Editorial 1: Talking mode

Context

India must be firm in negotiations with the U.S. on trade and tariffs

Introduction

U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance’s visit to India, though shadowed by terror attacks in Pahalgam, underscored growing strategic engagement between the two nations. Marking the first such visit in 12 years, Vance combined diplomacy with a personal tour, reviewed key bilateral issues, and conveyed the Trump administration’s positions on trade, defence, and energy, drawing both attention and appreciation in New Delhi.

Highlights of U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance’s Visit to India

• First U.S. Vice-President to visit India in 12 years (last visit by Joe Biden in 2013).
• Visit coincided with terror attacks in Pahalgam.
• Despite the unrest, Vance continued his family vacation, visiting Taj Mahal, Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra.
• Accompanied by his wife Usha Chilukuri Vance (of Indian origin) and their three children.

Diplomatic Engagements

• Held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Review of decisions from Modi’s U.S. trip in February.
• Finalisation of Terms of Reference for the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
• Discussion on:
  • Upcoming visit of President Donald Trump for the Quad Summit.
  • Indo-Pacific strategic coordination.

Public Statements in Jaipur

Topic	Key Message from Vance
Trade Policy	Trump seeks to “rebalance global trade”, not start a trade war.
BTA Goals	Described as a “final deal” for fairness.
Non-Tariff Barriers	Urged India to drop restrictions on U.S. agriculture and dairy.
Defence Cooperation	Reiterated India as a trusted co-production partner; offered F-35 jets.
Energy Policy	Promoted U.S. fossil fuel exports; highlighted “drill, baby, drill” strategy.
Nuclear Cooperation	Called for amendment in India’s nuclear liability law.

Unaddressed Indian Concerns (Unclear if Raised)

• U.S. tariffs and their global impact.
• Crackdown on immigration.
• Revocation of visas—notably, Indian students affected.

Strategic Takeaways

• Vance’s visit emphasized alignment with the Trump administration’s key policies.
• India remains in “listening mode”, cautiously observing:
  • Russia-Ukraine conflict
  • Israel-Gaza war
  • Global trade disruptions

Conclusion

In conclusion, Vice-President Vance’s visit served as a platform to reaffirm U.S.-India ties, even amid regional unrest. His articulation of trade, defence cooperation, and energy partnerships reflected the Trump administration’s strategic focus. As New Delhi evaluates its stance, the visit highlighted the need for reciprocity, especially on contentious issues like tariffs, immigration, and nuclear cooperation.

Editorial 2: Trans sceptic arguments are incoherent

Context

Someday, people might think that believing there are only two biological sexes is just as silly as thinking the Earth is flat.

Introduction

The Supreme Court in the U.K. has decided that under the Equality Act, 2010, trans women won’t be legally treated as women. This decision takes away many legal rights and protections that trans women could have had. It also weakensthe Gender Recognition Act, 2004.
Earlier, in January, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order saying his government only recognizes two sexes — male and female. He claimed this decision brings back “common sense.”

Recent Social Media Reaction & Political Support

• A leading member of the U.K.’s oldest South Asian and Black feminist group welcomed the Supreme Court ruling:
  • Said it upheld “common sense“
  • Claimed it protected same-sex spaces for biologically female women
  • Also claimed it protected trans women’s rights
• The Labour Party also supported the verdict, saying it “clarifies” the issue.
• Contradiction: Why are opponents of far-right politics celebrating a ruling praised by the global far-right?
  • Possibly because the trans exclusion campaign has been framed as feminist.

Role of J.K. Rowling & Far-Right Narrative

Key Player	Claims/Actions
J.K. Rowling	Funded and promoted the campaign; claims verdict will keep women and girls “safe”
Far-Right Agenda	Uses fear-mongering (e.g., Muslim men, immigrants, trans women) as a tool
Global Themes	Themes include “safety of women,” immigration fear, and racial purity

Trans women are accused, like immigrants or minorities, of posing a hidden danger — a classic far-right scare tactic.

Dangerous Ideology & Global Influence

• Alexander Dugin, far-right ideologue:
  • Describes LGBTQIA+ rights as signs of kaliyuga (a time of disorder)
  • Blames caste/race/gender mixing for societal decline
• Trans exclusion is seen as:
  • The last “socially acceptable” bigotry
  • A gateway for other prejudices to re-enter public norms

Power & Perceived Victimhood

Individuals	Power & Influence	Claimed Victimhood
J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk	Shape “common sense”, influence policy & opinion	Say they’re victims of trans activism online
Trump & Putin	Publicly approve of such anti-trans narratives	Support global far-right ideologies

Far-right thinking inverts reality: Minorities are portrayed as threats to majorities.

Myths vs. Reality in Far-Right Claims

Far-Right Claim	Actual Evidence
“Great Replacement” (Whites replaced by non-whites)	No evidence
Women being “replaced” by trans women in sports	No solid evidence

Flaws in ‘Common Sense’ Arguments

• Ms. Rowling fears girls in patriarchal societies will choose to become male.
  • Then why would so many choose to be trans women, who face more discrimination?
  • This shows incoherence in trans-sceptic logic.
• Trans women are targeted most heavily by exclusion campaigns.

“Separate But Equal” – A Dangerous Precedent

• Some feminists say ruling provides equal but separate spaces:
  • Bathrooms, shelters, sports for cis and trans women
• This echoes the “separate but equal” logic used to justify racial segregation in the U.S.
• Segregating trans women:
  • Makes public spaces hostile to all women
  • llows misogynists to police women’s appearances
• Discriminatory Gender Policing
  • Example: Imane Khelif, assigned female at birth, was called a man by Rowling
  • Raises concern:
    • Will women have to carry certificates proving their gender from birth?
    • Will non-conforming women face constant suspicion and gender testing?

Scientific evidence

• Many who deny science on vaccines or climate change ironically use it to invalidate trans identities by claiming only binary sex is “real.”
• Sexual diversity is as biologically valid as neurodiversity, supported by growing scientific evidence on variations in hormones, chromosomes, and brain structures.
• Biology is not limited to anatomy; identity can’t be reduced to just physical traits.
• Criticism of the singular “they” as ungrammatical is misleading — it has been in use since Chaucer’s time and is widely accepted today.
• Phrases like “Someone left their book” are common examples of singular “they” in everyday use.
• Language evolves: gender-neutral terms once ridiculed (like “chairperson”) are now the norm.

Conclusion

Science, law, and language cannot erase the existence of trans people, just as they could not erase gay people. One day, the belief that there are only two sexes will seem as outdated and absurd as the idea that the Earth is flat. It will also be seen as just as biased and unfair as the old belief that women were unfit to study, vote, or play sports simply because of their biology.