Today’s Links 8/29/2013

Shefali Anand, “Will Raghuram Rajan Do a Volcker?” (Wall Street Journal): More speculation on what India’s new central banker can do to save is currency and economy. Volker acted aggressively to rein in inflation in the 1980s. Such a step is attractive for India, though some have cautioned that rates should be kept low to attract foreign investment.

Rohit, “Vox Populi” (Indian National Interest): A dissection of why the BJP couldn’t marshal enough of its supporters to squelch the Food Security Bill. Though some criticized the concept of making access to subsidized food a “right” the fact of Indian politics, as Rohit argues, means that populism is still a strong ideological attraction for both partners. Key quote: “ Populism is inevitable in a democracy and in a poor country like India, it will remain the dominant political tool in the foreseeable future. And that would remain true irrespective of whether the opposition chooses to commit political suicide at the altar of fiscal rectitude while the Congress laughs all the way to power.”

Praveen Swami, “Yasin Bhatkal’s arrest isn’t the end of the Indian Mujahideen” (FirstPost): Initial reaction to the arrest of IM leader Yasin Bhatkal. Lots of focus on the less-well-covered attacks throughout India which have been overshadowed by Mumbai. Swami points to al-Qaeda’s increasing attention to India, warning that this will only be the first arrest of many.

Jason Burke, “Pakistan overturns Bin Laden doctor’s jail sentence” (Guardian): Reportage on the ordered retrial for Dr. Shakil Afridi, whose hepatitis-B vaccine campaign was part of the CIA’s efforts to uncover Bin Laden’s whereabouts. After Operation NEPTUNE SPEAR, Afridi was arrested and convicted of treason. The article presents in the retrial in the context of an improved U.S.-Pakistani relationship, as the freeing of Dr. Afridi is of concern to the U.S. government.