Arundhati Lokare

What is worse - A State Department steno Nirupama Rao Menon heading India's Foreign Service or far left radical Yashovardhan Jha heading IB. India survived both.

Has Trump just dismantled the Trans-Atlantic alliance?

Their Ex-Diplomat: We should nuke India. Our Ex-Diplomat: We are not doing enough Pappi jhappi. 😢

Irony is NOT lost on people Sanket. When PM is subjected to criticism round the clock, why should a mere clerk, that too with a questionable record through career, be not questioned for her appeasement of a terror state whose vowed strategy has been "Bleed India through 1000 cuts.."? As I said in past, the yearning to be recognised, feted & eventually being rewarded beyond the talents people possess often lead them to path of 'dissidence'. Nirupama Rao’s argument confuses calibrated restraint with moral abdication. India’s foreign policy today is not shaped by rhetorical positioning, but by hard realities—security, sovereignty, and long-term strategic outcomes. The suggestion that India is “silent” ignores the fact that New Delhi has consistently acted where it matters most: protecting its interests, securing its people, and shaping outcomes without performative commentary. What is presented as “moral clarity” often risks becoming selective outrage, divorced from ground realities. India does not have the luxury of abstract positioning when it faces a hostile neighbour that has institutionalised terror as state policy.

Treating "dialogue" like it's inherently brave while dismissing skepticism as a cheap slogan is a pretty neat trick. No serious person thinks history is a simple morality play, but it’s definitely not a therapy session, either. "Uncomfortable conversations" don't magically resolve actual power conflicts. Dialogue isn't virtuous by default. It’s only as useful as the intent behind it. When one side consistently uses talks to stall, dodge pressure, or put a polite spin on aggression, pretending that talking is the moral high ground isn't realism—it’s just denial. If history is a "long negotiation with reality," a huge chunk of that reality is broken agreements, one-sided concessions, and deliberately ignoring bad faith. Brushing that track record aside isn't being nuanced. It's selective memory. The issue isn't whether talking is good or bad. It’s about whether there’s any actual accountability and reciprocity. Without consequences, dialogue isn't a bridge to peace. It’s just performance art, and no amount of rebranding changes that.

Jaishankar was being both polite & accurate when he said last week that “India cannot act as a dalal nation.” Those who assume he was referring to Pakistan’s attempt to thrust itself into the position of an interlocutor, EAM could have been sharper. Pakistan is a state sponsor of terrorism run by an openly jihadist army chief. It’s time we did plain speaking about Pakistan instead of whinging about diplomatic niceties. With Pakistan they do NOT apply.

Should the soli hv ANY VIEW on nation’s diplomacy? Sit down! 😡

Iran has blocked the Hormuz- hv you forgotten? Why are you whitewashing it?

"This attack on Iran and the assassination or murder of the prior leader tantamounts to murder... We are dependent on the Strait... We didn't bring it upon ourselves, nor did Iran bring it upon us. It was brought upon us because of the attacks by the Israelis and the Americans."

A soldier’s view of India’s current diplomatic posture.

The journalist you mention had big ambitions of becoming a media tycoon. She approached a few Banks & Financial Institutions for loans who saw no merit in the business. Refusal of funding made her so furious that she blatantly accused the PM Modi Government of derailment of her project. Such was her sense of entitlement & arrogance. Today she is little more than a roadside gig artist. Karma comes to haunt those who torment others.

With Qatar moving away, Bahrain on fire engulfing KSA - Iran has smartly sent feelers there. In such a case what would the USA prefer - playing UAE vs KSA to seed chaos perpetually so Israel remains dominant. If GCC for some reason unites, Israel loses relevance.

GCC is quietly realising this war that was not of their doing has cost them the most. For UAE any ground invasion could mean - Iran on its soil not to mention further loss of monarchies in the region. USA & Israel are actively playing on this fear to keep GCC united.

God, bless America.