A woman in Hyderabad shows the indelible ink mark on her finger after casting her vote in November’s Telangana state assembly elections. Photo: AP

Explainer | Why do India’s general elections take so long to complete?

It’s not just the country’s sheer size – although that does play a part. This year’s vote will take 44 days, but the duration has varied over the years from just four days to nearly four months.

6 minutes ago

‘Grave threat’: Pakistan justifies air strikes on Taliban rebels in Afghanistan

Monday’s operation targeted the Hafiz Gul Bahadur militant faction, which claimed responsibility for the attack on a military outpost that left seven soldiers dead.

Monday’s operation targeted the Hafiz Gul Bahadur militant faction, which claimed responsibility for the attack on a military outpost that left seven soldiers dead.

18 Mar 2024 - 11:17PM

‘Taking turns to do everything’: India’s Bengaluru fast runs out of water

Groundwater, relied on by over one-third of the city’s 13 million residents, is running desperately low – resulting in sky-high costs for water and a quickly dwindling supply.

Groundwater, relied on by over one-third of the city’s 13 million residents, is running desperately low – resulting in sky-high costs for water and a quickly dwindling supply.

5 hours ago

India’s citizenship law slammed as anti-Muslim and Modi’s election ploy

New Delhi announces the long delayed implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, which sparked violent protests in 2019 when it was unveiled.

New Delhi announces the long delayed implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, which sparked violent protests in 2019 when it was unveiled.

17 Mar 2024 - 11:50PM

Is demand for millet in India proof of its superfood status or mere hype?

Nutritionists say millets could help alleviate Indians’ common health problems such as diabetes and undernourishment.

Nutritionists say millets could help alleviate Indians’ common health problems such as diabetes and undernourishment.

17 Mar 2024 - 4:00PM

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A building under construction at the Navi Mumbai International Airport in Navi Mumbai, India. Photo: Bloomberg

Mumbai’s ambitious new US$2 billion airport ‘perfect candidate’ for transit hub

In many ways, the Adani Group-helmed US$2.1 billion project is a microcosm of the massive infrastructure overhaul under way in India as its Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to outrun China.

17 Mar 2024 - 8:00AM

India to begin voting on April 19 in world’s largest election

The election pits two-term strongman PM Narendra Modi against a bickering alliance of two dozen opposition parties, with surveys suggesting a win for Modi.

The election pits two-term strongman PM Narendra Modi against a bickering alliance of two dozen opposition parties, with surveys suggesting a win for Modi.

16 Mar 2024 - 6:48PM

India lowers import tax on EVs to lure players like Tesla

New Delhi has been working on a new EV policy, following a proposal by Tesla to set up an Indian factory and build a low-cost car in exchange for lower import taxes.

New Delhi has been working on a new EV policy, following a proposal by Tesla to set up an Indian factory and build a low-cost car in exchange for lower import taxes.

15 Mar 2024 - 7:20PM

India’s politics descends into an AI arms race as deepfakes threaten elections

The emergence of generative AI has left governments around the world scrambling to legislate against the risks posed by the fast-evolving technology. But India is especially vulnerable – and even Modi’s concerned.

The emergence of generative AI has left governments around the world scrambling to legislate against the risks posed by the fast-evolving technology. But India is especially vulnerable – and even Modi’s concerned.

14 Mar 2024 - 11:38PM

Can India mend fences with the Maldives amid China’s gambit to gain clout?

India should take steps to counter China’s ‘timely opportunism’ to draw closer to the Maldives, analysts say.

India should take steps to counter China’s ‘timely opportunism’ to draw closer to the Maldives, analysts say.

13 Mar 2024 - 9:04PM

‘Irresponsible’: India urged to stop deporting refugees to chaos-ravaged Myanmar

India is sending back thousands of Myanmar refugees, whom they blame for ethnic violence erupting in Manipur state.

India is sending back thousands of Myanmar refugees, whom they blame for ethnic violence erupting in Manipur state.

12 Mar 2024 - 7:30PM

‘Historic moment’: Modi ramps up push to position India as alternative to China

Modi’s government is taking advantage of India’s growing appeal as the world’s fastest-growing major economy and an alternative to China for global supply chains to clinch a number of free trade pacts.

Modi’s government is taking advantage of India’s growing appeal as the world’s fastest-growing major economy and an alternative to China for global supply chains to clinch a number of free trade pacts.

12 Mar 2024 - 3:01PM

Why are Japanese brands taking young Indians by storm?

A new wave of mid-range retailers is capitalising on Japan’s reputation for quality goods, winning millennial and Gen Z fans seeking ‘practical, functional’ items.

A new wave of mid-range retailers is capitalising on Japan’s reputation for quality goods, winning millennial and Gen Z fans seeking ‘practical, functional’ items.

12 Mar 2024 - 2:37PM

Pakistan swears in newly elected PM Shebaz Sharif’s 19-member cabinet

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath of office to ministers at the presidential office in Islamabad. Sharif previously held the position of PM from April 2022 to August 2023.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath of office to ministers at the presidential office in Islamabad. Sharif previously held the position of PM from April 2022 to August 2023.

12 Mar 2024 - 4:35AM

India moves to implement citizenship law opposed by Muslims

Critics fear changes to the 2019 citizenship law, combined with a proposed national register of citizens, can discriminate against the nation’s 200 million Muslims.

Critics fear changes to the 2019 citizenship law, combined with a proposed national register of citizens, can discriminate against the nation’s 200 million Muslims.

11 Mar 2024 - 9:37PM

‘Ball in Sri Lanka’s court’ as Japan seeks closer ties amid Indo-Pacific rivalry

Sri Lanka’s 2020 decision to drop a light rail project financed by Japanese companies led to friction between the countries, amid Colombo’s pivot to China.

Sri Lanka’s 2020 decision to drop a light rail project financed by Japanese companies led to friction between the countries, amid Colombo’s pivot to China.

11 Mar 2024 - 7:30PM

Can India forge a 3-way Indo-Pacific partnership with Japan and South Korea?

India’s deepening security ties with both nations highlights its growing ability to act as a go-between as Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific grows, analysts say.

India’s deepening security ties with both nations highlights its growing ability to act as a go-between as Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific grows, analysts say.

12 Mar 2024 - 3:17PM

‘We value education’: Indians flock to US schools in pursuit of overseas success

As India’s economy grows, unemployment persists, even among college graduates, so many Indian students see universities as a stepping stone to careers abroad.

As India’s economy grows, unemployment persists, even among college graduates, so many Indian students see universities as a stepping stone to careers abroad.

11 Mar 2024 - 2:18PM

Inside Japan’s vice clubs, Taiwan’s forgotten disco era: 6 weekend reads

From the Japanese vice clubs tricking women into sex work to why 2024 could be Southeast Asia’s year for tourism, here are stories you may have missed over the weekend.

From the Japanese vice clubs tricking women into sex work to why 2024 could be Southeast Asia’s year for tourism, here are stories you may have missed over the weekend.

11 Mar 2024 - 12:00PM

Israel-Gaza war, inflation, cast shadow over Ramadan for Muslims in Asia

This year, war and starvation in the Gaza Strip casts an especially dark shadow on the festivities.

This year, war and starvation in the Gaza Strip casts an especially dark shadow on the festivities.

11 Mar 2024 - 10:58AM