands going up like a slanted salute to take mobile phone snap shots, it appeared like they were … Continue reading

Silky slippery roads: Indian and Chinese diplomacy

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Reading Time: 13 minutesMedieval diplomacy, border incursions and balance of power ideas detract the relations between China and India. There is no end in sight to this game and an underlying distrust frames the relations. This is unlike the how these nations treat western powers, or do they live in their shadow of influence. China and India have a lot to gain by developing a mutual trust. Continue reading

India Isn’t ‘Open for Business’ Yet – Bloomberg View

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Reading Time: 4 minutesI came across this article –  (see link below) which echoes a shared feeling that Modi will have difficulty translating his successes at a state level into a national one. Of course he will! Analysts and even sceptics know that … Continue reading

Crony capitalism a big threat to countries like India, RBI chief Raghuram Rajan says – The Times of India

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Reading Time: 2 minutesCrony capitalism a big threat to countries like India, RBI chief Raghuram Rajan says – The Times of India. That the government does good is something that I have held on to almost as a belief, in comparison to what … Continue reading

Defence reboot policy: Revamp R&D, simplify weapons purchase – The Times of India

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Reading Time: 2 minutesIs India’s nationalism going to blind its economic growth? The Modi government has moved swiftly to announce new measures which change the way things are usually done. This is a welcome change that dynamic leaders bring in, but how deep are the effects for the common man to grasp is the question. Continue reading

Anzac and India: A shared but forgotten camaraderie

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Reading Time: 7 minutesWorld War 1 continues to be remembered a century later, and the Indian troops who fought in various sectors are being acknowledged now more than ever before. Gallipoli and Anzac has emerged as a unifying national event in Australia and New Zealand and the significant Indian contribution needs to be celebrated alongside. Continue reading

Diplomatic fracas – a la Devyani

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Reading Time: 3 minutesDiplomats are meant to build relations and not scuttle them. Individuals and minor functionaries have a role in this buildup, but when they are the cause of discord, they place themselves before the state’s interest. Sad case for Indian diplomacy. Continue reading

Afghanistan a 1000 year war or can it be shortened?

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Reading Time: 4 minutesWilliam Dalrymple’s view on the Afghan issue being a manifest of India-Pakistan conflicts seems to be a statement that will not go down well. It seems to reflect his lack of understanding of the region despite his excellent research reflected in his writings. The future of Afghanistan is on a slender thread. Elections are not far and will they bring Karzai back. Continue reading

Rahul or Modi

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Reading Time: 5 minutesThere is a buzz and news about Rahul or Modi who could be the next prime minister of India. There are many gaps before the 2014 elections. A brief look at the reasons why one could succeed to end up being the prime minister is in trying to understand Indian party politics. Is there a changed international relations expectation from the new prime minster? Continue reading

Prospects of peace in Afghanistan: a Freeperception view

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Reading Time: 5 minutesPeace in the Hindukush has hit a rock. The removal of troops always lead to uncertainty of the host’s future. Do we not know this? Yet there is little regard to the security of those who collaborate with external forces. We hope there is no massacre of innocent lives with the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. It is a troubling thought and there needs to be a amicable solution. Will the US agree to neutral parties negotiating for the,? Continue reading

The Six Party Talks … Chinese checkers?

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Reading Time: 2 minutes‘Six party talks’ is the name given to the multilateral negotiations of six nations, US, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and North Korea to dismantle the North Korean Nuclear programme. North Korea and South Korea borders are an active conflict … Continue reading