V Santhanam

Geopolitics | Drones | Space | Cities |
Making Mumbai more livable (in theory & tweets)
Cartoonist when words aren’t enough

*All views personal*

[V Santhanam @vigneshsan]

@theiaincameron Total population of countries playing the :
cricket world cup - 2.2 billion
FIFA 2026 - 1.8 billion

FIFA keeps India & China out by design

[V Santhanam @vigneshsan]

@DrJitendraSingh https://t.co/VvQJ7n3vMN

[V Santhanam @vigneshsan]

IN-SPACe Industry Connect 2026, Ahmedabad

India’s next space opportunity lies in global markets.

At IN-SPACe Industry Connect 2026 in Ahmedabad, the @wef contingent and @INSPACeIND discussed practical pathways for Indian space companies to expand internationally through a dedicated session on ‘Going Global: Expansion to International Markets’

The conversation focused on international standards and certifications, government-to-government cooperation, export procedures, procurement frameworks, and deeper integration into global supply chains.

As the sector grows, the Global South presents a significant opportunity for India to build markets, partnerships and scalable space solutions.

My thanks to Minister Dr. @DrJitendraSingh Chairman Dr. @GoenkaPk IN-SPACe, AVM Khot & Dr. Vinod Kumar for the opportunity and leadership in creating an enabling environment for India’s space sector.

@INSPACeIND @isro @DrJitendraSingh

#IIC2026 #IndiaSpace #SpaceEconomy #INSPACe

[V Santhanam @vigneshsan]

IN-SPACe Industry Connect 2026, Ahmedabad

India’s next space opportunity lies in global markets.

At IN-SPACe Industry Connect 2026 in Ahmedabad, the @wef contingent and @INSPACeIND discussed practical pathways for Indian space companies to expand internationally through a dedicated session on ‘Going Global: Expansion to International Markets’

The conversation focused on international standards and certifications, government-to-government cooperation, export procedures, procurement frameworks, and deeper integration into global supply chains.

As the sector grows, the Global South presents a significant opportunity for India to build markets, partnerships and scalable space solutions.

My thanks to Minister Dr. @DrJitendraSingh Chairman Dr. @GoenkaPk IN-SPACe, AVM Khot & Dr. Vinod Kumar for the opportunity and leadership in creating an enabling environment for India’s space sector.

@INSPACeIND @isro @DrJitendraSingh

#IIC2026 #IndiaSpace #SpaceEconomy #INSPACe

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Dear @narendramodi, today you're becoming the longest-serving Prime Minister India has had.

Congratulations! With you, India not only landed on the moon, it is shooting for the stars.

And so is our 🇪🇺🇮🇳 friendship.

From our cooperation on technology, mobility, security and defence all the way to the mother of all trade deals.

Thank you for all that we have achieved together.

[V Santhanam @vigneshsan]

@SupriyaShrinate Advance congratulations on BJP’s wins. You should make it less obvious that Mr. Gandhi is a BJP B team.

[V Santhanam @vigneshsan]

@the_hindu Before everyone starts frothing, remember 1 thing - Dipke is a BJP Trojan and CJP is a preemptive deviation tactic from something huge that is happening / will happen.

“Jab tak india me saneema hai, tab tak log …”

Save this tweet.

[V Santhanam @vigneshsan]

This is a tough one.

With multiple players of Indian origin featuring at the FIFA World Cup, excuses such as poor genetics, low-protein diets, lack of money, physique, or infrastructure are out of the window.

Curacao with a population of 160,000, has qualified for FIFA while India and China at ~ 3 bn sit out.

It is time to rethink our selection approach. Team sports & football in particular are more about coordination, chemistry, and cultural cohesion.

There is a reason why the West Indies compete as one team in cricket, but not in football. Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and others field separate national teams.

Food for thought.

[Shashi Tharoor @ShashiTharoor]

A historic moment for Indian football fans! As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, we will have two players of Indian heritage gracing the global stage. 🌏⚽

19-year-old winger Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid makes history as the first player of Indian origin selected for the Qatar national team, carrying the immense pride of his family roots in Kannur, Kerala. Meanwhile, Australia’s 26-man squad features Melbourne Victory’s dynamic 25-year-old winger Nishan Velupillay, whose origins are in Tamil Nadu.

They follow in the footsteps of Vikash Dhorasoo, the elegant and creative midfielder whose forefathers hailed from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh (migrating to Mauritius and later to France), who played for the French National Team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, winning a runners-up medal.

Seeing the global Indian diaspora make its mark on football’s grandest platform is an absolute joy. Best of luck to both young men as they head to North America! 🇦🇺🇶🇦🇮🇳 #FIFAWorldCup #IndianDiaspora

[V Santhanam @vigneshsan]

The greatest return on venture capital in history has come from the space sector. The need of the hour is patient capital.

[Dr Jitendra Singh @DrJitendraSingh]

Economic Times: Space sector to become key component of India's overall economy
#ISRO

https://t.co/c9JWeDmPD4

[Shashi Tharoor @ShashiTharoor]

A historic moment for Indian football fans! As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, we will have two players of Indian heritage gracing the global stage. 🌏⚽

19-year-old winger Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid makes history as the first player of Indian origin selected for the Qatar national team, carrying the immense pride of his family roots in Kannur, Kerala. Meanwhile, Australia’s 26-man squad features Melbourne Victory’s dynamic 25-year-old winger Nishan Velupillay, whose origins are in Tamil Nadu.

They follow in the footsteps of Vikash Dhorasoo, the elegant and creative midfielder whose forefathers hailed from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh (migrating to Mauritius and later to France), who played for the French National Team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, winning a runners-up medal.

Seeing the global Indian diaspora make its mark on football’s grandest platform is an absolute joy. Best of luck to both young men as they head to North America! 🇦🇺🇶🇦🇮🇳 #FIFAWorldCup #IndianDiaspora

[Dr Jitendra Singh @DrJitendraSingh]

Economic Times: Space sector to become key component of India's overall economy
#ISRO

https://t.co/c9JWeDmPD4

[V Santhanam @vigneshsan]

@letsblinkit @blinkitcares
New tagline: Blink and it’s gone

Ordered groceries. Delivery marked “complete” ✅

Opened the door… absolutely nothing.
Customer care: “Too bad sir, too many orders + you’re late.”

You guys didn’t just steal my meal - but stole it with a vengeance.

Refund incoming or does Blinkit officially stand for “Blink and it’s gone”?

#Blinkit

ORD96371462409

If you care, pls don’t ask me to chat with customer care. I’ve gone through the motions and all I get is standard copy paste messages. Give me a friggin refund.

@consaff @jaagograhakjago

[Sridhar Vembu @svembu]

Once again, my appeal to Indians in America on a visa. Please come home. Even if you feel it is hardship and sacrifice, self-respect should dictate your course. Let's make Bharat proud 🙏

[V Santhanam @vigneshsan]

The last 'Menon' to become the Chief Minister of a State was MGR of Tamil Nadu. T/F?
@ShashiTharoor @Iyervval @smitaprakash

[Press Trust of India @PTI_News]

STORY | 'Just remembered my father, what's wrong,' asks Kerala CM on row over use of caste surname in swearing-in

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday defended his use of the caste surname "Menon" during his swearing-in ceremony, saying he had only mentioned his father's name and saw nothing wrong in doing so on such an occasion.

READ: https://t.co/nnuAXrD21i

[Sandeep @SandeepUnnithan]

Dear Parle, you’ve just been handed the biggest global launch for any Indian confectionery brand…build on it,
become the next Ferrero Rocher.

[V Santhanam @vigneshsan]

@ananyashasau Never have I ever paid a bribe for my passport; not even for the police clearance.

[V Santhanam @vigneshsan]

@AdityaRajKaul @narendramodi @grok where can I get the full article translated in English?

[Chutki Chaiwali🇮🇳 @Chai_Angelic]

Grace from another generation.😍

[InfraStory @marinebharat]

Worst Drivers in Mumbai

🥇GJ5
🥈MH12
🥉MH14

Special mention 🏆 - MH46

Note - Personal Opinion

[Dhruva Space @DhruvaSpace]

🇮🇳 Excited to share that #DhruvaSpace has secured INR 105 Crores #RDIF backing to develop ‘Project Garud’, advancing India’s Private-sector 500 kg-class Satellite capability for constellation-scale missions.