GST’s French Connection

BJP has decided to go all out to “own” reductions in the GST slabs to mainly 5 per cent and 18 per cent and the resulting price cuts even as Congress leaders cry foul. The Opposition party claims it had been calling for a simpler GST but was countered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who reminded people about the complex maze of Central, state and local taxes that prevailed prior to GST. He provided an example by referring to a November 2014 dispatch in the London-based Financial Times that referred to a report in a French business newspaper that said a French technology company sometimes found it expedient to send parts from Bengaluru to Hyderabad, that is 570km away, via Europe. The reference sparked a heated discussion but the details that appeared in the UK daily and the French newspaper Les Echos were soon established. What is indisputable is that logistical costs were crippling and constituted an unacceptably higher share as a percentage of sales in comparison to foreign competitors. GST did away with octroi and a simple e-way bill facilitated the transport of goods to any destination. The prime minister’s reference to the Les Echos report which Financial Times amplified was intended to counter Congress’ contention that GST was a “Gabbar Singh Tax”. Interestingly, Les Echos is one of the few foreign newspapers to which Modi gave a full-length interview, as he did in 2023 ahead of his visit to France for the Bastille Day celebrations. The prime minister questioned how the United Nations Security Council could be considered representative without the world’s largest and most populous democracy as its permanent member.

Shooting Practice

The shooting death of Make America Great Again (MAGA) icon Charlie Kirk has further sharpened the vexatious and divisive discussion on immigration and faith in the US. The rise of untamed MAGA sentiments aggravated by irresponsible targeting of India by Trump administration officials has placed the Indian-American community under an unwelcome spotlight. Usually keen to keep their heads low and pursue professional goals even when nurturing cultural connections with India, the community is being subjected to a loyalty test. The assault on H-1B visas is a case in point. Conservative media outlets accusing Indians of siphoning off jobs and money miss the point that the skill sets of the foreign workers are superior to domestic replacements.

 Preaching to the Converted

Congress’ “vote chori” campaign is running out of steam under the insistent examination of social media which is peopled with sharp minds despite the seeming cacophony. Many X users have pointed out that claims of duplicate votes are becoming repetitive in the absence of evidence that such instances affected voting outcomes. There is no clarity whether the voters referred to by Congress did in fact cast their votes in the first place. Congress leaders feel the issue resonates with voters but this may be more so with those who are in any case opposed to BJP.

Nitish as Santa

Bihar Chief Minister And JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar’s X handle has become a keenly followed account for posts on various pre-poll benefits he has unveiled. A recent post announced a grant of ₹25,000 to 10,000 vikas mitras or welfare workers who are engaged in delivering the benefits of government schemes to scheduled castes and tribes. There are still some days to go for the expected announcement of state polls and voters, including the large number of migrants working all over India, are waiting to see what goodies come their way. At present, Kumar has 9 million followers on X to rival Tejashwi Yadav’s 5.4 million.

China Keeps Oli at a Distance

Nepal interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki has so far appointed ministers with professional backgrounds and signalled her sensitivity to Gen Z demands for honest and efficient governance. Deposed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has, in a post, blamed “fictional statements” for misleading the youth. It is understood he spent some time under army protection and is now at an undisclosed location. The problem is that he is not welcome in India and his chief backer, China, may no longer wish to associate with him.

Assignment in Rabat

Amid global uncertainties in the light of the Trump administration’s actions on tariffs and visas, India is going all out to renew contacts with several countries, with senior ministers visiting various capitals. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led a team to Morocco and met Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour. The discussions centred on deepening partnerships in key sectors, including defence, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, according to an official statement. Every commercial and political gain that makes India’s supply chain more secure and opens new markets is welcome, according to officials.

Ignoring Loudmouths

As Indian negotiators work their way towards a trade deal with the US, they are learning to ignore the more outlandish statements by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Adviser Peter Navarro. For example, Lutnick’s pronouncements on what H-1B workers earn were so exaggerated that they were quickly dismissed by analysts and commentators. His claims on the new $100,000 fee being an annual feature were swiftly refuted by the White House on September 21 itself. The Indian team is concentrating on settling the basic contours of the deal—what will the US tariff on imports from India be and how investments in India can increase while protecting agriculture and dairy.

Bihar Assembly electionsNational PoliticsNitish KumarRahul Gandhi