India is steadily adopting a balanced approach in managing its relationship with China, combining firm security measures with cautious diplomatic engagement as it seeks to protect national interests while maintaining regional stability. The evolving strategy underscores New Delhi's effort to navigate one of its most complex foreign policy challenges without allowing competition and cooperation to become mutually exclusive.
The relationship between India and China has remained under strain since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which marked the most serious military confrontation between the two countries in decades. The incident fundamentally reshaped India's perception of China, prompting tighter scrutiny of Chinese investments, restrictions on several Chinese mobile applications, and a renewed focus on strengthening border infrastructure and military preparedness.
Despite these developments, India has stopped short of pursuing complete disengagement. Instead, policymakers have increasingly signalled that while national security remains non-negotiable, dialogue and economic cooperation should continue wherever they serve India's interests. This approach has gained momentum through a series of diplomatic interactions between senior officials of both countries, aimed at restoring communication and preventing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) from escalating further.
Government officials have repeatedly maintained that peace and tranquillity along the border remain the foundation for normalising bilateral relations. At the same time, both sides have continued discussions through multilateral forums such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), demonstrating that even amid strategic rivalry, diplomatic engagement remains an important tool for managing differences.
India's approach also reflects the realities of economic interdependence. Although New Delhi has encouraged businesses to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on Chinese imports, China continues to be a key supplier of electronics, industrial machinery, pharmaceutical ingredients, and manufacturing components essential for several Indian industries. Rather than opting for complete economic separation, India has focused on reducing vulnerabilities by promoting domestic manufacturing and expanding trade partnerships with other countries.
Strategic experts believe this policy represents a shift toward "de-risking" instead of "decoupling." The objective is to strengthen India's economic resilience while avoiding disruptions that could impact industrial growth and consumer markets. This measured approach allows India to safeguard critical sectors without isolating itself from one of the world's largest economies.
On the security front, New Delhi continues to invest heavily in defence modernisation and border infrastructure while strengthening strategic partnerships with countries including the United States, Japan, Australia, and several European nations. These partnerships are seen as part of India's broader effort to maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific and respond to evolving regional security challenges.
However, India's engagement with China does not indicate a softening of its position on unresolved disputes. The border issue remains a major source of friction, alongside concerns over China's close strategic ties with Pakistan, trade imbalances, and increasing competition for influence across South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. Analysts believe these structural challenges will continue to shape bilateral relations for the foreseeable future.
Foreign policy observers note that India's current strategy reflects its longstanding commitment to strategic autonomy. Rather than aligning itself exclusively with any major power bloc, New Delhi is pursuing an independent course that allows it to cooperate with China on issues of shared interest while remaining prepared to counter challenges that affect its sovereignty and national security. As geopolitical competition intensifies across Asia, India's calibrated approach suggests that balancing strategic caution with diplomatic engagement may become the defining feature of its China policy. While the road to fully normalised relations remains uncertain, New Delhi appears determined to manage differences through dialogue without compromising its security interests, signalling a foreign policy driven by pragmatism rather than confrontation.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.
India is losing an estimated 4.3% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP)—equivalent to nearly $180 billion (₹14.1 trillion) every year due to corrosion, according to a new report by the Nomura Research Institute (NRI). The study highlights that sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, power, and telecommunications are bearing the largest share of these losses, underscoring the growing economic impact of deteriorating public assets.
In its report, Built to Last: Adopting Global Best Practices to Reduce Corrosion Losses in India's Infrastructure, NRI notes that the global average economic loss from corrosion is around 3.4% of GDP, significantly lower than India's figure. The report estimates that implementing effective corrosion prevention and management strategies could raise India's GDP by nearly 1.5%, resulting in annual savings of about $63 billion (₹5 trillion).
The report argues that corrosion should no longer be viewed merely as an engineering concern but as a national economic and policy issue. With India investing heavily in highways, railways, affordable housing, renewable energy, and other large infrastructure projects, improving the durability of these assets has become increasingly important. According to the study, prioritising long-term asset performance over lower upfront construction costs could substantially reduce maintenance expenses and replacement costs in the years ahead.
The findings come as India continues its rapid economic expansion. The country's GDP reached approximately $4.2 trillion in FY26, supported by steady annual growth of 6–7% over the past decade. The government is aiming to transform India into a $5 trillion economy in the near future and eventually achieve a $30–40 trillion economy by 2047 under its Viksit Bharat vision. However, the report warns that rapid urbanisation, industrial growth, and large-scale infrastructure development are also increasing the country's exposure to corrosion, placing greater pressure on public finances through higher maintenance costs and shorter asset lifespans.
Infrastructure emerges as one of the most vulnerable sectors in the report. NRI points out that many engineering and procurement practices in India continue to focus on minimising initial construction costs rather than ensuring the long-term durability of assets. As a result, corrosion is accelerating the deterioration of roads, bridges, buildings, and other public infrastructure, leading to more frequent repairs and higher replacement costs.
The report also identifies the power sector as the industry most severely affected by corrosion, with losses estimated at 10.1% of its sectoral GDP. As India rapidly expands its renewable energy capacity and electricity transmission network, stronger corrosion protection measures will be essential to improve reliability and extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure.
India's telecommunications sector also faces significant challenges. With more than 813,000 telecom towers supporting nearly 2.95 million base transceiver stations, the report recommends expanding corrosion protection beyond primary structural components to include auxiliary equipment. It also calls for regular inspection and maintenance programmes to enhance the durability of telecom infrastructure.
For Indian Railways, corrosion is estimated to cause annual losses of around $3 billion (₹23,788 crore). The report suggests replacing traditional repainting methods with long-lasting corrosion protection systems while adopting preventive maintenance and better material selection to reduce maintenance costs and extend the service life of railway assets. Beyond these sectors, the report also highlights the impact of corrosion on buildings, roads, bridges, and the automotive industry. It argues that as India's infrastructure continues to expand, engineering standards, maintenance practices, and procurement policies must evolve to focus on lifecycle performance rather than just initial investment.
The study concludes that tackling corrosion is not simply about reducing maintenance costs but about protecting national investments and supporting long-term economic growth. By adopting global best practices in corrosion management, improving preventive maintenance, and designing infrastructure with durability in mind, India could significantly reduce economic losses while ensuring better returns on its massive public infrastructure spending.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Canva.
World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat on Monday said that the women wrestlers who accused former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment will challenge a Delhi court's verdict acquitting him. A Delhi court cleared Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar of all charges in the case filed by the women wrestlers. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar acquitted Singh, a former BJP MP, along with Tomar, who previously served as the WFI's assistant secretary.
Reacting to the judgment, Phogat announced on X that the wrestlers had instructed their legal team to move a higher court against the acquittal. "The women wrestlers have asked their lawyers to file an appeal against this decision, and it will be submitted at the earliest. We have not given up hope, and our fight for justice will continue," she wrote.
Phogat also alleged that Singh received protection from the government and claimed that his political influence was used to pressure some complainants into stepping back from the case. "We are deeply disappointed that the court did not hold Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh guilty of the allegations made by the women wrestlers. From the very beginning, we felt that the administration, the government, and the entire system were working to shield him," she said.
She added that it took significant courage for the wrestlers to stage protests and secure the registration of an FIR against a politically influential figure. "Using his influence and political power, Brij Bhushan intimidated several girls into withdrawing their names. Despite that, many women wrestlers remained steadfast and continued pursuing the case in court," Phogat said.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
Pakistan’s military has reported that the country witnessed more than 3,000 terrorism-related incidents in 2026, resulting in the deaths of 819 people, including soldiers, police personnel, and other security officials. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry shared the details during a press briefing in Islamabad on Friday. According to him, Pakistan recorded a total of 3,145 terror incidents during the year, with the majority occurring in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Chaudhry said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounted for 1,971 attacks, while 1,148 incidents were reported in Balochistan. The remaining 26 attacks took place in other parts of the country. He described the level of violence as one of the highest Pakistan has faced, stating that security forces were eliminating an average of 10 militants every day.
The military spokesperson said that 819 Pakistani citizens lost their lives in terrorist attacks, including 303 army personnel and 194 members of police and civil armed forces. At the same time, he claimed that security forces killed 2,084 militants during counter-terrorism operations carried out across the country. According to Chaudhry, security agencies conducted 40,348 intelligence-based operations in 2026 to target militant networks. Around 31,000 of these operations were carried out in Balochistan, which remains one of the most affected regions due to insurgency and militant activity.
He also revealed that Pakistan witnessed 28 suicide attacks during the year. The ISPR chief claimed that most of these attacks involved Afghan nationals and individuals allegedly linked to Afghan security forces. Discussing the security situation in Balochistan, Chaudhry rejected claims that the province was simply facing a law and order crisis. He argued that deeper social and political issues, including the long-standing tribal Sardari system and elite control, had contributed to a lack of development and opportunities for ordinary citizens.
He said that decades-old power structures had prevented equal access to education and progress for many people in the province. According to him, resistance to reforms by certain influential groups was contributing to instability. Addressing the idea of Pakistan becoming a “hard state,” Chaudhry clarified that it did not refer to military dominance. He said a strong state was one where laws and constitutional principles applied equally to all citizens, adding that Pakistan still faced challenges in achieving that goal.
The ISPR chief further alleged that some elements in Balochistan were using violence and instability narratives to protect their own interests. He said the military would not compromise with groups involved in terrorism and would instead focus on engaging with ordinary citizens and genuine representatives of the province.
On governance reforms, Chaudhry supported calls for improving administrative structures, saying better governance was essential for Pakistan’s long-term security and stability. He noted that the military had consistently highlighted the need for institutional reforms to address the root causes of unrest. Turning his attention to Afghanistan, the army spokesperson strongly criticised the Taliban government in Kabul. He alleged that militant activities had become deeply connected with Afghanistan’s political and economic structure and accused Afghan authorities of failing to prevent cross-border terrorism.
Chaudhry claimed that Afghanistan-based militant networks continued to pose a security threat to Pakistan. He also made a controversial comparison involving India and Afghanistan, alleging that terrorism was the only common factor between the two countries, though he did not provide supporting evidence for the statement.
The figures presented by Pakistan’s military highlight the country’s continuing struggle against terrorism, with thousands of security operations conducted and hundreds of lives lost during the year. The remarks also reflect growing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul over allegations of cross-border militant activity and the broader challenge of maintaining internal security.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defecnce News.
The government's decision to raise the monetary limits for filing tax appeals has reduced disputed tax demand by an estimated ₹16,690 crore, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Lok Sabha. Since the revised limits took effect on September 17, 2024, thousands of departmental appeals have been withdrawn or not filed across the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), High Courts, and the Supreme Court. The government had increased the appeal thresholds to ₹60 lakh for ITAT, ₹2 crore for High Courts, and ₹5 crore for the Supreme Court under the Union Budget 2024–25. Sitharaman also said the Central Board of Direct Taxes has introduced several taxpayer-friendly reforms over the past 12 years, including pre-filled ITRs, faceless assessments, and simplified compliance measures to improve transparency and ease of doing business.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
Two years after taking office as Australia's Governor-General and representative of King Charles, Sam Mostyn has expressed concern over what she describes as a widespread lack of understanding among adults about the foundations of the country's democracy, particularly its Constitution. In an interview with Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy at Admiralty House in Sydney, Mostyn said improving civic education has become one of her key priorities. She argued that strengthening public knowledge of Australia's democratic institutions is essential to tackling what she called a "growing catastrophe" that threatens informed civic participation and the health of the nation's democracy.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In this edition of Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro spotlights W Optics, a Singapore-based vision care specialist and optical retail chain. W Optics CEO Jonathan Wong shares the company's journey, explaining how his father, Francis Wong, founded the business and eventually entrusted him with leading its next phase of growth. Joining the discussion is senior optometrist and manager Oh Shwu Ji, who offers insights into common eye health concerns while highlighting the latest trends in eyewear design and prescription glasses.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Rescue teams in Japan have continued their search operations overnight as they race to find survivors following a powerful earthquake that struck Kyushu Island. Several people remain unaccounted for after the 7.1-magnitude quake caused buildings to collapse, with many feared trapped beneath the debris of a shopping centre. CNA Senior Correspondent Michiyo Ishida joins Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman to provide the latest updates on the rescue efforts and situation on the ground.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Andy Burnham is set to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as his first international guest, underscoring the UK's continued commitment to Ukraine. As Burnham unveils his agenda to address long-standing issues such as social care, Pippa Crerar and Jessica Elgot examine whether his proposals can deliver meaningful change.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
