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In this edition of Geopolitics with Swasti, ThePrint Consulting Editor Swasti Rao debunks rumours about India buying Japanese jets and why India remains at the SCO. She also explains why Israel bombed Syria and talks about Israel's proxies in West Asia

Sebi has allowed the Jane Street Group to restart trading after the firm deposited Rs 4,844 crore in an escrow account to comply with its order. It had on July 3 banned the New York trading firm, accusing it of manipulating the Indian derivatives market. We explain the whole saga and how the F&O segment is booming in India.----more----Read Manasi Phadke's article here: https://theprint.in/economy/addicted-young-traders-out-of-control-binge-whats-fuelling-indias-futures-options-explosion/2213667/

This was after Centre, through Rashtrapati Bhavan, sought review of SC's 8 April ruling in which it held that governors cannot sit over bills passed by state legislatures.  

The first ever US-India joint satellite named NISAR will launch on 30 July. It is expected to be the most powerful earth observation satellite yet, with dual frequencies. Watch #ThePrintVideo with Akanksha Mishra to know more. ----more----Read full article here: https://theprint.in/science/landslides-to-ice-sheet-changes-isro-nasas-nisar-is-the-most-ambitious-earth-mapping-satellite-yet/2698220/

The scheme aims to skill youth in tier-2 and tier-3 cities for future employment. The government is yet to release data on how many have actually joined companies in round 2.  

The first ever US-India joint satellite named NISAR will launch on 30 July. It is expected to be the most powerful earth observation satellite yet, with dual frequencies. Watch #ThePrintVideo with Akanksha Mishra to know more.

India has over 8 million tonnes of rare earth element oxides for mining. But what exactly are critical minerals and rare earth elements, how is India poised to produce and acquire them, and what is their significance? Watch Akanksha Mishra explain in #ThePrintVideo.

What does PM Modi's message for ex-VP Dhankhar suggest?

Israel's journey toward defence self-reliance was driven by a combination of existential urgency and a national culture of innovation. When Israel was born, it immediately faced a multi-front military conflict. These wars forged a mindset of necessity-driven invention, unlike India, whose military objectives were shaped by the non-alignment philosophy and a focus on civilian industry. Watch former Army Chief Gen MM Naravane (Retd) explain what India can learn about defence self-reliance from Israel ----more----Read full article here: https://theprint.in/opinion/what-india-learn-israel-atmanirbharta-defence/2696664/

#SecurityCode For centuries, the Druze—a liminal community, whose faith incorporates elements of Islam, Christianity and older religions—have fought to retain their autonomy, allying with Israel against the Palestinians, the Lebanese Leftists against Hizbollah, and President Bashar Al-Asad's Alevi-led regime against Sunni jihadists and tribes. Now, though, a bloody showdown is looming.

Why did Bombay HC acquit all 12 convicts in 2006 Mumbai blasts case?

What ex-IAS officer SC Garg says in “No, Minister” about Andhra CM Naidu ‘manoeuvring' the system in Delhi and what it says about his politics, ThePrint Political Editor DK Singh analyses in this episode of #PoliticallyCorrect.----more----Read this week's Politically Correct here: https://theprint.in/opinion/politically-correct/chandrababu-naidu-new-dreams-at-75-other-cms-missing/2696797/#google_vignette----more----Watch Chandrababu Naidu interview here: https://youtu.be/BzismWeiLBo

A ratings monopoly in India has led to lack of technological variation, resulting in sluggish systems detached from market dynamics.  

The medical education regulator is embroiled in a row with CBI probing graft allegations reminiscent of MCI era. The ‘scam' has reignited debates on the body's functioning.  

Aditi Gajendra Sharma has now written to top 5 SC judges including CJI Gavai, expressing concerns about collegium's move to recommend district judge Rajesh Kumar Gupta for promotion.  

#cuttheclutter As China begins construction of the world's largest dam over the Brahmaputra river in Tibet, watch Ep 1585 of #CutTheClutter where ThePrint Editor & Founder Shekhar Gupta explained Beijing's plan, details of the project & India's concerns. He also detailed Brahmaputra's great bend, how it provides the ideal terrain for building a power-generating dam, & the geography of this area. This episode was first published on 10 January, 2025

ThePrint Explorer: Op Sindoor has shown importance of drones in modern warfare. Robotic wars will be much more bloody

NationalInterest: Strategic partner one day, tactical nightmare the next: India's learning Trumplomacy the hard way

https://theprint.in/india/ed-arrests-bhupesh-baghels-son-in-chhattisgarh-liquor-scam-ex-cm-alleges-conspiracy-by-modi-shah/2694295/

#cuttheclutter In Episode 1699 of #CutTheClutter ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta breaks down US ban on The Resistance Force (TRF), a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba, after Pahalgam attack; Pakistan's terror rebranding; and renewed risk of its return to FATF grey list. He also explains why this could trigger a global push against Pakistan, even China may struggle to block. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To visit ThePrint Store: https://store.theprint.in/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced By: Mahira Khan

The ISA should champion a Global Solar Asset Registry for standardised project information, and establish a Solar Credit Guarantee mechanism to mitigate political and currency risks.  

With increasing cases of online satire, impersonation, and hate speech, courts face a dilemma: Where does right to free speech end and criminality begin?  

NCERT introduces the Delhi Sultanate, Marathas & Mughals in Class 8 Social Science textbook, highlighting differences between Shivaji and Babur or Akbar.  

Chinese media and online commentators are wondering why India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar suddenly moderate his tone during his recent China visit. On his first visit to China in five years, and the first since the 2020 Galwan clashes, was ostensibly for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The mood across Chinese policy circles and online platforms suggests that Beijing sees this as more than symbolic.

#cuttheclutter Sacrilege has remained a central political issue in Punjab since the theft of a Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot in 2015. The Akali Dal-BJP govt and Congress both proposed bills to strengthen Section 295A of IPC. Now, AAP has introduced a bill imposing 10 years to life imprisonment for sacrilege. In Episode 1698 of Cut The Clutter, ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta and Associate Editor Chitleen Sethi discuss the issue at the heart of Punjab politics: sacrilege. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Watch Cut The Clutter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2WYCN7_-xI --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To visit ThePrint Store: https://store.theprint.in/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced By: Mahira Khan

India's next defence leap needs American fighter pilot John Boyd's ‘do something' philosophy.  

The judgment followed a plea by a lawyer suffering from Becker Muscular Dystrophy, who said the prison lacked disabled-friendly facilities & that officials were insensitive, ill-informed.  

Traditionally, the Indian civil services have been a male bastion. Back in the 1950s, when the first woman IAS officer was appointed, a woman could be disqualified from service for getting married. Seven decades later, 1 out of 5 secretaries serving in the Government of India is a woman. From corporate to economic affairs, health to legal affairs--women officers are at the helm in several central ministries. At the level of recruitment, in the last few years, 27-30 percent of those who qualify for the civil services have been women.

#cuttheclutter Proscribed militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) evaded and fought Indian security forces for decades. But waning support for the movement and its ideology, coupled with decisive action by the govt, made the way for peace to return to Assam. In episode 1697, ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta traces rise and fall of ULFA, back in focus after a splinter group claimed its camps were ‘attacked' by the Indian Army. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read Ratan Tata's obituary: https://theprint.in/opinion/a-frosty-start-featuring-ulfa-tapes-thawed-by-a-love-of-dogs-my-conversations-with-ratan-tata/2306557/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced By: Mahira Khan

Green activists are livid with Centre postponing the compliance date for thermal power plants to install emission regulation machinery for the sixth time.  

Fewer than 10 percent of people with hypertension had their blood sugar under control & fewer than 66 percent of diabetics had metabolic disorder under control in 2019-21.  

Amit Shah doesn't plan to be a politician for life but why the second most powerful man in India is even thinking and talking about a retirement plan publicly, ThePrint Political Editor DK Singh analyses in this episode of #PoliticallyCorrect

#cuttheclutter ULFA (I) has claimed at least three of its leaders were killed in drone attacks by Indian Army on the proscribed militant group's camps along India-Myanmar border. The Army has denied any knowledge of the attacks. In Episode 1696 of #CutTheClutter ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta traces the origins of United Liberation Front of Asom and explains how northern Myanmar has emerged as the chink in Tatmadaw's armour. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To visit ThePrint Store: https://store.theprint.in/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced By: Mahira Khan

The AAIB's report on Air India crash didn't provide full information, like the entire cockpit voice recordings, giving the impression that something is being hidden.  

Gurugram contributes close to 60% to Haryana's GDP but facilities are nowhere close to its status. A look at what went wrong for city's infra after promising start in 1970s.  

External affairs minister is on 2-day visit to China, his first since 2020 Galwan clashes. He's set to meet Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi before going to Tianjin for SCO meet.----more---- https://theprint.in/diplomacy/continued-normalisation-of-ties-can-lead-to-mutually-beneficial-outcomes-jaishankar-in-beijing/2689215/

https://theprint.in/politics/26-11-prosecutor-ex-foreign-secretary-kerala-poll-violence-victim-stories-of-4-rajya-sabha-nominees/2688654/

After years of debate, the Dalai Lama has decided he will reincarnate. China, however, is determined that it, not Tibet's government-in-exile, will decide who his successor should be. Time is on Beijing's side. The country's rapid economic development, as well as its severe suppression of dissent, have won over significant numbers of Tibetans to its side. The Tibetan diaspora in India, meanwhile, is in decline, with numbers of young people chosing to make their future in the West.   https://theprint.in/opinion/security-code/dalai-lama-succession-china-tibet-control-future/2680567/

On the sidelines of the otherwise contentious Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Qingdao, a quiet yet significant development unfolded. India was once again assured by Russia of the timely delivery of the remaining two S-400 Triumf air defence systems. Russian defence minister Andrei Belousov himself communicated this to his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh, offering some comfort to New Delhi's strategic planners. Indian media outlets covered the commitment with cautious relief.   https://theprint.in/opinion/india-russia-s-400-deal-delivery-delay/2687025/

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief (Sarsanghachalak) Mohan Bhagwat said that once they attain the age of 75, leaders should think of retiring and yield to younger colleagues. But, in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and particularly the BJP-RSS relations, there will always be the Modi exception. To think that this is a nudge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step down as he turns 75 on 17 September this year, six days after Bhagwat, will be reading too much into it. Watch this week's National Interest with ThePrint Editor & Founder Shekhar Gupta: ----more----Read this week's National Interest here: https://theprint.in/national-interest/bjp-rss-narendra-modi-mohan-bhagwat-75-rule/2687684/----more----Watch Mohan Bhagwat's remark here: https://youtu.be/W36aLrC8OdA----more----Read 'Abki baar 75 paar' National Interest here: https://theprint.in/national-interest/abki-baar-75-paar-modi-isnt-going-anywhere-the-opposition-is-all-out-of-ideas/2594910/

Twenty years ago, a week from now, India signed a nuclear deal with the US that redefined its foreign policy, and caused a split in the Indian political sphere. The deal was a landmark moment in terms of access to technology, but also raised uncomfortable questions about liability, transparency, and the cost of aligning with the West. In Episode 1695 of #CutTheClutter ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta explains why the Indo-US nuclear deal mattered then, and why it still matters now. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Interest Article: https://theprint.in/national-interest/how-one-big-india-us-deal-gave-us-six-big-gains-to-cheer-including-decimation-of-left/369263/ Statement by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in Parliament on his Visit to the United States: https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/2601/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Argentina President Javier Milei has often been hailed by US President Donald Trump as a “great new hope” in Latin America. The country under Milei has taken a sharply pro-Western stance. His outspoken criticism of China has been welcomed by many in the West, particularly in Washington and London, who view his leadership as a strategic reset in the region. Whether Milei's gamble will pay off—politically or diplomatically—remains to be seen. But for now, Milei is playing a bold hand in a game long defined by bluffs. Watch Consulting Editor, Dr. Swasti Rao @swasrao explain

Two years ago, Afghanistan's Taliban regime banned farmers from growing the poppy—the plant whose resin yields opium, then heroin. The severity of the ban saw poppy fields wither away. But promised alternative crops haven't materialised, and hundreds of thousands of poor peasant families are literally risking their lives to grow poppies again.

WHAT HAS NSA DOVAL SAID ON OP SINDOOR? ----more---- https://theprint.in/defence/show-me-one-photo-of-any-damage-in-india-nsa-ajit-doval-dares-foreign-media-on-op-sindoor/2686905/

CutTheClutter: Jaguar costs lives of 2 pilots: Story of IAF's primary attack aircraft dragged past ‘end-of-life'

In this episode of ThePrint WorldView, Consulting Editor and foreign policy expert Dr. Swasti Rao sits down with George "David" Banks, one of the rare American policy insiders to have served under three U.S. Presidents—George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. A seasoned advisor with experience across the CIA, the State Department, and the National Economic and National Security Councils, Banks brings unmatched insight into the tectonic shifts underway in America's political economy. As Trump's former Special Assistant for International Energy and Environment, and Republican Deputy Staff Director at the Senate Environment Committee, he was at the heart of key policy transformations during Trump 1.0. In this candid conversation, Banks unpacks the driving forces behind Trump 2.0's economic populism, the much-debated “Big Beautiful Bill,” and the rationale behind the 10% tariff baseline that signals a permanent shift in U.S. trade policy. He explains why Elon Musk has publicly broken ranks with Trump, how the climate agenda is being sidelined, and why the Republican Party is undergoing a deep identity crisis between isolationism and global cooperation. He also weighs in on India's place in Trump's geopolitical calculus, what has changed, what hasn't, and what New Delhi must prepare for if Trump returns to the White House. #trump #tarrifs #india #us #elonmusk #musk