The Sindoor Effect

Despite noisy differences of everyday politics, the consensus across party lines seen when composite parliamentary delegations travelled abroad to convey a message of national unity post Operation Sindoor is not dead yet. Opposition MPs were part of closed-door discussions on security and geopolitics in the context of India and its relationship with Europe held in Berlin recently. The Chatham House-type deliberations were intended to encourage a free exchange of views between Indian political leaders and Western commentators, politicians and academics. Congress MP Manish Tewari is understood to have urged the gathering to take note of changes in India which he said should no longer be regarded as just a large market. The real opportunities, he is learnt to have said, lie in being part of the Indian growth story. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi was also a participant. The discussions, part of regular interactions organised by think-tanks, saw some European delegates suggesting India is too sensitive to criticism. The point put across by Indian participants was that foreign commentators need to go beyond stereotypes in getting a more credible picture of India and the functioning of its democracy. India’s position that it is within its rights to take measures to protect itself against terror attacks and other nations must remind Pakistan of its role in promoting terrorism has found across-the-board acceptance above party lines. Though European think-tanks are susceptible to ‘liberal’ criticism of India’s alleged slide into authoritarianism, the reemergence of Donald Trump in the US and pressures he is exerting on the European Union over trade and defence spending is working to India’s advantage.

The Half-Full Glass

How are India-US relations headed? Amid uncertainty over fresh tariff actions by the Trump administration, recent visitors to Washington who interacted with State Department and White House officials feel waters may be less choppy than believed. This does not mean there will be no turbulence as trade is a major bugbear given the US president’s belief that American manufacturing and job growth has been hurt by cheap imports. But there is a view that there is a strong convergence despite Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir’s visit to the US. The US interlocutors were at pains to clarify that the general was not invited to the Army Day Parade.

Waiting for the BJP Chief

RSS’ relations with BJP are on an even keel with frictions caused by the latter’s sub-par results in the 2024 Lok Sabha election is now a thing of the past. BJP’s return to winning ways no doubt helped ease doubts in the Sangh ranks. Now, the Sangh Parivar is awaiting the announcement of the next BJP president that should pave the way for more interactions between the party and RSS. Recent appointments to various posts in RSS are seen to reflect a preference for pracharaks with grassroots experience.

Chirag’s Ambitions

LJP (Ram Vilas) leader and union minister of food processing industries Chirag Paswan’s moves ahead of the Bihar election are being watched closely. The leader has not broken with NDA and is not openly challenging Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. But he is clearly chafing at the bit, seeking an independent and larger role that is currently unavailable. There is a bit of history here as well as the senior Paswan and Kumar never got along either.

Thackeray Language Bubble

As Shiv Sena twins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray atch onto the Marathi language issue to try and boost their fortunes, the rest of the Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar) are less than enthusiastic about it, fearing alienation of a large number of migrant voters in Mumbai where municipal polls are due. The state government has warned against lawlessness in the wake of incidents where Hindi speakers were roughed up. If BJP avoids rising to the bait and its leaders mind their language, the Thackeray ploy can run into headwinds very soon.

Karnataka on Auto Pilot

There is no clear explanation whether there was indeed a move to change Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with Congress deputing office-bearers to assess discontent. But Siddaramaiah is not easy to displace and he understands how to be in the good books of the Congress high command. Meanwhile, the question that who is at the wheel is worth asking as unpaid bills led to Public Distribution System suppliers suspending operations.

Impeachment Red Light

The Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc is looking to raise its demand for the impeachment of Allahabad High Court’s Justice Shekhar Yadav for his reported remarks at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event. The demand is not supported by the government unlike in the case of former Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma. A Supreme Court inquiry into Justice Yadav was not pursued after a Rajya Sabha secretariat communication to the apex court. Since the government is not backing the move against Justice Yadav, any Opposition motion is unlikely to be accepted by the Rajya Sabha chair Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.