In The Friend Zone
Hindustan Times Chandigarh|January 01, 2025
This year, India will look to consolidate its position as an island of calm in a world of storms. It will need all the agility it can muster, as mediation becomes trickier in a second Trump era
Pramit Pal Chaudhuri

The goal of the Narendra Modi government in the coming year will be to position India as an island of calm in a world of storms. The destination for companies seeking to set up a secure supply chain. A country with a capital where politics is boringly predictable. A nation with a military that is unlikely to spar with its neighbours.

One measure of progress is that Modi is able to host summits with Russia's Vladimir Putin, China's Xi Jinping and the US's Donald Trump without ruffling feathers. When the PM says his third term is about the idea of the Vishwabandhu, or universal friend, it is more than a slogan. There is thought behind the phrase.

The world is likely to fight less but squabble more in 2025. Ukraine is slow-transitioning to a postconflict state. Neither side seems to be aiming for a decisive win; a peace conference with Kyiv and Moscow is on the horizon; and Donald Trump could prove to be the dove in shining armour.

Nothing will happen in a hurry. Wars of stalemates can take months to wind down.

West Asia is more of a muddle. With Gaza flattened and the collapse of Iran's informal Shia empire, the question is what the ascendant Qatar-Turkey axis has in mind. So far, the new axis has preached peace on earth and goodwill to all men (except Kurds). There is something for diplomacy to work with here, if Trump's anti-Ayatollah sentiment doesn't boil over.

Esta historia es de la edición January 01, 2025 de Hindustan Times Chandigarh.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición January 01, 2025 de Hindustan Times Chandigarh.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE HINDUSTAN TIMES CHANDIGARHVer todo
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

SC stays defamation trial against Rahul

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed defamation proceedings against Congress member of Parliament (MP) Rahul Gandhi in a 2018 case pending before a Jharkhand court on his comments against then BJP president Amit Shah referring to him as a \"murder accused\".

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 21, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

It's crazy, almost surreal: Karun Nair on Vijay Hazare run with bat

Karun Nair has reminded the cricketing world of his hunger for runs with a record-breaking Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign.

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 21, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

Truce to peace, the challenge in Gaza

Sustained international engagement and goodwill from all parties will be essential to build on the Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal

time-read
4 minutos  |
January 21, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

Illegal cylinders under lens after Kumbh fire

A large number pilgrims attending the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj are using banned \"non-ISI\" marked 5kg LPG cylinders which, relatively cheaper and more portable than the regular domestic ones, pose a higher fire risk, an HT investigation found on Monday, a day after a major blaze triggered by a cylinder blast engulfed several tents at the world's largest religious gathering.

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 21, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

Govt Eyes Pvt Play in Onion Logistics

Steep prices, rotting stocks and cartel concerns—The heartburn that comes with onion harvests every year may become a thing of the past, with the government looking to sign up private firms for efficient storage and transport of the kitchen staple to supplement its own buffer stocks.

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

Go First fails to take off, NCLT orders liquidation

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) ordered the liquidation of debt-laden Go First on Monday, bringing to an end a 20-month-long insolvency process after the grounded budget carrier failed to get any viable resolution plan.

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

Metro project viable but profitable only after 10 yrs: Report

THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE TRICITY METRO PROJECT IS ₹24,000 CRORE

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 21, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

Have 5 or more challans? Pay up in 15 days or face licence, RC revocation

Despite multiple reminders and notices, a number of drivers have not paid fines.

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

4 Bike-Borne Youths Stab Man, Rob Him of Phone, Wallet in Sec 38

A 30-year-old man was stabbed and robbed by four unidentified persons near the Sector 25/38 light point on Saturday evening around 9 pm, when the victim was out to run some errands.

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

Blazer Dresses Are Having a Moment - Here's How to Nail the Look

This trend reflects a shift towards multifaceted fashion, where the lines between professional and playful blur, showcasing that style can be both empowering and effortlessly chic. Masumi Mewawalla, Fashion designer

time-read
1 min  |
January 21, 2025