https://thoughtfulindia.com/category/world-politics/ Geopolitics and India's place in the world: diplomacy, conflict, alliances and the global events that touch Indian lives. en Copyright Thoughtful India Wed, 04 Nov 2026 06:00:00 GMT https://thoughtfulindia.com/brand/ti-logo-512.png https://thoughtfulindia.com/category/world-politics/ https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/11/midterms-young-voters-economy-upsets/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/11/midterms-young-voters-economy-upsets/ What the 2026 midterm exit polls say about age, anger and gas prices, the upsets nobody priced in, and what late-night comedy made of it. A column on the morning after. Wed, 04 Nov 2026 06:00:00 GMT M. Subramaniam Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/11/election-night-democrats-win-house-senate/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/11/election-night-democrats-win-house-senate/ Democrats are projected to win the House and the Senate after a midterm that President Trump asked voters to treat as a vote on him. A summary of election night, with commentary. Tue, 03 Nov 2026 06:00:00 GMT M. Subramaniam Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/10/midterm-closing-attacks-el-sayed-ramaswamy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/10/midterm-closing-attacks-el-sayed-ramaswamy/ Days before the November 3 vote, President Trump called Michigan's Democratic Senate nominee a jihadist, and Vivek Ramaswamy's ad featuring his rival's estranged mother split Ohio Republicans. What was said, what the record shows and who objected. Sat, 31 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT M. Subramaniam Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/10/small-skills-we-give-away/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/10/small-skills-we-give-away/ Isaac Asimov wrote a short story in 1958 in which a man who could multiply became a genius. Is it possible that soon normal human skills will be extraordinary? Mon, 26 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT Suchitra Sharma Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/10/france-student-protests-explained-indian-students/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/10/france-student-protests-explained-indian-students/ A month of lycée blockades over missing teachers and crumbling schools spilled into nationwide marches on October 17. What students want, what the government has said, what comes next, and what Indian students and travellers in France should check now. Tue, 20 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff World Politics Education https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/10/jon-stewart-ai-universal-high-income-machine-stops/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/10/jon-stewart-ai-universal-high-income-machine-stops/ On The Daily Show, Jon Stewart told the AI bosses to stop selling a cheque for everyone. A century of science fiction explains why that cheque is a trap. Mon, 19 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT Suchitra Sharma Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/iran-us-israel-war-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/iran-us-israel-war-2026/ Operation Epic Fury, the death of Khamenei, Mojtaba's election, and the Strait of Hormuz crisis: what the 2026 US-Israel-Iran war means for the world and Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff World Politics India https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/the-indian-ocean-strategic-importance-in-new-great-power-competition/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/the-indian-ocean-strategic-importance-in-new-great-power-competition/ 40% of global maritime commerce and 35% of seaborne oil transit the Indian Ocean. How China, the US, and India are contesting its future. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff World Politics Business https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/indias-defence-exports-quiet-revolution-in-global-arms-market/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/indias-defence-exports-quiet-revolution-in-global-arms-market/ India went from the world's biggest arms importer to exporting over $2.5 billion a year. The rise of its defence industry — and how internal demand built it. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Business World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/india-china-border-normalisation-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/india-china-border-normalisation-2026/ Five years after Galwan killed 20 Indian soldiers, the LAC is stable but unresolved — buffer zones, not peace. Normalisation means management, not settlement. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff World Politics India Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/brics-expansion-indias-multipolar-world-strategy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/brics-expansion-indias-multipolar-world-strategy/ BRICS expanded to challenge Western financial dominance — but without shared interests it became a forum for grievances. India: architect turned balancer. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff World Politics Business https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/trump-tariffs-india-opportunity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/trump-tariffs-india-opportunity/ US tariffs on Indian goods went 26% to 50% to 18% between April 2025 and February 2026. Where India's real opening lies amid the chaos. Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff India Economy World Politics Trade https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/oil-at-110-india-exposure/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/oil-at-110-india-exposure/ Brent hit $107.97 on March 8 as the Iran war choked the Strait of Hormuz. India imports 89% of its oil; every $10 rise costs roughly $17-18 billion a year. Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff India Economy World Politics Energy https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/indian-democracy-selective-outrage/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/indian-democracy-selective-outrage/ Criticism of Indian democracy is legitimate — and selective: Western indices, Xinjiang silence, Bangladesh. Scrutiny follows alignment, not principle. Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff India Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/india-soft-power-moment/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/india-soft-power-moment/ 300 million practice yoga, turmeric lattes sell in Brooklyn, RRR won an Oscar — and nobody in Delhi planned any of it. India's unplanned soft power wave. Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff India Politics Culture World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/india-ai-talent-corridor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/india-ai-talent-corridor/ India graduates 1.5 million engineers a year; America can't hire enough AI talent. Neither has a corridor strategy — and the cost runs into trillions. Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff India Economy Technology World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/five-things-reshaping-india/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/five-things-reshaping-india/ Oil at $110, China's demographic collapse, the India-US AI talent corridor, an unplanned soft power moment, and why the rupee at 87 is not the real problem. Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff India Politics India Economy World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/china-reality-check-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2026/03/china-reality-check-2026/ China's population fell for a fourth straight year in 2025, births hit a record low, youth unemployment sits near 17%, and the property sector is unwinding. Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff India Politics World Politics China https://thoughtfulindia.com/2015/04/autistic-boy-australia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2015/04/autistic-boy-australia/ Nurse Maria Sevilla's visa was refused because of her autistic son Tyrone's healthcare costs — and her Change.org petition gathered 123,000+ signatures. Mon, 27 Apr 2015 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2015/01/us-attorney-preet-bharara-putting-corruption-rest/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2015/01/us-attorney-preet-bharara-putting-corruption-rest/ In January 2015, US Attorney Preet Bharara announced corruption charges against New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver — one of Albany's most powerful men. Fri, 23 Jan 2015 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2014/12/german-party-demand-immigrants-speak-german-home-now-withdrawing-demand/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2014/12/german-party-demand-immigrants-speak-german-home-now-withdrawing-demand/ Germany's CSU party proposed that immigrants 'should be obliged' to speak German at home — then, after nationwide mockery, rewrote the demand within days. Mon, 08 Dec 2014 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2014/11/brahmins-conducting-homa-sultan-oman/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2014/11/brahmins-conducting-homa-sultan-oman/ In 2014, a 22-member team of Vedic Brahmins from Karnataka performed yagnas in Oman for the health of Sultan Qaboos — one of the most unusual interfaith Wed, 12 Nov 2014 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff India Politics Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2014/09/face-terrorism/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2014/09/face-terrorism/ Samantha Lewthwaite went from the widow of a 7/7 bomber to one of the world's most wanted terrorism suspects. TI's 2014 profile, reviewed as an archive. Sat, 27 Sep 2014 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/08/employees-nsa-spying-love-interests-spouses-lovers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/08/employees-nsa-spying-love-interests-spouses-lovers/ In August 2013, the NSA admitted analysts had spied on their own love interests using agency tools — the internal nickname was LOVEINT. Mon, 26 Aug 2013 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff World World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/07/michelle-obama-white-house-is-like-a-nice-prison/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/07/michelle-obama-white-house-is-like-a-nice-prison/ At the African First Ladies Summit in Tanzania, Michelle Obama joked with Laura Bush that living in the White House has 'prison elements' — but it's a Tue, 02 Jul 2013 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/07/syrian-rebels-behead-catholic-priest/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/07/syrian-rebels-behead-catholic-priest/ The killing of Fr. François Murad in Syria went viral with a beheading video. Later investigations showed the video showed different victims entirely. Mon, 01 Jul 2013 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/04/sarabjit-singh-declared-brain-dead/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/04/sarabjit-singh-declared-brain-dead/ Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh lay on a ventilator in a Lahore hospital after a jail attack, with conflicting reports over whether he was brain dead. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff India Politics Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/04/new-zealand-lawmakers-legalize-same-sex-marriage/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/04/new-zealand-lawmakers-legalize-same-sex-marriage/ New Zealand's parliament voted 77-44 to legalize same-sex marriage — the 13th country in the world and the first in Asia-Pacific. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Interesting Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/04/school-teachers-trained-to-use-guns/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/04/school-teachers-trained-to-use-guns/ Fairview School in the Missouri Ozarks trained staff to carry concealed weapons after Sandy Hook — a 40-hour course with annual background checks. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/04/dubais-new-police-car-a-360000-lamborghini/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/04/dubais-new-police-car-a-360000-lamborghini/ Dubai police showed off a £360,000 Lamborghini Aventador at Dubai Mall — a supercar patrol car as much about marketing as catching speeders. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Interesting Lifestyle Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/02/coach-grisham-slurs-about-first-lady-michelle-obama-and-homosexuals/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/02/coach-grisham-slurs-about-first-lady-michelle-obama-and-homosexuals/ Schools Superintendent Jennifer Gray said she expects school board members to meet within the next two weeks to determine if disciplinary action is warranted… Tue, 05 Feb 2013 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/01/daood-sayed-gilani-aka-david-coleman-headley-pakistani-american-just-sentenced-to-35-years-for-planning-the-mumbai-attack/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/01/daood-sayed-gilani-aka-david-coleman-headley-pakistani-american-just-sentenced-to-35-years-for-planning-the-mumbai-attack/ David Coleman Headley received 35 years in a U.S. federal prison for scouting the 2008 Mumbai targets, spared the death penalty by his cooperation. Fri, 25 Jan 2013 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff India Politics Indian Economy Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/01/islamists-pledge-attacks-on-french-soil/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/01/islamists-pledge-attacks-on-french-soil/ After France intervened in Mali in January 2013, Islamist groups tied to al-Qaeda pledged retaliatory attacks on French soil. Mon, 14 Jan 2013 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/01/chicago-boys-14-and-15-killed-in-separate-shootings-friday/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/01/chicago-boys-14-and-15-killed-in-separate-shootings-friday/ Two Chicago teenagers, 14 and 15, were shot dead hours apart on January 11, 2013, in Humboldt Park and Little Village, in separate attacks. Sat, 12 Jan 2013 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/01/white-house-threatens-executive-orders-on-guns/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/01/white-house-threatens-executive-orders-on-guns/ In January 2013, Joe Biden warned that Obama would act on guns with or without Congress, floating executive orders ahead of a victims' meeting. Wed, 09 Jan 2013 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/01/new-anti-muslim-ads-up-in-nyc-subway-stations/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2013/01/new-anti-muslim-ads-up-in-nyc-subway-stations/ Pamela Geller's AFDI bought 228 NYC subway ad spaces for posters pairing the burning World Trade Center with a Quranic verse on terror. Wed, 09 Jan 2013 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/12/postal-employees-stole-millions-in-federal-checks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/12/postal-employees-stole-millions-in-federal-checks/ An Atlanta postal supervisor, a coworker, and four accomplices pled guilty to stealing $3 million in U.S. Treasury checks from the mail. Wed, 19 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Interesting Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/12/british-host-piers-morgan-slams-americans-for-guns/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/12/british-host-piers-morgan-slams-americans-for-guns/ After Sandy Hook, CNN's Piers Morgan called gun-rights advocate Larry Pratt 'unbelievably stupid' on air, igniting a debate on guns and journalism. Wed, 19 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/12/guns-only-benefit-criminals-traffickers-and-gun-sellers-time-is-now-to-change-the-law/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/12/guns-only-benefit-criminals-traffickers-and-gun-sellers-time-is-now-to-change-the-law/ After the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre on December 14, 2012, an editorial: the gun lobby's arguments have run out, and the law must change. Fri, 14 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/12/smoking-marijuana-legal-in-washington-state/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/12/smoking-marijuana-legal-in-washington-state/ On December 6, 2012, Washington's marijuana legalization took effect with a midnight celebration at the Space Needle and a wink from Seattle police. Fri, 07 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Interesting Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/12/george-zimmerman-sues-nbc-for-yellow-journalism/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/12/george-zimmerman-sues-nbc-for-yellow-journalism/ George Zimmerman filed a defamation suit against NBC over its edited 911-call broadcast. A Florida judge dismissed the case before trial. Fri, 07 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/12/indian-couple-in-norway-arrested-for-maltreating-their-7-yr-old-son/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/12/indian-couple-in-norway-arrested-for-maltreating-their-7-yr-old-son/ In late 2012, Chandrasekhar Vallabhaneni and his wife Anupama were convicted in Oslo of gross maltreatment of their seven-year-old son and jailed. Sat, 01 Dec 2012 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff World World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/11/indian-born-dentist-died-in-ireland-potentially-lifesaving-abortion-was-refused/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/11/indian-born-dentist-died-in-ireland-potentially-lifesaving-abortion-was-refused/ Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian dentist, died in an Irish hospital in October 2012 after being refused a termination during a miscarriage. Mon, 19 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/11/obamas-secret-divorce-papers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/11/obamas-secret-divorce-papers/ Tabloids periodically claimed Barack and Michelle Obama had secretly filed for divorce. No credible evidence ever emerged, and the marriage endured. Thu, 08 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/11/soreromnesia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/11/soreromnesia/ Romney spent two years hoping for a miracle. On election night 2012, even Fox News called Ohio for Obama, and the hope ran out. Tue, 06 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/11/obamas-mural-in-philladelphia-polling-place/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/11/obamas-mural-in-philladelphia-polling-place/ On Election Day 2012, a judge ordered a giant Obama mural covered at a Philadelphia polling place. Workers covered it only partly, leaving it visible. Tue, 06 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/11/at-campaigns-end-obama-congratulates-romney/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/11/at-campaigns-end-obama-congratulates-romney/ On Election Day 2012, President Obama made a surprise stop at a Chicago field office, congratulated Mitt Romney, and phone-banked volunteers himself. Tue, 06 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Global Economy Politics World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/09/france-to-close-20-embassies-in-fear-of-cartoon-backlash/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/09/france-to-close-20-embassies-in-fear-of-cartoon-backlash/ France closed 20 embassies across the Muslim world in September 2012 after Charlie Hebdo's cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad — a landmark free-speech clash. Wed, 19 Sep 2012 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/09/breakthrough-in-case-of-16-year-old-girl-found-dead-in-woods-after-tweeting-she-had-a-stalker-as-father-says-she-was-afraid-to-ride-bus-to-school/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/09/breakthrough-in-case-of-16-year-old-girl-found-dead-in-woods-after-tweeting-she-had-a-stalker-as-father-says-she-was-afraid-to-ride-bus-to-school/ Jeff Truelove spoke out after his daughter Hannah, 16, was found dead in Georgia in 2012; her killer's conviction was upheld on appeal. Mon, 10 Sep 2012 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff World Politics https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/09/indian-couple-in-usa-faces-fear-of-losing-the-custody-of-their-11-month-old/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed https://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/09/indian-couple-in-usa-faces-fear-of-losing-the-custody-of-their-11-month-old/ Days after the Norway children returned home, Indian papers reported another custody row in the US — a Bengali couple fearing the loss of their infant son. Sun, 09 Sep 2012 05:00:00 GMT Thoughtful India Staff Politics World Politics