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By Suryamurthy Energy security often becomes a national priority only when a crisis erupts. The current conflict spreading across West Asia has once again reminded India how fragile global energy supply chains can be — and how deeply its own economy remains tied to them. The disruption of tanker routes through the Strait of Hormuz, […]

The article India pushes coal gasification to reduce import risks appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers For much of independent India’s history, the security response to communal violence and terrorism was essentially reactive: an attack occurred, intelligence agencies investigated it, police made arrests, and security forces moved in after violence had already begun. Over the past five years, however, India’s counter-terrorism architecture has been moving towards a […]

The article From reaction to prevention: India’s five-year turn against radicalisation appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Arjavi Indraneesh China’s carefully constructed Gulf strategy is facing one of its toughest tests as Iran’s confrontation with the United States disrupts energy flows, threatens Arab partners and exposes the limits of Beijing’s influence over Tehran. The immediate pressure point is the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping traffic remains sharply below normal levels after months […]

The article Iran escalation puts China’s Gulf strategy under serious strain appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

The proposed allocation is expected to exceed NT$1.1 trillion, or roughly US$34 billion, when broader defence-related spending is included. The package is due to be unveiled on August 20 and will cover the armed forces as well as expenditure linked to the coast guard, veterans and special military programmes.

The increase would maintain Taiwan’s defence expenditure above 3 per cent of gross domestic product, extending a shift towards substantially higher military budgets under President Lai Ching-te. Taipei has been expanding funding for weapons, ammunition, drones, missile systems, naval platforms and military infrastructure as China strengthens its forces across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan’s 2026 defence expenditure calculated under a broader methodology covering coast guard spending and military pensions stands at NT$949.5 billion, equivalent to about 3.32 per cent of GDP. The Ministry of National Defence’s own allocation is NT$806 billion, NT$161.1 billion higher than the previous year.

Lai has set a longer-term objective of raising defence expenditure to 5 per cent of GDP by 2030, arguing that Taiwan must demonstrate greater capacity to defend itself while adapting to China’s rapid military expansion. The policy also responds to pressure from Washington for Taipei to shoulder a larger share of the cost of deterring an attack.

The spending expansion comes as Taiwan conducts its annual Han Kuang exercises, which this year involve large-scale simulations of invasion, blockade, cyber disruption and attacks on critical infrastructure. About 20,000 reservists have been mobilised as the military tests decentralised command, communications under disrupted conditions and stronger integration between civilian agencies and the armed forces.

Taiwan is placing greater emphasis on asymmetric capabilities designed to make a cross-strait assault costly. Drones, mobile missile launchers, sea-denial weapons and dispersed command systems have become important elements of planning. Military exercises have also incorporated lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where inexpensive unmanned systems have demonstrated their ability to damage far more costly military assets.

The island is developing its domestic defence industry alongside purchases from the United States. Projects include locally built submarines, missiles and unmanned systems, while American arms orders include F-16V fighters, HIMARS rocket launchers, torpedoes and stand-off weapons. Some deliveries have been delayed because of production and supply-chain constraints, although parts of the HIMARS programme have moved ahead of schedule.

Political approval remains an important hurdle. Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature has challenged parts of Lai’s military programme and previously reduced or delayed special defence spending proposed by the administration. Lawmakers in May approved additional defence expenditure worth about US$25 billion, substantially below the amount originally sought by the government.

Those disputes are likely to shape scrutiny of the 2027 proposal once the cabinet sends the wider government budget to parliament. The administration argues that higher expenditure is necessary because military preparedness requires long-term procurement, stockpiling and infrastructure investment rather than emergency spending after a crisis emerges.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the democratically governed island under its control. Taipei rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim. Chinese aircraft, naval vessels and coast guard ships operate regularly around Taiwan, while Beijing has repeatedly staged major exercises intended to demonstrate its ability to surround or blockade the island.

Beijing has also continued expanding its own military budget. China announced a 7 per cent increase in defence expenditure for 2026, taking officially declared spending to about US$283 billion, leaving a wide financial and numerical gap between the People’s Liberation Army and Taiwan’s forces.

By K Raveendran Mohan Bhagwat’s attempt to open a conversation with India’s younger generation carries significance precisely because such an intervention would hardly have been necessary if the political establishment were confident that the youth remained comfortably within its fold. The RSS chief’s argument that young people are neither misguided nor directionless, and that they […]

The article When Demographic Dividend Turns Into Powerful Political Dissent appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Dr. Gyan Pathak When the textile landscape of the country and the world is changing fast, it would not be enough for India to only celebrate National Handloom Day every year on August 7. The country will have to do much more than celebrating the day by releasing commemorative document and press releases giving […]

The article Celebrating National Handloom Day On August 7 Sans Proper Action appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nitya Chakraborty Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emerged as a clear winner at the end of his crucial talks with the U.S. envoy for South Asia Sergio Gor last week as he was able to extract maximum concessions from the U.S. team on big investments in his country to help the struggling economy as […]

The article Bangladesh Is A Clear Winner In U.S.- China Diplomatic Battle Over Its Loyalty appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Just over half of respondents in a nationwide CVoter survey conducted last week said they were unhappy with the government’s response to leaks involving the national medical entrance examination. The controversy led to the invalidation of results affecting about two million candidates, disrupting admissions and intensifying scrutiny of the country’s testing system.

Disapproval extended into Modi’s political base. Among supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, 40 per cent said the government had not handled the crisis well, while 44 per cent approved of its response. The narrow margin among governing-coalition voters suggests that the examination issue has cut across conventional political loyalties.

The findings present a political challenge for Modi, whose government has promoted education, skills and employment as pillars of its development agenda. Competitive examinations remain one of the principal routes to medical colleges, universities and secure public-sector employment, particularly for candidates from lower-income families.

The protests began after evidence emerged that questions from the medical entrance test had been leaked. The government subsequently annulled the results and organised another examination, requiring candidates to repeat months of preparation while families absorbed additional coaching, travel and accommodation costs.

Students and parents argued that cancellation alone did not address the failures that allowed confidential examination material to circulate. Many demanded criminal accountability, compensation for affected families, structural reform of the National Testing Agency and the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The demonstrations expanded from education-related demands into a wider expression of frustration over youth unemployment, inequality and limited access to stable work. People below the age of 30 are three times more likely to be unemployed than the average citizen, adding economic pressure to a testing system already burdened by intense competition.

At least two dozen examinations have had their results cancelled because of leaks since 2014. The repeated disruptions have damaged confidence in a system through which millions compete for a limited number of medical seats and government positions.

The agitation was spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party, a youth movement whose satirical name was adopted after controversial remarks about unemployed young people. The organisation mobilised candidates, teachers and families through social media before drawing tens of thousands to demonstrations in New Delhi and other cities.

More than 50,000 people were estimated to have joined an attempted march towards Parliament on July 20. Police used batons and tear gas during confrontations with demonstrators, while authorities said officers were injured and maintained that crowd-control measures were necessary.

Images of injured students and allegations of excessive force broadened public sympathy for the campaign. Support came from opposition politicians, actors, educators and professional groups, although organisers sought to present the movement as independent of established political parties.

Pradhan resigned on July 25 after weeks of pressure, marking an unusual retreat by a government that has generally resisted demands for ministerial departures. Protesters celebrated the decision but maintained that changing the minister would have limited value without stronger oversight of examination bodies.

Modi later addressed young people through a video message, promising action against those responsible for paper leaks and saying students who participated in demonstrations should not face punishment. The government also agreed to consider compensation for families of candidates who died by suicide after examination-related disruptions.

Parliament has since debated tighter provisions under the law designed to prevent unfair practices in public examinations. Proposed changes include harsher penalties for organised groups, testing companies and individuals involved in obtaining or distributing examination papers, along with measures intended to accelerate trials.

The government has also announced a panel to review the examination system. Areas requiring attention include the security of question papers, the selection and supervision of testing centres, digital safeguards, grievance procedures and the accountability of private contractors.

Opposition parties have argued that legislation will be ineffective without independent investigations and administrative responsibility. Government representatives have countered that paper leaks have occurred under different parties and across several states, making institutional reform more important than partisan blame.

The survey indicates that the government’s measures have yet to restore public confidence. Even after the minister’s resignation and promises of tougher enforcement, dissatisfaction remains substantial among voters who normally support Modi’s coalition.

By K Raveendran India’s political conversation appears to be acquiring a new address. It is no longer confined to Parliament House, party headquarters, election rallies or television studios. Increasingly, it begins with a mobile phone placed at a flattering angle, a carefully chosen background and the familiar instruction to look into the camera and speak […]

The article When Parliament Goes Silent, Politics Switches On The Camera appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).