Why India while firming up the trade deal with US, must not hurry its implementation steps. 'Entry into force' clause now holds the key as Trump buffets his way through domestic political turbulence, armed with the Graham legislation to impose tariffs at will on countries like India with high Russia oil trade. My column #StateofPlay economictimes.indiatimes.com…

Trump-Xi Summit: Why optics by itself can be substantive. Three clear messages of intent from Trump: Avoid major confrontation with China; Willing to do business and strike specificdeals Should India Worry About a "G2"? | The Morning Brief Decode economictimes.indiatimes.com…

Why transmission lines are the new pathways of political power for India in the neighborhood & most effective counter, thus far, to China's BRI thrust. My column #StateofPlay economictimes.indiatimes.com…

Why BRICS is an exercise in realpolitik. It serves many purposes for India, from managing boundary confrontations with China, providing cover for other conversations to becoming leverage and, at times, strategic insurance in an eroding and uncertain world order. For China, this is a show of power. And, therefore, for India, a leverage on China, and the role of the one country that can tip the balance either way. My column #StateofPlay BRICS realpolitik: How India-China tensions get defused, strategic leverage grows economictimes.indiatimes.com…

Why a 300-acre plush real estate project & a luxury Naval Sailing Club near Islamabad lie at the heart of Pak military's agitation to establish ownership over Pakistan state through the 27th amendment, the rise of Asim Munir & the Zia-like control over territorial real estate. A tale of two orders by the Islamabad High Court bare the reality of how Pak military doesn't like to be told of its Constitutional limits. One judge tried in 2022 in the PN Farms & Sailing Club case, had to eventually resign & today the same courts have lost their authority to interpret the Constitution, which rests only with the newly created Federal Constitution Court. Meanwhile, a two-judge bench of the same Islamabad High Court reversed the scathing 2022 order against Pak Navy & it's then chief on Sept 2. So, no demolition of the club, no inquiry on its farms or on its ex-chief & officers My piece @ETPolitics m.economictimes.com/news/def…

Why Russia-Ukraine & West Asia conflicts are now wars without winners. Growing clarity on the impossibility of a military-led solution makes compromise a politically viable & economically profitable option - a line India advances. My clmn #StateofPlay m.economictimes.com/opinion/…