Dhananjay Nambiar conducts long-form interview journalism with political figures, jurists, and public intellectuals. His columns draw on the interviews to extend arguments that begin on camera.
Recent work
Raghav Chadha's Voter Roll Deletion Exposes Punjab's Electoral List Fault Lines
Raghav Chadha, a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, has alleged that his name was deleted from the draft electoral rolls during the Special Summary Revision, calling it a political vendetta by the AAP government. AAP has denied any role, stating the Election Commission of India conducts the revision. The episode spotlights the structural conflict in Punjab's electoral machinery, where state government employees maintain the rolls while the state government has political stakes in the outcome.
Iran Strikes US Bases in Jordan After Strait of Hormuz Escalation
Iran launched missile strikes on US bases in Jordan after American forces hit Iranian rocket launchers near Larak island. The US Treasury is preparing weekly secondary sanctions on banks linked to Iran. The escalation threatens the Strait of Hormuz, India's primary crude corridor, and complicates New Delhi's strategic autonomy.
India's Pilots Demand a Regulator That Answers to Safety, Not Ministers
The Federation of Indian Pilots has written to Prime Minister Modi urging the creation of an autonomous Civil Aviation Authority, arguing that the DGCA's dual role as policy advisor and safety enforcer creates an inherent conflict of interest. With India's domestic aviation market expanding at historic speed, the governance model overseeing it was designed for a far smaller, state-dominated sector. The structural gap carries consequences for passenger safety, international credentialing, and India's long-haul commercial ambitions.
India's 39 Medals in Glasgow Signal Momentum, Not Arrival
India finished fourth at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow with 39 medals, led by boxing and athletics. The result reflects sustained investment in Olympic-pipeline sports but also reveals the structural depth India must build to challenge Australia, England, and Canada consistently. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics two years away, Glasgow becomes a diagnostic moment rather than a destination.
Lovepreet Singh's Glasgow Silver Signals India's Weightlifting Pipeline at a Crossroads
Lovepreet Singh won silver in the men's +110kg weightlifting category at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, finishing with 388kg and setting a new Commonwealth Games record in the snatch. PM Modi and President Murmu both publicly congratulated him. The result is a mark of genuine progress — and an equally precise measurement of the distance still to travel.
Delhi Police Brings Facial Recognition to Jantar Mantar — Without a Law to Stand On
Delhi Police has installed four Facial Recognition System units at Jantar Mantar, India's most prominent designated protest site, to identify wanted criminals and absconders infiltrating demonstrations. The deployment draws on real-time integration with the Delhi Police database. But India has no statutory framework governing biometric surveillance at public assemblies, leaving a technically sound policing measure exposed to legal challenge and international scrutiny.
After Khamenei: India's Chabahar Calculus in a Leaderless Tehran
The funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, held at Tehran's Grand Mosalla complex on July 5, drew enormous crowds but conspicuously lacked Mojtaba Khamenei, the son widely regarded as a potential successor. India, which has anchored significant connectivity and energy interests to Iranian political continuity, now confronts the question of how to protect those investments across a succession that is anything but settled.
When a Clip Becomes a Weapon: India's Information Sovereignty After Operation Sindoor
The Ministry of Defence has formally rebutted social media posts that distorted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's parliamentary address to falsely suggest no Indian soldier died during Operation Sindoor. The Ministry clarified the remarks were made to counter a false narrative about pilot losses — not to deny all casualties. The episode illuminates a deepening tension between parliamentary transparency and operational information security in an era of clip-driven disinformation.
Iran Rebuilds Arsenal With Russian Missiles During Eight-Week Ceasefire
Iran has likely reconstituted most of its missile arsenal during the recent ceasefire, adding new Russian-built weapons that restore its strike capability to near pre-war levels. Intelligence assessments indicate Tehran now possesses about 75% of its original munitions inventory, contradicting earlier US claims of severe degradation.
Oil Markets Brace for $150 Spike as US-Iran Ceasefire Talks Navigate Nuclear Red Lines
A provisional US-Iran ceasefire agreement has emerged, but significant obstacles remain including nuclear disputes, fresh missile violations, and pending Trump approval. Oil markets face potential $150 surge as global inventories near record lows amid continued regional volatility.
India Advances Pacific Alliance Engagement Through Strategic Chile Partnership
Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Perez Mackenna's four-day visit to India marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties, with both nations accelerating negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and exploring critical minerals cooperation that aligns with India's renewable energy transition goals.
Jaishankar's UN Mathematics Exhibition Challenges Western Narrative Dominance
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurated India's first mathematics exhibition at UN headquarters, positioning Indian mathematical heritage as foundational to modern technology while arguing for democratization of historical narratives in global forums.
Jaishankar's Trinidad Agro-Processing Handover Signals India's Caribbean Development Diplomacy
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar handed over an agro-processing facility in South Trinidad, emphasizing India's development partnership model that leverages agricultural expertise for bilateral cooperation. The project reflects Prime Minister Modi's focus on farmer welfare and SME development extended through India's foreign policy framework.
Bengal Political Violence Returns After BJP Electoral Victory
The execution-style killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's aide Chandranath Rath in West Bengal highlights the continuing pattern of political violence that undermines democratic norms. The planned nature of the attack, coming just days after BJP's electoral success, signals deeper institutional challenges.