Akash Thinks

🇮🇳 India | 🌎 Geopolitics | 📜 History
The stories and strategy behind today's world.

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

🇮🇳 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗧𝗦: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗜𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲

Look at the pattern.

The US pressures India over Russian oil, threatening tariffs because New Delhi refuses to sacrifice its energy security for Washington's geopolitical preferences.

Then comes pressure on Indian IT companies and Indian professionals, with tighter immigration policies affecting one of India's biggest exports: skilled talent.

Then there are repeated attempts to influence the debate around India's domestic policies.

And now Elon Musk is openly calling Mukesh Ambani an “oligarch” while demanding easier access for Starlink.

The irony is hard to miss.

Musk himself is one of America's most powerful billionaires, with enormous influence over technology, media and political discourse. Yet he portrays an Indian businessman as an “oligarch” for having influence in India.

Meanwhile, American politicians and businesses continue to push for policies that serve American economic interests.

India and Indians should be wide awake to the possibility of external pressure being used to influence its economic and political choices.

India has its own interests.

Its own energy security.

Its own companies.

Its own immigration and telecom policies.

And most importantly, its own democratic process.

No foreign government, corporation or billionaire should get to decide who governs India, how India regulates its markets, or which strategic choices India is allowed to make.

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮'𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮'𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁. 🇮🇳

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

“Your people don’t even let us go near the F-35, and you’re talking about selling it to us?” says IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh to the Commander of US Pacific Air Forces.

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

🇮🇳 BREAKING: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗡𝗜𝗔 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗽 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗗𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗶 𝗖𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗽𝗶𝘁 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲

On September 30, an alleged attack took place inside the cockpit of a FlyDubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Indian Captain Smit Machchhar reportedly suffered a serious head injury, and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

What has happened now?

India’s central government has directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the incident. The NIA has registered an FIR under the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and the UAPA.

What does this mean?

An FIR is the formal registration of a criminal case. The NIA will investigate what happened, why the attack allegedly occurred, and whether anyone else was involved.

The UAE is also investigating the incident.

Important: The investigation is ongoing.
The key question now is whether this was an isolated attack or part of something bigger.

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

India needs to go beyond a ₹2.5 lakh crore modernisation budget. With threats on two fronts, growing Chinese military capabilities and rapidly changing warfare, a $100 billion+ annual defence budget is becoming essential.
Modernisation cannot come at the cost of salaries, maintenance, ammunition or operational readiness. India needs a bigger overall defence budget, faster procurement and stronger domestic defence manufacturing.
The goal isn't just to spend more. It's to ensure India is prepared for any challenge. 🇮🇳

[Anand Ranganathan @ARanganathan72]

BREAKING: President Trump slaps 100% tariffs on the USA on account of buying millions of tonnes of Russian diesel and supporting Putin’s war machine.

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

Homilies again.

Questioning the integrity of elections on the basis of internal notes that the Commission itself says were part of normal deliberations, followed by unanimous decisions, is not the same as proving bias or “vote theft.”

The SIR removed large numbers of dead, shifted, duplicate and untraceable names, a long-standing problem in Indian rolls. High restoration rates on the small fraction of appeals decided so far show process errors that need fixing, not proof that the exercise was engineered to favour one party.

Street agitations demanding the head of a constitutional authority, after “tasting blood” with the Education Minister’s resignation, turn legitimate scrutiny into pressure politics. A confident opposition would pursue these issues in court and Parliament, not turn the capital into a fortress while lecturing others on democracy.

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

"Agar wo meri nahi ho sakti, to kisi ki nahi ho sakti"

[Current Report @Currentreport1]

United States has officially imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, just hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

🇮🇳 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗧𝗦: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗜𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲

Look at the pattern.

The US pressures India over Russian oil, threatening tariffs because New Delhi refuses to sacrifice its energy security for Washington's geopolitical preferences.

Then comes pressure on Indian IT companies and Indian professionals, with tighter immigration policies affecting one of India's biggest exports: skilled talent.

Then there are repeated attempts to influence the debate around India's domestic policies.

And now Elon Musk is openly calling Mukesh Ambani an “oligarch” while demanding easier access for Starlink.

The irony is hard to miss.

Musk himself is one of America's most powerful billionaires, with enormous influence over technology, media and political discourse. Yet he portrays an Indian businessman as an “oligarch” for having influence in India.

Meanwhile, American politicians and businesses continue to push for policies that serve American economic interests.

India and Indians should be wide awake to the possibility of external pressure being used to influence its economic and political choices.

India has its own interests.

Its own energy security.

Its own companies.

Its own immigration and telecom policies.

And most importantly, its own democratic process.

No foreign government, corporation or billionaire should get to decide who governs India, how India regulates its markets, or which strategic choices India is allowed to make.

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮'𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮'𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁. ����🇳

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

🇮🇳 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮'𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗡𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗮

Something interesting has happened that most people probably haven't heard about.

India has joined the IAEA's ATLAS initiative, which is working on the future use of nuclear technology at sea.

Now, what does that actually mean?

Forget the complicated nuclear terminology for a moment.

Today, ships mostly depend on conventional fuels. But in the future, nuclear reactors could potentially be used to power certain ships or offshore facilities.

A nuclear-powered ship could operate for very long periods without needing the kind of frequent refuelling that conventional ships require.

There is also another possibility: floating nuclear power plants.

Imagine a nuclear power plant mounted on a floating platform or barge that can provide electricity to coastal or remote areas.

These technologies are still developing, and they come with huge questions around safety, security, emergency response, transportation, regulation and liability. Existing international rules were largely not designed specifically for these new types of mobile nuclear systems.

And this is where India's participation becomes interesting.

The international rules for these technologies are still being worked out.

So instead of waiting until everything is already decided, India can participate in the discussions and help develop the standards that will govern this technology.

In simple words:

The world is still writing the rulebook. India wants to be in the room while that rulebook is being written.

That could become important if nuclear-powered shipping and floating nuclear plants become commercially viable in the future.

But there is one important clarification:

India joining ATLAS does NOT mean India has decided to build nuclear-powered commercial ships tomorrow.

It means India is participating in the international technical and regulatory work around these technologies.

And that's probably the most important part of this development.

India isn't just preparing for today's nuclear technology. It is also positioning itself for technologies that could shape tomorrow's energy and maritime sectors. 🇮🇳⚛️🌊

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

This looks like an attempt to build a narrative that Modi is denying ordinary Indians life-saving internet access. But given the response Indians have given Musk on his own platform, I think this strategy is about to fail. If Starlink wants to enter India, Musk may soon find himself seeking approval from Modi and the Indian government on India's terms, not his own. 🇮🇳

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

Ishtiaq, before lecturing India about democracy, perhaps look at the political system in your own country.
Pakistan's 2024 elections were marred by serious allegations of rigging, opposition leaders were arrested, and Imran Khan remains imprisoned. International observers have repeatedly raised concerns about the military's influence over elections and civilian governments.
Even today, Pakistan's military wields enormous influence over the country's political and economic affairs.
Yet you're suggesting that India's elected Prime Minister is merely a figurehead because a billionaire made a sarcastic post?

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

𝗥𝗕𝗜 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀: “𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁. 𝗪𝗲’𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆.”

Here’s what it actually means:

India’s rupee has been falling because big oil companies (IOC, HPCL, BPCL) buy huge amounts of dollars every single day to pay for oil. That constant buying pushes the dollar higher and the rupee lower.

From 12 October, the RBI will supply those dollars straight to the oil companies through banks. They no longer have to enter the open market daily. Less demand for dollars = less pressure on the rupee.

At the same time, RBI made large currency hedging trades more expensive and restricted. Big bets without real need are now harder, and you can’t keep cancelling and rebooking the same trade.

In short: RBI is trying to take some heat off the rupee by reducing everyday dollar demand and cooling down speculative trading. Whether it’s enough is another question.

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

@ZelenskyyUa The US will do what suits its own interests. You asked for sanctions and no gifts to Putin while Washington licensed Russian diesel after the Trump-Putin call. That leaves you with appeals, not leverage.

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

The desperation is showing.

Musk is trying to build public pressure by selling Indians on how amazing Starlink will be while attacking the Indian government and calling its regulatory process a “crime against the people.”

But the irony is that he's getting pushed back by Indians on his own platform.

India isn't asking for a saviour. It is asking Starlink to follow Indian rules. 🇮🇳

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Dear Prime Minister Ambani,

Please accept my humble apologies for not realizing that you are the real boss of India.

Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?

There are many areas of India, as there are in all countries, with no Internet access, which denies children the opportunity for education and for small businesses the opportunity to sell their goods to a global market. Starlink would change their lives for the better.

Thank you 🙏

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

This whole Trump tenure increasingly looks like threats, tariffs, sanctions and ultimatums as if Washington still believes the world is unipolar and everyone must fall in line.

The desperation to project power is becoming noticeable.

Sometimes a flame burns brightest just before it goes out.

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

Hypocrisy at its finest.

The US imposed additional tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, arguing that these purchases helped finance Moscow's war in Ukraine. Now Trump is reportedly discussing Russian diesel supplies to bring down fuel prices for Americans.

When India buys Russian energy to protect its economic interests, it faces punitive measures. When Americans need cheaper fuel, Russian energy suddenly becomes worth discussing.

Is buying Russian energy wrong, or is it only wrong when India does it?

India's energy security matters just as much as America's. You cannot demand that India bear the economic cost of your geopolitical priorities while making exceptions when your own voters need cheaper fuel.

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

Dear President Musk,

Please accept my humble apologies for not realizing that you are the real boss of America.

Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of the United States, but would you nonetheless consider allowing BYD and Huawei to compete?

BYD sells in well over 100 countries and Huawei in more than 170, yet both remain effectively locked out of the American market. There are many Americans who would like cheaper electric cars and more choice in phones and network gear. Letting them compete would change those options for the better.

Thank you 🙏

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

The AG’s briefing traces the shift to 2017, while he was studying in Australia, via extremist material. He later worked at Oman Air where reports say he was removed from flying over related concerns then briefly at Royal Air Maroc before joining Flydubai in 2026; screening at hiring reportedly showed no flags.

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

🇮🇳 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗠���𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗔𝘇𝗵𝗮𝗿. 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗯𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

India used its Right of Reply at the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee this week to challenge Pakistan’s claims about fighting terrorism.

The focus was Masood Azhar, the UN-listed chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed and a figure India has long accused of being involved in attacks against it.

Pakistan recently announced a 7 million Pakistani rupee reward for information leading to his apprehension. India called the move an “eyewash” and questioned what it actually achieves if Azhar remains at large.

India's First Secretary at the UN, Raghoo Puri, made the point very simply:

If Pakistani authorities genuinely don't know where Azhar is, how have media organisations reportedly been able to reach him and get his comments?

Pakistan has maintained that Azhar fled to Afghanistan.

But Afghanistan's Taliban government has rejected that claim, with an Afghan official saying Azhar is not in the country.

That leaves a pretty obvious question hanging over Pakistan's claim:

If he isn't in Pakistan and isn't in Afghanistan, where exactly is he?

And if journalists can reach him, why can't the Pakistani state?

India's broader argument was that terrorism cannot be defeated through statements, declarations and rewards alone.

It requires action against the entire chain:

The terrorists.
The organisers.
The financiers.
The facilitators.
And those providing shelter or support.

India also pointed out the contradiction in Pakistan presenting itself internationally as both a victim of terrorism and a frontline state against terrorism, while India continues to accuse Pakistan of allowing terrorist groups to operate from its territory.

Puri also brought up 9/11, 26/11 and the Pahalgam attack, arguing that the world has not forgotten the victims and that providing safe havens to perpetrators denies those victims justice.

And this is where India's argument becomes bigger than just Masood Azhar.

A government can announce a bounty.

It can issue statements at the UN.

It can say a terrorist organisation is “defunct.”

But the real test is much simpler:

What actually happens to the terrorist leadership?

If Pakistan wants the world to take its counter-terrorism claims seriously, the answer cannot just be another statement.

Find them. Arrest them. Prosecute them. Dismantle the networks supporting them.

That is the difference between counter-terrorism policy on paper and counter-terrorism in practice.

And India's final message at the UN was clear: continued terrorism against India will have consequences.

[Akash Thinks @AkashThinksX]

But who exactly is “we” here? You’re a U.S. citizen speaking about what India must do to become wealthy, while having no mandate to decide India’s domestic policies.

You can support Starlink and criticize India’s regulations. That’s your right. But claiming that those who are delaying Starlink are “keeping millions of Indians locked in poverty” is a huge claim that requires evidence.

India can decide its own telecom and national-security rules.

Make the case for Starlink on its merits. Don’t turn a regulatory dispute into a lecture on how India should run itself.