By K Raveendran In his relentless pursuit of what he calls economic nationalism, President Donald Trump’s ‘trade jihad’ is targeting newer and more diverse sectors of the global economy. The latest front in this campaign is the high-tech industry, with a particular focus on smartphone manufacturing. This marks a significant escalation both in terms of […]
By K Raveendran Donald Trump’s Gulf tour has marked a defining chapter in his post-presidential brand of deal diplomacy, delivering a staggering $2 trillion in agreements that stretch across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. This campaign stands in sharp contrast to the flagging results of his so-called trade mark tariff war, which—despite […]
By K Raveendran Reports from across the border suggest that Pakistan is already suffering a fuel crisis, with petrol pumps having been ordered closed for the time being. An analysis of the emerging energy scenario in the wake of the ongoing conflict suggests the beginning of a serious crisis for Pakistan, while India is relatively […]
By K Raveendran India is intensifying its diplomatic offensive against Pakistan, with efforts now underway to push for Islamabad’s re-listing on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. This renewed push, backed by an unusually strong expression of support from the Trump-led U.S. administration, marks a strategic escalation by New Delhi to hold Pakistan […]
By K Raveendran Trump’s aggressive tariff war with China – built on a throwback protectionist logic more suited to the 1800s than today’s intertwined economy – has driven Chinese firms to redeploy their strategies. Major Chinese exporters, now facing punitive U.S. tariffs as high as 145 percent, are desperately seeking other markets and partners. Chinese […]
By K Raveendran U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s declaration that India could be the first to finalise a trade deal with the United States after President Trump embarked on his reckless trade war against the world signals a strategic point. The proposed agreement offers India an escape hatch from the looming 26 percent reciprocal tariffs […]
By K Raveendran The Supreme Court’s interim order on the controversial Waqf Amendments Act has created an unusual equilibrium among opposing camps, hinting at a calculated balancing act rather than a decisive intervention. While the order does not represent a full-fledged stay on the implementation of the amendments, it introduces a layer of judicial restraint […]
By K Raveendran In both foolhardiness in decision making and shameless flip-flop in dealing with disastrous aftermaths, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump have exhibited a total lack of honesty in admitting their mistakes. The similarity is too striking to be missed. Thanks to recklessness and impulsiveness in decision making—Narendra Modi with demonetization and Donald Trump […]
By K Raveendran Donald Trump and Narendra Modi never seem to tire of expressing admiration for each other, their mutual regard forming an odd but undeniable transnational political camaraderie. What binds them is not simply shared ideology but a similar worldview shaped by populism, nativism, and a flair for dramatic, often reckless, decision-making. Modi’s ‘Atmanirbhar […]
By K Raveendran It would be an understatement that the discovery of a large stash of cash from the residence of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwant Varma has sent shockwaves. This unexpected incident has raised uncomfortable questions about corruption and integrity within the judiciary, often viewed as the guardian of justice and moral rectitude. While […]
By K Raveendran Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proclivity for favouring friends has become an enduring characteristic of his leadership, a trait that has shaped both his domestic and international strategies. His approach to governance, often criticised for prioritizing personal and political loyalties over broader national interest, is once again evident in the unfolding saga of […]
By K Raveendran President Trump’s repeated assertions that India has agreed to reduce tariffs “way down” have sparked a predictable wave of denials from New Delhi, underscoring the fraught and often opaque nature of trade negotiations between the two countries. While Trump’s tendency to make exaggerated or even unverified claims is well-known, in this particular […]
By K Raveendran Oil prices have hit their lowest since October and by all indications the downward move is far from over. Brent has already dipped below 70 dollars per barrel as the market is feeling the weight of a supply overhang, with OPEC+ barrels set to flood an already well-supplied system, keeping a lid […]
By K Raveendran Tension is mounting over the Centre’s plan for offshore sand mining, with the issue rapidly evolving into yet another flashpoint between the Modi government and opposition-led coastal states. At the heart of the controversy lies not just the environmental and economic concerns raised by the affected communities but also the underlying political […]
By K Raveendran The term disruption has undergone a significant transformation in meaning over the years. Traditionally, it carried a negative connotation, indicating disorder or interruption. However, in the contemporary technological setting, disruption is celebrated as a driver of innovation, progress, and problem-solving. Companies like Uber, Airbnb, and Tesla have all disrupted their respective industries, […]
By K Raveendran The controversial circumstances surrounding the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) have given rise to a sense of distrust between the Congress party and the Election Commission, setting the stage for a difficult and fraught relationship. The tension was further exacerbated when Rahul Gandhi publicly expressed his dissent, effectively institutionalizing […]
By K Raveendran The Indo-US joint declaration presents a striking imbalance, appearing more as a dictated statement than a mutually crafted agreement. The document is overwhelmingly skewed in favour of the United States, particularly in the domain of defence procurement, where it reads less like a diplomatic understanding and more like a sales pitch for […]
By K Raveendran Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for greater emphasis on the Global South in the evolving world order shaped by artificial intelligence is a strategic proposition. With AI becoming the most critical technological force of the 21st century, it is imperative that developing nations, particularly those in the Global South, have a role […]
By K Raveendran OPEC+ is once again at the centre of a global energy crisis as it grapples with a new challenge posed by President Donald Trump’s tariffs on major crude oil suppliers. The tariffs, which include a 10 percent levy on Canadian oil and 25 percent on US imports into Canada in retaliation, threaten […]
By K Raveendran The Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has brought down the market crashing, but it has done even more damaging things to the United States. Apart from challenging Silicon Valley’s technology dominance, the Chinese have exposed the limits of Trump’s tariffs, challenging Washington’s ability to restrain China’s technological advance. The Chinese breakthrough undermines one […]
By K Raveendran The Trump administration’s exploration of creating a national Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) may usher in a new era of global financial strategy, one defined by digital assets rather than traditional monetary instruments. This concept marks a potential seismic shift in how nations perceive and secure wealth, akin to the historical role of […]
By K Raveendran The latest decision by the Modi government to grant sanction for prosecution of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia marks yet another chapter in the ongoing narrative of central agencies being leveraged for political ends. At its core, the move highlights a pattern that has become increasingly familiar, […]
By K Raveendran Microsoft’s deepening engagement with India is both a strategic imperative and a reflection of its renewed focus on emerging technologies under the leadership of Satya Nadella. Nadella’s connection to India goes beyond his heritage; his initiatives underscore a profound appreciation for the country’s pivotal role in shaping the future of technology. As […]
By K Raveendran As we enter 2025, the accelerating proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to reshape the global landscape in ways akin to the transformational impact the internet had in the late 20th century. Within the first few days of the year, AI-driven technology stocks have seen substantial surges, with shares of major […]
By K Raveendran The year 2024 marked a historic period for gold, perhaps fit to be called the ‘Year of Gold’ due to the yellow metal’s remarkable performance across various metrics. Total demand for God surpassed an unprecedented US $100 billion, underpinned by robust investment activity and a supportive macroeconomic backdrop. This astounding demand surge […]
By K Raveendran While Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘friend’, the US President-elect Donald J Trump, is set to move into White House, once again, it need not be particularly beneficial for India. If anything, Trump can be said to be “anti-India” even while remaining “pro-Modi”. The camaraderie contrasts starkly with the president-elect’s anti-India economic stance, […]
By K Raveendran OPEC+ has recalibrated its production strategy, extending voluntary output adjustments to stabilize oil markets in the face of uncertain global demand and geopolitical pressures. The alliance’s decision to prolong cuts until the first quarter of 2025 aims to counterbalance potential oversupply and demand fluctuations, particularly linked to Donald Trump’s policies and China’s […]
By K Raveendran The defence mounted by the Adani Group, both by its leadership and by the Indian government, in the face of damning allegations of corruption and irregularities levelled by U.S. authorities, raises serious questions about the interplay between corporate interests and political power in India. While the U.S. investigation exposes what it claims […]
By K Raveendran The US chargesheet against the Adani group and the arrest warrant issued against Gautam Adani are the strongest indictment yet of the crony capitalism that has been playing out on the sides under the Narendra Modi government. The new developments shed light on the group’s rapid expansion, often facilitated by connections to […]
By K Raveendran Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s tenure has had an eventful start with the Supreme Court delivering the landmark ‘bulldozer justice’ verdict that grabbed global headlines. That the verdict was delivered by a bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and K V Vishwanathan, of which the chief justice was not a part, is a […]
