Blogs

EU’s cumbersome procedures mean the deal will require ratification by all 28 members, some of whom have reservations on issues like India’s ties with Russia. Also, green rules for export can pose a big challenge By the end of this week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who’s chief guest at the R-Day Parade…

SC judge calls out SC collegium in a timely reminder that collegium must be seen to be independent and accountable  In saying that the biggest threat to judicial freedom is from within, Supreme Court judge Ujjal Bhuyan has swung much-needed attention to a red flag that’s been fluttering in the breeze for some time, especially…

A Supreme Court judge has said something very important: the biggest danger to the freedom of judges can sometimes come from inside the system itself, not just from politicians. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan was talking about the collegium. This is a small group of senior Supreme Court judges who decide who becomes a judge and where…

It goes poorly for me when valets take the driver’s seatDubai is a city where your car isn’t just a car – it’s your social media profile, your personality, and your brand ambassador, all rolled into one impressive carbon-fibre portfolio. You are pretty much as good as your car and it is literally your passport…

The tremors emanating from Iran today extend far beyond Tehran’s streets. What began as widespread domestic protests has steadily merged with an intensifying geopolitical confrontation between Iran and the United States. President Donald Trump’s renewed threats of military action, coupled with economic coercion and tariff warnings against countries trading with Tehran, have pushed the Iran…

Inside the whisky circle, the ‘other’ with a lemon slice Choosing soda over scotch: The Bacchus-blessed and the rest of us Hungāma hai kyun barpā? Of belonging, refusal, and the soda glass Why the uproar when I haven’t had a drop? Of belonging, refusal, and the soda glass I did not grow up in a…

India’s indirect tax journey reached an important milestone in 2025. With the completion of GST 2.0, the full removal of the GST compensation cess, and Parliament’s approval of a new excise framework for demerit goods, the post-GST transition phase can now be said to be formally closed. From a structural standpoint, this is a success….

Vietnam’s General Secretary Lam’s opening speech at the 14th National Congress on 21st January 2026 marks a strategic shift in Vietnam’s policies in all dimensions. It combines visionary long-term goals, implementation pragmatism, and an expanded view of security and international integration. This time, there is a sharper embrace of innovation, institutional reform, and global integration,…

The Bihar Education Department’s recent directive—restricting teachers from addressing anyone other than the Block Education Officer (BEO) as “Sir”—appears, at first glance, to be a trivial matter of administrative protocol. In reality, it is a revealing institutional signal. This is not about etiquette. Put bluntly: it is about power, incentives, and the failure of the…

This coming week, a unit of the European Delegation will march down Kartavya Path for the first time in history. The sharp January air will frame a historic picture: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Antonio Costa standing beside India’s leaders as Chief Guests. Their presence will be more than a…