The message in India's late entry to US-led groupings

For India's policy makers, a sense of deja vu is undeniable. Just like it was let into the US-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) by the Joe Biden administration a full year after the launch of the strategic initiative in June 2022, India's induction into Pax Silica has come through belatedly, a month after the initiative was launched by the Trump administration. And it is being interpreted as a conciliatory note from incoming US Ambassador Sergio Gor amid efforts to repair the strained bilateral ties.

What is Pax Silica?

Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative to counter China's dominance in new age sectors. It aims to reduce what the US calls "coercive dependencies" and protect materials and capabilities "foundational to artificial intelligence", and "ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale".

Behind change in Karnataka law, Coorg's unique land record system

The Karnataka government has amended its land revenue law to modernise an age-old system of land records in the scenic Coorg region, home to the indigenous Kodava community.

Most road accidents occur in known zones, solutions lie in focused efforts

59% of all road accident fatalities do not involve any traffic violation, indicating that road engineering is one of the biggest contributory factors for deaths.

53% of deaths were reported in accidents occurring between 6 pm and 12 am.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the NGO SaveLIFE Foundation released the joint report on January 8, ranking Maharashtra's Nashik Rural at the top spot, followed by Pune Rural, Patna and Maharashtra's Ahmednagar.

India moves ahead on EU deal as US pact hangs fire

When the deal with the EU is done, it will be one of the largest trade pacts signed by India. Steep US tariffs are hurting India and it is looking at opportunities in the EU for its labour-intensive exports. Sensitive agricultural issues from both sides are said to be off the table.

In a year of unpredictability, India needs to accelerate EU FTA

By 2024, the cumulative FDI from the EU was around $120 billion, and it offers substantial potential. With focus on areas like electronics and infrastructure, this matches India's own current areas of interest well. Germany will be leading the effort in this context.

A neighbourhood is where we live in dignity

Living in a 'mixed' locality taught me that proximity does not always guarantee connection, but connection is possible when people are open to it. We may not share the same religion, food habits, or traditions, but we share everyday life: Festivals, emergencies, and concerns.

MGNREGA gave women freedom. New law may not

Without guaranteed work for 60 days during peak agricultural seasons, a vast majority of rural women will be compelled to take up informal work that provides no assurance of availability, proximity, or wage parity.

Call antimicrobial resistance by its name

"When Antibiotics are used without need, they lose their power." A simple but powerful message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last Mann Ki Baat of 2025 brought the discussion on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) out of hospital corridors and into the public sphere. For decades, AMR has been discussed largely within scientific, clinical, and policy circles, while remaining invisible in mainstream political discourse. The significance of this message lies not only in awareness but in accountability. When AMR is acknowledged on a platform like Mann Ki Baat, it signals that antibiotic misuse is a national concern requiring collective responsibility from patients and providers to regulators and policymakers. It also creates space for stronger enforcement of prescription norms, investment in diagnostics, and stewardship programmes that have long awaited political backing.