(By Khalid Masood) Introduction On 2 February 2026, in a development that unfolded with remarkable speed, US President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that the United States and India had reached a bilateral trade agreement following a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The centrepiece of the announcement was an immediate reduction…
(By Faraz Ahmed) The conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on January 27, 2026, during the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi marks a pivotal moment in global trade dynamics. Dubbed the “mother of all deals” by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Indian leaders, the pact creates preferential access…
(By Quratulain Khalid) Introduction: The Stark Contrast of 26 January Every year on 26 January, India stages a spectacular display of military power and national pride in Delhi. Tanks rumble down wide avenues, fighter jets streak across the sky, cultural floats showcase “unity in diversity,” and massive crowds cheer what is billed as the world’s…
(By Ayesha Mahnoor) The recent diplomatic exchange between India and Poland on January 19, 2026, in New Delhi has exposed underlying tensions in their otherwise improving bilateral relationship. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski engaged in frank, at times sharp, discussions that highlighted divergences over…
(By Faraz Ahmed) Introduction: A Controversy Unfolding in a Sensitive Landscape A fresh controversy has emerged in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, intensifying long-standing debates over security, governance, and civil liberties in the region. Reports indicate that local police authorities have been collecting detailed data on masjids, imams, and regular worshippers through a standardized form, triggering…
(By Faraz Ahmed) Introduction: Contextualizing Doval’s Speech in a Polarized Discourse Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s address at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue on January 10, 2026, has sparked controversy by invoking “revenge” for historical wrongs—temple lootings, village burnings, and civilizational destruction during medieval invasions. While presented as a motivational call for youth…
(By Quratulain Khalid) Introduction In early January 2026, a bombshell announcement from U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham sent shockwaves through Indian social media and financial markets. President Donald Trump had reportedly “greenlit” the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill that could impose tariffs of at least 500% on all goods and services from countries…
(Quratulain Khalid) The Kashmir freedom struggle draws from historical records, international resolutions, and perspectives aligned with Pakistan’s longstanding position. It emphasizes the aspirations of the Kashmiri people for self-determination, as enshrined in United Nations mandates, and highlights their ongoing resistance against what is regarded as India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. January 5 marks…
(By Quratulain Khalid) Hindutva, an ideology promoting Hindu nationalism, has gained prominence in Indian politics since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rooted in the early 20th-century writings of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Hindutva seeks to define Indian identity through Hindu cultural and religious lenses. The Rashtriya…
(By Khalid Masood) Introduction: High Hopes Dashed As 2025 concludes, India finds itself reflecting on a year marked by profound setbacks across military, diplomatic, economic, and regional fronts. What began with ambitious visions of global leadership and assertive regional dominance has culminated in a series of humiliating reverses, exposed vulnerabilities, and unfulfilled promises. From the…
