Europe Means Business

The European Union (EU) ambassadors in New Delhi meet once a month over lunch and recently invited BJP President Nitin Nabin to join them. BJP functionaries, in turn, suggested the EU delegation visit the party headquarters, which it did on June 26, for what turned out to be a businesslike interaction. Missing were questions on minority rights, freedom of expression and similar subjects BJP leaders are accustomed to hearing during such interactions. Instead, the discussion was largely focused on the rollout of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with ambassadors highlighting specific issues concerning their countries as well as some broader matters relating to the trade deal.

It does seem EU members are keen on working out the implications of the trade pact described by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as the “mother of all deals.” Leyen and European Council President António Costa worked closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to push the FTA across the finish line and the deal is expected to be concluded in December and come into force in early 2027. Though issues raised by the ambassadors are more directly related to the government, they felt it was useful to air them in the meeting with Nabin. The word seems to have spread that Nabin is making efforts to familiarise himself with foreign policy and interactions have been purposeful. “Shared BJP’s historic journey, organizational strength and unwavering commitment to public service. We also discussed India’s transformative progress under Hon’ble PM Shri Modi Ji’s initiatives in clean energy, digital infrastructure, AI and semiconductors,” Nabin posted on X after the meeting.

Settling Bengal’s Debt

Commenting on Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee’s big win over the Left in the 2011 state elections, late Janata Dal-turned-Congress leader Jaipal Reddy had said that the sheer momentum of her victory would deliver a second term. His prediction did not sit well with Left-aligned votaries of the communist ‘haven’ in West Bengal who were suspicious of Mamata’s past association with BJP. Reddy proved right and Mamata won two more terms. The scale of BJP’s win and the promise to unleash both development and enterprise along with a cultural agenda is powering BJP despite the overhang of a 8.16 lakh crore debt.

Canny Guelleh

The focus on India’s engagement with island nations off the east coast of Africa put a spotlight on Djibouti, perched on the Horn of Africa, and its long-serving leader Ismail Guelleh, president since 1999. Guelleh has a well-earned reputation for being a canny leader, striking deals with Americans and Chinese with equal ease. Both nations maintain a competing presence as Djibouti oversees the Bab-el-Mandeb waterway connecting the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. India, too, has much at stake and contributes to Djibouti’s security with regular naval visits.

Cuss Words Can Boomerang

Uddhav Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has lashed out at defectors, using swear words not usually used in public by senior politicians. But he is not the first. Earlier, Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader Sanjay Nirupam used similar language for Raut. While Raut’s anger over the latest round of desertions spilled over, his role in breaking a pre-poll alliance with BJP and forging a pact with Sharad Pawar and Congress is an important reason for the Shiv Sena split and his leader’s reduced circumstances. The Uddhav Sena is now reduced to just two MPs, old-time loyalists Anil Desai and Arvind Sawant, in Lok Sabha.

Sindoor Truths

Congress spokespersons did their best to distort Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s comments in Parliament on Operation Sindoor to claim the government hid casualties. The fly in the ointment was a well-reported briefing by the armed forces which clearly mentioned five deaths. Chief Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh’s visit to a bereaved family is also a matter of public record. Congress’ desire to run down Operation Sindoor appears to exceed that of Pakistan with such attacks going down well with the party leadership.

Evergreen Ramgoolam

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Seychelles included a meeting with Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam. the meeting on the sidelines of Seychelles’ 50th National Day celebrations was a full spectrum review of the India-Mauritius strategic partnership, including development projects, maritime security, trade and people-to-people ties. Ramgoolam is a remarkably resilient politician who became prime minister for the first time in 1995. His current stint began in 2024 and Modi has met him four times since. Though opposition of the US has held up transfer of Diego Garcia, India has backed Mauritian claims strongly. The island nation is a key partner in India’s effort to secure its maritime interests and those of its allies. Ramgoolam’s on-off rivalry with the late Anerood Jugnauth defined Mauritius politics for decades.

Lessons for Harman & Co

India women’s cricket coach Amol Muzumdar’s admission that the team needs to re-think its approach after an ignominious exit from the T20 World Cup is stating the obvious. He sought to pin the blame on poor bowling but India’s storied batters failed to deliver knocks expected of them. Big changes in the squad are expected. The problem is not just T20s. The team has stumbled in the ODI series against Australia and lost in the Test format as well. The euphoria of winning the ODI World Cup for the first time at home last year is all but gone. That champions develop winning ways is a lesson yet to be learnt.