March 29, 2026

2025

NFL Trade Rumors: Joe Burrow traded to New York Jets as Cincinnati Bengals acquire Fernando Mendoza

NFL Trade Rumors: Joe Burrow traded to New York Jets as Cincinnati Bengals acquire Fernando Mendoza

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

(Image via Getty: Joe Burrow and Fernando Mendoza) On December 30, MLFootball shared a thought-provoking NFL trade rumor on X. They wrote, “THIS COULD BE INTERESTING…The Cincinnati #Bengals could end up with Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza as their franchise quarterback. The New York #Jets have five first-round picks in the next 2 years. If…

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‘New chapter’ ahead: Bangladesh envoy on EAM’s Dhaka visit; signals positive tone for bilateral ties | India News

‘New chapter’ ahead: Bangladesh envoy on EAM’s Dhaka visit; signals positive tone for bilateral ties | India News

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah on Wednesday said external affairs minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Dhaka would help India and Bangladesh script a new chapter in bilateral ties, guided by shared interests, pragmatism and mutual interdependence.In a post on X, Hamidullah wrote, “As Hon External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar left…

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UP Police Constable Recruitment 2025: Notification released for 32,679 posts, direct link to apply here

UP Police Constable Recruitment 2025: Notification released for 32,679 posts, direct link to apply here

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB) has officially announced the UP Police Constable Recruitment 2025. This is a big recruitment drive with a total of 32,679 vacancies. The online application process has already started, giving a major opportunity to candidates who want to join the Uttar Pradesh Police force. Both male and…

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‘Maine bahut mehnat ki hai’: Ranveer Singh’s chant post ’Dhurandhar’ blockbuster run

‘Maine bahut mehnat ki hai’: Ranveer Singh’s chant post ’Dhurandhar’ blockbuster run

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

After ‘Dhurandhar’s box office smash, Ranveer Singh vanished from spotlight—no promos, posts, or events. Pap recalls promo meets: “Paaji, maine bahut mehnat ki hai.” He gained 15kg, shed it; film shone with effort. Chawla lauds dedication amid unfair PR hate. After ‘Dhurandhar’ broke box office records, people thought Ranveer Singh would be all over the…

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“2025 didn’t scare us with a virus, it scared us with…”: US-based Doctor’s eye-opening post flags unsettling health reality |

“2025 didn’t scare us with a virus, it scared us with…”: US-based Doctor’s eye-opening post flags unsettling health reality |

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

We all remember the covid era, the years that were dominated by a deadly virus that claimed millions of lives. “2025 didn’t scare us with a virus,” this was quoted by a California-based doctor Siddhant Bhargava. The doctor’s eye-opening post hits us with the stark reality of something far more similar. The doctor’s words continue,…

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Jagannath temple pulls 2026 calendars: Image shows deities in incorrect positions; triggers political backlash

Jagannath temple pulls 2026 calendars: Image shows deities in incorrect positions; triggers political backlash

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Jagannath temple, Puri (File photo) NEW DELHI: The Jagannath temple administration in Odisha’s Puri on Wednesday apologised to the public and stopped selling calendars that showed the sibling deities in incorrect positions on the Ratna Singhasan inside the 12th-century shrine.The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said the image, printed in its 2026 calendar, was taken…

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Explained: How the Israel issue is splintering MAGA | World News

Explained: How the Israel issue is splintering MAGA | World News

Vamsikrishna06 mins mins

For nearly half a century, support for Israel was the closest thing the American right had to a theological constant. It bound together evangelical Christians, Cold War hawks, neoconservatives, and Republican donors into a durable, almost unexamined consensus. Donald Trump’s first term appeared to mark its triumph: Jerusalem recognised as Israel’s capital, the Abraham Accords…

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Image: IANS NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the West Bengal government to immediately release the enhanced honorarium for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and warned that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to intimidate election staff.”The state government of WB should immediately release the enhanced honorarium as approved by ECI to each BLO. The TMC delegation was informed that polling stations will be set up in high-rise buildings, gated communities and slums to facilitate the voters,” the ECI said through a statement. The Commission also informed a TMC delegation that polling stations will be set up in high-rise buildings, gated communities, and slums to ensure voter access, stressing that intimidation of BLOs, EROs, AEROs, or observers will not be tolerated.The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state has sparked a conflict between the TMC-led state government and the Centre.Accusing the BJP of “bulldozing” the SIR process, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has claimed that more than 50 lives have been lost “to panic, anxiety, exhaustion and fear engineered by a voter-cleansing operation designed for BJP’s electoral gain.”Meanwhile, the West Bengal CEO’s office on Monday issued instructions to district election authorities on managing cases of voters marked as “unmapped” in the BLO app, a result of data conversion errors linked to the 2002 electoral rolls, while reaffirming safeguards for elderly and vulnerable voters.The move was welcomed by Abhishek Banerjee, who noted that the party had previously raised the issue with poll authorities.According to a communication from the Additional Chief Electoral Officer to all district election officers and district magistrates, electors aged 85 and above, as well as those who are sick or have disabilities, may opt out of personal hearings through a request made by them or on their behalf. Even if hearing notices have already been issued, such voters can be contacted by phone and advised not to attend, with verification to be conducted at their residences. A ten-member TMC delegation, led by National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee also met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on Monday.During the enumeration period of West Bengal’s SIR exercise, over 58.2 lakh names were reportedly deleted. The Election Commission of India had published the draft voter list for the state on December 16, with the claims and objections window open until January 15, 2026. The final electoral roll is scheduled for release on February 14, 2026.On December 29, a five-member TMC delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, demanding that the list of voters under the “Logical Discrepancy” category be made public and that the methodology and legal basis for this category be disclosed.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTop Moments Of 2025 When Indian Diplomats Took On Pakistan, Tore Apart Lies & Hypocrisy At UNThrowback 2025: Five Big Moments When India Defied Pressure And Delivered Diplomatic MasterstrokesAyodhya Faced Conspiracies But Sanatan Prevailed, UP CM Yogi Adityanath Says At Ram Temple EventIndia’s Backyard In Flux: Nepal’s Gen Z Revolt To Pakistan’s Court Chaos Shakes South Asia In 2025Army Trains Village Defence Guards In J&K In Automatic Rifles, Self-Defence | WatchLeT Deputy Saifullah Kasuri Admits India Hit Terror Camps, Threatens Kashmir After Op Sindoor StrikeTwist in Osman Hadi Murder Case: Prime Accused Blames Jamaat From Dubai, Clears India’s Role‘Remove 10-Minute Delivery Option’: Gig Workers Launch Nationwide Strike On New Year’s EvePM Modi Says 2025 Marked by India’s Commitment to ReformsHasina Extradition Demand May Redefine India Bangladesh Ties Journalist Flags Tarique Rahman’s Plans123Photostories8 traditional Bengali snacks that are best enjoyed during winterCustard apple: 5 benefits of this creamy seasonal fruit5 common foods that are unhealthy and their alternative usesMalala Yousafzai once said, “If we want to achieve our goal, then let us…”: 5 lessons it teaches studentsHrithik Roshan’s girlfriend Saba Azad’s luxe choga suit is the traditional trend to watch this seasonPune’s Next Game-Changer: University Road Flyover Rises To Untangle One Of The City’s Worst Traffic Knots10 weird new year rituals you won’t believe existHow to make street-style Egg Chowmein for New Year eve partyChennai’s Underground Push: TBM Melagiri Punches Through Beneath Perambur’s Railway MazeThe science of longevity: Building a longer and healthier life one habit at a time123Hot PicksSaudi Strike YemenPAN-Aadhaar link statusBank holiday New YearGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJustin Thomas Net WorthLebron JamesCardi BAlex Rodriguez and Jaclyn Cordeiro Net WorthStefon DiggsCaitlin ClarkMatthew Stafford vs Drake MVPWest Bengal SIR DeathJake Paul and Jutta Leerdam Net WorthWorld Fourth Largest Economy

Image: IANS NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the West Bengal government to immediately release the enhanced honorarium for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and warned that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to intimidate election staff.”The state government of WB should immediately release the enhanced honorarium as approved by ECI to each BLO. The TMC delegation was informed that polling stations will be set up in high-rise buildings, gated communities and slums to facilitate the voters,” the ECI said through a statement. The Commission also informed a TMC delegation that polling stations will be set up in high-rise buildings, gated communities, and slums to ensure voter access, stressing that intimidation of BLOs, EROs, AEROs, or observers will not be tolerated.The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state has sparked a conflict between the TMC-led state government and the Centre.Accusing the BJP of “bulldozing” the SIR process, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has claimed that more than 50 lives have been lost “to panic, anxiety, exhaustion and fear engineered by a voter-cleansing operation designed for BJP’s electoral gain.”Meanwhile, the West Bengal CEO’s office on Monday issued instructions to district election authorities on managing cases of voters marked as “unmapped” in the BLO app, a result of data conversion errors linked to the 2002 electoral rolls, while reaffirming safeguards for elderly and vulnerable voters.The move was welcomed by Abhishek Banerjee, who noted that the party had previously raised the issue with poll authorities.According to a communication from the Additional Chief Electoral Officer to all district election officers and district magistrates, electors aged 85 and above, as well as those who are sick or have disabilities, may opt out of personal hearings through a request made by them or on their behalf. Even if hearing notices have already been issued, such voters can be contacted by phone and advised not to attend, with verification to be conducted at their residences. A ten-member TMC delegation, led by National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee also met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on Monday.During the enumeration period of West Bengal’s SIR exercise, over 58.2 lakh names were reportedly deleted. The Election Commission of India had published the draft voter list for the state on December 16, with the claims and objections window open until January 15, 2026. The final electoral roll is scheduled for release on February 14, 2026.On December 29, a five-member TMC delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, demanding that the list of voters under the “Logical Discrepancy” category be made public and that the methodology and legal basis for this category be disclosed.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTop Moments Of 2025 When Indian Diplomats Took On Pakistan, Tore Apart Lies & Hypocrisy At UNThrowback 2025: Five Big Moments When India Defied Pressure And Delivered Diplomatic MasterstrokesAyodhya Faced Conspiracies But Sanatan Prevailed, UP CM Yogi Adityanath Says At Ram Temple EventIndia’s Backyard In Flux: Nepal’s Gen Z Revolt To Pakistan’s Court Chaos Shakes South Asia In 2025Army Trains Village Defence Guards In J&K In Automatic Rifles, Self-Defence | WatchLeT Deputy Saifullah Kasuri Admits India Hit Terror Camps, Threatens Kashmir After Op Sindoor StrikeTwist in Osman Hadi Murder Case: Prime Accused Blames Jamaat From Dubai, Clears India’s Role‘Remove 10-Minute Delivery Option’: Gig Workers Launch Nationwide Strike On New Year’s EvePM Modi Says 2025 Marked by India’s Commitment to ReformsHasina Extradition Demand May Redefine India Bangladesh Ties Journalist Flags Tarique Rahman’s Plans123Photostories8 traditional Bengali snacks that are best enjoyed during winterCustard apple: 5 benefits of this creamy seasonal fruit5 common foods that are unhealthy and their alternative usesMalala Yousafzai once said, “If we want to achieve our goal, then let us…”: 5 lessons it teaches studentsHrithik Roshan’s girlfriend Saba Azad’s luxe choga suit is the traditional trend to watch this seasonPune’s Next Game-Changer: University Road Flyover Rises To Untangle One Of The City’s Worst Traffic Knots10 weird new year rituals you won’t believe existHow to make street-style Egg Chowmein for New Year eve partyChennai’s Underground Push: TBM Melagiri Punches Through Beneath Perambur’s Railway MazeThe science of longevity: Building a longer and healthier life one habit at a time123Hot PicksSaudi Strike YemenPAN-Aadhaar link statusBank holiday New YearGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJustin Thomas Net WorthLebron JamesCardi BAlex Rodriguez and Jaclyn Cordeiro Net WorthStefon DiggsCaitlin ClarkMatthew Stafford vs Drake MVPWest Bengal SIR DeathJake Paul and Jutta Leerdam Net WorthWorld Fourth Largest Economy

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the West Bengal government to immediately release the enhanced honorarium for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and warned that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to intimidate election staff.“The state government of WB should immediately release the enhanced honorarium as approved by ECI to…

Read More
Winter holidays 2026: Punjab government announces school closure till January 7 amid cold wave and dense fog

Winter holidays 2026: Punjab government announces school closure till January 7 amid cold wave and dense fog

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Punjab government announces school closure till January 7 (AI image) The Punjab government has announced an extension of school holidays across the state due to worsening cold weather and dense fog conditions. The decision has been taken keeping the safety and health of students and school staff in mind. The announcement was made through an…

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After Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan were spotted in New York; the couple enjoyed a quiet winter break

After Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan were spotted in New York; the couple enjoyed a quiet winter break

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan were recently spotted in New York. The couple was seen enjoying a calm, personal break away from work. There were no film sets, events, or promotions around them.The beautiful couple was seen simply spending time together. Fans quickly noticed the pictures and videos online and shared their love. Simple…

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Rishabh Pant fails ahead of NZ ODI series selection; Odisha hand Delhi first defeat in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Rishabh Pant fails ahead of NZ ODI series selection; Odisha hand Delhi first defeat in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant’s poor run with the bat, along with failures from Delhi’s senior batters, brought an end to the team’s unbeaten streak as Odisha registered a 79-run win in a fourth-round Group D match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Wednesday.With national selectors set to name the squad for the five-match ODI series…

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A new narrative suggests China will lead, with the US and India vying for second. Analyst Keji Mao argues US “strategic altruism” towards India has ended due to American decline anxiety. However, the article counters that US decline is exaggerated, China’s economic rise faces headwinds, and India is forging an independent path, leading to a complex, contested global order. TL;DR: Driving the newsA new narrative about upcoming geopolitical upheaval is taking shape in a section of strategic analysts. As per this: China is destined for the top spot, while the United States and India slide into a “battle for second place.”The argument is gaining traction among Chinese strategists and analysts, including Keji Mao, who says Washington’s long bet on India has soured and US decline anxiety is reshaping alliances.Why it matters: No more US “Strategic altruism” for IndiaThe core claim of Mao, an analyst at China’s International Cooperation Center and founder of the South Asia Research Brief, starts with history. Since the late 1990s, he argues, Washington practiced what many Chinese scholars label “strategic altruism” toward India-absorbing real diplomatic costs to integrate New Delhi into the global order. The most visible example was the civil nuclear deal that carved out an exception to global nonproliferation norms. The logic: A rising democratic India would eventually help balance China in Asia.That logic, Mao says, has broken down. During Donald Trump’s second term, the US imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods, raised visa fees, tightened outsourcing rules, and adopted rhetoric towards New Delhi that often sounded dismissive. Many Western observers, Mao notes, wave this away as a “Trump anomaly.” He rejects that view.For Mao, the driver is structural. “The root driver is US anxiety over its declining strength, which now outweighs concern about external geopolitical threats.” In this frame, Washington is cautious with hard retaliators like China and Russia, but tougher on allies. His most vivid line captures the shift: Allies become “blood bags”, with the US preferring to squeeze partners for immediate gains over paying uncertain costs for long-run strategic contests.”India, Mao argues, is especially exposed. It “has enjoyed US indulgence but lacks the industrial/economic heft of Japan, Europe or Korea to make major concessions-and is less willing to bend-so it is cast as ‘conspicuously ungrateful’.” Over time, he suggests, this friction could reduce tensions between Beijing and both Washington and New Delhi, paving the way for a realignment favorable to China.The big pictureMao’s logic is coherent-and comforting for Beijing. It fits a long-running Chinese conviction that American decline is destined and China’s rise is inevitable and durable. But it rests on assumptions that are far more fragile than they appear.However, the nature of power in the twenty-first century is not one-dimensional. It is a mosaic of capabilities-technological, financial, military, demographic, institutional-spread across domains and regions. In some, China will lead. In others, the US remains preeminent. India is carving out a distinct pole that neither mirrors China nor fully aligns with Washington.Framing the future as a simple race for first and second place flatters hierarchy but obscures how influence actually accumulates-and how constraints bite.Zoom in: American decline, exaggeratedThe first weak link in Mao’s thesis is its linear view of US decline. History suggests a more cyclical pattern.From the Sputnik shock of the 1950s to Vietnam, from Japan’s rise in the 1980s to the 2008 financial crisis, predictions of American eclipse have been routine. Each time, internal dysfunction and polarization produced dire forecasts. Each time, scale, innovation, institutions, and alliances enabled adaptation.Trump can be read less as proof of terminal decline than as a backlash phase-an ugly but familiar spasm in democratic systems under stress. Democracies and market economies are messy, but they self-correct in ways centralized systems struggle to replicate.Nor does current evidence show a US retreat from Asia. Even amid trade disputes, Washington has deepened security cooperation with Japan, Australia, and the Philippines; reinforced ties with South Korea; expanded technology controls aimed squarely at China; and maintained a robust Indo-Pacific military posture. These are not the actions of a power resigning itself to second place.China’s numbersMao’s confidence also leans heavily on assumptions about China’s economic trajectory. Recent data complicate that story. As Bloomberg has reported, China’s economy looked resilient on the surface in 2025. Exports surged, growth hovered near the official target, and Beijing avoided a “bazooka” stimulus. Manufacturers moved up the value chain, and the trade surplus widened.Beneath the headlines, however, momentum has softened. Investment is heading for its first annual contraction since 1998. Retail sales growth has slowed to its weakest pace outside the pandemic. New home prices continue to fall, extending a property crisis with no clear end. To stabilize growth, Beijing has pledged broader fiscal support in 2026-targeting advanced manufacturing, technology innovation, and human capital.None of this signals collapse. But it does question the notion of effortless, linear ascent-and highlights the difficulty of rebalancing an economy while demographics worsen and political control tightens.Between the lines: Political turbulence in BeijingEconomic stress is compounded by political anxiety. Bloomberg reports that Xi Jinping probed a record number of senior officials for corruption in 2025, following earlier purges of top generals. With jockeying intensifying ahead of the next Communist Party congress, questions are emerging about governance quality and elite cohesion.As Alfred Wu of the National University of Singapore told Bloomberg, “For China, there is much more turbulence domestically.” Anti-corruption drives consolidate control, but they also raise uncomfortable questions about military readiness and decision-making in a system increasingly centered on a single leader.These internal stresses matter because they constrain how aggressively China can translate ambition into action abroad.Geography still mattersGDP is not destiny. Geography and geopolitics remain powerful constraints-and here, China faces enduring disadvantages.China shares land borders with 14 countries and maritime boundaries with several more. It has unresolved disputes or strained relations with many of them, from India and Japan to the Philippines and Vietnam. That creates a neighborhood defined less by deference than by hedging and quiet balancing.Former Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan captured this reality in Foreign Policy: “No country will ever shun China. Every country wants as good a relationship with China as possible. But China’s overall geopolitical situation is not favorable.” He asks which states would “meekly acquiesce to China occupying the apex of a regional hierarchy.”For Japan, the Koreas, and Vietnam, national identities have long been defined in opposition to China’s civilizational pull. Subordination would require a wrenching redefinition of identity-making almost any alternative more attractive.This limits Beijing’s ability to convert economic weight into political dominance, a lesson the Soviet Union learned at great cost. Why India won’t stay in China’s shadowMao is right that India is not China in manufacturing-yet. But the leap from that observation to a future of permanent second place misses the dynamics of India’s rise.India’s strengths lie in demographics, services, digital public infrastructure, and strategic geography. Unlike China, India does not face the same pace of demographic aging. Its market size and political pluralism make it attractive to firms and governments seeking diversification away from China.India’s geography matters too. Sitting astride key Indian Ocean sea lanes and bordering China, it cannot be sidelined by Washington or easily coerced by Beijing. This gives New Delhi leverage-even when relations with the US are tense.US–India frictions under Trump are real. But friction is not rupture. Structural interests-balancing China, securing supply chains, cooperating on defense and technology-continue to pull the relationship back together. India’s rise does not depend solely on American indulgence; it rests on domestic reform, market scale, and a global environment eager for alternatives to China. What nextFor Beijing, the danger lies in mistaking temporary US–India strains for a permanent realignment. Overconfidence risks miscalculation-especially at a moment when domestic headwinds are rising and neighbors are wary.Then as the Economist wrote, “hubris haunts the Communist Party and in 2026 Mr Xi will be tempted to assert China’s interests more aggressively. That creates a risk of dangerous overreach in three areas: trade, Taiwan and new Chinese-run global rules.” If Xi decides to invade Taiwan, whether in 2026 or 2027, China may get entangled in a protracted and unwinnable war. According to some calculations, even a blockade of Taiwan would lead to 7-9% decline in Chinese GDP. This may severely impact China’s superpower aspirations.For Washington and New Delhi, the path ahead will be uneven. Trade disputes, immigration politics, and industrial competition will generate friction. But shared strategic interests and mutual leverage argue against a clean break.The more likely future is prolonged, contested coexistence: China rising but constrained; the US adapting rather than fading; India carving out a larger, more independent role.Bottom lineAmerican decline is not destiny. India’s limitations are not permanent. And China’s rise-while real-is neither frictionless nor uncontested. The world they inhabit is too complex, too crowded, and too dynamic for any single power to conduct the orchestra alone.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTop Moments Of 2025 When Indian Diplomats Took On Pakistan, Tore Apart Lies & Hypocrisy At UNThrowback 2025: Five Big Moments When India Defied Pressure And Delivered Diplomatic MasterstrokesAyodhya Faced Conspiracies But Sanatan Prevailed, UP CM Yogi Adityanath Says At Ram Temple EventIndia’s Backyard In Flux: Nepal’s Gen Z Revolt To Pakistan’s Court Chaos Shakes South Asia In 2025Army Trains Village Defence Guards In J&K In Automatic Rifles, Self-Defence | WatchLeT Deputy Saifullah Kasuri Admits India Hit Terror Camps, Threatens Kashmir After Op Sindoor StrikeTwist in Osman Hadi Murder Case: Prime Accused Blames Jamaat From Dubai, Clears India’s Role‘Remove 10-Minute Delivery Option’: Gig Workers Launch Nationwide Strike On New Year’s EvePM Modi Says 2025 Marked by India’s Commitment to ReformsHasina Extradition Demand May Redefine India Bangladesh Ties Journalist Flags Tarique Rahman’s Plans123Photostories8 traditional Bengali snacks that are best enjoyed during winterCustard apple: 5 benefits of this creamy seasonal fruit5 common foods that are unhealthy and their alternative usesMalala Yousafzai once said, “If we want to achieve our goal, then let us…”: 5 lessons it teaches studentsHrithik Roshan’s girlfriend Saba Azad’s luxe choga suit is the traditional trend to watch this seasonPune’s Next Game-Changer: University Road Flyover Rises To Untangle One Of The City’s Worst Traffic Knots10 weird new year rituals you won’t believe existHow to make street-style Egg Chowmein for New Year eve partyChennai’s Underground Push: TBM Melagiri Punches Through Beneath Perambur’s Railway MazeThe science of longevity: Building a longer and healthier life one habit at a time123Hot PicksSaudi Strike YemenPAN-Aadhaar link statusBank holiday New YearGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJustin Thomas Net WorthLebron JamesCardi BAlex Rodriguez and Jaclyn Cordeiro Net WorthStefon DiggsCaitlin ClarkMatthew Stafford vs Drake MVPWest Bengal SIR DeathJake Paul and Jutta Leerdam Net WorthWorld Fourth Largest Economy

A new narrative suggests China will lead, with the US and India vying for second. Analyst Keji Mao argues US “strategic altruism” towards India has ended due to American decline anxiety. However, the article counters that US decline is exaggerated, China’s economic rise faces headwinds, and India is forging an independent path, leading to a complex, contested global order. TL;DR: Driving the newsA new narrative about upcoming geopolitical upheaval is taking shape in a section of strategic analysts. As per this: China is destined for the top spot, while the United States and India slide into a “battle for second place.”The argument is gaining traction among Chinese strategists and analysts, including Keji Mao, who says Washington’s long bet on India has soured and US decline anxiety is reshaping alliances.Why it matters: No more US “Strategic altruism” for IndiaThe core claim of Mao, an analyst at China’s International Cooperation Center and founder of the South Asia Research Brief, starts with history. Since the late 1990s, he argues, Washington practiced what many Chinese scholars label “strategic altruism” toward India-absorbing real diplomatic costs to integrate New Delhi into the global order. The most visible example was the civil nuclear deal that carved out an exception to global nonproliferation norms. The logic: A rising democratic India would eventually help balance China in Asia.That logic, Mao says, has broken down. During Donald Trump’s second term, the US imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods, raised visa fees, tightened outsourcing rules, and adopted rhetoric towards New Delhi that often sounded dismissive. Many Western observers, Mao notes, wave this away as a “Trump anomaly.” He rejects that view.For Mao, the driver is structural. “The root driver is US anxiety over its declining strength, which now outweighs concern about external geopolitical threats.” In this frame, Washington is cautious with hard retaliators like China and Russia, but tougher on allies. His most vivid line captures the shift: Allies become “blood bags”, with the US preferring to squeeze partners for immediate gains over paying uncertain costs for long-run strategic contests.”India, Mao argues, is especially exposed. It “has enjoyed US indulgence but lacks the industrial/economic heft of Japan, Europe or Korea to make major concessions-and is less willing to bend-so it is cast as ‘conspicuously ungrateful’.” Over time, he suggests, this friction could reduce tensions between Beijing and both Washington and New Delhi, paving the way for a realignment favorable to China.The big pictureMao’s logic is coherent-and comforting for Beijing. It fits a long-running Chinese conviction that American decline is destined and China’s rise is inevitable and durable. But it rests on assumptions that are far more fragile than they appear.However, the nature of power in the twenty-first century is not one-dimensional. It is a mosaic of capabilities-technological, financial, military, demographic, institutional-spread across domains and regions. In some, China will lead. In others, the US remains preeminent. India is carving out a distinct pole that neither mirrors China nor fully aligns with Washington.Framing the future as a simple race for first and second place flatters hierarchy but obscures how influence actually accumulates-and how constraints bite.Zoom in: American decline, exaggeratedThe first weak link in Mao’s thesis is its linear view of US decline. History suggests a more cyclical pattern.From the Sputnik shock of the 1950s to Vietnam, from Japan’s rise in the 1980s to the 2008 financial crisis, predictions of American eclipse have been routine. Each time, internal dysfunction and polarization produced dire forecasts. Each time, scale, innovation, institutions, and alliances enabled adaptation.Trump can be read less as proof of terminal decline than as a backlash phase-an ugly but familiar spasm in democratic systems under stress. Democracies and market economies are messy, but they self-correct in ways centralized systems struggle to replicate.Nor does current evidence show a US retreat from Asia. Even amid trade disputes, Washington has deepened security cooperation with Japan, Australia, and the Philippines; reinforced ties with South Korea; expanded technology controls aimed squarely at China; and maintained a robust Indo-Pacific military posture. These are not the actions of a power resigning itself to second place.China’s numbersMao’s confidence also leans heavily on assumptions about China’s economic trajectory. Recent data complicate that story. As Bloomberg has reported, China’s economy looked resilient on the surface in 2025. Exports surged, growth hovered near the official target, and Beijing avoided a “bazooka” stimulus. Manufacturers moved up the value chain, and the trade surplus widened.Beneath the headlines, however, momentum has softened. Investment is heading for its first annual contraction since 1998. Retail sales growth has slowed to its weakest pace outside the pandemic. New home prices continue to fall, extending a property crisis with no clear end. To stabilize growth, Beijing has pledged broader fiscal support in 2026-targeting advanced manufacturing, technology innovation, and human capital.None of this signals collapse. But it does question the notion of effortless, linear ascent-and highlights the difficulty of rebalancing an economy while demographics worsen and political control tightens.Between the lines: Political turbulence in BeijingEconomic stress is compounded by political anxiety. Bloomberg reports that Xi Jinping probed a record number of senior officials for corruption in 2025, following earlier purges of top generals. With jockeying intensifying ahead of the next Communist Party congress, questions are emerging about governance quality and elite cohesion.As Alfred Wu of the National University of Singapore told Bloomberg, “For China, there is much more turbulence domestically.” Anti-corruption drives consolidate control, but they also raise uncomfortable questions about military readiness and decision-making in a system increasingly centered on a single leader.These internal stresses matter because they constrain how aggressively China can translate ambition into action abroad.Geography still mattersGDP is not destiny. Geography and geopolitics remain powerful constraints-and here, China faces enduring disadvantages.China shares land borders with 14 countries and maritime boundaries with several more. It has unresolved disputes or strained relations with many of them, from India and Japan to the Philippines and Vietnam. That creates a neighborhood defined less by deference than by hedging and quiet balancing.Former Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan captured this reality in Foreign Policy: “No country will ever shun China. Every country wants as good a relationship with China as possible. But China’s overall geopolitical situation is not favorable.” He asks which states would “meekly acquiesce to China occupying the apex of a regional hierarchy.”For Japan, the Koreas, and Vietnam, national identities have long been defined in opposition to China’s civilizational pull. Subordination would require a wrenching redefinition of identity-making almost any alternative more attractive.This limits Beijing’s ability to convert economic weight into political dominance, a lesson the Soviet Union learned at great cost. Why India won’t stay in China’s shadowMao is right that India is not China in manufacturing-yet. But the leap from that observation to a future of permanent second place misses the dynamics of India’s rise.India’s strengths lie in demographics, services, digital public infrastructure, and strategic geography. Unlike China, India does not face the same pace of demographic aging. Its market size and political pluralism make it attractive to firms and governments seeking diversification away from China.India’s geography matters too. Sitting astride key Indian Ocean sea lanes and bordering China, it cannot be sidelined by Washington or easily coerced by Beijing. This gives New Delhi leverage-even when relations with the US are tense.US–India frictions under Trump are real. But friction is not rupture. Structural interests-balancing China, securing supply chains, cooperating on defense and technology-continue to pull the relationship back together. India’s rise does not depend solely on American indulgence; it rests on domestic reform, market scale, and a global environment eager for alternatives to China. What nextFor Beijing, the danger lies in mistaking temporary US–India strains for a permanent realignment. Overconfidence risks miscalculation-especially at a moment when domestic headwinds are rising and neighbors are wary.Then as the Economist wrote, “hubris haunts the Communist Party and in 2026 Mr Xi will be tempted to assert China’s interests more aggressively. That creates a risk of dangerous overreach in three areas: trade, Taiwan and new Chinese-run global rules.” If Xi decides to invade Taiwan, whether in 2026 or 2027, China may get entangled in a protracted and unwinnable war. According to some calculations, even a blockade of Taiwan would lead to 7-9% decline in Chinese GDP. This may severely impact China’s superpower aspirations.For Washington and New Delhi, the path ahead will be uneven. Trade disputes, immigration politics, and industrial competition will generate friction. But shared strategic interests and mutual leverage argue against a clean break.The more likely future is prolonged, contested coexistence: China rising but constrained; the US adapting rather than fading; India carving out a larger, more independent role.Bottom lineAmerican decline is not destiny. India’s limitations are not permanent. And China’s rise-while real-is neither frictionless nor uncontested. The world they inhabit is too complex, too crowded, and too dynamic for any single power to conduct the orchestra alone.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTop Moments Of 2025 When Indian Diplomats Took On Pakistan, Tore Apart Lies & Hypocrisy At UNThrowback 2025: Five Big Moments When India Defied Pressure And Delivered Diplomatic MasterstrokesAyodhya Faced Conspiracies But Sanatan Prevailed, UP CM Yogi Adityanath Says At Ram Temple EventIndia’s Backyard In Flux: Nepal’s Gen Z Revolt To Pakistan’s Court Chaos Shakes South Asia In 2025Army Trains Village Defence Guards In J&K In Automatic Rifles, Self-Defence | WatchLeT Deputy Saifullah Kasuri Admits India Hit Terror Camps, Threatens Kashmir After Op Sindoor StrikeTwist in Osman Hadi Murder Case: Prime Accused Blames Jamaat From Dubai, Clears India’s Role‘Remove 10-Minute Delivery Option’: Gig Workers Launch Nationwide Strike On New Year’s EvePM Modi Says 2025 Marked by India’s Commitment to ReformsHasina Extradition Demand May Redefine India Bangladesh Ties Journalist Flags Tarique Rahman’s Plans123Photostories8 traditional Bengali snacks that are best enjoyed during winterCustard apple: 5 benefits of this creamy seasonal fruit5 common foods that are unhealthy and their alternative usesMalala Yousafzai once said, “If we want to achieve our goal, then let us…”: 5 lessons it teaches studentsHrithik Roshan’s girlfriend Saba Azad’s luxe choga suit is the traditional trend to watch this seasonPune’s Next Game-Changer: University Road Flyover Rises To Untangle One Of The City’s Worst Traffic Knots10 weird new year rituals you won’t believe existHow to make street-style Egg Chowmein for New Year eve partyChennai’s Underground Push: TBM Melagiri Punches Through Beneath Perambur’s Railway MazeThe science of longevity: Building a longer and healthier life one habit at a time123Hot PicksSaudi Strike YemenPAN-Aadhaar link statusBank holiday New YearGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJustin Thomas Net WorthLebron JamesCardi BAlex Rodriguez and Jaclyn Cordeiro Net WorthStefon DiggsCaitlin ClarkMatthew Stafford vs Drake MVPWest Bengal SIR DeathJake Paul and Jutta Leerdam Net WorthWorld Fourth Largest Economy

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