Rubio in Jamnagar
It was somewhat ironic that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was hosted by Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani in Jamnagar. It was perhaps fitting that Jamnagar’s giant refinery was the backdrop to the visit as crude oil has been at the centre of a rocky phase in India-US relations. Rubio’s remarks downplaying hurdles in the India-US bilateral trade agreement and his praise for India’s refining capacity indicate that energy purchases and trade issues may not be a bugbear in bilateral ties. Rubio was accommodative of India’s purchase of Russian crude and appreciative of “diversification” that could include oil from Venezuela. He also said US President Donald Trump will “consider” the impact of fresh sanctions on the world before he gives effect to a new law punishing purchase of Russian oil. These are encouraging signs ahead of a likely Trump-Modi meeting in December.
Straight Talk
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh called it a day after an eventful career that included a central role in Operation Sindoor where the IAF’s success in knocking off Pakistan’s key radar systems and damaging airfields helped end the conflict within four days. The IAF chief has been frank in talking about delays in acquisitions of fighters and his ability to make a point smilingly was evident when he told a visiting US commander that America wants to sell India F-35 jets but did not allow anyone near the planes when they were in India.
Delimitation Tensions
An interesting war of words is unfolding with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accusing the government of not convening an all-party meeting to discuss the proposed Delimitation Bill, and the government responding that the opposition party refused one-on-one meetings. The crux of the matter is that the Monsoon Session has not been prorogued, keeping alive the possibility of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha being convened at short notice. As the clock ticks and the window for passage of the Bill and its subsequent implementation narrows, tensions are running high.
TVK’s Secular Test
The tendency of opposition parties to view curbs on RSS as a test of ‘secular’ credentials has been internalised even by new political outfits like TVK. The Madras High Court scrapped the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to deny RSS permission to hold marches in the state stating no convincing reasons were advanced. The decision is unlikely to deter the state government though, which perhaps does not want to give rival DMK a chance to claim TVK is ‘soft’ on Hindutva.
Polish Agenda
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had a busy agenda in India this week, with meetings in New Delhi and Bengaluru. He came with a heavy business delegation and both sides were keen on increasing cooperation in engineering and IT. Russia is a sore point given Poland has a border with Ukraine, but India’s “peace” proposals have eased some of the testiness in Europe.
Bailing Out
Delhi riot accused Sharjeel Imam attracted fresh controversy with a court agreeing that he violated his interim bail conditions though it did not cancel the bail. Imam’s unfiltered comments criticising the Constitution for denying Muslims representation and endorsement of the Muslim League’s view of Muslims as a “nation” do not seem to have helped his cause.
Sabarmati Plan for Yamuna
Although it will take time, there is hope that New Delhi’s neglected riverfront will become a place where people can relax, enjoy walks, rides and food. Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma announced a collaboration with the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation to deliver a 52km stretch of the Yamuna from the clutches of massive encroachments, lakhs of illegal shanties and unregulated sewage discharges that have turned the river into a poisonous brew. The decision is bound to be opposed by busybodies and the land mafia but hopefully will survive political and legal challenges.