The Trump Curse

The election of Donald Trump as US president has had an unexpected fallout on conservative parties in other countries which almost overnight lost their leads in national elections. Trump’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs even on allies and partners resulted in public opinion rallying in favour of parties seen to be opposed to him. Canada’s conservative leader Pierre Poilievre slipped from frontrunner to even losing his own seat as he tried to belatedly reflect popular resentment against Trump’s comments on the North American nation becoming part of the US and sought to cater to pro-Khalistan opinion. He fell between two stools. He could not gauge the annoyance of many Canadians with the antics of Khalistanis and the need to focus on the weaknesses of the Liberal government on inflation, immigration, and law and order. Soon after, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese beat disaffection over rising costs of living and high interest rates to score a rare back-to-back win. Here too, the anti-Trump sentiment combined with nationalist feelings—an odd mix—and scuppered the conservative Liberal Party’s hopes, with its leader Peter Dutton losing his seat just like Poilievre. Ironically, this means parties that might have been in sync with Trump’s worldview on China, Ukraine and Palestine failed to make it. It was no surprise that Left-leaning parties attracted the support of Islamists and progressives who detest Trump. The victory of rightwing leader George Simion in the first round of the Romanian election seems a silver lining for conservatives.

Acting On CAG Reports

Although obscured by India-Pakistan tensions grabbing headlines, investigations into CAG reports not submitted to the Delhi Assembly by the erstwhile AAP government are proceeding apace. An app has been designed to track the progress of the Public Accounts Committee’s examination of the CAG reports, such as those on the liquor policy or pollution on a paragraph-to-paragraph basis with comments of the panel shared with the concerned department of the Delhi government. Since the state and Union governments sport similar political colours, the officials are working efficiently to deliver outcomes. According to a well-placed source, recommendation for filing of cases against former ministers and others will follow soon.

Bulldozers Are Back

Despite the Supreme Court’s admonitions, the bulldozers are not stopping. After the authorities in Nagpur got pulled up for demolishing the homes of people allegedly involved in communal rioting, bulldozer action seemed to have paused. But not for long. Bulldozers were back with a vengeance after the Pahalgam terrorist attack and halted only after it was felt the action may have limited utility. But not because any court intervened. In fact, the courts kept well away from such matters. Bulldozer action is likely to be more infrequent but unlikely to be shelved.

A Signal to Oli

As border tensions flare, some careful diplomacy is afoot in the neighbourhood. Relations with Nepal, which have remained unsettled though there has been no recent flashpoint, might be on the mend. There has been a discrete outreach to Nepal prime minister KP Sharma Oli who is facing resurgent royalists at home. Although the leader can look to China for support, it is India that can bolster his regime and there may be some headway. Oli has been waiting for a signal from India and he may get what he wishes.

Investing In Angola

The decision to extend $200 million for the modernisation of the Angolan armed forces during a visit to Delhi by its President João Gonçalves Lourenço is a shrewd move to counter Chinese outreach to the country on Africa’s western Atlantic coast. Angola is currently chair of the African Union (AU) that comprises 55 states. India had successfully lobbied for the inclusion of the AU in the G20 during its presidency. The clutch of votes can be handy as the confrontation with Pakistan over the Pahalgam terrorist attack is sure to be played out at the United Nations. Although China, which wields influence with African nations, can be expected to back Pakistan’s cause, India has an independent line to the continent.

Pak Flop Show

Photographs released after a visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief General Asim Munir to the ISI headquarters held commentators’ attention for featuring all heads of the different sections of the notorious spy agency in one frame. Perhaps the idea was to convey unity of the army and ISI. But reactions on social media may have surprised everyone. The more polite remarks described the photograph as a collection of thieves while others asked about the whereabouts of “Dirty Harry”. Not quite the patriotic reaction the Pakistan army had hoped for.

Lights Out

Civil defence drills across the country were conducted in full seriousness and triggered memories of the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, with blackouts in major cities. Even in cities in South India, such as Hyderabad, Bangalore and Madras (as the latter two were then called), citizens were asked to cover windows with black and brown paper and switch off lights the minute the siren sounded. It was an eerie feeling as the streets were deserted and people huddled indoors. The drills this week were a reminder that Pakistan continues to be a threat to peace even six decades on.

Donald TrumpgeopoliticsIndian politicsNepalPakistanPeter DuttonPierre Poilievre