Mihir Kaushik writes on Indian democracy as an institutional problem — what makes courts, parliaments, universities, and agencies work or fail. His columns are written for readers who think the quality of institutions is the decisive question of the next decade.
Recent work
When Wealth Buys No Immunity: What the Oswal Incident Reveals About European Attitudes
Vasundhara Oswal, daughter of billionaire Pankaj Oswal, documented a xenophobic confrontation at her Swiss home in a viral Instagram post, prompting a wider public debate about whether wealth and global standing protect Indian nationals from discrimination abroad. The incident, which turned on the phrase 'You are not in India,' touches something larger than one family's experience: it raises the question of whether European societies have updated their social attitudes to match the economic weight of the visitors they court. For India, the episode is less a grievance to register than a leverage point to develop.
Kashmir's Elected Leaders Assert Federal Rights as Statehood Timeline Remains Unclear
Jammu and Kashmir's Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary has warned of protests at Jantar Mantar if the Centre fails to restore statehood to the Union Territory. The National Conference leader's ultimatum highlights growing tensions between the elected J&K government and New Delhi over the timeline for fulfilling constitutional promises made during the 2019 reorganisation.
US Defence Secretary Hegseth Praises India's Military Readiness as Indo-Pacific Strategy Evolves
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth praised India and other Asian partners for strengthening military capabilities at Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue, while warning China against regional hegemony. The comments reflect evolving US strategy of encouraging allies to assume greater defence responsibilities in the Indo-Pacific.
Modi's Telangana Quip Reveals Centre-State Project Approval Bottlenecks
Prime Minister Modi's witty exchange with Telangana CM Revanth Reddy during a Hyderabad event highlighted the complex dynamics of federal project approvals, as Reddy sought central backing for major infrastructure initiatives including Metro Rail expansion and the Musi River rejuvenation project.
Jaishankar's Suriname Visit Reveals India's Deepening Caribbean Institutional Architecture
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's official visit to Suriname for the ninth Joint Commission meeting demonstrates India's institutional approach to Caribbean diplomacy. The visit included soft loan offerings, agricultural project handovers, and diaspora engagement through cultural monuments.
Can India's Renewable Energy Leadership Bridge the Global Performance Gap?
India has achieved impressive renewable capacity rankings but faces critical gaps in grid integration, storage deployment, and actual electricity generation compared to global leaders. The sector requires institutional reform to translate installed capacity into performance outcomes matching developed nations.
Election Commission's Zero Tolerance in Bengal: Institutional Strength Against TMC's Democratic Defiance
The Election Commission has ordered zero tolerance for post-poll violence in West Bengal following vandalism of TMC offices after BJP's electoral victory. The directive tests institutional authority as TMC chief Mamata Banerjee refuses to step down despite defeat, creating a constitutional standoff.