MEA Clears the Air

The Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) explanation that the Indian side had requested a “no questions” protocol during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit at Evian in France in June evoked mixed reactions. Some felt the Indian position was not well received by US officials but there is a strong view that an explanation was in order after US Ambassador Sergio Gor said Trump initially agreed to the format but either ignored it or forgot the commitment. Indian sources point out a bilateral format is typically restricted to opening remarks followed by an on-camera discussion. Trump turned the meeting into a free-wheeling press conference, calling on reporters to ask questions. It is another matter that Trump had unstinted praise for Modi but his record of erratic interactions with leaders like Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer is not encouraging.

Sena Discipline

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s admonition for unruly Shiv Sainiks that acts of vandalism are unacceptable was not overdue. The thuggery of local Sena leaders was in the news after squabbling at a local hospital over treatment and bills for ‘Govindas’ hurt in a Dahi-Handi event. While police booked the accused, reports of local leaders and cadres indulging in high-handedness and complaints of influence-peddling have become frequent.

Unlikely Prime Minister

The leader of the opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha might be seen as a ‘likely’ prime minister, but not always. In the past, BJP leader LK Advani had referred to the idea when he was LoP. But then BJP had close to 140 MPs in the 14th Lok Sabha and hardly any partners of note. Recent statements by Congress leaders that Rahul Gandhi is the prime ministerial “face” of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc have run into headwinds. Alliance partners are unwilling to endorse such suppositions. TVK leaders suggested Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay can play a “national” role and the matter surfaced just before a meeting of the state alliance on September 9.

J&K Film Fest

The International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir was held in Srinagar, Jammu and Gulmarg after more than three decades and saw a mix of dignitaries, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh as well as film personalities like Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Ramesh Sippy. The screening of films has been criticised by hardline elements as “vulgarity” but movie theatres have run to full houses. The film festival was well received though J&K’s main opposition party was conspicuous by its absence.

Modi Meets MoS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meeting with ministers of state (MoS) was viewed in the context of a background buzz of changes in the Council of Ministers. But identifying political and bureaucratic roadblocks was the key objective with Modi conveying the message that ministers need to look sharp.

Punjab Tactics

With Punjab elections due, the AAP government has adopted tactics similar to what the party did in Delhi—oppose the Centre on every count. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann boycotted the swearing-in of the new chief justice on the ground that the state wasn’t consulted. He couldn’t have known the Supreme Court collegium makes the appointment and might need to remember the tactics didn’t work in Delhi.

Canada Camaraderie

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent visits to the US and Canada went well, with engagements in Toronto reflecting an urgency on the part of the hosts to make up for a nearly five-year downturn in bilateral ties under Justin Trudeau. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has headed the Bank of Canada, is a pragmatic man who understands financial and political balance sheets. Sitharaman’s discussions touched on economic policy, trade and investment, financial services and diaspora meetings. Modi is expected to visit Canada around the time he will be in Florida for a G7 meeting in December.