News for 'Economic and Political Weekly'

'Always Treat China With Caution'

'Always Treat China With Caution'

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

'Given China's past behaviour and their territorial claims, should we be sceptical regarding China's willingness to adhere to these agreements fully? The answer is yes.' 'As Ronald Reagan famously said in the context of the SALT talks, 'Trust, but verify!' India should also do the same.' 'This has already begun with foot patrolling, drones, satellite imagery and so on. India's military deployment did mirror China's and will continue to do so in the future.'

Foreign secretary Misri reaches Beijing for talks with Chinese officials

Foreign secretary Misri reaches Beijing for talks with Chinese officials

Rediff.com26 Jan 2025

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit during which he will hold talks with Chinese officials. The visit comes amid ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and to resume bilateral cooperation in various fields, including the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

After The Oval Office Fracas, What Next For Ukraine?

After The Oval Office Fracas, What Next For Ukraine?

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Trump knows by now that the western narrative of Biden's war is a load of bullshit peppered with falsehoods and outright lies, and that the war erupted only out of the diabolic western plot to poke the bear, which got provoked finally and hit out, explains Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

The economic side effects of political instability

The economic side effects of political instability

Rediff.com25 Mar 2013

Taking a cue from the UPA's recent tussle with the DMK, foreign investors may consider selling into rallies in the future.

Why Wayanad's Landslide Survivors Are Protesting

Why Wayanad's Landslide Survivors Are Protesting

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

In the months immediately following the 2024 tragedy, reporting on the landslide per se had been a straightforward affair. On one side was death and destruction. On the other side, survivors and the business of survival. It was black and white. What direction to take was clear. Rehabilitation in comparison, felt like a complex situation. One that is fraught with shades of grey. As grey as human life, explains Shyam G Menon.

Why Modi Prefers Babus At RBI Helm

Why Modi Prefers Babus At RBI Helm

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

Perhaps because the Modi government had some differences of opinion with two of the economist governors (one of whom was appointed by the Manmohan Singh government), there is a view that its political leadership prefers a civil servant to head the RBI, notes A K Bhattacharya.

Sri Lankan PM agrees to quit amid political turmoil

Sri Lankan PM agrees to quit amid political turmoil

Rediff.com9 Jul 2022

Wickremesinghe will resign after an all-party government is established and the majority is secured in Parliament.

Punjab govt cracks down on farmer leaders ahead of protest

Punjab govt cracks down on farmer leaders ahead of protest

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

Ahead of their planned protest in Chandigarh on March 5, several Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders were detained in early morning raids at their residences on Tuesday and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann denounced the agitating farmer unions, saying they have turned Punjab into a 'state of dharnas' and caused huge losses to it.

Hasina's daughter joins mother at G20, fuels political speculation

Hasina's daughter joins mother at G20, fuels political speculation

Rediff.com8 Sep 2023

This is possibly the first time Hasina's daughter will be by her mother's side during an official visit to close neighbour and ally India, and analysts believe this to be significant in many ways.

'Unacceptable': Chinese envoy on security lapses in Pakistan

'Unacceptable': Chinese envoy on security lapses in Pakistan

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong urged that the government should launch a crackdown against all anti-China terrorist groups after two deadly attacks took place in Pakistan within only six months, The Express Tribune reported.

Doctors Strike Opens Fissures In Bengal

Doctors Strike Opens Fissures In Bengal

Rediff.com24 Sep 2024

'The Bengali middle class, who never fully embraced Mamata Banerjee's policies, are now expressing their deep-seated frustration by spilling out on to the streets.'

Are Baloch rebels out of Pakistan's control now?

Are Baloch rebels out of Pakistan's control now?

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from hit-and-run attacks to carrying out sophisticated operations with tactical precision. The group's tactics and targets have become increasingly audacious, targeting security forces, Chinese nationals, and innocent civilians. Experts attribute the BLA's evolution to various factors, including the leadership of Bashir Zeb, the group's growing intelligence network, and its exploitation of the grievances of the Baloch people. The BLA's actions are a cause for concern, as the group's sophisticated attacks pose a major challenge to security forces.

Kejriwal to vacate CM's bungalow soon, AAP searches for new house

Kejriwal to vacate CM's bungalow soon, AAP searches for new house

Rediff.com28 Sep 2024

Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal will soon vacate the official residence of Delhi chief minister in Civil Lines area of the city, with an intensive search on to look for a new house near his New Delhi constituency, the party said on Saturday.

Women We Admire: India's Brave Ranis

Women We Admire: India's Brave Ranis

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

This Women's Day Week, we pay tribute to the extraordinary courage, resilience, and leadership of three iconic Indian queens -- Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Rani Chennamma of Kittur, and Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Malwa.

How Yechury forced then PM Indira Gandhi to quit

How Yechury forced then PM Indira Gandhi to quit

Rediff.com12 Sep 2024

There was a protest in the university demanding Gandhi's resignation as the chancellor and the students decided to walk down to her residence and paste a memorandum demanding her resignation on the door.

Shirish Patel, Renaissance Man

Shirish Patel, Renaissance Man

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

There is and will be plenty written about Shirish's achievements, his awards, his writing, his talks, the mark he left on this city he knew and understood so well. I know much of that, certainly. All of it speaks of the man he was, and what he meant to so many. Dilip D'Souza pays tributes to Shirish Patel, the legendary urban planner, who passed into the ages last week.

Can Rekha Gupta Deliver BJP Promises To Delhi?

Can Rekha Gupta Deliver BJP Promises To Delhi?

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

The monthly Rs 2500 payment for poor women is expected to cost Rs 11,000 crore while the pension scheme of Rs 2000 for every senior citizen will cost around Rs 4100 crore. The Yamuna clean up will cost over Rs 10,000 crore while a similar amount is required to upgrade Delhi's hospitals. Ultimately, the new BJP government will have no choice but to ask the centre for financial support, notes Rashme Sehgal.

Joining BJP because...: Champai Soren explains switch

Joining BJP because...: Champai Soren explains switch

Rediff.com28 Aug 2024

The senior JMM leader, who briefly held the chief minister's post after Hemant Soren's resignation, said only the saffron party seems serious over the issue of tribals, while others are indulging in vote bank politics.

'I Feel Like I Have Lost My Father Again'

'I Feel Like I Have Lost My Father Again'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

'After Om's untimely demise, he would call us every Sunday for the next two years to ask, "How are you doing my dear? How's the young fella?"'

Warning! Trump 2.0 Will Be Very Different

Warning! Trump 2.0 Will Be Very Different

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

'Trump has no more elections to fight and his soaring ambition, which is no secret, will be to carve out a presidential legacy that outshines by far all his mediocre predecessors.' 'Trump's turnaround on the H-1B visa debate shows that he can take tough decisions and there are no holy cows in his domain,' asserts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Manipur: Political Will, Legal Process Need Of Hour

Manipur: Political Will, Legal Process Need Of Hour

Rediff.com15 Sep 2023

No process can offer a panacea for ethnic conflict, but there are times at which a legal process could work to defuse violence, asserts Supreme Court lawyer Devvrat.

Sri Lanka declares emergency amidst protests over economic crisis

Sri Lanka declares emergency amidst protests over economic crisis

Rediff.com2 Apr 2022

Sri Lanka has also imposed a police curfew in Western Province for six hours.

'Musk, Vivek biggest threat for China'

'Musk, Vivek biggest threat for China'

Rediff.com24 Nov 2024

United States President-elect Donald Trump's plan to overhaul the government with a new department headed by tech billionaire Elon Musk and Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will be a biggest threat for China as it has to compete with far more efficient US political system, a policy advisor to the Chinese government said.

Mudra Bank is more politics and less economics

Mudra Bank is more politics and less economics

Rediff.com2 Nov 2015

Even if Mudra steps in to play its main role of refinancing at some stage, the responsibility for the bad loans remains with the banks.

In touch with India, China, Brazil over Ukraine conflict: Putin

In touch with India, China, Brazil over Ukraine conflict: Putin

Rediff.com5 Sep 2024

Putin's remarks came within two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Ukraine where he held talks with President President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

No politics on nation's economics, urges Chidambaram

No politics on nation's economics, urges Chidambaram

Rediff.com3 Feb 2014

India needs a place where all regulators could gather and function as in a war room.

Bangladesh Crisis: Advantage Tiruppur!

Bangladesh Crisis: Advantage Tiruppur!

Rediff.com6 Aug 2024

India's gain will be an additional business of $300 million to $400 million per month if 10-11% of Bangladesh's export is diverted to Indian hubs like Tiruppur.

Why Talks With Naga Groups Have Stalled

Why Talks With Naga Groups Have Stalled

Rediff.com30 Nov 2024

'People's expectations were very high.' 'We felt both sides had understood each other.' 'But the removal of Article 370 triggered apprehensions within the Naga people.'

Rupee set to hold ground against greenback till Dec

Rupee set to hold ground against greenback till Dec

Rediff.com19 Oct 2024

After depreciating 0.32 per cent against the dollar in October so far, the rupee is expected to hold ground against the greenback in the current quarter on the back of robust inflows. According to the median of a Business Standard poll of 10 respondents, the rupee is seen trading around 84 per dollar till the end of December. "In India's case, at least the bond and cash related inflows will continue.

'Nitish, Naidu Cheated Muslims On Waqf'

'Nitish, Naidu Cheated Muslims On Waqf'

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

'When voting clause by clause on Waqf came up in the JPC, the TDP and JD-U supported the BJP on each and every clause.'

India Needs 75 Years To Reach 25% Of US GDP

India Needs 75 Years To Reach 25% Of US GDP

Rediff.com2 Aug 2024

According to the World Bank, economic growth in middle-income countries, including India, is not accelerating. 'In fact, it is slowing down as incomes increase, with the trend becoming more pronounced each decade.'

New rules: How will airlines decide if a bomb threat is serious

New rules: How will airlines decide if a bomb threat is serious

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

Pseudonymous or anonymous nature of the social media handle, analysis of the geopolitical situation and presence of VIPs onboard are some of the new criteria that agencies will keep in mind while considering the seriousness of a bomb threat made to Indian airlines.

Mahayuti Or MVA? Which Way Will Jarange Patil Tilt?

Mahayuti Or MVA? Which Way Will Jarange Patil Tilt?

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

If Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil drops a hint of supporting or opposing a particular coalition on the eve of polling on November 20, things may change overnight.

'India's influence in Bangladesh will remain strong'

'India's influence in Bangladesh will remain strong'

Rediff.com8 Aug 2024

BJP leader and India Foundation founder Shaurya Doval said there may be certain perceptions that need to be set right initially as India "went long on relations with Sheikh Hasina".

Mahayuti Win Will Boost Adani's Dharavi Plan

Mahayuti Win Will Boost Adani's Dharavi Plan

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

The Opposition had promised to scrap the Dharavi redevelopment project if it came to power. With the Mahayuti's massive mandate in the Maharashtra assembly election, that prospect has been laid to rest.

Mahatma Carter

Mahatma Carter

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

Carter was in politics, but not a politician, certainly not a transactional politician, points out Shreekant Sambrani.

'AKD Will Balance India and China'

'AKD Will Balance India and China'

Rediff.com23 Sep 2024

'We have to keep a watch because India-Sri Lanka has a history that whenever there has been a change in government, either the connectivity projects have been questioned or cancelled or revived.'

Hijab Row: Politics Of Communal Polarisation

Hijab Row: Politics Of Communal Polarisation

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

Some important simple truths about the issue may be more helpful than high sounding debates, asserts Mohammad Sajjad.

All In The Family In The Name Of Politics

All In The Family In The Name Of Politics

Rediff.com2 May 2023

With some variations, all regional political formations, whether in power presently or out of it, share some common features: Tight family control of the political apparatus, key members in elected or appointed positions, obvious wealth but not quite known sources of income, and family factionalism, sometimes open and bitter, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

We Haven't Seen This In 39 Years!

We Haven't Seen This In 39 Years!

Rediff.com22 Aug 2024

Dr T V Somanathan is the first finance secretary to be appointed Cabinet secretary since 1985. His appointment at this juncture seems to carry much meaning for the forthcoming trajectory of reforms and restructuring of India's steel frame.