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Monday, January 27, 2020
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Mani Shankar Aiyar

The writer is a former Union minister.

The Non-Alignment Man
Sun, Jan 05, 2020

An ‘archive rat’s’ account of the extraordinary life of V K Krishna Menon.

PM Modi cut his teeth in violent student movement, now he decries damage to public property
Fri, Jan 03, 2020

We are not told what these “tasks” were but we do know that “the agitation helped local leaders of the Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh and its student organisation, ABVP, to establish themselves in politics.” Wikipedia helpfully adds, “Narendra Modi was one of them”.

Who are we to teach Kashmiris the virtues of democracy?
Mon, Aug 12, 2019

What is sought to be drowned out is the legacy of unflinching patriotism to India that the Kashmiri Muslim has displayed, first in being the only Muslim-majority concentration in undivided India to close their ears to the siren call of Pakistan.

Absent any direct dealings with Pakistan, the US insidiously becomes our intermediary
Thu, Jul 25, 2019

Modi has been lauding to the skies the US involvement at every crucial turn in Indo-Pak relations resulting in Trump thinking Modi is leading him up to finding a solution to a problem that “has been going on for many, many years”.

Sound the secular bugle
Tue, Jun 04, 2019

As the new government takes its oath of office, it is necessary to restore to public discourse the passionate advocacy and practice of secularism.

No Emergency Exit
Sat, Nov 17, 2018

Locating 1975 in the larger context of draconian colonial imports and how they strain Indian democracy even today

Treasured Epistles Book review: Between Friends
Sat, Sep 15, 2018

An enduring collection of correspondence between K Natwar Singh and his eclectic circle of friends that included Nirad C Chaudhuri, Indira Gandhi, RK Narayan and Mulk Raj Anand

Mixed Doubles
Sat, Jun 23, 2018

An exhaustive account of PN Haksar, who helped steer Indian diplomacy with then PM Indira Gandhi

The four year toll
Wed, Jun 06, 2018

BJP-led government might be good at coining acronyms but the people know that it has only marginally built on the legacy of Congress-led governments.

Panchayati raj at 25
Wed, Apr 25, 2018

Every state is progressing, some at snail’s pace, others leapfrogging. Much remains to be done.

‘Rank Odour of Hellfire’
Sat, Feb 03, 2018

The fates did not conspire to have Bhutto hanged. He brought it upon himself by the aggression and callousness of his politics

Missing a Nobel chance
Fri, Oct 13, 2017

The world no more acknowledges India as a major force for peace. It is seen as an also-ran in nuclear race

Border Dispatch
Sat, Aug 05, 2017

Meena Menon’s book explores conventional strands of terrorism but also delves into the daily-ness of the average Pakistani with much enthusiasm

Welcome home, Pranabda
Tue, Jul 25, 2017

Why the Congress party is the biggest gainer from Pranab Mukherjee leaving Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Forgetting old friends
Tue, Nov 29, 2016

Modi government’s turn against Palestine reflects a majoritarian mindset.

Failing to take the lead
Thu, Oct 27, 2016

India’s probable abstention from UN negotiations for nuclear disarmament would be a lost chance

Don’t blame it on Rio
Fri, Aug 19, 2016

Instead of waiting for talent to appear, we must create a national sports culture.

When Brezhnev Pleaded with Indira Gandhi
Sat, Jun 18, 2016

An unputdownable treatise on Indian diplomacy, with a wealth of insight and fascinating anecdotes

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar writes open letter to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Sat, Feb 20, 2016

We miss your large-hearted leadership. And your reminder of ‘raj dharma’

A body blow to justice
Sat, Dec 12, 2015

Apex court’s decision on Haryana panchayat poll qualifications is disappointing. Parliament must intervene

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