Behind Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Elevation & Xi Jinping's Peace Deal

What Next For Shivraj Singh Chouhan?

Dear Reader,

India's Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister is back in the spotlight.

Taking on an important new role, Chouhan will now head a monitoring group to oversee the implementation of PM Modi's flagship central schemes.

Why This News Matters:

• Testimony To His Administrative Experience: Chouhan's 16-year tenure as CM of Madhya Pradesh saw him transform the state, especially the rural areas. His leadership in agriculture made Madhya Pradesh a leader in crop production.

• RSS Backing: Although there were earlier speculations that Chouhan was sidelined by the RSS, his recent elevation shows the Sangh's full support for his new responsibilities.

• Scope For A Bigger Role: His new position have raised speculations that this might be a stepping stone to bigger leadership roles for Chouhan within the BJP in the future.

Read this piece by Nishtha Anushree to understand what Chouhan's elevation says about the BJP & RSS' working?

What Is Xi Thinking?

India and China resolving a four-year military standoff on the borders, right before the BRICS summit in Russia has ramifications — not just for these Asian giants but the entire world.

Following the deal, today on the sidelines of BRICS Summit, Modi and Xi participated in the first formal bilateral meeting after five years. A significant progress.

But what's driving this thaw in the relationship? Why did China start making overtures to arrive at this deal?

• China’s economy is facing serious challenges due to increased western barriers. Growth has slumped to just 4.6%, youth unemployment hit 18.8%, and the property market is in a major slump.

• Xi Jinping, facing these pressures, is now focusing on stabilizing the economy by turning to India's big market.

This isn’t just about diplomacy—it’s about economic survival for China.

Read my colleague Amit Mishra's piece — Why Xi Jinping Chose Detente With India (For Now) — for more on this.

Until tomorrow,

Anmol N Jain