Smelling cash in the space race
But hereafter, space could smell a little different. From the beginning of the space race, it has smelled of Cold War rivalry, military-industrial complexes and technology-based diplomacy. These metallic notes will remain; but from here on, space will also smell overwhelmingly of commerce, of paper money. Gold is economically and chemically stable. It has no smell, unlike space.
The countdown of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space station has been aborted twice but soon, astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary could be back in space after 40 years and more. In anticipation, their national media have already declared it to be a turning point for their domestic space programmes. But the composition of the Axiom-4 mission also indicates that the whole world has passed a turning point.
The crew led by American Peggy Whitson will be taken to orbit on Elon Musk's commercial Dragon launch vehicle, and the project is a collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency, ISRO and the Houston firm Axiom Space, whose most ambitious project is the first commercial space station. The purpose of the collaboration is to facilitate a range of commercial activities in space, from scientific research to space tourism. Space is about to be opened up commercially, just like the world was opened like an oyster by the European Age of Exploration.
About 40 years ago, when India, Poland and Hungary last sent their citizens into space, it was a domain where national governments showed off their technological prowess to compete for geopolitical gains. These three countries made a place for themselves in space under the aegis of Interkosmos, a Russian state programme launched in 1967 to help satellite nations of the USSR and other socialist nations like Afghanistan and Cuba reach space. Non-aligned nations Syria and India were also under its umbrella.
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Hindustan Times
10 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
US policy on India is confusing; Trump an aberrational president: Ex-NSA John Bolton
Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton criticised Washington's 'confused' policy on India, questioning the 25% penalty on India for purchasing Russian energy while China faces no sanctions. In an interview with HT, Bolton acknowledged that the India-US relationship is for the time being in 'a very bad place' and believes Trump is an 'aberrational president' as he stressed on the need for efforts to limit damage to bilateral ties for the US President's remaining term. Former US national security adviser John Bolton speaks at a panel hosted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran – US Representative Office (NCRI-US) at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, DC, on August 17, 2022. (Getty Images) Q. Former ambassador Bolton, just a couple of months ago, India was a close strategic ally of the United States. Now things seem to have changed entirely—a 180-degree turn. As President Trump's former National Security Advisor, can you channel some of his thinking on India? A. Well, I think it's unfortunately very confused. The first level of concern is the tariffs that emerged out of the so-called Liberation Day tariffs in April, where Indian negotiators were working to try and get a mutually satisfactory arrangement, and Trump kind of pulled the plug without warning and said the tariffs would be at 25%. The second matter is the 25% addition to that tariff because of purchases of Russian oil and gas. It turns out that Russia has not faced any new sanctions. China has not faced any new sanctions, notwithstanding the fact that they were the major purchasers of Russian oil and gas. India has been singled out. I wish India didn't buy oil and gas from Russia, because I think it's in the interest of India as well as the United States to recognise the threat posed by China, the growing axis between China and Russia, and the threat that poses globally. 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But the sanctions as written do not preclude anyone, including India, from buying Russian oil at the capped price, or below $60/barrel, and then selling it elsewhere. If that's the complaint, the complaint lies with the sanctions, not so much with India's behaviour. What India did isn't prohibited. Q. There are many in India questioning whether trust in the US has been strained beyond repair after the last few months. What would you say to them? A. Unfortunately, what Trump has done on tariffs is destroying decades of effort with India and many others to build up good faith and reliance, and it will take time to repair that. But here's what's important: Trump is aberrational. I don't know any other Republican or Democrat who ran for president who if elected would behave anything like this. Trump doesn't have a philosophy, so there's no legacy for his successors. 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Are you optimistic that India and the US could return to normalcy? A. I think a couple things will need to happen. We need continued conversations between non-governmental Indians and Americans, so people see that what's happening at the top isn't reflective of what the whole country thinks. Modi should wait for the right moment, perhaps at the UN General Assembly in New York in September, to meet Trump one-on-one and clear the air. Before the tariff problem, Trump and Modi had a good personal relationship, which is central to Trump's view of state-to-state relations. That asset remains, and if deployed effectively, could be a step toward recovery.
The Hindu
10 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Bangladesh's accusations are misplaced, says Centre
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India.com
10 minutes ago
- India.com
Canada Wins The Race: Why Indian Students Are Turning Away From The US In 2025
New Delhi: India's students are recalibrating their global education plans. Rising costs, tougher visa rules and political uncertainties in the United States are prompting a growing number of families to look north. Long seen as a welcoming alternative, Canada is now emerging as the preferred destination for Indian students. The trend is reflected in official figures. By the end of 2024, Canada hosted 427,000 Indian students, compared with 337,630 in the United States, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. A 2025 survey by ApplyBoard shows that 94% of Indian study-abroad aspirants rank Canada as their top choice. Affordability, safety and immigration-friendly policies are cited as decisive factors. At institutions such as the University of British Columbia, international student enrolments have risen by 27%, reflecting the turbulence south of the border. Huron University in Ontario, for example, sees the shift as both opportunity and responsibility. A Roller Coaster In Student Mobility Dr. Barry Craig, president and vice-chancellor of Huron University, calls the past five years 'nothing short of turbulent'. 'We began with COVID, which created so many obstacles to student mobility, almost a complete halt. As we emerged, momentum returned, but then geopolitical turbulence and diplomatic tensions caused another downturn in Canada. Now, we are seeing a re-emergence of interest, and I believe it is directly linked to the situation in the United States,' he said. Huron's enrolments reflect this volatility. Indian student numbers fell drastically after a 2024 diplomatic row, going from 'dozens' in 2021 to just three last fall. Momentum is now returning. 'We are already receiving nearly three times as many enquiries and applications for this fall compared to the past two years. Our main recruitment season begins in September, and interest is at least doubling, if not tripling,' he said. Affordability Edge For many families, cost is the decisive factor. 'One of my daughters did her undergraduate degree in Canada, and the other in the United States. The tuition in Canada was about 25% of what we paid in the United States. For an international student, the cost at Huron is probably half of what it would be at a comparable American institution,' said Dr. Barry. Canadian universities prioritise academics while avoiding inflated administrative or extracurricular expenses. 'We do not cut corners on academics, but we do not waste money on things that are not core to education. That is how we keep prices affordable while maintaining world-class standards,' he explained. Work Pathways Beyond Graduation Canada's policies on employability offer a strong incentive. 'Canada is already attractive because we offer a three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit. At Huron, we go further. 100% of our students receive a paid internship while studying. As a result, 92% are employed within six months of graduation, and importantly, in the field of their choice,' he claimed. Students enter the workforce with practical experience and connections to leading firms, avoiding the uncertainty many face abroad. Safe, Welcoming Environment Safety and social climate also shape decisions. 'Growing up in Canada, I used to think it was boring – clean air, clean water, no wars and very little violence. Now I think, thank God it is so nice to be boring. Parents want to know: will my child be safe? Compared to many countries, Canada has very low crime and none of the gun violence of the United States,' Dr. Barry highlighted. Campus culture reflects this welcoming atmosphere. 'We believe in free speech and debate, but debate that is respectful. Canada is a very welcoming country for outsiders,' he said. Attracting Talent, Building Partnerships Canada is also drawing researchers. The University of Toronto recently recruited three top researchers from Ivy League institutions seeking freedom from political restrictions. Across Canada, university leaders are lobbying the government to capitalise on this opportunity. The Huron University is building stronger ties with India through its India Advisory Committee, which includes leaders from business, diplomacy, policy and education. Its members include Paul Abraham (Hinduja Foundation), Renu Basu (IHCL), Ajay Bisaria (former Indian High Commissioner to Canada) and Dr. Barry Craig. 'They will advise us on engaging with India and reassure Indian parents and students that Huron is serious about opening real doors in corporate, entrepreneurial and public service careers,' Dr. Barry said. He said Canada is open for Indian students. 'Canada is open for business again, and we are actively welcoming Indian students. Our campus community has been immeasurably enriched by their presence. It is good for India, it is good for Canada and it is fantastic for our universities,' Dr. Barry said.
