In India, two senior figures at the helm of one of the country’s most politically sensitive religious institutions resigned amid a growing corruption scandal. Champat Rai and Anil Mishra stepped down from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra (SRJTK) Trust after allegations surfaced regarding mishandling of donations to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The temple, inaugurated with enormous fanfare in January 2024, has been a centrepiece of the ruling BJP’s cultural agenda. Corruption allegations tied to it carry significant political weight.
Meanwhile, The Hindu published a sharp analysis warning that “behind the government’s carefully crafted narrative, India’s economic vulnerabilities continue to deepen.” The piece highlights cracks beneath the official growth story, pointing to structural weaknesses that the government’s messaging has worked hard to paper over.
On the diplomatic front, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signalled that President Trump is likely to visit India in 2027. “I look forward to returning myself before the end of the year and setting up a Presidential visit in the early parts of next year,” Rubio said — a clear indication that Washington sees New Delhi as a priority partner, even as its own foreign policy is consumed by the Middle East crisis.
