Articles by Prashant Jha
How Indians dominate America’s party system
Indian-American leaders are central players in the five political strands, from the far Right to the progressive left, that animate the US today
Published on Feb 27, 2024 08:21 PM IST
2024 is year of consolidation, focus & results in India-US ties: Richard R Verma
Richard R Verma, a former US ambassador to India, is the Deputy Secretary of State (management and resources), the highest rank attained by any Indian-American
Updated on Feb 28, 2024 08:39 PM IST
Two years of the Ukraine war: All eyes on US as fate hangs in balance
The Israeli offensive and what was seen as US complicity with Israeli war crimes shattered the moral high ground that the West occupied in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Updated on Feb 24, 2024 05:44 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
Key US official warns India, Bangladesh of ‘increasing’ Indo-Pacific issues
US has told Maldives it should realise China offers better deals if it knows there is “real competition”; says India much bigger force in Indian Ocean.
Updated on Feb 18, 2024 04:57 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
US House passes Quad bill to intensify cooperation
The text of the legislation begins with stating that it is the sense of the US Congress that the US “should continue to strengthen joint cooperation” between the Quad’s four members
Updated on Feb 17, 2024 06:12 AM IST
India ‘most protectionist’ country, claims Trump’s top trade adviser in new book
Robert Lighthizer was seen by Indian negotiators as a difficult partner through Donald Trump’s presidency and a key reason why trade talks didn’t succeed
Updated on Feb 16, 2024 02:25 PM IST
Transparent but compromised: How the American political finance system works
The SC of US has expansively interpreted right of citizens to participate in politics and exercise free speech to enable unlimited donations and expenditure.
Updated on Feb 16, 2024 03:35 AM IST
America pays the cost of dominance
Donald Trump played the isolationist card in 2016. Democrats learnt from it. Circumstances are enabling Trump to benefit from fickle American public opinion
Published on Feb 13, 2024 10:00 PM IST
US NSA Jake Sullivan won’t travel to India in February; iCET meet rescheduled
Sullivan, President Joe Biden’s closest national security aide, is currently dealing with multiple global crises, from West Asia to Ukraine, with domestic political implications for Biden in an election year
Updated on Feb 13, 2024 07:36 AM IST
Deeper implications of Pakistan election verdict
Pakistan's emerging election results have deepened the political crisis, with implications for civil-military relations, democracy, and the economy.
Updated on Feb 10, 2024 05:13 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
Investigate election fraud, will work with next government: US on Pakistan elections
The US has expressed concern about the electoral process in Pakistan while stating categorically that it will work with the next Pakistani government, “regardless of political party” to advance shared bilateral interests.
Updated on Feb 10, 2024 05:04 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
US Senators agrees on bipartisan $118 billion immigration, Ukraine and Israel package deal
Both Trump’s faction on the Right and progressives on the Left oppose it; passage uncertain despite President Joe Biden’s support
Published on Feb 05, 2024 10:45 PM IST
US senator links drone deal nod to Pannun probe
Cardin took over the committee after the last chair, Bob Menendez, a Senator from New Jersey, was charged with corruption allegations
Updated on Feb 04, 2024 09:16 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
‘Trump and Modi have profound mutual respect’: Advisor to ex-US President
Kash Patel an Indian-American whose parents trace their roots to Gujarat and migrated to the US from East Africa during Idi Amin’s rule in Uganda
Updated on Feb 03, 2024 05:35 AM IST
US State Dept clears sale of 31 MQ-9B drones to India
The US State Department has formally notified Congress of a possible sale of 31 MQ-9B drones to India, with an estimated cost of $3.99bn.
Updated on Feb 02, 2024 07:47 AM IST
Game on: The Biden camp’s comeback plan
As the choice becomes starker and economic sentiment improves, Biden’s team believes that the momentum will shift to the President
Published on Jan 30, 2024 09:00 PM IST
Trump wins New Hampshire, close to locking in Republican nomination
Nikki Haley promises to fight on, but has no pathway for a win
Updated on Jan 24, 2024 10:01 PM IST
DeSantis bows out, endorses Trump
Florida governor Ron DeSantis drops out of the race for the Republican nomination for US President, endorsing Donald Trump. It's now a direct contest between Trump and Nikki Haley ahead of the New Hampshire primary. DeSantis's campaign struggled due to poor management and messaging, while Trump's base remains strong. Haley hopes to consolidate the anti-Trump vote but polls suggest Trump is ahead. A decisive Trump win in New Hampshire will likely secure him the nomination. He will face President Joe Biden in the general election.
Updated on Jan 23, 2024 06:14 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
DeSantis drops out of US prez race, endorses Trump who retires ‘DeSanctimonious’
DeSantis faltered with a poorly managed campaign, ultra-conservative messaging, limited public speaking skills and a generally less than charismatic demeanour
Published on Jan 22, 2024 03:53 PM IST
Trump sweeps Iowa caucus to stamp election credentials
Former US President Donald J Trump emerged as the clear front-runner in the Republican Party's first primary caucus in Iowa, setting the stage for a likely rematch with President Joe Biden in the 2024 elections. Trump won with 51% of the votes, establishing his dominance over the party and solidifying his position as a top contender for the Republican nomination. Florida governor Ron DeSantis came in second, narrowly beating Indian-origin Nikki Haley. Trump's victory raises the possibility of an unprecedented situation where a candidate facing criminal indictments and barred from the ballot becomes President again.
Updated on Jan 17, 2024 05:36 AM IST
The contrasting fate of GOP’s two Indian-American presidential candidates
Nikki Haley remains in the race as the non-Trump candidate and banks on his failure; Ramaswamy’s rides on Donald Trump bandwagon
Updated on Jan 17, 2024 09:21 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
Build expertise on America in India
The depth of Delhi-DC ties demands greater scholarship of history, actors, motivations, and society. Both government and academia need to invest more
Published on Jan 16, 2024 09:42 PM IST
Trump sweeps Iowa caucus, sets himself up to be Republican nominee for President
Donald J Trump wins 51% of the vote in the Republican Party's first primary caucus in Iowa, establishing himself as frontrunner for 2024 presidential nomination
Updated on Jan 16, 2024 01:00 PM IST
100 days of a war that may alter course of West Asia geopolitics
In just 100 days, a terrorist attack on Israel, followed by a devastating Israeli response, has led to political, humanitarian, and diplomatic consequences.
Updated on Jan 15, 2024 05:36 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
Tesla's plans for India: May set up factory, make new car for developing nations
Tesla is reportedly in advanced talks to enter the Indian market and may invest nearly $30 billion over the next five years.
Updated on Jan 13, 2024 06:04 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
US, UK militaries strike Houthi targets in Yemen
The US and UK launched strikes on Houthi military capabilities in Yemen in response to attacks against shipping in the Red Sea corridor
Updated on Jan 13, 2024 11:11 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
US envoy Taranjit Singh Sandhu set to wrap up stint at month-end
India’s ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, will wrap up his term in office in Washington DC at the end of January and retire from government service after a 35-year long career that was marked by four postings in America, people familiar with the development said.
Updated on Jan 12, 2024 12:22 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
A day in the public life and politics of a fractured America
Wednesday began with Hunter Biden’s surprise appearance in the US Congress in Washington DC. He faces a federal indictment for tax crimes related to foreign business dealings
Updated on Jan 11, 2024 01:52 PM IST
India calls for de-escalation of Israel-Hamas conflict
India pointed out that it had provided 70 tonnes of humanitarian aid including 16.5 tonnes of medicine and medical supplies in two tranches to Palestine
Updated on Jan 11, 2024 04:19 AM IST
The Modi-Doval-Jaishankar playbook for the neighbourhood
The new handbook involves shaping democratic verdicts when possible, including by turning a blind eye to democratic deficits if core interests are at stake
Updated on Jan 09, 2024 02:48 PM IST