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✍️ Written by Saket Suman There is no neat way to say this: the Great Indian Dream is dying. And it’s not being killed in faraway conflict zones, or in newsrooms that peddle noise instead of truth. It is being murdered in back offices of publishing houses and literary circuits, where contracts are torn with a smile, where deadlines are missed with impunity, where one writer's labour of years is discarded over silence, and where reputations are butchered so that the powerful remain unbothered. The very spaces meant to champion creativity are the first to abandon those who try to speak freely, those who refuse to bend, those who dare to write with sincerity. Representational Image: The 1st stamp of independent India shows the Indian Flag, released on 21Nov1947. I have lived through this. I have worked on a book that came from lived experience, research, pain, and a rare kind of stubborn hope. And I have watched that book — like countless others before it — be derailed by a system tha...

In a coordinated front emerging from London, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and leaders from Ukraine, the UK, France, and Germany signaled both urgency and clarity as Ukraine’s war with Russia enters what all sides agree could be a decisive phase.  With indirect talks unfolding between the U.S. and Russia, and battlefield losses mounting, the Coalition of the Willing reiterated its unified commitment to Kyiv while raising flags about the shape and speed of evolving diplomatic efforts. Image Source: Zelenskyy on X Ursula von der Leyen briefed the coalition on two central pillars: unwavering support for Ukraine and increasing European defence preparedness. “We all know what is at stake and we know we do not have any more time to lose,” she said. Framing Ukraine’s survival as “a crucial act of European defence,” von der Leyen detailed a Reparations Loan proposal aimed at escalating economic pressure on Russia.  “The longer Putin wages his war, spills blood, ta...

China on Monday launched a sharp diplomatic broadside against Japan, accusing Tokyo of dangerous military harassment and political manipulation following an airspace incident involving fighter jets over disputed waters. At the same time, Beijing adopted a markedly measured tone on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to India. The comments showed China’s complex efforts to manage rising strategic frictions with Tokyo while avoiding open divergence with Moscow and New Delhi. Image Source: Lin Jian on X The escalating airspace tension stems from Japan’s accusation that Chinese naval fighter jets had “intermittently illuminated” Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft with targeting radar during exercises over the East China Sea on December 6.  The Japan Defense Ministry claimed its aircraft did not obstruct China’s flight paths and denied any provocation. China, in contrast, described Japan’s account as a deliberate distortion, asserting that the Japanese aircraft had intrude...

Even as Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s presence at the state dinner for Russian President Vladimir Putin drew national headlines, it is his continued legislative activity in Parliament that continues largely unnoticed in the public discourse. Image Source: Bangalore Lit Fest on X On a day when Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi were conspicuously excluded from the guest list at the President’s residence, Tharoor stood out as the sole Congress invitee to the diplomatic event.  His decision to attend drew internal criticism from party spokesperson Pawan Khera, who stated that “those who extended such an invitation raise questions, and those who accepted are also open to scrutiny.” But behind the scenes, Tharoor has been consistently active on key policy matters in Parliament. In recent weeks, he introduced several Private Members' Bills and raised detailed parliamentary questions across sectors ranging from urban development and compe...

India is observing Armed Forces Flag Day 2025 today with military and civilian leadership honouring the nation’s soldiers, veterans, and war widows for their courage, sacrifice and service.  Image Source: Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan led the tributes, calling for national recognition of the “unwavering commitment, exceptional valour, and supreme sacrifices” of the Indian Armed Forces who have “steadfastly safeguarded the Nation’s sovereignty across all frontiers and domains.” On Armed Forces Flag Day, we honour the profound sacrifices of our soldiers, veterans, and their families. Their courage, duty, and devotion safeguard our nation every day. We are forever grateful for their unwavering service and unmatched commitment to India.… pic.twitter.com/5NmfBDH71l — 🇮🇳CRPF🇮🇳 (@crpfindia) December 7, 2025 In a message shared by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, General Chauhan greeted all ranks of the Army, Navy, and A...

French President Emmanuel Macron has sharply condemned Russia’s latest wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, accusing Moscow of locking itself into a strategy of escalation that defies peace efforts and threatens the wider security of Europe.  Image Source: Visegrad24 The renewed violence comes just days before Macron travels to London for a high-level meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister, and German Chancellor to assess the status of U.S.-led mediation efforts for a possible ceasefire. I condemn in the strongest possible terms the massive strikes that targeted Ukraine this night, particularly its energy and railway infrastructure, Macron said in a social media post, warning that Russia “is not seeking peace” and must be pressured into negotiations.  The French president stressed that Ukraine could rely on the "unwavering support" of France and its partners, reiterating the role of the Volunteers’ Coalition in advancing discussi...

Amid intensifying global fragmentation and rising strategic autonomy across the Global South, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed a landmark roadmap to deepen their bilateral economic engagement through 2030, aiming to take trade beyond $100 billion.  Prez Putin and PM NaMo attended the Plenary Session of the India-Russia Trade Forum The wide-ranging Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of India–Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030 was the centrepiece of the 23rd Annual Summit held in New Delhi on December 5, with the two sides signing 29 agreements spanning energy, mobility, healthcare, customs, polar training, labour migration, media, and advanced scientific cooperation. The summit, Putin’s first visit to India since the Ukraine war began, saw both leaders publicly reaffirm the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between their countries, even as global alignments continue to shift.  “India-Russia ties have...

In a summit thick with strategic symbolism and sweeping bilateral action, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed 29 agreements and issued a joint declaration pledging to elevate their “time-tested progressive partnership” into a deeper geopolitical alignment rooted in sovereignty, stability, and multipolarity.  Indian PM NaMo with Russian Prez Putin At the center of the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, held in New Delhi on December 5, was a key policy milestone: the formal adoption of the Program for the Development of Strategic Directions of Russian–Indian Economic Cooperation until 2030.  This is  a forward-looking document that defines new rules of engagement across trade, defence, energy, migration, and critical technologies amid shifting global power centres. The two leaders met at Hyderabad House for in-depth talks before witnessing the signing of wide-ranging intergovernmental and institutional agreements, including on labo...

In a highly choreographed display of diplomatic warmth and strategic alignment, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks in New Delhi this week. Together the Russian President and the Indian Prime Minister sent a clear signal of continuity and deepening ties between the two long-standing partners even as global tensions mount over the ongoing war in Ukraine and shifting geopolitical alliances. PM NaMo welcoming President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House Greeting Putin with a handshake and a rare protocol-breaking hug upon his arrival, Modi hosted the Russian leader at Hyderabad House for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit.  “India is on the side of peace,” Modi said firmly, reiterating New Delhi’s consistent message throughout the Ukraine conflict.  “The welfare of the world is only through the path of peace… together, we must look for the pathways to peace.” Putin, addressing the crisis directly, thanked Modi for his att...

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States is “working very hard” to end the Ukraine conflict and expressed optimism that a peace agreement involving Russia and Ukraine could soon be reached.  Image Source: FanTrumpArmy Speaking ahead of the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the White House on December 3, Trump stated, “We're making peace all over the world… We're settling wars at levels that nobody's ever seen before. Eight of them.  We're looking for one more. That's Russia-Ukraine… and I think we’ll get there eventually.” Trump’s comments came amid intensifying diplomatic contacts between Washington and Moscow, including a five-hour meeting at the Kremlin on December 2 between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, accompanied by Trump’s son-in-law and former White House adviser Jared Kushner.  According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, the discussions focused on a revised US peace proposal com...

Germany has deployed five Eurofighter Typhoon jets and around 150 personnel from its Tactical Air Wing 31 “Boelcke” to Poland as part of NATO’s reinforced air policing mission on the Alliance’s eastern flank, the German Air Force confirmed this week.  Image Source: NATO Air Command The move underscores Berlin’s firm commitment to collective defence and comes amid ongoing regional security concerns stemming from Russia’s actions in Ukraine and broader tensions along NATO’s eastern perimeter. The German detachment will support NATO’s 24/7 Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) operations, a continuous peacetime mission designed to ensure that Allied airspace remains secure, controlled, and protected from potential intrusions or threats.  Operating under NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany’s Eurofighter pilots and ground crews will work in close coordination with the Polish Air Force, conducting regular training flights and readiness exercises.  These operati...

In a crucial state visit to Beijing on December 4, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping renewed commitments to deepening bilateral relations, positioning the China-France partnership as a pillar of stability amid escalating global fragmentation.  Image Source: Visegrad24 As Europe’s most prominent advocate for strategic autonomy, Macron’s high-profile engagement with Xi highlights a deepening convergence between Paris and Beijing on key global governance issues, even as Western alliances face stress over Ukraine, Middle East tensions, and global trade realignments. President Xi, hosting Macron for the fourth time on Chinese soil, described the relationship as one between two “independent, visionary and responsible major countries,” and urged both sides to continue shaping a more “equal and orderly multipolar world” through strengthened cooperation in trade, green technology, global governance, and peace diplomacy.  During the visit, which in...

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a tightly choreographed two-day state visit. This marks a significant reaffirmation of the India–Russia strategic partnership at a time of deepening geopolitical rifts and growing divergence between India and the West over Ukraine.  Image Source: PM NaMo As Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Putin with a warm embrace at Palam Airport, the visit--Putin’s first to India since 2021 and his first anywhere in the region since the invasion of Ukraine--set in motion a high-stakes diplomatic engagement that signals India’s intent to maintain and expand its historical ties with Moscow despite rising pressure from Western capitals. The visit comes at a time when India–US relations have faced visible strain, with tensions emerging around Ukraine diplomacy, defence alignment, and global leadership postures.  Against this backdrop, the Putin-Modi summit on Friday is expected to focus on expanding bilateral de...