Not Adani Group but India is Target

In modern times, assassinations are not aimed at killing the human body. Rather, the assassin focuses on killing the spirit and image of the person. In this process, they first create an alternative perception and narrative about the targeted entities/individuals. Once it is done, they try to erase the person.

The Deep State first employed the short trader Hindenburg, but it couldn't hurt much. Now, the Deep State has hired a better assassin, the Washington Post, to make a killing against an Indian MNC that strategically put forth the Indian interests in a dynamic geopolitical stage of drama.

They have been successful in creating an alternative perception about the Adani Group over the years. You ask any naive person on the road, and that person, with no hesitation, will charge the Adani Group with the allegations of corruption. You ask a single question, 'How?' and that person will fumble and possibly skip the question or run away!

Deepawali Season Sale and Indian Economy

Following the implementation of GST 2.0, consumption has revived in the Indian economy. Deepawali sales increased by 25% this year to ₹5.4 trillion in goods, from ₹4.25 trillion, excluding an additional ₹65,000 crore from services.

All this happened when there was a negative impact on the Indian economy due to Trump's tariffs on Indian exports. This also defies the fears of so-called economists that the three festivals, namely Durga Puja, Deepawali, and Chhath, falling in the same month will hurt this year's Deepawali sales. Bhai Duj and Chhath are yet to be celebrated!

Afghanistan Pakistan Conflict and the USA

The war between Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Durand Line has erupted is attracting the attention of the whole world. However, they have started, it seems that the US has begun implementing its grand plan to seize Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, which the US vacated on 1 July 2021 after its occupation for 20 years.

The manner in which Pakistan has provoked Afghanistan and initiated unilateral aggression against Afghanistan clearly suggests that Pakistan received orders from US President Donald Trump to do so. Presently, President Trump has been showing his keen interest in Bagram Airbase. Pakistan is trying to please the American President by sacrificing its soldiers.

This conflict will likely drag on for longer than expected, and then, in the name of peace, the US will jump in and seize Bagram Airbase! If it happens in the future, Pakistan will not only fully cooperate with the US in this endeavour but will also put in all its efforts. Afghanistan has been cosying up to India, and it is upsetting for Pakistani establishments. They are not just uncomfortable but want to reverse it as soon as possible. However, at present, post Operation Sindoor, Pakistan is in no position to directly stop India in Afghanistan, so the best option left for it is intervention by the US which wants to get back to Afghanistan through Bagram Airbase.

Taliban's Moral Position is not India's Burden

Most of the so-called intellectuals are unhappy that there was not a single woman in the press conference held at the Embassy of Afghanistan. They were upset not because the Afghan Minister held a press conference in which there were no women, but they were upset by how and why India allowed this to happen. Is this not weird?

However, it is pleasant to witness that the Afghan side finally realised that they made a mistake and reversed that they held another press conference where women journalists were allowed. So the public pressure that was built in India did miracles and even Taliban len Afghan government was forced to change their stance on women; at least in India.

But the question is, why are Indians unhappy with the Indian government for something in which they had no role? It was neither India’s moral responsibility to lecture the Taliban nor in favour of Indian interests. So, India did the right thing by keeping mum on the issue. However, as per the convention and for their kind information, the agitating party must note that the concerned press conference was held in the Embassy of Afghanistan, and it doesn't fall under the jurisdiction of India, but of the Government of Afghanistan.

India must Support Zoho

I have been noticing attacks on Zoho and its founder, Sridhar Vembu, none but by Indian citizens! Why are Indians opposing a homegrown tech company? Earlier, they did the same with Patanjali and Baba Ramdev!

Not for any particular reason, but because both companies got support from the Government of India! The GoI is endorsing them, and they are gaining traction. So, the people in opposition are duty-bound to oppose anything supported by the GoI!

For this group of people, it doesn't matter whether their behaviour hurts the national interests or not. What matters most to them is their high egos and fake feelings of being special!

Deloitte and Unethical Use of Artificial Intelligence

Suppose a company like Deloitte becomes dependent on AI for preparing reports that will ultimately influence government policies, which in turn affect the common person on the street. In that case, AI is not a helpful tool but a malaise. The situation at Deloitte had been so bad in the referred case that the company had to refund the Australian government! It must be noted that Deloitte is one of the Big Four!

Most companies are indeed providing numerous artificial intelligence tools to improve the productivity of the workers, and it is a good and wise decision. The use of AI is good towards this end. However, if, unfortunately, AI makes workers complacent, lazy and sometimes over-dependent on AI, then it is a very risky proposition. The problem is that AI uses the data that is available on the web, and consultancy is not about some kind of generalisation of task, but customised solutions. So what was done at Deloitte was not only completely unprofessional and unacceptable but also unethical.

Are Fees on H-1B Visas a Boon for India?

Sometimes, your biggest adversary (bane), who resorts to bullying, turns into your biggest friend (boon). The adversary in disguise who is out to help you achieve your goals.

The US has imposed a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visas for foreign workers and a 3.5% tax on foreign remittances. This is a targeted decision. 71% of H-1B visas are held by Indian citizens, and a major portion of these visa holders send money back to India.

This decision by the US government will directly and adversely affect Indians aspiring to go to the US for a career. The brightest talents (students and professionals) have been migrating to the dreamland of the America to pursue their dreams which couldn’t find an ecosystem and environment in India. Not only this, but also the Indian government has been investing billions of dollars every year in these talents to educate and train them. This has resulted in increased costs for India. Apart from this, millions of dollars are flowing to the US for education in US universities and higher education opportunities.

GST 2.0 and the Indian Economy

GST 2.0 is a major revamp of India’s indirect taxation system with the aim of simplifying the GST regime, expanding the tax base, reducing the complexity of compliance, and stimulating consumption-driven economic growth. These reforms have largely rationalised GST slab rates by lowering the current four-tier structure (5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%) into a neater three-tier one: 5% for necessities, 18% for the general rate on most goods and services, and a new 40% slab on luxury and sin goods. This reform will be implemented from 22nd September 2025. It is expected to make the GST system more transparent, efficient and growth-oriented.

Simplification and Transparency

The proposed two-tier structure of 5% and 18% which covers most of the goods and services, while the 40% slab covers luxury and sin goods, is aimed to make the GST system simple for every stakeholder. Traders and businesses faced numerous challenges under the old regime due to overlapping and unclear rates, such as 12% versus 18% slabs or 18% versus 28%. The new regime looks simpler and neater with no confusion in compliance. It will bring down disputes, improving tax administration. It will bring down the compliance costs for businesses, particularly MSMEs.

Trump Unnecessarily Playing Victim Card

The US President Donald Trump is projecting the US as the greatest victim of India in trade in his social media post after the SCO summit 2025, which went well attended! He is trying to write a good script for a drama about his reckless foreign and trade policies gimmicks. However, the following are facts about the US trade with India and the rest of the world:

As far as the US trade deficits with its trading partners are concerned, there are some interesting and unusual facts.

US-India trade (exports and imports) was $212 billion in 2024, and a trade deficit of $41.5 billion. The US deficit with China is $270 billion, which is 128% of the total trade between the US and India. The US trade deficit with India is nearly one-fifth of the US trade deficit with China.

With the EU, this deficit is $161 billion, about four times that of the deficit with India. With other countries like Mexico, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Canada and Thailand, the US trade deficit is respectively $157 billion, $113.1 billion, $67.4 billion, $62.6 billion, $60.2 billion, 54.8 billion and $41.5 billion.

Trade Tensions, Tariffs, and the Future of Global Trade

“While world trade hit new peaks in 2024, uncertainty has increased as geo-economic tensions increase, supply chains are disrupted, and tariffs surge.” 

 

- UNCTAD, 2024

In 2025, the global trade environment is being defined by rising trade tensions and the return of tariffs as a leading economic policy weapon. As the world recovers from pandemic-related disruptions, nations are increasingly resorting to protectionism deploying national security, industrial sovereignty, and geo-economic strategy.

The New Wave of Tariffs

The governments have historically been using tariffs and non-tariff barriers as economic tools to protect their domestic industries from foreign competition or punish foreign countries. However, post-pandemic, there has been an increase in the tendency of some big economies to resort to tariffs. Global trade has been flourishing for a long time. More than sixty per cent of the global trade doesn’t attract any tariff, but the remaining trade is often subjected to very high trade tariffs and other non-tariff barriers. Agriculture, textile and dairy sectors are such areas where there are high trade barriers in the form of tariffs and non-tariff restrictions.