Swapan Dasgupta
The Bibi bridge: India’s Israel shift marks end to 75-year hesitation
The bonhomie with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Knesset speech that witnessed a rare bout of bipartisanship in Israel, and India’s emphatic solidarity with the Oct 7 victims of terrorism was clear proof that New Delhi had changed sides
Dhaka verdict: Let’s temper the euphoria
BNP needs the Awami League to prevent the country’s journey down the slippery slope of Islamism
Fertile fathers or phantom voters? Why SIR puzzle matters in Bengal
The importance of SIR in the remaking of an authentic electoral roll can hardly be overstated. If, as some estimates suggest, the final rolls lead to the deletion of some 80 lakh or more fraudulent names, its impact on the electoral outcome will be significant. In a tight election, it could even determine who forms a government
To understand Trump better, Indian diplomacy must bridge knowledge gap
As our trade negotiations with the US face a stalemate, is it time for a more aggressive stance?
Why India shouldn’t play on the back foot with Bangladesh
Circumspection in foreign policy is always desirable, but will this passive approach towards Dhaka yield results?
Incendiary rhetoric in Bangladesh shouldn’t distract India from its strategic interests
It is not merely die-hard BNP supporters that have been energised by Tarique’s return. There is also a groundswell of support from the middle classes and business communities who, alarmed by the growing lawlessness, are relieved that there is now a clear prime minister-in-waiting.
150 years later, why the Vande Mataram debate is still relevant
The linkage between the partition of Vande Mataram and the Partition of India is not to be scoffed at. Even if the full song is unlikely to be insisted upon and A R Rahman’s catchy version will continue to be mistaken for the real thing, the Vande Mataram debate is likely to be a landmark
Modi vs Macaulay: Relax, Khan Market gang. It’s not about English
It's about the soul of a nation still trapped in mental servitude. It didn’t require Modi to identify this black hole in India’s self-esteem. He was just the first political leader wielding power who tried to restore India’s mojo.
Mamdani win backlash can put Indian Americans in crosshairs
Deification of a new multiculturalism which tacitly rejects American nationhood is likely to be problematic for Indian immigrants
Francesca Orsini furore shows perils of visa vigilantes
Professor Francesca Orsini's visa denial sparks debate. The incident raises questions about India's stance on foreign scholars and its liberal inheritance. The govt's focus shifts towards science and technology, potentially impacting liberal arts engagement. This approach risks sending mixed signals globally. National security decisions should not be influenced by social media
Trump-brokered West Asia peace deal could economically benefit India
India's muted reaction to West Asia developments stems from wariness of Trump. His peace plan favors Israel, securing hostage releases and disarming Hamas. Arab states and the US commit to this. With Hezbollah weakened and Iran subdued, Israel emerges as a regional player. The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor revival offers India a bonus.
Backlash or bigotry? Britons ko gussa kyon aata hai
Britons, who have silently witnessed the demographic transformation and cultural disfigurement of their land since the mid-1960s, have a right to be exasperated. This doesn’t mean they are all racists. Their grievance is against the wholesale implantation of values, institutions and moral codes from other lands into Britain.
Modi: The man who got India and Indians to think big
The PM is undeniably the tallest leader of India since Independence. In the arena of politics and statecraft at least, there is no one to match his achievements.
Unofficial film bans only serve to avoid questions of the past
The West Bengal government faces criticism for allegedly banning 'The Bengal Files', which centres on the 1946 Kolkata and Noakhali riots. The film's focus on Hindu victimhood and challenges established narratives of the Partition era.
Lessons from a hostage crisis and the making of a national backbone
Amidst Israel's hostage crisis debate, mirroring India's IC814 experience, differing approaches emerge. While some Israelis favour military action, others prioritize hostage release via truce
West Bengal to ‘West Bangladesh’ in the guise of language pride
Regional identity battles and language flashpoints are testing the BJP’s national pitch ahead of elections. Case in point: West Bengal where Mamata Banerjee has gone ballistic over an alleged BJP campaign to target all Bengali speakers as Bangladeshis
What the Chinese whisper war tells us about our strategic blind spots
During the recent India-Pakistan face-off, China waged an undeclared war on India. This included the activation of China’s Indian assets who did their bit to sow disinformation and undermine public morale in India.
Iran regime on borrowed time, but meddling could backfire
Despite Iran's claims of victory, a recent conflict revealed significant vulnerabilities, with Israel inflicting substantial damage on military capabilities and key symbolic targets.
Trump’s unpredictable second inning has made Delhi reset its expectations
In India, the position of equivalence taken by the Trump administration in the aftermath of the April 22 massacre in Pahalgam and his boast about having negotiated a cease-fire has definitely soured the mood
Will Yunus go too far with the India bashing?
Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's interim leader, faces criticism for overstaying his welcome and pursuing personal agendas despite lacking popular support. He's in a power struggle with the army and BNP over election timelines, aiming for a 'reset' of Bangladesh, potentially involving controversial economic reforms and foreign policy initiatives.