https://www.scmp.com/rss/328499/feed Vasudevan Sridharan is an experienced journalist based in South India who writes on current affairs, geopolitical equations, environment, start-ups, and economy. His works have appeared in several Indian and global publications. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Vasudevan Sridharan Vasudevan Sridharan Namita Joshi made a New Year’s resolution in January to tackle one of her long-standing problems: being overweight. A key part of her slimming journey is her weekly weight-loss injections. While the 29-year-old interior designer has made changes to her diet and increased her workouts, she said the medication has helped her lose up to 6kg (13 pounds) in the past two months. With her weight at 85kg before her treatment and height at 1.65 metres (5.4 feet), Joshi was considered obese. “My mental... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3347198/indias-weight-loss-price-war-begins-semaglutide-patent-expires?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3347198/indias-weight-loss-price-war-begins-semaglutide-patent-expires?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:19:15 +0000 Vasudevan Sridharan Vasudevan Sridharan India’s fast-growing electric vehicle industry is facing renewed uncertainty after China, the global leader in EV components and rare earth processing, imposed stringent export controls on critical minerals – a move analysts say exposes the South Asian nation’s deep reliance on Chinese supply chains and could derail its clean energy ambitions. The restrictions, announced in early April by China’s Ministry of Commerce, target seven rare earth elements – samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3309796/indias-ev-drive-risks-stalling-china-tightens-grip-rare-earth-exports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3309796/indias-ev-drive-risks-stalling-china-tightens-grip-rare-earth-exports?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 May 2025 03:00:10 +0000 Vasudevan Sridharan Vasudevan Sridharan India’s airlines are circling dozens of Boeing jets rejected by Chinese carriers, in what aviation analysts describe as a rare convergence of geopolitics and market timing that could give Indian aviation a decisive edge amid global supply constraints and surging passenger demand. The potential deal – led by Air India, which aims to acquire up to 10 of the 737 Max jets – could offer a windfall for Indian carriers facing capacity shortfalls and delivery delays from both Boeing and rival... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3308610/how-india-waiting-wings-seize-china-rejected-boeing-planes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3308610/how-india-waiting-wings-seize-china-rejected-boeing-planes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 May 2025 04:30:08 +0000 As Bangladesh continues to strengthen its ties with China and Pakistan, India risks being shut out from wielding any influence on Dhaka and the broader South Asian region. Since the downfall of Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina last year, China has held several talks with Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. In contrast, contacts between India and Bangladesh were put on the back burner amid tensions between two neighbours that previously enjoyed a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3297344/indias-regional-clout-waning-over-bangladesh-cosying-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3297344/indias-regional-clout-waning-over-bangladesh-cosying-china?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Feb 2025 11:52:27 +0000 When Bimbadhar Gouda stepped onto the stage last November in a small town in Odisha, his portrayal of a demon in a retelling of the Ramayana took a shocking turn that would echo across India. As the audience watched, he tore open the skin of a live pig hanging in front of him and consumed its raw meat. A video of the visceral act went viral, sparking outrage among animal rights activists and igniting a national debate about the state of Indian street theatre. Gouda and one of the organisers were... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3293298/shock-and-gore-why-indian-street-plays-resort-outrageous-and-grotesque?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3293298/shock-and-gore-why-indian-street-plays-resort-outrageous-and-grotesque?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Jan 2025 04:00:13 +0000 Allegations by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that the US “deep state” is interfering in India’s affairs are seen by analysts as a move by the ruling party to bolster domestic support even if it risks worsening bilateral ties. The American “deep state” is accused by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP of wrongdoings ranging from helping to disrupt parliamentary proceedings and manipulating stock markets to undermining the judiciary. At a press conference on December 6, BJP spokesman Sambit... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3292787/indias-bjp-accuses-us-deep-state-meddling-it-ploy-cover-its-flaws?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3292787/indias-bjp-accuses-us-deep-state-meddling-it-ploy-cover-its-flaws?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Dec 2024 11:38:50 +0000 With several advanced undersea cable systems poised to go live by 2025, India is positioning itself as a major player in global data infrastructure, bolstering its technological clout amid growing concerns over the security of these networks. Multiple next-generation systems – including IAX, IEX, 2Africa Pearl, Blue Raman and MIST – are due to become operational by 2025, replacing ageing cables nearing the end of their 25-year lifespans. These cables will connect different locations in India to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3292192/will-indias-undersea-cable-overhaul-make-it-global-data-powerhouse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3292192/will-indias-undersea-cable-overhaul-make-it-global-data-powerhouse?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Dec 2024 04:00:09 +0000 Venkateshwari Manish, a woman from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, was supposed to travel to the neighbouring state of Kerala for her delivery in 2019. However, those plans were disrupted when she experienced labour pains early one morning while still at home. Her water broke and, as her husband checked on her in the bathroom of their small home, he discovered she was bleeding. Minutes later, their firstborn son had arrived. Manish, 33, enjoys telling this story, believing it... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3291762/rising-home-birth-trend-india-sparks-maternal-health-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3291762/rising-home-birth-trend-india-sparks-maternal-health-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Dec 2024 07:00:08 +0000 For months, a relentless spiral of coughing, fever and fading strength defined Sivaranjani’s life. The 24-year-old from Barur, a quiet village in Tamil Nadu, had seen doctor after doctor, endured test after test, yet no one could explain why her body was wasting away. By early 2020, her weight had plummeted to a shocking 28kg (62lbs). Her family could only watch in helpless despair as her health deteriorated. Then came the seizure – a violent culmination of months of fever and exhaustion. Rushed... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3290714/india-losing-its-fight-against-tuberculosis-eradication-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3290714/india-losing-its-fight-against-tuberculosis-eradication-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Dec 2024 07:00:08 +0000 A software engineer’s final message before ending his life this week has set off a national reckoning in India over family law and gender bias, with men’s rights advocates arguing male litigants are often pushed to despair by the country’s courts in familial disputes. “If I win from the system, devote my mortal remains to the Ganga [Ganges River]; otherwise, in a gutter outside the court,” wrote 34-year-old Bengaluru-based software developer, Atul Subhash, whose body was found on Monday at his... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3290748/software-engineers-suicide-sparks-accusation-gender-bias-indias-family-courts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3290748/software-engineers-suicide-sparks-accusation-gender-bias-indias-family-courts?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:00:16 +0000 A 10-year-old from New Delhi has become one of India’s most famous spiritual influencers, amassing nearly a million followers on Instagram through his eloquent discourses on Hindu scriptures and devotional practices. However, Abhinav Arora’s rise to prominence has also drawn scrutiny, raising questions about child celebrity, faith and his family’s motives. Known as the “Bal Sant”, or Child Saint, Abhinav’s spiritual journey started early. According to his mother, Jyoti Arora, her son’s profound... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3289774/10-year-old-bal-sant-indias-youngest-spiritual-influencer-faces-scrutiny-and-threats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3289774/10-year-old-bal-sant-indias-youngest-spiritual-influencer-faces-scrutiny-and-threats?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Dec 2024 04:00:19 +0000 Selvi, a 37-year-old beautician with years of experience, arrived at a client’s home in Bengaluru earlier this year for a scheduled appointment to provide home-based beauty services. What awaited the mother of two was a shocking ordeal. Instead of the wife, whose name was on the booking, the husband was at the door, requesting intimate services. Despite hours of appeals to her employer to cancel the appointment, Selvi received no support and fled the scene. “How can I even tell my husband what I... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3287567/indias-female-gig-workers-facing-harassment-and-unsafe-conditions-seek-change-and-justice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3287567/indias-female-gig-workers-facing-harassment-and-unsafe-conditions-seek-change-and-justice?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Nov 2024 00:00:13 +0000 Kumar Mehta celebrated Diwali last week by lighting up the night skies with vibrant fireworks from his Mumbai flat. As his nine-year-old daughter watched the darkened skies come alive, a thick blanket of smoke soon engulfed the building’s play area. Within moments, the child began struggling to breathe due to the billowing smoke and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital. “It was a Diwali nightmare for us. We never thought it would happen to us,” Mehta said after spending two days at the hospital... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3285394/diwali-nightmare-pollution-crisis-grips-india-after-firework-celebrations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3285394/diwali-nightmare-pollution-crisis-grips-india-after-firework-celebrations?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:30:10 +0000 An alarming wave of cyberattacks is sweeping across India, compromising millions of personal records as tech analysts say stronger regulations and other countermeasures are needed to plug the critical weaknesses in the nation’s digital infrastructure. “Various sectors, including healthcare, education, government, and critical infrastructure, have been particularly hard hit,” said Diwakal Dayal, India-based vice president of SentinelOne, a global cybersecurity firm. “These sectors often struggle... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3282324/indias-wave-cyberattacks-prompts-calls-tougher-rules-and-countermeasures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3282324/indias-wave-cyberattacks-prompts-calls-tougher-rules-and-countermeasures?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:46:54 +0000 India’s financial capital Mumbai is embarking on a multibillion-dollar infrastructure revamp aimed at alleviating its notorious traffic congestion. But analysts warn of hurdles such as land acquisition and environmental regulations that could derail the project and its ambitious timeline. Dubbed “Mumbai in Minutes”, the plan launched by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority seeks to slash travel times across the city by constructing coastal roads, flyovers, bridges and underwater... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3280666/will-mumbais-us69-billion-roads-plan-fix-gridlock-indias-finance-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3280666/will-mumbais-us69-billion-roads-plan-fix-gridlock-indias-finance-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Oct 2024 10:00:13 +0000 In a groundbreaking move for social welfare in India, the southern state of Telangana has announced a plan to recruit transgender people as volunteer traffic police. The initiative, hailed as a first in the country, aims to provide both employment opportunities and effective traffic management. The government has proposed offering a stipend to these transgender traffic regulators, with the details still in the works. As one of the most marginalised groups in a largely conservative society,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3279372/transgender-traffic-police-get-green-light-indias-telangana-state?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3279372/transgender-traffic-police-get-green-light-indias-telangana-state?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Sep 2024 07:30:08 +0000 Aryan Mishra, 19, was on his way to a friend’s house for a midnight snack when he was intercepted by a group of armed men on a notorious highway, about 50km from the India’s capital, New Delhi. That night, August 23, was Mishra’s last. After a 40km chase, the gunmen caught up with the car driven by one of his brothers. Two bullets struck Mishra – one in his neck, the other in his chest. He died instantly. The attackers were later identified as cow vigilantes or gau rakshaks, who kill in... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3278452/theyre-criminals-why-cow-vigilante-violence-india-has-surged-under-modi-30?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3278452/theyre-criminals-why-cow-vigilante-violence-india-has-surged-under-modi-30?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Sep 2024 10:00:11 +0000 India is now the world’s biggest plastic polluter, responsible for nearly one-fifth of global plastic emissions, according to a new global study highlighting the growing environmental crisis in the world’s most populous country. Experts warn that the country’s lack of infrastructure for proper waste collection and management is a primary cause of the plastic crisis and, despite attempts at regulation, policies remain fragmented and difficult to enforce. The study, published in the scientific... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3277553/extremely-serious-india-tops-global-plastic-waste-emissions-93-million-tonnes-study-shows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3277553/extremely-serious-india-tops-global-plastic-waste-emissions-93-million-tonnes-study-shows?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Sep 2024 10:00:14 +0000 India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction project is on the verge of collapse after the death of its only wild-roaming big cat, raising doubts about the viability of a programme that has struggled despite intense diplomatic and conservation efforts. The cheetah, fondly known as Pavan in India and Oban in Africa, was found dead on Tuesday in a suspected drowning, though authorities are still awaiting official confirmation. Independent experts have cast doubts on the true cause of death, because... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3276577/indias-cheetah-reintroduction-plan-faces-collapse-after-death-its-only-wild-roaming-cat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3276577/indias-cheetah-reintroduction-plan-faces-collapse-after-death-its-only-wild-roaming-cat?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Sep 2024 10:00:11 +0000 India is shocked by a belatedly released report of rampant sexual abuse in Kerala’s film industry even as it continues to reel from widespread public outrage over the horrific rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata. A judicial committee found that women – from prominent actors to assistants to technicians – have suffered systematic sexual abuse for years at the hands of a mafia-like enterprise dominated by men in Kerala’s film industry. The panel’s scathing report revealed that... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3275622/india-shocked-report-rampant-sexual-abuse-keralas-film-industry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3275622/india-shocked-report-rampant-sexual-abuse-keralas-film-industry?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Aug 2024 09:00:19 +0000 Tirupur Subramaniam has spent a lifetime in the movie business, from hawking tickets at his family’s modest cinema hall to presiding over the Tamil Nadu Theatre and Multiplex Owners Association. But these days, the 73-year-old film distributor can’t help feeling that the golden era of India’s grand moviegoing tradition is dimming. “Running a cinema hall in India is no longer profitable,” Subramaniam told This Week in Asia, surveying the once-bustling lobby of his Sri Sakthi chain. His words cut... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3274810/lights-camera-disruption-indias-storied-cinema-halls-struggle-under-digital-onslaught?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3274810/lights-camera-disruption-indias-storied-cinema-halls-struggle-under-digital-onslaught?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Aug 2024 10:00:20 +0000 A spate of train accidents in India has raised serious concerns over the country’s massive railway transport, with opposition politicians disparagingly referring to the minister overseeing the network as the “derailment minister”. Eight train derailments occurred last month on different heavily used routes in northern India, with two more incidents reported earlier in August. At least three people were killed and 30 others injured in these accidents, which also caused significant damage to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3273610/indias-derailment-minister-slammed-fatal-train-accidents-years-track-neglect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3273610/indias-derailment-minister-slammed-fatal-train-accidents-years-track-neglect?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Aug 2024 04:00:13 +0000 Vijay Mankar borrowed 300 rupees (US$3.5) from his sister and braved heavy rains to travel 200km to India’s financial capital, Mumbai, from his hometown near Nashik city in Maharashtra state. The 28-year-old commerce graduate was attending an interview for an airline job, but had no idea initially about its details. “I got to know the job was for loading and unloading cargo in planes only after reaching the location. It doesn’t even require a graduate degree. I even borrowed 20 rupees from my... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3271742/indias-measures-tackle-youth-unemployment-crisis-dismissed-inadequate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3271742/indias-measures-tackle-youth-unemployment-crisis-dismissed-inadequate?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jul 2024 11:24:00 +0000 When India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was savouring moments last week at the wedding of the son of Asia’s richest businessman Mukesh Ambani, he was likely unaware of a brewing political storm: a demand for taxing the ultra-rich. Modi’s chief political opponent, the Indian National Congress, has launched a bid to impose a special tax on the rising number of billionaires in India as the government prepares to unveil the first federal budget of its third term on July 23. Meanwhile, the G20... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3271161/india-home-200-billionaires-should-it-consider-super-tax-its-ultra-rich?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3271161/india-home-200-billionaires-should-it-consider-super-tax-its-ultra-rich?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Jul 2024 10:00:15 +0000 Torrential monsoon rains coupled with poor maintenance and corruption have been blamed for a wave of bridge collapses in India, putting the spotlight on infrastructure safety as heads roll and officials initiate policies to contain the crisis. Within three weeks, 13 bridges crumbled in the eastern state of Bihar, with the latest structure coming down on Wednesday. Another installation failed in the northern Uttarakhand state over the weekend. There are growing fears that the ongoing rainy season... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3270042/floods-corruption-lax-maintenance-take-toll-indias-creaking-bridges-lucky-no-one-died?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3270042/floods-corruption-lax-maintenance-take-toll-indias-creaking-bridges-lucky-no-one-died?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Jul 2024 09:00:11 +0000 Achint and Divya have been dating for over a decade. As a fitting epilogue to their love story, the 30-year-olds are set to tie the knot at midnight on July 12 at a luxury resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru. “We’re very excited about the wedding. We have been waiting for years for this day. Achint and I have known each other for a long time, and it feels like an eternity already,” said Divya, who uses a single name, like her partner. The duo are among a new generation of Indian couples who are... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3269362/indias-big-fat-wedding-industry-us130-billion-gold-mine-economy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3269362/indias-big-fat-wedding-industry-us130-billion-gold-mine-economy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Jul 2024 10:00:12 +0000 Charan Singh’s car was ambushed on a deserted Bengaluru road one night – swarmed by a pack of reckless motorcyclists engaged in a terrifying high-speed chase. As the bikers manoeuvred dangerously close, one suddenly cut in front of Singh’s vehicle and dropped their bike, apparently trying to provoke a collision. With his three women passengers screaming, Singh had no choice but to run over the bike, narrowly avoiding hitting the riders. Regrettably, such brazen acts of road intimidation have... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3268521/lawless-biker-gangs-menace-indias-bengaluru-while-officials-look-other-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3268521/lawless-biker-gangs-menace-indias-bengaluru-while-officials-look-other-way?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Jun 2024 10:00:13 +0000 The first leg of the T20 Cricket World Cup concluded this week, with eight nations advancing to the next stage in pursuit of the coveted title. An unexpected outcome was that the United States, which is co-hosting the event, managed to defy the odds by being among the qualifiers. “They’re in the Super 8 now. It’s amazing. We all congratulate them on their success. It’s tremendous, and we cheer them on,” said White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby during a press... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3267629/us-ready-cricket-latest-india-soft-diplomacy-targets-american-hearts-engagement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3267629/us-ready-cricket-latest-india-soft-diplomacy-targets-american-hearts-engagement?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Jun 2024 10:00:14 +0000 India has the dubious honour of being the global leader in internet shutdowns for six years running, according to a recent report, with right advocates blaming a rise in “digital authoritarianism” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. The “Shrinking Democracy, Growing Violence” report released on May 15 by Access Now, a global non-profit organisation focused on digital civil rights, found that the world’s most populous country cut online access more than any other nation last year... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3264556/india-no-1-again-internet-shutdowns-its-form-collective-punishment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3264556/india-no-1-again-internet-shutdowns-its-form-collective-punishment?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 May 2024 09:01:09 +0000 India’s spy agency has come under increasing scrutiny as accusations of its global activities ranging from alleged assassinations to foreign interference intensify during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second term of office. Analysts say Modi’s 10-year tenure has significantly enhanced India’s intelligence-gathering capabilities abroad after the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the country’s premier spy agency, was given increased resources and operational latitude. “In the last decade, Modi... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3262939/are-indias-spy-agency-and-foreign-interference-becoming-brazen-under-modi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3262939/are-indias-spy-agency-and-foreign-interference-becoming-brazen-under-modi?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 May 2024 12:00:22 +0000 Nepal has drawn considerable foreign investment in recent years as it aims to become a middle-income country but its “dysfunctional” politics may curb its ambition amid strategic jostling between India and China, according to economists. During a two-day investment summit in Kathmandu that concluded on Monday, representatives of India and China vied to draw closer to Nepal and strengthen their country’s economic footprint in South Asia. Potential investors pledged during the summit to inject as... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3261075/can-nepal-get-lift-wooing-india-and-china-become-middle-income-economy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3261075/can-nepal-get-lift-wooing-india-and-china-become-middle-income-economy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 May 2024 11:00:23 +0000 As Indians head to the polls on Friday, New Delhi is closely keeping watch on the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, with tensions in the Middle East translating into energy, security and trade risks for the world’s most populous nation. “India’s stakes are high. Depending on how the crisis unfolds, India may be forced to make certain choices,” said Harsh V Pant, vice-president of studies and foreign policy at the Observer Research Foundation. “Trade and energy security are top priorities. If the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3259657/india-watching-iran-israel-conflict-closely-amid-growing-fears-over-trade-and-energy-risks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3259657/india-watching-iran-israel-conflict-closely-amid-growing-fears-over-trade-and-energy-risks?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Apr 2024 09:48:36 +0000 India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the favourite to win a high-stakes parliamentary election beginning next week that could usher in sweeping changes in the world’s largest democracy, amid its shifting social landscape and ascendancy in the global order. Nearly 970 million people are eligible to cast their votes in India’s 18th general election. About 11 million election workers will be deployed to ensure smooth voting at more than 1 million polling stations. This year’s election-related... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3258845/india-election-modis-bjp-hell-bent-massive-win-secularism-hangs-thread?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3258845/india-election-modis-bjp-hell-bent-massive-win-secularism-hangs-thread?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Apr 2024 01:30:22 +0000 Along the banks of the Zuari River in the Indian state of Goa, villagers gather to collect mud and make a crocodile sculpture in reverence of the animal deity for protecting their lands from saline water seepage. Deeply ingrained in the local culture, this annual ritual is earmarked by Goa as one of the many attractions to draw domestic and foreign visitors as it aims to revamp its key tourism industry. The state is planning to promote its numerous festivals, idyllic villages and historic... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3258827/indias-goa-state-earmarks-green-attractions-and-festivals-boost-tourist-arrivals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3258827/indias-goa-state-earmarks-green-attractions-and-festivals-boost-tourist-arrivals?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Apr 2024 06:00:36 +0000 The recent visit by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to New Delhi signals a “shift” in the country’s stance towards India, but the South Asian nation is likely to maintain its policy of diplomatic neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war, analysts said. During his March 28-29 trip, Kuleba held talks with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar and India’s Deputy National Security Adviser Vikram Misri, as he sought to restore bilateral ties and enhance trade cooperation with a country that has... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3257488/will-kyivs-conciliatory-stance-change-indias-neutrality-russia-ukraine-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3257488/will-kyivs-conciliatory-stance-change-indias-neutrality-russia-ukraine-war?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Apr 2024 10:30:14 +0000 The recent arrest of a key opposition leader in India may have galvanised the rivals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of next month’s elections, but their coalition is disunited and is in no position to pose a strong challenge against the dominant Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to political analysts. On Sunday, the anti-Modi bloc will hold its first national-level rally in New Delhi in what is seen as a litmus test and a crucial opportunity to cement the alliance of opposition... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3257279/indias-opposition-disarray-challenge-narendra-modis-bjp-election?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3257279/indias-opposition-disarray-challenge-narendra-modis-bjp-election?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 31 Mar 2024 10:00:16 +0000 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recently concluded visit to Bhutan where he unveiled a billion-dollar aid package for the South Asian country is seen as a move to counter China’s growing influence in the region. Modi’s visit from March 22-23 was significant as he had taken a break from hustings ahead of India’s parliamentary elections beginning next month despite potentially violating pre-election rules, political analysts say. “Given that Bhutan is currently facing economic challenges,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3257002/indias-billion-dollar-aid-bhutan-aimed-curbing-chinas-influence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3257002/indias-billion-dollar-aid-bhutan-aimed-curbing-chinas-influence?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:00:21 +0000 India’s bid to deepen its relations with Japan and South Korea has revived the prospect of a trilateral alliance and highlights New Delhi’s ability to serve as a go-between for the rival neighbours amid growing Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific, analysts said. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar last week visited Seoul and Tokyo, meeting his counterparts and other top politicians, in a trip focused on strengthening security and economic ties with each nation. In South Korea,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3254959/can-india-forge-3-way-partnership-japan-south-korea-counter-chinas-actions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3254959/can-india-forge-3-way-partnership-japan-south-korea-counter-chinas-actions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:00:25 +0000 Indian technology hub Bengaluru plans to implant microchips in about 140,000 stray dogs to curb their population, but animal welfare activists fear authorities are ill-equipped to carry out the massive scheme and its health impact on the canines. The city has long grappled with problems stemming from free-roaming dogs, including frequent dog bites, dogs chasing vehicles and – on several rare occasions – strays mauling children to death. While smaller towns such as Panaji and Tiruchirappalli have... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3254568/indias-bangalore-aims-microchip-140000-stray-dogs-sparking-concerns-animal-activists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3254568/indias-bangalore-aims-microchip-140000-stray-dogs-sparking-concerns-animal-activists?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:05:47 +0000 Srihari Lakshminarasimhan was grappling with a raging fever of more than 38.9 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) and a dangerously low platelet count during a crucial chess tournament in the hilly town of Kodaikanal in southern India, when the 19-year-old received a phone call from his father, urging him to withdraw from the competition. “I will never withdraw … Withdrawing is not the mark of sportsmanship and dampens my fighting spirit,” the teenager had adamantly responded that... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3253871/chess-indias-new-cricket-games-popularity-sees-rise-young-prodigies-who-could-go-all-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3253871/chess-indias-new-cricket-games-popularity-sees-rise-young-prodigies-who-could-go-all-way?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Mar 2024 06:00:16 +0000 The Indian tech landscape is undergoing a significant transformation marked by the struggles of two major players Paytm and Byju’s as concerns mount over the fragility of the country’s start-up ecosystem. Over the past two decades, India’s services exports, particularly in IT and business process outsourcing services, have been a crucial driver of the country’s economy. However, the ambitions of tech start-ups have been hit by setbacks in the past year as the broader sector recorded a sharp drop... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3252560/whats-wrong-indias-tech-world-potential-collapse-big-names-paytm-byjus-signals-change-digital?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3252560/whats-wrong-indias-tech-world-potential-collapse-big-names-paytm-byjus-signals-change-digital?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:30:11 +0000 India is set to establish a high-powered committee to address its rapid population growth and demographic changes, its interim budget showed, sparking concerns that officials are targeting Muslims. The team will study population changes in various regions, particularly in the absence of credible census data, but critics fear the move is just a thinly veiled bid to control religious demographics. “The committee will be mandated to make recommendations for addressing these challenges... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3251250/indias-committee-address-population-growth-camouflage-targeting-muslims?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3251250/indias-committee-address-population-growth-camouflage-targeting-muslims?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Feb 2024 09:00:11 +0000 India’s aviation sector faced a number of challenges at the start of 2024, including severe fog-induced flight delays, cancellations, and substantial penalties imposed on airline operators. While some industry participants expressed concern that these were signs of deeper systemic issues, analysts said they should not cloud an otherwise bright long-term outlook for the sector. India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on January 24 fined Air India, a former... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3250603/ready-takeoff-indias-aviation-sector-sets-sights-growth-despite-bumpy-start-2024?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3250603/ready-takeoff-indias-aviation-sector-sets-sights-growth-despite-bumpy-start-2024?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:30:21 +0000 India is fast becoming a focal point for renewable energy deals, with a series of recently signed multibillion-dollar agreements spotlighting the “favourable investment climate” that has attracted domestic and global firms in the last few years. At the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit earlier this month, Asia’s wealthiest tycoon Gautam Adani pledged a staggering US$24 billion for various green energy projects in the western Indian state over the next five years. The event, which ended on January... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3249134/india-set-be-renewable-energy-hub-hundreds-billions-earmarked-projects?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3249134/india-set-be-renewable-energy-hub-hundreds-billions-earmarked-projects?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Jan 2024 09:00:16 +0000 Indian influencer Ranveer Allahbadia, better known by his moniker BeerBiceps, has amassed a following of 11 million fans across YouTube and Instagram, sharing everything from fashion tips to motivational advice for the past decade. But many of his videos have crossed over to the political domain over the past year, including interviews with top officials from India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) such as Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani. Chatting... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3248273/indian-politicians-partnerships-influencers-woo-voters-spark-dark-money-transparency-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3248273/indian-politicians-partnerships-influencers-woo-voters-spark-dark-money-transparency-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Jan 2024 13:30:13 +0000 India concluded 2023 by passing a sweeping piece of legislation to overhaul the nation’s telecommunications section, but the bill – promoted as a means of streamlining the industry’s regulatory framework and eliminate bottlenecks in telecoms infrastructure – and the far-reaching powers it grants the government have sparked concern among rights activists. One key aspect of the legislation – the Telecommunications Act – highlighted by activists is that it grants the government the ability to take... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3247190/indias-rights-activists-slam-new-telecoms-law-grave-threat-fundamental-rights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3247190/indias-rights-activists-slam-new-telecoms-law-grave-threat-fundamental-rights?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Jan 2024 00:30:20 +0000 Vasudevan Sridharan Vasudevan Sridharan In early December, five Indian states went to the polls and, and in three of them, the chief minister candidates from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) scored impressive wins. Besides their party affiliation, there’s another trait that the trio of new chief ministers share – they were all members of a right-wing, staunchly nationalist student organisation that has become increasingly influential in Indian politics and academia. Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP),... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3246163/indian-nationalist-student-organisation-abvp-university-campuses-bjps-corridors-power?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3246163/indian-nationalist-student-organisation-abvp-university-campuses-bjps-corridors-power?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Dec 2023 02:30:09 +0000 As Bangladesh gears up for crucial national elections in January, India is closely monitoring its neighbour’s political developments amid sharply rising anti-Indian sentiments in the Muslim-majority nation. New Delhi desperately wants Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to win her fourth consecutive term, while China is steadily increasing its influence in Dhaka through trade links. In the neighbourhood, Bangladesh remains the only nation in South Asia that could be called a reliable... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3244965/india-anxious-status-quo-bangladesh-elections-china-holds-advantageous-position-regardless-outcome?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3244965/india-anxious-status-quo-bangladesh-elections-china-holds-advantageous-position-regardless-outcome?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Dec 2023 11:00:15 +0000 India plans to add some 200 employees to its “short-staffed” diplomatic corps over the next five years in a mark of its expanding global ambitions, but even as observers welcome the move, concerns linger about the calibre of such staff members to navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape. The decision to restructure the foreign service represents a substantial revamp in nearly two decades and comes as New Delhi grapples with diplomatic challenges, including strained relations with Canada over... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3243761/indian-diplomacy-getting-boost-its-still-no-match-likes-us-china-uk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3243761/indian-diplomacy-getting-boost-its-still-no-match-likes-us-china-uk?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:30:08 +0000 As images emerged of exhausted Thai hostages being freed by Hamas after a weeks-long ordeal in Gaza, Panaphan Klongsuwan booked his return ticket to Israel, where an acute labour shortage following the outbreak of war has provided a dangerous incentive to get back to work. “Most employers are doubling the pay for those who return,” the 37-year-old told This Week in Asia. “This is a fine opportunity I don’t want to miss.” Before October 7, when Hamas militants tipped the region into crisis with a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3243551/despite-dangers-asias-migrant-workers-return-israel-risk-it-all-gaza-war-grinds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3243551/despite-dangers-asias-migrant-workers-return-israel-risk-it-all-gaza-war-grinds?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Dec 2023 01:30:25 +0000