The Kerala government's claim that it has eradicated extreme poverty in the state has been met with scepticism among economists and other experts. They have questioned the empirical basis of this declaration and the process that was followed to achieve it. Mint examines the issue.Watch to know more!#kerala #poverty #povertyclaim
Bihar kicked off its assembly elections today with 3.75 crore voters heading to polling stations across 121 constituencies. This first phase could end Nitish Kumar's twenty-year run as chief minister. Here's what makes this interesting. The state's seeing a three-way fight. The ruling NDA alliance brings together Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and the BJP. They're up against the Mahagathbandhan, led by Tejashwi Yadav's RJD and Congress.
Rahul Gandhi held a press conference Wednesday accusing the Election Commission and BJP of stealing the Haryana elections through systematic manipulation. A day before Bihar votes, the Congress leader claimed he has proof of 2.5 million fraudulent votes. Here's what he's alleging. Gandhi says duplicate entries, fake addresses, and unexplained voter additions handed the BJP victory in Haryana. He cited one bizarre example: a Brazilian model's photograph used 22 times across 10 booths under names like Seema, Sweety, and Saraswati.
Thursday is a packed day for Dalal Street. Over 160 companies are releasing their second-quarter earnings, with some big names on the list. Life Insurance Corporation of India, Apollo Hospitals, Ola Electric, Mankind Pharma, Bajaj Housing Finance, and Lupin are among the marquee companies reporting today. This is part of a massive week where more than 650 companies will declare their Q2 results. Ajit Mishra from Religare Broking says these numbers matter. "The ongoing Q2FY26 results season will continue to shape market direction, with several major companies scheduled to release their financials. These results will provide a clearer picture of sectoral trends and corporate profitability ahead of the festive quarter," he said.
Air India is bringing back direct flights between New Delhi and Tel Aviv starting January 1, 2026, ending a years-long suspension. Five weekly flights will operate Sunday through Thursday using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The Tel Aviv flight leaves at 11:40 AM, landing in Delhi at 8:50 PM. The return departs Delhi at 7 AM, arriving in Tel Aviv at 9:55 AM. Israeli carrier Arkia Airlines is also eyeing Indian routes.
Donald Trump didn't hold back after Zohran Mamdani won New York City's mayoral race. Speaking in Miami, the President said America "lost a bit of sovereignty" with the election result. What this really means is Trump sees the 34-year-old democratic socialist's victory as a threat. He framed it as a choice between communism and common sense, saying Florida would become a refuge for those fleeing New York. Trump went further, claiming Congressional Democrats installed a communist as mayor and are trying to turn America into Cuba or Venezuela. He contrasted his economic policies with what he called his opponents' economic nightmare.
It's Wednesday, November 4th. Let's get started!
New York City just made history. Associated Press has declared Zohran Mamdani the winner of the mayoral race, making him the city's first Muslim mayor and its youngest leader in generations. With 75 percent of votes counted, Mamdani secured 50.4 percent against Andrew Cuomo's 41.3 percent. Curtis Sliwa, the Republican Guardian Angels founder, finished third at 24 percent. The turnout numbers were staggering. More than 2 million people voted, the first time that's happened in a New York mayoral race since 1969. That's a clear signal this election mattered beyond the city's borders. Mamdani, just 34 years old, was virtually unknown before his upset win in the Democratic primary.
Delhi's pollution monitoring system went silent for four days in early November, right when the city's air typically turns most toxic. The blackout only ended after journalists started asking questions. Here's what happened. The Decision Support System, which tracks where Delhi's pollution comes from, stopped updating on Friday. When it finally came back online late Tuesday, data for November 1 and 2 was completely missing. No stubble burning numbers at all for those days.
India threw its weight behind the Gaza peace plan on Tuesday as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar in New Delhi. Jaishankar welcomed the return of Israeli hostages and said India hopes the peace plan leads to a lasting solution. Sa'ar, on his first India visit, didn't mince words. "The eradication of Hamas' terrorist state is at the heart of President Trump's plan.
Canada wants new powers to cancel temporary visas on a mass scale, and India might be the primary target. Here's the situation. Pending legislation would let Canadian authorities mass cancel visas to fight fraud. A government presentation obtained by CBC News singled out India and Bangladesh as countries presenting specific challenges. The presentation showed officials want to use these powers against country-specific visa holders, not just during pandemics or wars as originally intended
A passenger train slammed into a stationary goods train near Bilaspur station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens more. The collision happened around 4 pm when the MEMU passenger train heading to Bilaspur from Gevra hit the goods train from behind. The front coach, where the engine sits and passengers often ride, took the worst damage.
Vijay Subramaniam, Founder and Group CEO at Collective Artists Network, has redefined talent management—spanning Bollywood, sports, and influencer industries. From his early music days with Synaps to creating IPs like Mahabharat: Ek Dharam Yudh—a stunning AI-enabled production—Vijay’s journey is all about innovation and storytelling. In this episode of Rollin’ with the Boss, Abhishek Singh, Deputy Editor Livemint catches up with the man who is disrupting content creation with AI. Luxury Partner @lexus ROLLIN' WITH THE BOSS#VijaySubramaniam #CollectiveArtistsNetwork #MahabharatEkDharamYudh #AIinContent #RollinWithTheBoss #Bollywood #InfluencerMarketing #SportsTalent #EntertainmentIndustry #AbhishekSingh
India’s brandy market is poised to rise from about $1.29 billion in 2023 to $2.17 billion by 2030, growing at a 7.7 % CAGR. Consumption is heavily concentrated in South India, with states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala accounting for a large share of brandy demand. The “regular” brandy segment remains dominant, while flavoured variants are emerging as the fastest-growing category. Premiumization, gifting culture and rising middle-class income are among the factors driving this boom. Watch.#IndiaBrandyMarket #BrandyGrowth2030 #TamilNadu #Kerala #SouthIndiaSpirits #IndianSpiritsMarket #FlavoredBrandy #LiquorIndustryIndia #IMFLTrends
Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.
It’s been a week where power, pride, and precision all shared the spotlight.
India-Pakistan War Games: Both nations are running massive military drills — in overlapping waters. Pakistan’s naval firing exercises in the Arabian Sea coincide with India’s tri-services Trishul operation involving 25 warships, 40 aircraft, and tens of thousands of troops. Despite the overlap, experts say coordination will keep things cool — though the timing, coming months after Operation Sindoor, sends a firm message across the border.
India’s Women Rewrite History: In Navi Mumbai, the Indian women’s cricket team finally lifted the World Cup, defeating South Africa by 52 runs. Jemimah Rodrigues’ heroics in the semi, Smriti Mandhana’s runs, and Deepti Sharma’s wickets powered a victory that was years in the making — and marked a turning point for women’s sport in India.
ISRO’s Big Lift: India launched its heaviest homegrown satellite, CMS-03, aboard the LVM3 rocket, ending dependence on foreign launchers. Another flawless flight for Bahubali.
Buffett’s Record Cash: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway now holds $381.7 billion in cash — more than most nations’ GDP — after cutting Apple and Bank of America stakes. As Buffett prepares to hand over to Greg Abel, he’s arming the company with dry powder for the next big play.
AI Boom, Market Shock: Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon are set to pour $380 billion into AI infrastructure. Cloud players like Amazon and Google surged; Meta plunged 11%. The AI arms race just got real.
Prashant Kishor and his party Jan Suraaj have opened an interesting third front election competition in Bihar. The party's founder has done extensive work in the state in the last 3 years. In this exclusive conversation with MINT's Gulam Jeelani, he talks about his party, BJP , RJD and everything Bihar .#prashantkishor #jansuraaj #bihar #biharelection2025
Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.
Thursday afternoon in Mumbai's Powai turned into every parent's nightmare. Seventeen children walked into RA Studio thinking they were auditioning for a web series. Instead, they became hostages. The man behind it was 50-year-old Rohit Arya from Pune. He locked the kids inside, set up motion sensors on the stairs, and recorded a chilling video. "Instead of committing suicide, I made a plan and kept a few children hostage," he said on camera. His demands? A conversation. He wanted to speak with former Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar. Here's the thing. Arya wasn't asking for money. He claimed the government owed his firm Rs 2 crore for work done under the Swachhta Monitor Project, part of the state's "My School, Beautiful School" campaign.
339 runs to win. Defending champions Australia. A knockout match. And the ghosts of past chokes hanging heavy over Indian cricket. Thursday night in Navi Mumbai, something changed. Jemimah Rodrigues walked in at 59 for 2. The 25-year-old hadn't even been a guaranteed starter at the tournament's beginning. Four months of struggle, of being dropped, of wondering if she belonged. All of it came down to this moment. What followed was the knock of her life. 127 not out off 134 balls. But here's the thing about this innings. It wasn't just about the runs. It was about the courage to keep going when Australia's Alyssa Healy dropped her on 82. Then again on 106. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur stood alongside her, scoring 89 off 88. Together they added 167 runs for the third wicket. India's highest partnership against Australia in World Cup history. When Harmanpreet fell with 113 still needed, Rodrigues didn't flinch.
China just threw India a lifeline on rare earth magnets. And the timing tells you everything. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed Thursday that several Indian companies have received licenses to import rare earth magnets from China. No numbers yet, but this is significant. Let's break it down. Rare earth minerals are the backbone of electric vehicle manufacturing and battery production. China controls 70 percent of global rare earth mining. When Beijing restricted exports recently, Indian EV makers felt the squeeze immediately
Kerala is making a bold claim. The state says it's about to become the first in India to eradicate extreme poverty. MLA M. B. Rajesh laid out the numbers. When the Pinarayi Vijayan government returned to power in 2021, their first cabinet decision was launching a poverty eradication scheme. They trained 4 lakh people through the Kerala Institute of Local Administration to identify the poorest families. Then they built micro-plans for each of the 64,006 families identified. Four years later, Rajesh says all of them have been lifted out of extreme poverty. "After China, Kerala is becoming second place in the world to eradicate extreme poverty," he told ANI. But Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar isn't buying it
India just bought itself some time on Chabahar port. The US has granted a six-month exemption from sanctions on the Iranian port project. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the news Thursday. This matters because Chabahar is India's strategic gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia without going through Pakistan. Here's what happened. US sanctions on the port kicked in September 29 as part of Trump's pressure campaign on Iran's nuclear program.
In this special episode, MINT's Political Desk Editor Gulam Jeelani goes on ground in Patna to talk to youngsters about their aspirations and the upcoming elections. What will they vote on? Are their enough jobs in the state? More so, why is migration such a man-made issue in the state.#bihar #biharelection2025 #chathpuja #nitishkumar #tejashwiyadav #live #prashantkishor #modi #rahulgandhi #patna #buxar #mughalsarai #railwayexam #biharvidhansabha #laluyadav #yadav
Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, I’m your host Nelson John — This is your smart, daily briefing on what matters. From big moves in business to headlines shaping India and the world, we cut through the noise so you start your day informed and ahead.
It's Wednesday, October 29th. Let's get started!
In Delhi, a Cessna aircraft from IIT Kanpur fired silver iodide flares into clouds to trigger artificial rain that could wash away pollution. The ₹1.28-crore trial failed to bring any measurable rainfall. Moisture levels were too low, only 10–15 percent. Yet Delhi’s environment minister hailed it as a “science-first step.” Critics mocked the timing since the weather office had forecast natural rain. For a smog-choked capital desperate for relief, even failed experiments count as effort.
Down south, Bengaluru saw something equally unusual — cooperation. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya met Congress deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar to discuss the city’s tunnel road project. Surya argued that instead of a ₹50,000-crore car tunnel, funds should go to public transport that can move 69,000 passengers per hour, compared to the tunnel’s 1,800 vehicles. Shivakumar listened, agreed to meet again, and invited industry leaders to the next discussion. For once, the city’s politics paused to prioritize policy.
Meanwhile, New Delhi deepened its ties with Moscow. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signed a deal with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation to build the SJ-100 passenger jet in India — the first since the Avro of the 1960s. The move comes weeks before Putin’s India visit and despite Western sanctions on UAC. India says it recognizes only UN-mandated sanctions. The partnership fits its strategy of “multi-alignment” — buying cheap Russian oil while working with the US in the Quad. It’s both business and geopolitical signaling: India will decide its partners on its own terms.
In Gaza, the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas unraveled again. Israeli jets struck targets near Shifa Hospital after Hamas allegedly fired on its troops, killing at least 30 people. Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating the truce by returning only body parts of hostages; Hamas said it was preparing another handover before the strikes. With each clash, hopes of sustained calm fade, and humanitarian conditions worsen.
And in the corporate world, Amazon began its own experiment with efficiency. The company is cutting 14,000 corporate jobs — 4% of its white-collar staff — as AI tools take over logistics, payments, and cloud operations. CEO Andy Jassy called AI “the most transformative technology since the Internet.” Profitable yet restless, Amazon is reshaping itself for the machine age, even if it means fewer humans in the loop.
Across these stories runs a common thread: ambition amid uncertainty. Delhi tried to engineer rain, Bengaluru tried political collaboration, India asserted independence in diplomacy, Israel and Hamas tried (and failed) to sustain peace, and Amazon tested the limits of automation.
Each was an experiment — scientific, political, or technological — driven by the same instinct: to act rather than wait. Not all succeeded, but all reflected the restless urgency of our times. Whether firing silver iodide into clouds or feeding algorithms new data, humanity’s defining habit endures — the need to try, fail, and try again.
Sanjeev Prasad Reveals What's Holding Indian Markets, Tariff Impact On India & China | Samvat 2082In this episode of Mint's Diwali special series , Kotak Institutional Equities MD and Co-head Sanjeev Prasad discusses with Mint's Dipti Sharma, talks about the Indian markets, the valuations and impact of US tariffs on India and China.Watch!#investment #diwali #money #personalfinance
The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra | The Right Angle New Episode | Entertainment News | Bollywood News | Viral Topics | Latest News🎬 The Right Angle brings you the real story behind the hype. Watch now!#TheRightAngle #SonalKalra #BollywoodNews #EntertainmentNews #ViralVideos #BollywoodControversy #TrendingNow #PopCultureDebate #EntertainmentWeekly #IndianEntertainment
Bihar Elections: Why Was VIP's Mukesh Sahani Chosen As Mahagathbandhan's Deputy CM Face? Tell Me WhyAs Bihar Polls draw closer, Hindustan Times' Sunetra Choudhury decodes why opposition went on to choose their new alliance partner Mukesh Sahani as the Deputy CM Face?
Watch!
#bihar #biharelections #biharpolls #tejaswiyadav
Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.
California Tragedy Sparks National Debate:
Dashcam footage captured the terrifying moment a semi-truck slammed into stopped traffic on California’s I-10 — killing three, injuring four, and igniting a firestorm over how commercial licenses are issued. The driver, 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, an undocumented immigrant allegedly high on drugs, had somehow obtained a California CDL. Federal officials are calling it a “systemic failure,” while Washington froze $40 million in funding over weak language standards for truckers. Singh faces manslaughter and DUI charges.
Trump’s High-Stakes Asia Trip:
President Trump heads to Asia for his first meeting with Xi Jinping since returning to office — and it’s make-or-break. After months of tariff threats and China’s rare-earth export curbs, Trump’s opening line to Xi will be about fentanyl. Washington blames Beijing for chemical flows fueling America’s drug crisis. The outcome could reset U.S.-China trade — or reignite tensions.
India’s Big Defense Push:
India approved ₹79,000 crore in new defense buys — missiles, warships, and AI-powered air systems — part of a wider push for self-reliance after Operation Sindoor. The move boosts combat readiness across all forces while backing Indian defense tech.
Delhi Bets on Artificial Rain:
Delhi may finally make it rain — literally. Using IIT Kanpur’s cloud seeding tech, the city plans its first artificial rainfall by October 29 to fight smog. Five trials are planned — science versus pollution.
India-Canada Thaw Begins:
After a year of diplomatic frost, India and Canada are talking again. Ottawa can now send back diplomats under a “reciprocal” staffing deal — a cautious reset after Trudeau’s explosive 2023 accusation over Hardeep Nijjar’s death.
Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.
Modi Skips ASEAN Summit as Trump Heads to Malaysia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the ASEAN Summit virtually, skipping what’s being billed as the largest gathering of world leaders in ASEAN history. The decision, officially linked to Chhath Puja, comes as US President Donald Trump lands in Kuala Lumpur in person. Over 30 leaders, including China’s Li Qiang and Brazil’s Lula, are attending. With India-US ties strained by Trump’s steep 50% tariffs on Indian goods, Modi’s absence avoids an awkward meet without a trade breakthrough. Talks to reduce tariffs to 15–16% are ongoing, but India is treading carefully amid delicate diplomacy — balancing QUAD and BRICS ties at once. Kuala Lumpur, meanwhile, is under lockdown with 16,000 officers on duty.
Siddaramaiah’s Son Upsets Karnataka’s Succession Equation
Yathindra Siddaramaiah has thrown a curveball into Karnataka politics by backing minister Satish Jarkiholi as his father’s successor — sidelining Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. With the Congress government hitting its halfway mark, talk of a “November revolution” is gaining traction. For Shivakumar, once seen as next in line, the message is clear: the race is no longer his alone.
Indian Army Goes Tech-First
India’s Army is arming up for the future — signing a ₹2,770-crore deal with Bharat Forge and Adani’s PLR Systems for 4.25 lakh modern carbines. New drone platoons and elite commando battalions are rolling out, while US-made Javelin missiles are being added. The shift marks a major leap from manpower-heavy to AI-driven combat readiness.
Meta Cuts 600 Jobs in AI Reality Check
Meta’s AI dream just hit turbulence — 600 layoffs at its AI Superintelligence Labs. Despite a $14 billion spree to hire top AI talent, several big names have already quit. CEO Alexandr Wang says “leaner is faster,” but the move reveals internal tension between expensive new hires and a thinning support base.
Trump Slaps Russia with Oil Sanctions, Eyes India Next
President Trump has sanctioned Russia’s oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, warning Putin to end the Ukraine war. The move also turns the heat on India, with Trump insisting Modi promised to cut Russian oil imports — claims New Delhi hasn’t confirmed. The message from Washington: stop buying Russian oil or face crushing tariffs.
America education | H1B visa | ImmigrationThe Trump administration has announced new rules that will exempt foreign students, including Indians, from paying the $100,000 Visa application fee for the H-1B visa. In this podcast, we speak with Immigration Attorney Sophie Alcorn of Alcorn Immigration Law who breaks down what exactly this means. Watch!#immigration #h1bvisa #america
In this episode of South Asia Geoeconomics Adda, Dr. Harsha de Silva — economist, parliamentarian, and Chair of Sri Lanka’s Committee on Public Finance — joins Dr. Sanjay Kathuria to dissect Sri Lanka’s journey from economic collapse to cautious recovery. They discuss what went wrong after the post-war boom, the 2022 debt default, and the hard lessons from Sri Lanka’s dealings with China, India, and the IMF. Harsha reflects on India’s critical support during the crisis, the burden of bad policy choices, and why trade liberalization remains politically difficult. How can Sri Lanka cope with the high 20 percent additional “reciprocal tariffs” of the current US administration? The conversation probes whether Sri Lanka can rebuild credibility, manage debt that exceeds 100 percent of GDP, and find balance in an increasingly polarized region. A candid look at a nation walking the tightrope between reform and relapse.SAGA is hosted by Dr. Sanjay Kathuria, a pre-eminent thinker and commentator on South Asia, contemporary geoeconomic issues, economic development, and trade and globalization. He is co-founder of the Trade Sentinel and a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress in New Delhi. https://www.tradesentinel.org/team The Trade Sentinel aims is to bring trade back into the development spotlight in the region, including by making the Sentinel the go-to space for geoeconomic conversations on issues that affect South Asia. https://www.tradesentinel.org/home Reading: Sanjay Kathuria: As Bangladesh Rises, Sri Lanka Finds India is Not the Only Neighbour With Deep Pockets. The Wire, June 10, 2021. https://bit.ly/3ctLBDSL Sanjay Kathuria: To fix its economy, Lanka must make tough choices. Hindustan Times, January 19, 2023 https://bit.ly/SriLankaEcoAnushka Wijeshinha. Sri Lanka’s New President Commits to Expanding Regional Trade Relationships and Pursuing Trade Reforms. Trade Sentinel, Feb 2025. https://tradesentinel.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/blogs/Sri_Lanka_Budget_Analysis_Feb_2025.html Latest IMF report on Sri Lanka: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229016360.002, July 2025 World Bank Development Update on Sri Lanka, October 2025: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099154110062538553/pdf/IDU-0573adec-4079-4966-8dff-489e8025668f.pdf South Asia Geoeconomic Adda | Episode 2 In Association with Trade Sentinel SouthAsia. SAGA. SouthAsiaGeoeconomicAdda. Adda. SriLanka. India. China. Modi. Rajapaksa. Tariffs. Trade. Reforms. PublicFinance. China. Mega projects.
From flying planes to building India's No. 1 smartwatch brand—completely bootstrapped. On this episode of Rollin’ With The Boss, Abhishek Singh, Deputy Editor, Mint, catches up with Gaurav Khatri, the Bikaner boy who, with his cousin Amit Khatri built one of India’s biggest smart wearables brand - Noise.Today, Noise dominates with almost 1/3rd market share and sits among the top 3 global wearable brands. On the show, Gaurav opens up about his entrepreneurial journey—from humble beginnings to building a brand that redefined how Indians connect through sound and technology. Tune in as he shares his thoughts on innovation, leadership, and what it takes to stay ahead in India’s booming smart tech market.Presented by @RajnigandhaPM Luxury Partner @lexus Rollin with the Boss | Season 2 | Abhishek Singh | Noise | Amit Khatri | Gaurav Khatri | Wearables #RollinWithTheBoss #GauravKhatri #NoiseWearables #IndianEntrepreneur #StartupIndia #SmartTech #WearableTech #BootstrappedSuccess #EntrepreneurshipJourney #InnovationInIndia #LeadershipTalk #TechStories #MadeInIndia #SmartwatchIndia #BusinessLeaders #TechEntrepreneur #MintTalks #StartupStory #TechInnovation #NoiseSmartwear
Last week, the entire cabinet of Gujarat had resigned, leaving Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel the only person left standing. The main reason? Possible anti-incumbency. One of the fixes that the party has used in states repeatedly is this- if the people are unhappy and itching for change, then just get rid of a chunk of those that are the faces of the government- BJP did this not just in 2021 gujarat, but also in Haryana last year where ML Khattar and team were replaced by Naib Singh Saini just months before general elections. So the question in Gujarat is, is why now? Watch#politics #gujarat #cabinet
Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.
Politics and diplomacy are both running hot today — from Gandhinagar to Washington, and beyond.
In Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has hit the reset button — all 16 ministers resigned, giving him a clean slate to rebuild his cabinet. BJP insiders call it a strategic reset ahead of the 2027 polls. The new team, to be sworn in at Mahatma Mandir, could nearly double in size. Amit Shah and JP Nadda are flying in, underscoring how high the stakes are for the BJP’s strongest state.
Across the world, Donald Trump’s back in the headlines — twice over. First, he claimed PM Modi promised to stop Russian oil imports. India flatly denied it, saying its energy policy serves its own people, not foreign politics. Then, Trump revealed plans to meet Vladimir Putin in Budapest to “end the Ukraine war,” right as Zelensky lands in Washington. It’s diplomacy — Trump-style — loud, unpredictable, and headline-hungry.
Back in South Asia, India has clearly chosen sides in the Afghanistan–Pakistan border fight — and it’s not Islamabad. Delhi slammed Pakistan for “sponsoring terrorism,” backing Kabul after deadly cross-border strikes. The timing is sharp — just as a Taliban minister visits India.
And finally, a milestone worth celebrating — India’s housing mission just crossed one million approvals under PM Awas Yojana 2.0, with half reserved for women. A quiet, inclusive success amid all the noise.