mg marg sikkim Courtesy: Kukster/Flickr
22 January 2013

Growth, Gangtok style

‘Sikkimisation’ is a term often used by the Chinese and Nepalese politicians to refer to India's purported Himalayan expansionism. However, Sikkim's economy has set an example that India's Himalayan neighbours would do well to follow, rather than deride

WikimediaCommons Courtesy: WikimediaCommons
15 January 2013

India-Pakistan: No takers for a solution

Pakistan’s recent violation of the ceasefire, by killing two Indian soldiers and beheading one of them, has triggered knee-jerk reactions by the government and armed forces, media frenzy, and public outcry. What makes this 60-year old problem tough to resolve, and how can those obstacles be overcome?

AFSPA Sanjoy Hazarika Courtesy: lecercle/Flickr
9 January 2013

Time to repeal AFSPA?

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, introduced decades ago in India’s northeastern states and Kashmir to control militancy and turbulence, often has undemocratic side-effects. By the government’s own account, the situation in the northeast has improved. Why is the Act still in place, despite calls for a repeal?

john kerry seema piece Courtesy: Officer/WikimediaCommons
3 January 2013

John Kerry: To the job born

U.S. Senator John Kerry will officially take office as the Secretary of State, later this month, replacing Hillary Clinton. Given his background of foreign policy, and his proven competency in related matters, what can India and South Asia look forward to, during his term in his new office?

Courtesy: Nilanjana Roy/WikimediaCommons
1 January 2013

India’s Tunisia moment

India’s governance and newest social revolution, led by the country’s youth and middle class, is being watched by the world. But will the incumbent government be able to respond with emotion and convert the movement into tangible policies and institutionalise them? Manjeet Kripalani blogs

modi gujrat Courtesy: Satish Padmanabhan/Outlook
20 December 2012

The importance of Gujarat

Narendra Modi, the chief minister of Gujarat, returned to office for an unprecedented fourth term. With this victory, the fate of India’s two national political parties has changed, and the battles within and without will play out over next few months leading up to the national elections in 2014.

Courtesy: World Economic Forum/Flickr
9 November 2012

The new Indian hero of 2012

The World Economic Forum on India projected a grim reality with corporates wearing the Non-Resident Indian cloak and reprimanding the government for its policies. After participating in a panel at the Forum, Manjeet Kripalani gives her account of the WEF and the need for new heroes to take charge in India.

salman khurshid Courtesy: ramesh_lalwani/Flickr
30 October 2012

Salman Khurshid: Internal tasks for external impact

India’s Foreign Minister, Salman Khurshid, faces various internal challenges in his new External Affairs portfolio – an understaffed diplomatic corps and increasingly assertive regional politicians. Will Khurshid have enough time to make significant foreign policy changes, given the upcoming elections in 2014?