India Observers

  India’s 2022 T20 World Cup squad has been a topic of discussion for two years, with the selectors sticking to the core of the 2022 side. The team, which had previously faced challenges in the UAE and Australia, has been working on a similar blueprint to their previous success in the IPL. They have invested in several players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as openers and middle-order batsmen. However, India’s current lineup has five left-handed batsmen, with only two making the XI and one in the top four. India’s strategy for the T20 World Cup was based on the success formula of top T20 teams worldwide, investing in as many left-handers as possible in the batting line-up. This was done to ensure that modern-day bowlers, such as pacers and spinners, could keep the Indian batting quiet. However, with just two right-handed batsmen between them, the selectors’ assertion was accurate, as opposition bowlers struggled to keep the Indian batting quiet. Hardik Pandya’s selection ...

  The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heatwave warning, predicting that extreme temperatures will persist for the next five days across large parts of east and south peninsular India. The heatwave has shattered longstanding temperature records across various  states , with Alappuzha in Kerala experiencing the highest April temperatures ever recorded in these regions. In Bengaluru, two weather stations registered temperatures of 38.5°C and 37.6°C, ranking among the third and fourth hottest April days on record. The heatwave’s unrelenting grip has impacted the electoral process, with 186 out of the 191 constituencies scheduled for polls falling within regions projected to experience peak temperatures above 35°C over the next five days. A staggering 136 of these constituencies could face  temperatures exceeding 40°C , potentially deterring voters from turning out. There is little prospect of relief from the scorching heat until May 1, with only some...

  The Supreme Court’s recent decision on electoral bonds has sparked outrage among opposition parties, with Congress accusing the court of delivering a severe blow to democracy. The ruling allows the government to continue withholding information on donors to  political parties , affecting the right to privacy and potentially discouraging donations to political parties. Congress has vehemently opposed the ruling, accusing the court of failing to protect the principles of transparency and accountability in the electoral process. The decision has raised concerns about the future of transparency in political funding in India. Electoral bonds, introduced in 2017, were touted as a way to clean up political funding by bringing in more transparency. However, the recent ruling has cast doubts on the effectiveness of the scheme in achieving this goal. Congress has also accused  Prime Minister Narendra Modi  of being the beneficiary of the court’s decision, with party leaders ...

  WhatsApp has warned the Indian government that it may have to exit the Indian market if it is forced to break its end-to-end message encryption. This comes amid a dispute between WhatsApp and the Indian government over access to user data for law enforcement purposes. WhatsApp has been under pressure from governments worldwide to provide access to encrypted messages to combat illegal activities like terrorism and child exploitation. However,  WhatsApp  has consistently maintained that it cannot compromise user privacy and security by providing backdoor access to encrypted messages. The Indian government has advocated for greater access to encrypted messages due to national security and  law enforcement concerns.  It has proposed new IT rules that require social media companies to identify the originator of a message upon government request. WhatsApp has argued that this would require breaking its encryption, which it refuses to do. The exit of WhatsApp from th...

  The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 concluded on April 25, with political leaders from various parties attempting to win votes in 89 constituencies across 13 states. The  Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress-led INDIA alliance  engaged in a heated debate over contentious issues such as wealth redistribution and social justice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of having “dangerous intentions” and planning to redistribute wealth. Congress  leader P. Chidambaram dismissed the BJP’s allegations, stating that the party’s election manifesto did not mention wealth redistribution or inheritance tax. He accused the BJP of resorting to “distortion, falsehoods, and abuse” as ‘Modi ki Guarantee’ had vanished without a trace. Several high-profile candidates are in the fray in the second phase of the elections, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav from the Kannauj constituency in Uttar Pradesh, Peoples Democratic Party’s Waheed-ur...

  Jaipur, a historic city in India, has significantly boosted trade between  India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)  following the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement has led to a 16% increase in bilateral trade, reaching 85 billion USD from 73 billion USD two years ago. Jaipur has played a crucial role in facilitating trade between the two countries, contributing approximately half a billion dollars. UAE officials have expressed their intention to engage with local businesses to explore partnership opportunities, which is expected to further strengthen trade ties between the two nations. Ras Al-Khaimah in the UAE has also been identified as an important location for Indian business leaders due to its economic investment policies and world-class infrastructure. The  UAE-India CEPA  offers numerous benefits for businesses from both countries, such as greater access to each other’s markets, reduced tariffs on a signi...

  The Padma Awards ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan honored prominent figures such as former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu and social reformer Bindeshwar Pathak. Led by President Droupadi Murmu, the ceremony celebrated not only personal accomplishments but also collective goals towards a brighter future. The Padma Vibhushan was conferred upon Naidu and Pathak, symbolizing their resolute efforts in cultivating societal welfare and protecting social legacy. The honor roll expanded beyond political and social circles to include actors Mithun Chakraborty,  singer  Usha Uthup, and industrialist Sitaram Jindal. Pathak’s legacy underscored his persevering bequest in social change, leading organizations like Sulabh International to impact millions. During the ceremony, strong moments typified Indian culture and convention, with Drona Bhuyan, a renowned folk dancer from Assam, mesmerizing viewers with his captivating execution of Ojapali and Deodhani dance forms.  Prime Minis...

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent comments at a campaign rally have sparked debate over the country, as he suggested that a Congress-led government should prioritize the distribution of national assets to specific demographics. Critics argue that this statement extends societal gaps and undermines the standards of secularism and uniformity in  India’s Constitutions. Modi’s upcoming rally in Aligarh presents an opportunity for clarification and outreach. He should address the concerns raised by his comments and provide a more nuanced perspective on wealth dispersion and minority strengthening. The rally serves as a significant stage for Modi to engage with voters and explain his vision for the nation’s future. As Modi takes the rally to Aligarh, he must demonstrate authority by cultivating solidarity and inclusivity, emphasizing the importance of concordance and participation in India’s diverse society. By articulating a message of solidarity and progress, Modi can rise a...

  India’s  Lok Sabha Elections 2024  began with the primary voting stage on April 19, marking the beginning of a significant democratic rule process. Despite occasional violence and distress in areas like West Bengal and Manipur, the polling was generally peaceful, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Tripura emerged as the frontrunner in voter support, with an impressive turnout of around 80 percent. West Bengal followed closely behind with a turnout of 77 percent. In Tamil Nadu, voter enthusiasm reached 72 percent. However, some areas became prone to violent events, such as gunfire and quarrels in Manipur and clashes between workers from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Cooch Behar, West Bengal. These events led to complaints of survey violence and voter terror, highlighting the discretionary pressures prevalent in these areas. Security concerns were crucial during the elections, particularly in regions prone to violen...

  The  Lok Sabha elections of 2024  have begun, marking a significant moment in India’s democratic government. With 102 parliamentary seats at stake across 21 states and union territories, citizens are gearing up to exercise their right to select their representatives. Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Kiren Rijiju, Sarbanada Sonowal, Jitendra Singh, and Bhupendra Yadav stand as columns of their respective parties, while contenders like Gaurav Gogoi from the Congress, Kanimozhi from the DMK, and K. Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP President, bring their vision to the political field. Key challenges and players in the  elections  include the intense competition between established political powers and emerging contenders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on Tamil Nadu highlights the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ambitions to make significant strides in the state’s political scene. The key challenge in Tamil Nadu remains a closely-contested battle between the admin...

  The United States has expressed support for reforms to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), including India’s bid for a permanent seat. This aligns with Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s statement that India’s exclusion from the UNSC is “absurd.” US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated that the US supports reforms to UN institutions, including the Security Council, to make them more reflective of the contemporary world. This stance echoes President Biden’s and  Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s  previous comments, emphasizing the need for a reformed UNSC. Elon Musk’s advocacy for India’s permanent seat at the UNSC adds weight to the growing international support for reform. He criticized the reluctance of powerful nations to relinquish their excess power, highlighting India’s absence from the Security Council despite being the world’s most populous country. He also emphasized the need for Africa to have a permanent seat, reflecting broader cal...

  The  Indian Navy  intercepted a dhow in the Western Arabian Sea on April 13, resulting in the seizure of 940 kg of contraband. The operation, supported by the Canadian-led Combined Task Force 150, INS Talwar, conducted its first narcotics interdiction since joining the Combined Maritime Force (CMF). The  Indian Navy’s commitment  to addressing unlawful activities at sea and ensuring maritime security is evident in this operation. Since joining the CMF in November, the Indian Navy has demonstrated its maritime law enforcement expertise, securing 453 kg of methamphetamines, 416 kg of hash, and 71 kg of heroin. The operation highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment to maritime security and upholding international rules-based order.