Modi’s Tawang test; RBI must stop copying US Fed; World stage for RRR
Opinion Watch
Modi’s Tawang test
The Yangtse skirmish across the line of actual control (LAC) between India and China was under the wraps for at least three days even while Parliament is in session. The Indian Army sources thought to break the news to the world in the larger national interest. Union Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh was rhetorical in his brief statement in Parliament after Opposition stepped up pressure. The ruling dispensation has sought to deflect the attention by drumming “not an inch of land will go to China when Narendra Modi is PM”. The challenge on the LAC is too serious for the matter to be settled by the drum beaters.
The dailies – The Indian Express, The Pioneer and The Times of India – in their respective Editorials have called for a clear vision on the incidents of skirmishes across the LAC. The Indian Express noted that the incident reaffirms the growing views that China is not at all interested in settling the border issue. The Pioneer also pitched in saying that while China accepted the McMohan line with Myanmar, Beijing seeks to keep the LAC hot with ulterior motives. The ToI reminded that China pursues ‘Salami Slicing’ to grab neighbour’s land, while also drawing a parallel between Galwan Valley clash, which took place at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Tawang, which has taken place when Coronavirus has knocked out the iron shield of the dictatorial power of Chinese President Xi Jinping .
Even a layman would know that China is least interested in the resolution of the border issue, as 16 rounds of military commanders’ talks have turned out to be occasions to share tea and biscuits. Modi must be upfront in taking the country in confidence on the LAC situation b by muting the noise of drumbeaters and chalk out plan to tame the dragon, which must include de-coupling with Chinese economy, halving trade from over $110 bn and opening the Tibet line.
RBI must stop copying US Fed
The Hindu, The New Indian Express, The Economic Times, The Indian Express and The Times of India have struck a near consensus view in their Editorials that the Reserve Bank of India must now pause the rate hikes after the retail inflation for the first time came down below the six per cent level to 5.88 per cent. The cooling off of the inflation is a relief, for the upper range is now below the band in which the RBI is mandated to manage the inflation, else it will have to report to Parliament on measures being taken for remedy.
The dailies have noted that the food and vegetable prices have cooled down, which brought down the retail inflation, even while the core inflation is above the comfort level. Yet, the consumer spending has contracted even during the peak of the festive season, while inflation is undeniably on account of the supply side constraints. Additionally, the industrial productions have contracted.
The middle class is reeling on multiple fronts, as their EMIs have shot up because of the RBI quickly sending the Repo Rate to the sky and the fuels costing the moon, and thus the population which drives the consumer spending in the country is most depressed.
World stage for RRR
The Economic Times has hailed the Golden Globe nomination of SS Rajamouli’s way over the top Telugu epic RRR, noting that there is a growing interest in foreign capitals about India. The daily has drawn parallel with the global recognition to South Korean film ‘Parasite’ with RRR. The daily has said that the RRR success is a recognition of India’s soft power when the country hosts the G20.
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