Counterview

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra*  When US President Donald Trump, following his assumption of the presidency for the second time in the Oval Office, began tightening trade screws against China, he quickly started to back down more than expected in the face of Chinese retaliation, given Beijing’s economic resilience, reserves of rare earths and magnets, and its control over key supply chains. The administration now appears to be softening its stance on China regarding Taiwan and, more broadly, the Indo-Pacific theatre, while moving ahead with trade talks with China. 

By N.S. Venkataraman*  The tariff assault launched on the world by the U.S. President has caught every country by surprise, and it appears that global trade flows will be affected for some time. As the world’s largest consuming country, the U.S. President perhaps thought he could dictate terms to other nations and thereby boost the American economy, gain political mileage, or both. However, he seems to have overlooked the fact that tariffs are a double-edged weapon. It remains to be seen who will have the last laugh.

By A Representative   India is witnessing a sharp surge in consumer interest for solar energy solutions, mirroring the country’s accelerated renewable energy transition. Data from Justdial, India’s leading local search engine, shows a significant rise in searches for solar panel dealers and cleaning services between April–June 2025 (AMJ), compared with both the previous quarter (JFM’25) and the same period last year (AMJ’24).

By Mythri Tewary  Every few months, the internet rediscovers an old gem, sweeping the entire social media with its catchy wave. Recently, so it happened with Fevicol’s unforgettable jingle,  “Sharma ji ki dulhan”, which found its way back to the spotlight. Clipped, shared, reeled and memes across social media this jingle has struck again its chords with a massive audience, regardless of age who just cannot resist humming it along. At first glance, it seems regular, just a comic sketch of an advertisement about weddings and guests and a sofa that never breaks. But, wait, stay a little longer. You will see it unfold a story, a beautifully woven layered tale of India. You will feel it resonating because this is not merely an advertisement about glue, it is traditions passed down, it is love found in unexpected places, it is a society that evolves while still holding on beautifully to its roots, its bonds.

By Dr. Syed Ali Mujtaba*  I am currently working on an ambitious project that is very close to my heart—a book titled “Essays on Media and Indian Muslims – Journalism, Nationalism and Sensationalism.” As someone who has spent more than three decades in journalism, I have witnessed the evolving role of the Indian media and the disturbing trends that have unfolded since 2014. This book is my attempt to bring together diverse voices to critically examine how the media has represented, misrepresented, or deliberately distorted the image of Indian Muslims.

By A Representative   The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has expressed concern over fresh summons issued by the Assam police to senior journalists Siddharth Varadarajan and Karan Thapar in connection with a second First Information Report (FIR). The move comes even as the Supreme Court had earlier directed that no coercive action be taken against them in a separate FIR registered in July.

By A Representative   Human rights organization Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) has expressed strong concern over the ongoing fencing work along the India–Bangladesh border, warning that it could displace millions of villagers and cut them off from their land.

By Bharat Dogra  Sincere and honest efforts to uncover the truth behind some of the most significant events of recent history can make an invaluable contribution to the reforms our troubled world urgently needs. If enough people can be convinced that grave injustices and cover-ups have taken place—supported by credible evidence, even if not every detail can be known—it may inspire broad-based mobilization for peace, democracy, justice and environmental protection.

By A Representative   Hindus for Human Rights, a U.S.-based advocacy group of the Hindu diaspora, has sharply condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to invoke Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to assume direct federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department. The group said the move not only undermines local democracy in Washington, D.C., but also reflects a wider global trend of authoritarian governments consolidating power by weakening democratic institutions.