Slowing China, Steady India, Modi Back To Development In Assam: Daily Morning Brief, January 20, 2016

Good morning, Swarajya readers!

What you need to watch for today

Slowing Dragon, Steady Tiger. With China’s growth touching a 25-year low, India is set to retain its position this year as the fastest growing large economy. IMF has projected that India will grow at 7.3% in 2016-17.

Back To Development. PM Modi kicked off his party’s Assam campaign yesterday from Kokrajhar. In Bollywood-esque dialogue at a rally, Modi declared that his three-point programme is Development, development and development. Interestingly enough, the rally was not organised by the BJP but its new ally, Bodo’s People Front.

Not caste, support for terrorism is the issue. Rejecting calls for resignation, BJP maintains that they acted on a complaint against anti-nationalism and fundamentalism on the campus. Meanwhile, a new video filmed by Zee news has surfaced in which Rohith Vemula is unapologetic after tearing up ABVP posters. Displaying his virulent hatred for everything Hindu, he is seen saying that he would tear anything that is saffron.

Other notables

Bulletproof jackets for Jawans. The acquisition process for 1.86 lakh jackets, that began in 2009, has for the first time cleared the technical stage. General Suhag informed that Army is moving fast to provide these jackets at the earliest.

Another term for Shah. Amit Shah is all set to be elected as BJP’s president for another term, election to which is scheduled on 23rd January. It will be his first full term. He is currently completing Rajnath Singh’s term.

Competitive Federalism paying off. Devan Kaloo, in an interview to ET, has said that Modi’s emphasis on getting states to compete is paying off. Many states have eased land acquisition process while many more have set up land banks.

India set to take centre stage at WEF. The World Economic Forum meetings are set to kick off in Davos today where FM Arun Jailtey and RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan will be pitching India to investors as an island of stability when the global markets are in turmoil.

US Presidential Election 2016

Sarah Palin endorses Trump. 2008 Republican nominee for Vice-President and tea party’s favourite, Sarah Palin has endorsed Donald Trump, delivering a huge blow to Ted Cruz, also a darling of the Tea party. Trump and Cruz are currently polling neck to neck in Iowa. Palin’s endorsement can tip the balance in favor of Trump.

3 Opinion pieces you shouldn’t miss today

The Environmental Cost Of Subsidies: There is significant overlap between those who advocate subsidies and those who fight for the environment. If the former starts looking at the detrimental environmental effect of subsidies, it will be a great victory for correct pricing of resources.

Pathankot Post Operation Analysis: It is becoming increasingly evident that failures were exaggerated. Some timely decisions were taken, resources mobilized and operations conducted to minimize potential damage.

Owning A Friendship: Strengthening bilateral ties entails huge benefits for both India and Israel. Trade has grown 20-fold since the formal diplomatic ties were established.

Swarajya Special

Is Ghar Wapsi Now A Pipe Dream For Kashmiri Pandits?