Minhaz Merchant
Head-on | Disband G7, it represents an expired world order
The G7-led world order has passed its expiry date. That fact will be etched firmly on the minds of Biden and Modi when they break bread in Washington this month
Head-on | West uses India tactically, India must use West strategically
When you deal with the West, keep your aces up your sleeve. But never hesitate to play them when needed
Head-on | Fareed Zakaria gets contemporary India mostly right but misses the big picture
The parameter for judging a country’s inclusivity is how its smallest minorities — Parsis, Jews, Buddhists, Jains and others — are treated. Many face horrific persecution in illiberal Islamist countries
Head-on | Ukraine is the elephant in India’s G20 room
The US has decided that India is an indispensable counterweight to China. India’s neutrality on Ukraine is a price the US is prepared to pay. Europe is much less prepared to be charitable
Head-on | US-led world order seeks a strong but subordinate India
The West yearns for India to be part of the US-led world order, not a separate power centre as a leader of the Global South
Head-on | India rises in Geopolitical Power Index
Many foreign rankings and indices are arbitrary. They often lack robust methodology. Several are susceptible to bias. It is imperative therefore to construct a credible India-authored ranking template
Head-on | What the West wants from India
As G20 president for a year, India is playing a key role in shaping the global agenda. This week sees the arrival of the G7’s foreign ministers as part of the G20 foreign ministers’ summit in Delhi
Head-on | Decoding America’s warm embrace amid India’s global rise
As the relationship between the US and China nosedives, India is now seen as Washington’s indispensable ally in a fraught and uncertain world order
Head-on | Yes, Adam Tooze, this really is India’s moment in the world
In the new world order not a single country in Europe will — for the first time since the colonial and slave trading era began — be among the world’s four largest economies. Those will be multiracial US, China, India and Japan
Head-on | A manifesto for secular Indian Muslims
Here’s a short six-point manifesto. If Muslims strictly adhere to this manifesto, the wide gulf between Hindus and Muslims can narrow. It will take wisdom but the benefits will accrue to all
Head-on | Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra foretells Opposition disunity in 2024
In politics, timing is everything and Rahul Gandhi has possibly peaked too early
Head-on | Decoding dynasts Bilawal Bhutto and Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi and Bilawal Bhutto are living examples of a self-destructive streak that is encoded in political dynasts
Head-on | Message from Gujarat: Divided Opposition faces a rout in 2024 Lok Sabha election
For the Opposition, the hope is that regional leaders set their egos and ambitions aside. If they don’t — as they did not in Gujarat — they could face a rout in 2024
Head-on | Russia-Ukraine war will remind world leaders at G20 summit in Bali of Europe’s violent past
At the G20 summit in Bali, as India prepares to assume the group’s year-long presidency, it will be seen by many as the engine that helps propel the world forward
Head on | Twitter under Elon Musk must banish bias to make it more democratic
Twitter is akin to a digital public square. All shades of opinion can be aired so long as they follow basic rules of civility. Robust exchanges are fine. Abuse is not
Head-on | It’s time to do some plain speaking with the West on Russia-Ukraine war
What Russia is doing in Ukraine is inexcusable. But India does not need lectures from countries that have done, and continue to do, much worse
Head-on | Kharge vs Tharoor: Anatomy of a farcical election for Congress president
The Gandhis are pleased that the first contest for Congress president in decades has acquired quasi-legitimacy by Shashi Tharoor’s presence
Head-on | Does India treat its minorities fairly? Why the global narrative subverts the facts
Britain’s parliament begins sessions with Christian prayers. In contrast, India’s Parliament does not cater to the majority with Hindu prayers
Head-on | After polluting the world for 300 years, the West lectures India on climate change
India will have to balance its laudable 2070 net-zero target with a gradual but pragmatic shift away from fossil fuels without sacrificing an iota of its economic growth potential
Head-on | How a rising India can counter China’s geopolitical challenge
China’s pre-occupation with Taiwan over the next few years along with its continuing economic slowdown presents India with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebalance the geopolitical odds in its favour