The South Asia Politics, News, and Analysis Thread

True that, though ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) headquarters are in Bangalore, launches generally happen from Kerala, more specifically places like Rameswaram and very close to Kanyakumari (the southern tip of India).

Yep, being close to the equator is a good thing when launching stuff into orbit.

Relevant◊

REMOVE DIMSUM!◊

Sometimes you feel proud of your country. Then there's stuff like this, which is more lol than anything

Right, that's enough Indian pride for one day.◊

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has been declared guilty in disproportionate assets case, will have to resign and spend 10 years in jail

At the UN General Assembly, PM Narendra Modi criticized Pakistan for its 'obsession with Kashmir' and stated that he wished to maintain friendly relations with all of India's neighbours, including Pakistan

I'll wait for them to get rid of Karunanidhi and MK Stalin, then I'll rejoice.

And UN speeches are always fun.

I'm not celebrating. Jaya is a lone sane figure when it comes to the tempestuous sea of insanity which is Tamil Nadu politics. She may be a criminal, sure, but Karunanidhi and Stalin are much, much bigger than her, and do their level best to turn TN into their own personal fief.

To use an analogy used for Kim Il-Sung, Karunanidhi read 'The Godfather' in college and decided to give it the old college try.

Why do you think I said I'll celebrate when he's gone?

And she may be the only sane woman, but it doesn't absolve her of corruption. It's too big a problem in India to give a pass for other things. As such, I still see it as a good thing.

edited 28th Sep '14 7:53:21 AM by FFShinra

Narendra Modi is at Madison Square Garden, giving a speech. In Hindi. And it is awesome.

I'm sure Shinra, brainpattern and the other Indian tropers are glued to their T Vs, or if lucky, actually there.

When Obama Meets Modi: The Superpower and the Global Swing State

Another good article from Foreign Policy. I can really recommend buying their subscription if you're interested in that type of thing.

The article, in summary, argues that both China and the USA badly need India on-side. The author argues that Washington should project confidence and take a firm line against China to impress Modi and new Delhi. Personally, I agree. I would rather an Indian-led global order than a Chinese one.

If China wants India on their side, they will have to give something in return. Since they're too obstinate for that, the US will likely win out that contest.

It's a pity they are so close to Russia, but I guess I cant blame them for that.

That would be the US's fault for backing Pakistan to the hilt all the time while Russia always showed them respect. Especially in 1971.....

The Pivot to India: Why the US-Indian partnership is at the heart of America's future in Asia.

John McCain on the future of US-India relations.

He may be right, but we dont seem to be doing a lot about it...

Probably because he's "only" a Senator,and one that's considered a national joke at that. This is the best he can do,unless anyone has better ideas?

Since when he is considered a joke? He's a bit of an outdated Cold Warrior but by the current standards of the GOP he's hasn't jumped on the crazy train. Democrats don't hate him and they and most mainstream Republicans probably at least respect him to a degree.

Regarding Washington's relationship pivot towards India; there could be a lot going on hidden from the public eye. I can't think of many reasons for the US/the West to not cultivate closer ties with India to be honest.

India doesn't general get cowed, that's why. Any deals the West offers has to be on par with what they'd offer their closest allies, not a nation they're courting. Thats actually a lot of legwork to be done. And then there is the infamous Indian bureaucracy to deal with.

Then you have to balance what Pakistan would do or say (the reduction in their importance/care to the west is part of the reason things are going forward) or China would do or say (which was more important pre-crisis), as well as other priorities.

I think the Obama administration has recognized the need for closer ties to India. I just wonder how effectively we are pursuing that.

Apparantly not well. Nothing signfiicant was concluded at the meeting they just had, it seems.

Publicized meetings like that are mostly to prepare the populace for the future possibility of improving relations, but the actual work of doing so cant be contained in a single meeting. Actual policy changes are required for that.

One would think that would have been done in advance to use the high profile meeting to announce it. Modi's been in power all summer after all, it's not like there wasn't any opportunities.

It's going to take years to make up for all the lost decades...