UN permanent seat: An unnecessary obsession
India's candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council will be taken seriously only when it becomes a global economic and military power, able to protect and enhance its interests unilaterally, argues Harsh V Pant. The dark cabals that rule Delhi
'The political world in Delhi is getting increasingly polarised... those who work, live and breathe with the ruling elite and the handful of 'others' who are really the outsiders, the critics, the rebels and run the risk of being dubbed 'anti-national' by the groupie nationalists at any moment in time. This is largely because they have refused to milk the system.' What Nitish Kumar needs to do for Bihar
'People's expectations are so high that they won't wait for long. They won't tolerate any delay in pushing ahead development work at the fastest possible pace.' View: Niira Radia did no wrong
'As a lobbyist, she was within her right to co-opt whoever she deemed fit in her enterprise to service the interests of her clients. She broke no law. If she did, by now she would have been charged since these tapes belong to early and mid-2009.' Why the Radia tapes are a threat to our democracy
'The crossing of lines has dangerous implications for the credibility of the media -- its greatest asset. Already, many journalists have strayed from the profession's proper boundaries. It would be even worse, and ethically more repugnant, if journalists become political fixers or take instructions from corporate lobbyists.' Will the next Wikileaks expose India's corrupt?
While Wikileaks did not say in its message what the third instalment of their release would cover. However, a Reuters despatch from Washington DC said that classified US diplomatic cables reporting corruption allegations against foreign governments and leaders are expected to feature in the official documents that Wikileaks plans to release. Reddy's appointment a slap in the face for Jagan
In addition to the financial and governance challenge in the state, Andhra Pradesh Governor K K Reddy has to contend with one other -- Jaganmohan reddy All is far from being honky-dory in Bihar
'Make no mistake. Bihar remains one of India's most backward, poor, violent, caste-riven states. Its social and economic indicators (per capita income, literacy, life expectancy, child and maternal mortality, etc) would place it among the bottom of sub-Saharan African countries.' 2 years later, we remain helpless against Pakistan
'The lack of vigorous action by the US against Pakistan for its involvement in the 26/11 strikes and its disappointing cooperation with India in the Headley case have shown that any high expectations of US cooperation with India against terrorism of Pakistani origin would be an illusion.' Corruption makes us subjects, not citizens
When citizens realise that things won't change, the lose faith in the system. That is the most dangerous thing to happen to a country, says Mahesh Vijapurkar. Nitish win will redefine Indian politics
'The arithmetic of the outcome shows that Nitish is not likely to jettison the BJP, which he might have been tempted to do had he won a majority on his own.' India needs more of her PM than just integrity
Since Dr Singh did not explicitly tell A Raja to stop, the minister sped down his chosen road, says T V R Shenoy. The true winners are the people of Bihar
Biharis seem to have broken the caste divide to vote for good governance in a deeply caste-ridden society and that is Nitish Kumar's biggest triumph. Speak to us, Mr Prime Minister
No one doubts that Dr Singh is a good man who has the nation's wellbeing at heart. But often, a good man's silence has the potential to cause more harm than a bad man's deeds, says Saisuresh Sivaswamy. Why India needs to tweak its Myanmar policy
India should to adopt a more nuanced political approach while continuing the present policy of economic support to the Junta regime in Myanmar, says B Raman The buck stops with you, Mr Prime Minister
With one scam after another tumbling out of the closet, the head of state; titular or not, must accept responsibility for the happenings under his watch, says Vivek Gumaste. China: Putting out a fire in its neighbourhood
China is trying to improve frayed relations with neighbours to pre-empt efforts by the US to intervene, says strategic expert B Raman. The Obamas struck a chord with India
The Obamas touched Indian hearts. The US president is an intellectual of the first order and he had done his India homework well. The case of the missing minister
Take a look at the pictures of Barack Obama's visit to India. You can see Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar and National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon. Can you spot Foreign Minister S M Krishna anywhere? Pak, China to set up hotline for stronger ties?
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's decision to visit Pakistan would negate the belief in New Delhi that his decision to visit India in December indicated a desire to mend relations between the two nations Obama visit: A tale of two Facebook feeds
President Obama's trip to India has been hailed as one of the best of his presidency. After he left, rediff.com's Matthew Schneeberger analyses the difference in the Indian and American perceptions of the presidential visit. After the Kool-Aid: Notes from the Obama visit
'The Obama visit to India was a major non-event. India got practically nothing out of it. But then, India's leaders do not know what their goals are, so avoiding utter disaster, I suppose, is a victory. Of sorts.' Has Obama's visit addressed India's core concerns?
'We know Kashmir was discussed. What one does not know is to what extent Dr Singh was able to convince the president that dialogue with Pakistan was not possible unless the latter's involvement in terrorism directed against India was not put down.' Counter-terrorism: The next step forward
Co-operation in the research and development of counter-terrorism and homeland security technologies are areas which offer considerable scope for co-operation between the security agencies of the two countries, says B Raman. Geography, Pakistan and America
'Despite understanding the USA's compulsion, India nevertheless expected an American condemnation of what it perceives as Pakistan's support to terrorism on Indian soil.' How Prithviraj Chavan can clean up the mess
The new chief minister, if backed by the Congress high command, can give Maharashtra a chance to recover from being looted by rent-seeking politicians, says Mahesh Vijapurkar. The TV guide to Obama
'It was the only moment in the three days of Obamania on Indian television that the poor Leftist leader -- no puns please -- looked bushed. So much so, that a rightwing party leader who was also on the panel reached out and gently pressed the Leftist's hand, as a father does to a wounded child.' The Obama visit: A balance sheet
'We should dream not about a permanent seat at the horse-shoe table in the United Nations, but of a mature balanced and beneficial relationship with the US.' 'Don't make Pak an ally, India a market'
'We shouldn't attach great significance to Obama's 'qualified' assurance on a membership to 'a reformed' Security Council. Nobody knows how many decades it will take and America can easily forget its un-doable promises.' I am glad the Obamas won Indian hearts
'The next two years are not going to be a joy in Washington. All of Obama's charm, intellect and skills will have to be put aside as a new reality sets in. So it is wonderful to see the Obamas having a good time in India.' Obama's controversial Pakistan remarks
'He made three highly exaggerated statements. He said Pakistan is "enormous", it is strategically important not only for the US, but also for the world and that the people of Pakistan has tremendous potential.' "P" word may be as much taboo for him as "K" word
'Those who criticise him for not identifying Pakistan as the source of terrorism appear to have missed the nuances in the speech. It was not the occasion for him to name any country even indirectly, particularly as he had stated earlier that Pakistan should punish the guilty urgently.' Suswagatham, President Obama
'When we urge you to complete the task of eliminating terrorism, we are not suggesting that we are ready to fight the battle to the Last American. Indians, Americans and humanity itself have a stake in ridding the world of the scourge of terrorism. There should be no more Headleys to perpetrate terrorism.' View: US-India ties poised for new heights
Strobe Talbott, former United States deputy secretary of state who laid the foundation for better US-India ties, on how they can be taken higher. Mid-term loss could stifle Obama's Af-Pak plans
The recent gains by the Republicans in the American midterm polls may benefit India, says B Raman. Obama must unshackle India
'Only then can we play our role in balancing China and deal with the menace of global terrorism. If these concessions are not forthcoming, then the Indo-US strategic partnership is as good as dead.' Obama's visit: The China angle
'Beijing is watching Obama's visit closely. While Chinese leaders have faced opposition from Japan and Vietnam, they view India's rise with caution.' What is Obama holding up his sleeve?
The visits may not be a paradigm shift in New Delhi foreign policy but a cautious forward step toward a more global role as seen by experts here, says Arab journalist Dr Waiel Awwad. Why is India silent on what it can offer the US
'Beyond the strategic aspects of the relationship, India should jump-start the process of economic liberalisation, which, at present, appears to have stalled. Again, self-interest suggests it may be desirable to do so' Why Afghanistan could dominate talks with Obama
Obama's visit coincides with a critical stage of America's longest war in Afghanistan. This will occupy much of the behind-the-scenes activity, which essentially is the core of each other's national security concern. What the Obama visit means for India and China
While Obama's visit to India has a strategic and economic dimension, what the visit portends for the US's relations with China is a big question, says strategic expert B Raman. Why A K Antony must clear the Adarsh scam mess
The Adarsh scam is potentially the more dangerous than the Commonwealth Games mess since it points to corruption in the armed forces. As a man whose personal integrity is beyond reproach, the defence minister must step in and stem the rot, says T V R Shenoy. September 2010 | August 2010 | July 2010 | June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010