Mint Views Daily Dispatch

In this episode of Mint Views Daily DIspatch, let's find out why exactly India banned these 59 Chinese apps and what could be the repercussions and implications of this decision. Tune in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is China exactly up to? What is the objective of its actions around the LAC? Could it be to gain leverage in India? To find the answer to such questions, tune in to this episode of Mint Views Daily Dispatch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The World Health Organization has characterized the coronavirus outbreak as a ‘pandemic’. This holds grave implications for both business and the global economy. Of particular concern is the fate of contracts. Insurers, for example, may invoke force majeure provisions and refuse to honour claims given the unexpected turn of events that has affected a vast number of people.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oil prices suffered a historic collapse after Saudi Arabia launched a price war against Russia. In general, lower oil prices are good for keeping inflation in check, but these gains could be outweighed by the impact of the demand slump taking place not only in India but globally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of the Delhi violence, the Union government is contemplating issuing fresh guidelines to social media platforms on stopping online hate content. The government reportedly is planning some “tangible” and “visible “steps to do so.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A long-awaited peace deal was signed between the US and Taliban on Saturday. Conditions of the deal include a phased reduction of American troops in Afghanistan, prisoner swap and lifting of UN sanctions, among others. The question is will the Taliban to stick to the deal, and how would an eventual exit of US forces from Afghanistan affect India?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has suggested that the armed forces should be brought in to quell the violence. But shouldn’t matters related to maintenance of law and order be left to the police? The more pressing need is for all sides to step back so that the tempers are lowered and violence brought under control. This applies to all stakeholders, including protesters, the police, political leaders, and civil society at large. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US President Donald Trump is on a visit to India. Besides the broad continuity in the India-US ties, what does it mean for the domestic politics in the US? Trump, who recently came out of an impeachment trial, could use the visit to bolster his image in the run-up to the 2020 Presidential election, particularly among the Indian diaspora in the US. But could it also affect the bipartisan nature of India’s relationship with the American polity? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court has ruled that all women officers shall be considered for permanent commission in the army and will be eligible for both ‘command’ and ‘criteria’ appointments. Technically, the order paves the way for India to have a woman general leading our army someday. On the ground, though, implementation may pose challenges due to sexist biases and prejudices prevalent among our people.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swept back to power for the third time in a row in Delhi. The triumph owes mostly to welfarism and effective governance that trumped the nationalistic campaign pitch of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Could this act as a template for other states to follow? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elections in Delhi is just round the corner. Both AAP and BJP has been quite robust in their campaigns. While the former confined their narrative to local issues and governance , the latter clearly put more emphasis on certain national issues. The point we discuss and analyse is whether it will be local or national issues that would determine the outcome of this election?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Budget 2020 hasn’t done much to address concerns over economic slowdown. With a nominal growth of 10% GDP growth translates into 5.5%-6% real GDP growth rate. The question is should we accept this rate as the new normal? This budget has seen a massive push to social sector and infrastructure through government spending. But the point is can we experience growth without the private sector? According to the latest Purchasing Manufacturer’s Index (PMI) private sector investment has shown a surge in eight years. Here is a discussion on the concept of growth and the current economic scenario. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All eyes are on finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman who will present the Union Budget on Saturday. A ramp-up in fiscal spending to revive growth seems likely. With key indicators including GDP, exports, investment showing poor numbers what can be done to increase consumption and revive growth? Greater infrastructure spending would help drive investment. On the other hand, a tax cut for the salaried could stimulate spending. Some argue it may be better to put money in the hands of the poor who have a greater tendency to spend. The choices are many, and Sitharaman has an unenviable task.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet have barred Kunal Kamra from flying with them after he heckled Republic TV anchor Arnab Goswami onboard a flight. Kamra reportedly confronted Goswami with multiple questions and mocked him even as Goswami chose to ignore him. Such behavior can be a nuisance for other passengers besides posing security risks. But is the ban too harsh a step? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The European Parliament is set to debate on resolutions that centre on India’s amended citizenship law and the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy. The most critical of these resolutions is the one on the citizenship law, which an overwhelming number of members of the European parliament consider discriminatory. A European Union spokesperson has clarified that the resolutions do not reflect the official position of the 28-member bloc. But the question remains: Do these resolutions pose diplomatic challenges to India and can they impact India-EU ties? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices