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1. Express View on Qatar Amir’s visit: India’s West Asia outreach
The visit of Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, marks a crucial moment in India’s strategic engagement with West Asia, particularly in energy security, trade, and diplomatic ties. The elevation of India-Qatar relations to a “strategic partnership” and the commitment to double bilateral trade to $28 billion highlight Qatar’s growing role in India’s economic and geopolitical calculus.
Key Takeaways:
- Strengthening Energy Security: Qatar remains a critical supplier of LNG to India, with long-term agreements ensuring stability in energy imports.
- Economic and Investment Boost: $10 billion in Qatari investments and agreements on economic cooperation, taxation, and trade expansion signal deeper financial collaboration.
- Diplomatic Resilience: The release of seven out of eight detained Indian Navy personnel demonstrates the effectiveness of India’s diplomatic efforts, with further negotiations expected.
- Potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA): An FTA could benefit Indian industries like pharmaceuticals, IT, and textiles but requires careful negotiations to prevent adverse trade imbalances.
- Geopolitical Considerations: Qatar’s role in mediating regional conflicts, combined with the presence of over 800,000 Indian expatriates, makes it a key player in India’s West Asia policy.
- Challenges in Bilateral Relations: Addressing concerns over anti-India narratives in Qatari media and issues related to religious extremism remains crucial for long-term stability in ties.
India must leverage this visit to not only enhance trade and energy cooperation but also resolve outstanding diplomatic issues while ensuring a balanced and mutually beneficial relationship.
2. Express View on student suicides: India needs kinder, gentler campuses
The recent tragic suicides of students at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Ashoka University highlight the urgent need for Indian higher education institutions to prioritize mental health, inclusivity, and student support systems. As campuses become more diverse, they must evolve to ensure students feel safe, heard, and valued.
Key Concerns and Takeaways:
- Mental Health Crisis in Universities: A lack of adequate support structures exacerbates student stress, alienation, and vulnerability, often leading to tragic outcomes.
- Institutional Responsibility: Universities must go beyond basic counseling and actively intervene in cases of harassment, discrimination, and social isolation.
- Challenges for Outstation and International Students: Cultural shock, alienation, and discrimination are common, as seen in KIIT’s handling of the protests following the Nepalese student’s suicide. Sensitivity training for staff is crucial.
- Need for Personalized Support Systems: A one-size-fits-all approach to student welfare is ineffective. Institutions must develop nuanced policies, mentorship programs, and mental health initiatives tailored to student needs.
- Learning from Other Models: IIT-Madras’ initiatives, such as sports quotas for athletes and supernumerary seats for women, show that innovative approaches can foster inclusivity and well-being.
A compassionate, proactive, and inclusive campus culture is essential to prevent further tragedies. Universities must recognize that student well-being is not just about academics but also about creating a supportive environment where every individual feels safe and valued.
3. C Raja Mohan writes: Has Trumpism broken the Collective West?
The resurgence of Trumpism and its impact on global geopolitics have raised significant questions about the future of the “Collective West.” The recent shifts in U.S. foreign policy—Trump’s push for peace talks with Russia over Ukraine and his administration’s sharp criticism of European democracies—signal a deepening divide between the U.S. and its traditional allies.
Key Takeaways:
- Erosion of the Collective West: While Russia and China have long sought to exploit divisions between Europe and America, Trump’s policies are accelerating these fractures. His “America First” stance challenges the U.S.’s post-WWII role as the leader of the liberal international order.
- Reworking of Global Alliances: Trump’s direct peace overtures to Russia, criticism of European policies, and potential efforts to reintegrate Moscow into Western institutions like the G7 indicate a shift in U.S. strategic priorities.
- Economic and Political Realignments: Trumpism challenges the existing global trade framework, arguing that American leadership has been costly and must be recalibrated in favor of bilateral deals. This extends to cultural battles within the West, where conservative forces across borders are uniting against liberal policies.
- Rise of the ‘Conservative International’ (Con-Intern): Similar to past ideological movements like the Communist International (Comintern) and liberal internationalism, the growing alliance of right-wing forces across the West is reshaping debates on trade, security, and social issues.
- Impact on India’s Positioning: Unlike in the past, when India leaned toward Russian and Chinese anti-Western rhetoric, today, New Delhi adopts a more pragmatic approach, engaging with both sides to secure its national interests.
The future of the “Collective West” remains uncertain. Whether the current geopolitical realignment results in a long-term divergence or a redefined U.S.-Europe partnership will depend on how the next phase of Trump’s leadership unfolds and how global actors, including Russia, China, and India, respond.
4. Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes: BJP’s Delhi challenge and the Capital’s future
A new BJP government has taken office in Delhi after 27 years, raising the perennial question: What does Delhi want? The city’s historical depth, economic energy, and sociological diversity make it unique. No longer just a seat of power and money, Delhi symbolizes India’s evolving urban landscape. With a per capita income two-and-a-half times the national average and direct central government involvement, Delhi represents the complexities of modern democracy. The challenge ahead is not just governance but managing the contradictions that define the city.
The Contradictions of Delhi
Delhi’s governance cannot begin merely with a list of schemes; it must address its contradictions. Indian cities are marked by inequality, but Delhi is politically distinct because both its prosperous middle class and the urban poor on the periphery hold significant influence. Striking a balance between these two halves is critical for governance.
Sheila Dikshit’s tenure provided a modernist vision of Delhi, blending procedural governance with pluralism. However, middle-class dissatisfaction with corruption and a desire for something better led to AAP’s rise. The AAP combined this revolt with a focus on the poor, emphasizing social services like health and education. Despite opposition from national parties and administrative constraints, AAP’s governance structure survived for a decade. However, allegations of corruption, divisive politics, and performative leadership eroded its credibility. The middle class, as post-poll surveys by Ashish Ranjan’s DALES indicate, abandoned AAP, with an 8% vote shift. While AAP retains some influence over the bottom 20%, regaining broader support will be difficult.
Delhi’s Urban Aspirations vs. Urbanity
A key contradiction is between Delhi’s urban aspirations and its actual urban character. Indian cities are urbanizing without acquiring urbanity—defined not just by refined manners but by a societal shift where caste, religion, and region are less tied to citizenship and rights. AAP initially promised this transformation but later succumbed to identity politics. The BJP, too, has a complex relationship with urbanity, as it often engages in divisive identity politics. Whether the new administration can set a different tone remains to be seen.
Delhi’s inequality stems from multiple factors, as highlighted by the Centre for Policy Research’s Cities of Delhi project:
- State power favors the middle class – Policies often prioritize their needs while sidelining the urban poor.
- The paradox of modernism – The middle class depends on the poor for services but prefers their invisibility. Modernism in Delhi has often meant displacement and marginalization.
- Buying modernity on the cheap – The middle class enjoys urban services, but the cost of waste and sewage disposal is borne by the city’s periphery.
- The politics of land and construction – Delhi’s urban landscape is shaped by contractors rather than inclusive urban planning.
The Road Ahead
Delhi’s governance challenge is not about an immediate transformation but addressing fundamental issues. A competent government can focus on immediate concerns like roads, drainage, and pollution control. However, Delhi’s broader contradictions, which led to the downfall of both Dikshit and AAP, will continue to shape its governance.
If Delhi can rethink land use to be inclusive, economically viable, and livable, it can set a new urban benchmark. Otherwise, it risks oscillating between political cycles, with an insecure middle class and an alienated urban poor. Delhi is a city of vanished supremacies—its future depends on whether it can avoid becoming a city trapped in a sullen present.
5. Dear Editor, I Disagree: India is vulnerable to a currency crisis
The argument that India is vulnerable to a currency crisis due to the steady depreciation of the rupee oversimplifies a complex issue. While the rupee has depreciated over time, it does not necessarily indicate an impending crisis. Instead, it reflects fundamental economic factors, global market trends, and policy choices.
Firstly, a depreciating currency is not inherently bad. Many economies, including India, have used depreciation to maintain export competitiveness. While inflation differentials between India and global markets contribute to rupee depreciation, this is a structural trend rather than an indication of crisis. India’s inflation, though higher than some developed economies, remains within manageable levels.
Secondly, the notion that India’s foreign exchange deficit makes it vulnerable ignores the country’s strong foreign exchange reserves. The RBI’s active management ensures stability, preventing abrupt depreciation. India has successfully managed capital outflows during global downturns, such as the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, without triggering a full-blown currency crisis.
Thirdly, while India relies on capital inflows, these are diversified across FDI, remittances, and portfolio investments. Unlike economies that suffered currency crises, India’s reserves and policy framework provide a buffer against external shocks. The government and RBI have taken steps to encourage domestic manufacturing and reduce trade deficits, which will further strengthen the rupee’s long-term position.
Thus, while rupee depreciation is a challenge, it does not indicate imminent crisis. With prudent macroeconomic policies, India can manage its currency effectively without resorting to extreme measures.
Disclaimer:
This analysis is based on the editorial content published in Indian Express and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The views, opinions, and interpretations expressed herein are those of the author of original article. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original article for complete context and to exercise their own judgment while interpreting the analysis. The analysis does not constitute professional advice or endorsement of any political, economic, or social perspective.
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