The signing of a mutual defence agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which declares that “any aggression … shall be considered an aggression against both”, is a moment of consequence for both countries as well as for West and South Asia. Saudi Arabia, the custodian of Islam’s two holiest mosques, and Pakistan, the Islamic world’s … Read more
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his much-anticipated visit to China. Mr. Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and also held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit. The two leaders decided to restart bilateral trade and air connectivity, and underlined the importance of peace and … Read more
“For a journalist, there is also a measure of headiness. As vulgar as it may sound, even an unintended encounter with chaos counts as ecstasy for a reporter — to be amidst such a crisis and report on it.” Photo: Screengrab from video | Photo Credit: Ramya Kannan What are the chances of landing in … Read more
The Jews and Israel today The Jews have been the most persecuted race — the Holocaust is the darkest chapter in human history. Therefore, one would expect that the Jews would inherently imbibe qualities of empathy and tolerance, given their sufferings in the past. However, it seems that the oppressed have turned oppressor with renewed … Read more
After violent protests that left 74 dead, Nepal’s elected government has fallen, with its Parliament dissolved and former jurist Sushila Karkileading an interim government until the 2026 elections. While the Gen Z protesters had legitimate grievances including poor governance, entrenched corruption and intolerance of critical views, seen in the ousted CPN-UML-led government’s banning of 23 … Read more
The publication, in February 2024, of a household consumption survey by the National Sample Survey (NSS) Office, after a gap of over a decade, has made it possible to estimate the poverty rate in India. One such estimate, released by the World Bank in April 2025, has received the most attention. It points to the … Read more
In June this year, India secured its best-ever position in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, ranking 99 out of 167 nations in the 2025 edition of the SDG Report. This marked a significant improvement from its rank of 109 rank in 2024, reflecting steady progress since 2021. India has demonstrated advancement in areas such … Read more
The Supreme Court of India has broached the possibility of prosecuting farmers, caught setting fire to their fields, to prepare for winter sowing or rabi crop. ‘Stubble burning’ is a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, particularly in October and November, when the southwest monsoon has receded and adverse … Read more
(From left) Actor Kamal Haasan, composer Ilaiyaraaja, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and actor Rajinikanth during Mr. Ilaiyaraaja’s felicitation event organised by the State government at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai September 13, 2025. | Photo Credit: PTI The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, has scored a point. By taking it … Read more
With the adoption of capital-intensive technology, output may increase but employment will not. | Photo Credit: Getty Images The linkages between economic growth and employment growth need to be understood in the right perspective for drawing the appropriate policy initiatives. Employment loss resulting in a deceleration in demand can actually retard economic growth. The effect … Read more