Left, Right & Centre

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir has sparked a controversy through his remarks that Kashmir is Islamabad's "jugular vein", and that Pakistan "won't forget it". He also spoke of the two-nation theory and urged Pakistanis to teach their children that they are "different from Hindus in every aspect of life". Munir's remarks drew a sharp rebuke from the External Affairs Ministry, which asserted that Pakistan's "only relationship with Kashmir" is to vacate the illegally occupied territory.

 

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has described Article 142, which grants plenary powers to the Supreme Court, as a "nuclear missile against democratic forces available to the judiciary 24x7". "There is a directive to the president by a recent judgment. Where are we heading? What is happening in the country? We have to be extremely sensitive.

It is not a question of someone filing a review or not. We never bargained for democracy for this day. President being called upon to decide in a time-bound manner, and if not, becomes law," he said, days after the top court sought to fix a timeline for the president to grant assent to the bills reserved for her consideration by the governor.

 

In today's Left, Right and Centre, we dived into US President Donald Trump's ever-shifting tariffs and their grip on global trade. From 25 per cent duties on Canada and Mexico to 145 per cent on China, the markets are reeling, and consumers are facing rising costs. But can the world expect relief?

Global markets are in freefall amid Trump's tariff chaos, with the Dow plunging 1,600 points and the FTSE 100 down 7%-its worst week since 2020. Rumour mills were abuzz with unconfirmed reports suggesting Trump is now considering a 90-day tariff pause for all countries except China, only to be shut down by the White House.... Analysts warn the uncertainty will still hurt economies worldwide. As the S&P 500 and Nasdaq tumble, the world braces for more fallout from this trade war.  Economists warn of a looming recession, with JPMorgan pegging the odds at 60%. Trump remains defiant, calling the tariffs a negotiation tool, but the world braces for a potential trade war.

The Election fever is heating up in Tamil Nadu, and the battle lines are drawn. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering attack on Chhief Minister MK Stalin during his mega Tamil outreach in Rameswaram on Ram Navami, inaugurating the new Pamban Bridge. But MK Stalin skipped the event, firing back with a demand for assurances on delimitation. The PM took a stern rebuttal stance, dodging DMK's allegations on funds and Katchatheevu, instead taking a potshot at Stalin: 'Why doesn't Tamil Nadu teach medical courses in Tamil?'

The Supreme Court has halted tree felling near Hyderabad University, slamming the Telangana government's deforestation push for IT development as "alarming." The order, sparking relief among students and environmentalists, has ignited a political firestorm. The ruling Congress faces accusations of ecological neglect from the BRS and BJP, who claim it's a win for public sentiment and a blow to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's economic agenda. With protests escalating and the court demanding answers by April 16, Telangana's political landscape braces for turbulence.

 

Hours after her government faced a big setback in the teachers' recruitment case, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she does not accept the Supreme Court judgment personally, but her government will implement it and repeat the selection process. She also questioned if Opposition BJP and CPM wanted Bengal's education system to collapse.

President Trump has announced a 26% tariff on Indian imports, effective April 9, 2025, targeting India's $87 billion export market. Aimed at balancing trade, this could slash India's earnings by billions, though for now, New Delhi has struck a conciliatory note, looking to work out the differences. The commerce ministry has issued a statement saying they are examining the opportunities and challenges as well as the implications of the tariffs.

 

Allegations of corruption are plaguing Chinese infrastructure projects worldwide, including a collapsed 33-storey building in Bangkok linked to a Chinese firm. Thai police have detained four Chinese nationals attempting to remove files from the site, raising cover-up fears. From bribery in Africa to faulty dams in South America, critics highlight a pattern of substandard work and opacity in Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. The Bangkok disaster, which killed 18, has intensified scrutiny of possible shoddy materials and oversight failures. Investigations are underway as global concerns grow. Watch the full show on NDTV