Siddharth Singh

Editor-at-Large @openthemag former editor @Mint_Opinion Tweets personal; retweets are not endorsements

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

Here is a good example why India needs a strong Centre. In a “federal” system—basically a free for all situation across the country—vital projects have no chance of being taken up, let alone being completed. A strong “visible hand” is necessary if India is to move forward.

[ANI @ANI]

#WATCH | Delhi: At the signing of MoU between Government of India, Nagaland & Assam, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "... I know that Himanta ji is very tenacious when it comes to Assam's interests. However, when I spoke to him and suggested that he set aside this specific issue, explaining that there is neither a winner nor a loser, but rather a win-win situation where India, Assam, and Nagaland all emerge victorious—he agreed. They have set aside their immediate gains to enter into a tripartite agreement involving Nagaland, Assam, and the Government of India. Most importantly, this appears to pave the way for mineral mining across the entire North East. We are all aware that the North East holds immense reserves of not only oil and gas but also minerals; however, due to minor issues and law-and-order problems, we were previously unable to harness this national wealth. Today, a single MoU will enable us to increase our extraction capacity, currently ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 barrels per day, more than tenfold. A single field alone holds the potential for recoveries exceeding Rs 15,000 crore. If the oil and gas reserves across Nagaland are fully tapped, I believe we can significantly reduce our dependence on foreign sources to meet our needs in this sector. The absence of such an agreement and the resulting disputes had long hindered the economic development of both states..."

[Rajeev Deshpande @RajeevDOpen]

The return of something called “industrial policy” @curbset and I write:

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

One of the toughest security challenges confronting India. Two immediate steps are necessary after identification of non-citizens residing illegally in India: 1) Extinguishing of political rights and; 2) Absolute ban on ownership of immoveable property.

[Amit Shah @AmitShah]

घुसपैठ और अन्य कारणों से Unnatural Demographic Change किसी भी राष्ट्र के वर्तमान व भविष्य के लिए एक बहुत बड़ी चुनौती है।

इसी चुनौती से निपटने के लिए 15 अगस्त 2025 को प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi जी ने ‘High-Level Committee on Demographic Change’ की घोषणा की थी। मुझे बताते हुए हर्ष हो रहा है कि सरकार ने इस कमिटी का गठन कर लिया है।

जस्टिस प्रकाश प्रभाकर नावलेकर (सेवानिवृत्त) की अध्यक्षता में बनी इस कमिटी में जनगणना आयुक्त के साथ श्री दुर्गा शंकर मिश्रा (Retd IAS), श्री बालाजी श्रीवास्तव (Retd IPS) और डॉ. शमिका रवि समिति के सदस्य होंगे। संयुक्त सचिव (Foreigners-I), गृह मंत्रालय, इस समिति के सदस्य सचिव होंगे।

Demographic Change हमारी संप्रभुता के साथ ही राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा, कानून व्यवस्था, सामाजिक संरचना में गंभीर बदलाव और जनजातीय समाज के संरक्षण से जुड़ी एक गंभीर समस्या है। यह कमिटी, अवैध प्रवास और अन्य असामान्य कारणों से पूरे भारत में हो रहे demographic changes का व्यापक मूल्यांकन करेगी और धार्मिक एवं सामाजिक समुदायों के स्तर पर असामान्य जनसंख्या परिवर्तनों के pattern का विश्लेषण करेगी तथा इसका सुनियोजित और समयबद्ध समाधान प्रस्तुत करेगी।

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

Two parts of the graph are worth noting. 1) The yo-yo movement from 1960 to 1980 and 2) Rapid decline from 1990. #1 is the time when total factor productivity plateaued. #2 is a mix of terrorism, some very corrupt governments and virtually no investment in education and industry.

[The Indian Matrix @indianmatrix]

Punjab’s Per Capita Income Rank

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

One statement and peacewallahs have crawled out of the woodwork. Historically, the strategy of engagement only leads to more atavistic demands: territory, water and probably more. Disengagement yields peace. And yes geography can be minimised as a variable. #Pakistan

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

India’s security planners now have a rare opportunity to properly manage its endangered Marches in the East. The political constellation at the Centre, in Assam and West Bengal has created enabling conditions to disencumber these vital areas. @Openthemag https://t.co/Zd24biZ20f

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

Certain journalists and intellectuals are claiming that electoral politics does not matter in India any more. This is an argument of despair as much as it is a reflection of the Opposition’s lack of political acumen. It is not a barometer of India’s democracy.

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

Even in victory speeches the Prime Minister always warns the country about the dangers of anarchy and ultra-left politics. These ever-present risks should be kept in mind while evaluating political choices.

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

@adityajakki अब बस कर पगले रुलायेगा क्या।

[Open Magazine @Openthemag]

#AssemblyElection2026 Result: #Assam is Now a Saffron Fort in the North East - What undid the Opposition was the utter disarray in the Congress party, the alleged anchor for the Opposition, writes @curbset
https://t.co/eFQylkhsmd

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

Slender was the thread…today that risk was brought down a few notches. #demography #nationalsecurity

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

@Kyangs_Thang @KesariDhwaj @theamitkpaul Some more pictures of the area taken by Hunter & Fanny Bullock Workman in the 1911 expedition. (Unfortunately not very clear (taken from a desktop.) (More details in: The Exploration of the Siachen or Rose Glacier, Eastern Karakoram, The Geographical Journal, Feb 1914 pp117-141)

[Jayaprakash Narayan @JP_LOKSATTA]

Now that the 131st Amendment Bill failed, allocation of Lok Sabha seats will be based on 2026 census data.

As per current estimates, seven States will likely lose 35 seats: AP (-5), Telangana (-3), TN (-10), Karnataka (-2), Kerala (-7), Odisha (-4), and WB (-4).

Four States will likely gain 34 seats: UP (+12), Bihar (+10), MP (+5), and Rajasthan (+7).

BJP is widely believed to be the potential beneficiary of redistribution of seats to States based on 2026 population.

In a stunning act of self-denial, the NDA government came forward to freeze the current share of States based on the 1971 census data. There could be many reasons for BJP committing to such a freeze - putting the nation above the party, paving the way for expanding their footprint in the South, or avoiding a divisive issue when the nation has to focus on growth and prosperity in the face of global challenges. Whatever be the motivation of BJP, the seven States that lost share of population are offered an unexpected gift. You don't look a gift horse in the mouth!

Surprisingly, the parties which have great stakes in the South and East have scored a spectacular self goal. This is a classic case of cutting the nose to spite the face.

In 2001, as the freeze in seats was expiring, I was deeply involved in persuading the then Vajpayee government to continue the freeze in the number of seats allocated to States for another 25 years. An unwieldy coalition and the economic challenge posed by external sanctions after the Pokharan explosion demanded national unity, and the parties responded with the 84th Amendment. Now again a priceless opportunity arose, and the Opposition squandered it without any strategic thinking.

If political animosity makes you oblivious of your own interest, or larger interests of fostering unity and focusing on growth and harmony, it is a sign of dysfunctional politics.

I appeal to all parties to come together and find a harmonious solution to the thorny problem of seats allocation in the face of demographic imbalances. National unity and our quest for opportunity and prosperity for all demand a fair and swift resolution.

In the long run migration will resolve the imbalances. Already millions of migrant workers are building and sustaining the economies of several States in the South, West and North. That is why, despite low fertility rate, Maharashtra's share of the population is increasing.
In the US, dramatic internal migration changed the demography and representation over the years. People move freely to States where there is growth and jobs are created. In a century, Florida increased its representation in the US Congress from 4 to 28, California from 11 to 52, Texas from 18 to 38, and Washington from 5 to 10. Owing to outward migration, New York lost seats, from 43 to 26, Pennsylvania from 36 to 17, Illinois from 27 to 17, Ohio from 22 to 15, and Missouri from 16 to 8.

We should make it easy for people to migrate to other States and recognize and respect their constitutional rights everywhere and make their life easier and safe. That will resolve our demographic challenges. Most states reached low fertility levels, and Bihar, UP, MP, Rajasthan and Jharkhand too are going to reach there in a few years.

We need a reasoned and pragmatic approach to grow together and become strong. Let us persuade parties to shed inflammatory and divisive rhetoric and focus on quality education and skills and opportunities for all.

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

Indian democracy will always be compromised. Not in the Western sense but as a deviation from rule by numbers. The latter is the first attribute of democracy, everything else is an embellishment. (Look at separatists issuing faux arguments against the new constitutional package.)

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

What is India doing to de-risk its trade in the age of Trump? A lot as @adityajakki argues…

[Aditya Jakki @adityajakki]

"To face the trade headwinds, diversifying trade linkages has been one of the key pursuits of the Modi government, notwithstanding the fact that trade relations between India and the U.S. may improve at some point in future. Like India, other countries are also looking to diversify trade relationships and reduce dependency on both the U.S. and China. The Modi government has successfully negotiated eight free trade agreements (FTA) since 2021, including with the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, European Free Trade Association, Mauritius, Oman and the latest being the biggest of all with the European Union on January 27, 2026."

[Aditya Jakki @adityajakki]

https://t.co/IV8Le6YGyb

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

Islamabad Talks were bound to be dicey as talks between warring parties always are. That did not prevent some Indian commentators from saying “India has lost”. The real loss was commonsense: why would India involve itself in other nations’ disputes? It never has, it should not.

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

Voting percentages in Assam (district wise) tell their own story: Dhubri (94.51%), South Salmara-Mankachar (95.61%) Goalpara (93.26%), Barpeta (93.32%), Darrang (91.76%). Compare these with the rather sclerotic turnout in Kamrup (Metro) and you can sense the political difference.

[Adrian Vermeule @Vermeullarmine]

One can only think here of what the Delphic oracle said to Croesus of Lydia in the Histories: if you march against the Persians, you will destroy a great empire. I hope someone remembers how this prophecy was fulfilled.

[Siddharth Singh @curbset]

1) Questioning impartiality of ECI in the midst of elections is a bad argument. 2) If #1 is true then all ECI appointments and elections since 1952 are of doubtful legitimacy. 3) The problem is not with ECI or the executive but with unelected institutions that are unaccountable.