Opinion

Careful with new CPI methodology

India is updating its Consumer Price Index base year. A key reform involves the housing index. Experts question proposed changes to how housing costs are measured. They argue the current method is scientifically sound. Significant changes could impact inflation data used for monetary policy. The debate centers on accuracy and cost-effectiveness.

Kya expansionist idea, Ramboji! What Trumps Maduro capture reveals to the world & India

The US capture of Nicolas Maduro offers lessons for nations. China's air defense systems faced exposure. US intelligence capabilities are a concern. This event could destabilize regions and threaten world peace. China may rethink its influence strategy. Countries might become less inhibited about expansionist policies. The world faces increased insecurity.

India, not China, should take the lead in championing a rules-based global order

India faces a 'Brave New World' dictated by US policy, with options to either align or chart its own course. The article argues for India to champion a rules-based global order minus US participation, strengthening its economy and democracy to achieve strategic autonomy and earn global respect.

Games that 'our-their' politicos play

Politics and sport are deeply intertwined in India. Recent BCCI actions concerning a Bangladeshi player have led to diplomatic tensions. Bangladesh Cricket Board requested World Cup matches be moved. The Bangladesh government banned IPL broadcasts. This highlights how politics influences sports in the region. The situation underscores the complex relationship between national interests and sporting events.

Fix the gap, not any guilt, of gig: Regulation strengthens platforms without destroying livelihoods

India's gig economy is rapidly growing with millions of workers. Many lack basic protections like social security and insurance. Earnings are unpredictable, and deactivation can happen without reason. This situation demands regulatory intervention to ensure fair treatment and prevent exploitation. The focus is on providing essential safeguards for these workers.

GDP base reset, pending inflation data and Trump tariffs pose challenges for Union Budget 2026

As Nirmala Sitharaman prepares her 9th budget, India faces a 'Goldilocks' economy with strong GDP growth but persistent poverty. She must balance electoral politics with fiscal prudence, especially with potential state revenue increases and the need for job creation through infrastructure investment. Sitharaman's challenge is to foster inclusive growth and navigate global trade uncertainties.

US moves on Venezuela, is China next on Taiwan?

China's military drills around Taiwan are escalating. Recent exercises like Justice Mission demonstrate rapid mobilization and a potential blockade strategy. This new approach aims to isolate the island and deter external interference. Future drills may focus on duration and cyber warfare. Governments must address China's growing assertiveness regarding Taiwan.

With Trump's capture of Venezuela, Indian geopolitics - and oil companies - will need to pivot

Despite the cheer in Washington and celebrations amongst the Venezuelan diaspora, Venezuela's future remains uncertain. Maduro may be out, but Venezuela's woes are far from over. For a country that has seen the largest migration outside of wartime, with 20% of the population leaving the country, the humanitarian and socio-political crisis continues without an end in sight.

English-medium Hindi language state of mind

A debate over imposing Hindi in government schools is reigniting fears of 'Hindi imperialism'. Southern states, Maharashtra, and West Bengal are particularly concerned. The move aims to standardize national thought and culture. The author advocates for including all 27 scheduled languages in curricula, emphasizing choice over coercion in education.

The politics of the bedroom: How Western TV turns intimacy into propaganda

The Diplomat uses a crude depiction of the British PM's sex life to portray him as an untrustworthy figure, contrasting with the dignified portrayal of the US president. This tactic, similar to The Crown's portrayal of British royals, serves as political propaganda, projecting Western nations as stable leaders and influencing viewer perception through subtle manipulation of intimate scenes.

When people do stuff other than what they're supposed to be good at

A cricketer lecturing on mushrooms, a footballer feted and paraded around by VIPs, CEOs doing motivational YouTube videos - whatever happened to folks sticking to their fields of expertise?

The unnatural beauty of Dhurandhar: Why Aditya Dhar's polarising film works as pure cinema

A visually arresting, fiercely polarising action thriller, Dhurandhar transcends propaganda debates through raw performances, brutal choreography, and an uncanny portrayal of familiar worlds rendered disturbingly strange.

AI Impact Summit 2026: Navigating workforce transitions and labour market evolution

As India prepares to host the AI Impact Summit, a Yale study reveals AI hasn't yet disrupted the broader labor market, while some regions see enhanced informal work. Global summits are increasingly focusing on workforce transitions, with India aiming to advance an equitable agenda through its AI stack.

From Bollywood beats to City Hall: How Indian warmth is quietly reshaping American culture

New York is experiencing a quiet Indian cultural ascent, moving beyond anxieties to an invitation of humble joy. From Zohran Mamdani's inclusive inauguration to Bollywood's resurgence in pop culture and Indian models gracing high fashion, a grounded, confident presence is reshaping American culture.

Saudi-UAE contest for the empty quarter: Implications for India

Saudi bombings of Mukalla, Yemen, have escalated tensions with the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, threatening to reignite the civil war. This incident highlights a growing rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with implications for regional stability and vital shipping lanes like the Bab al-Mandeb.

Why the global M&A boom still fails to create value

Global deal-making touched $4.8 trillion last year, the second-highest level on record, driven by a small number of very large transactions even as overall merger activity thinned. A handful of mega deals, mainly in technology, inflated headline numbers, while deal-making below the top tier declined sharply.

The mandate for community dog rehab is, at best, a judicial fantasy and bureaucratic impossibility

A Supreme Court mandate orders the immediate removal and permanent sheltering of community dogs from public spaces by November 2025. However, the economic blueprint for this massive undertaking is non-existent, requiring over 1 lakh shelters and an annual feeding cost of 29,000 crore, far exceeding available funds and existing infrastructure.