Politics
A Small Victory for Islamic Conservatives, A Giant Defeat for Indian Secularism
The BBC has just reported that Taslima Nasreen, the Bangladeshi author at the heart of Kolkata’s riots, has been escorted out of the city, following a demand by Kolkata police that she leave the city.
This is a tragedy of colossal proportions, akin to Modi’s support of the Godhara riots. But the biggest tragedy in simply that [...]
Pakistan - In a Constant State of Emergency
The inevitable has happened…President Musharraf has finally imposed a state of emergency (once again), in Pakistan. This puts an end to months of wrangling and uncertainty over his future. And it means he will stay President.
In the aftermath of this decision, three things are worth noting.
Burma and the Democratization of Global Politics
Burma has lately been relegated to the op-ed pages, yet news continues to trickle out of the country. The US has continued to tighten sanctions on the junta’s generals, and simultaneously, calls for India and China to pressure the military continue to grow.
For some, the Burmese conflict is seen as a watershed for China’s future role [...]
A Eulogy for the Indo-US Nuclear Deal, a Praise for Manmohan
Time Magazine just released what can only be described as a eulogy for the much hyped Indo-US nuclear deal. Most western media outlets have concluded that the deal is now as good as dead. And that may well be. When Manmohan Singh said earlier this month that putting the deal on hold “would not be [...]
The Economist on Private Sector Quotas
For over a year controversy has raged in India over government plans to extend quotas - India’s version of affirmative action for the lower castes - to the private sector. The plans raised the hackles of many, and for the first time led to questioning the real effectiveness of quotas. Now, the Economist has weighed [...]
India Spending Big Time on Wheat and War Planes: Role of Govt
India has floated two major tenders that have everybody drooling.
The first, is for 530,000 tons of wheat, announced a week ago. Imports by India, along with Japan and Taiwan have pushed wheat prices to record highs on the Chicago Board of Trade (see chart). This import of wheat is ironic, for just a year ago [...]
Concluding The Indo-US Nuclear Deal: Moving Beyond Blame
All hell has broken loose in the Indian parliament since the 123 Agreement was concluded between India and the USA. Following its conclusion the UPA government faces rebellion from the Left (the communists), the right (the BJP), and within. The imbroglio has been sufficiently covered in both domestic and international media, and seems to the [...]
The Indo-US Nuclear Deal: Epilogue in Parliament
On the Indian National Interest (a conservative blog), Nitin asks “why is it surprising the The Hindu changes tack and now advocates ‘putting the nuclear deal on hold’?”
To look for the answer, I would suggest reading the article itself, which is by far the best analysis of the deal thus far (see also my previous [...]
