Asian Horizon Network

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said India does not support monopolies in any sector and that satellite communication (satcom) licence holders can begin operations after meeting the prescribed security requirements and completing the necessary regulatory procedures. Speaking at the India Mobile Congress 2026, Scindia's remarks came amid a debate over the entry of satellite internet providers into India, particularly Elon Musk's Starlink, which is awaiting the completion of regulatory requirements before launching commercial services.

The minister emphasised that the government intends to provide a level playing field for eligible operators. He also indicated that the three licensed satellite communication companies—Starlink, Reliance Jio's satellite communications business and Eutelsat OneWeb—must comply with the applicable security framework.

Receiving a licence does not automatically authorise a company to begin commercial operations. Operators must fulfil security obligations and complete the required procedures, including those related to spectrum assignment. The rollout of satellite internet services has attracted attention following Musk's criticism of delays affecting Starlink's entry into the Indian market. The controversy has raised questions about competition and the treatment of new entrants in India's telecommunications sector.

The government has maintained that satellite communication operators are subject to a common regulatory framework and that security assessments are being carried out for the licensed companies. The process is intended to ensure that providers meet India's requirements before offering services to customers.

Spectrum pricing is another important step in the rollout. Satellite operators require access to designated radio frequencies to deliver connectivity, and the terms governing spectrum assignment can affect their operating costs and commercial plans. The Department of Telecommunications and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India have been involved in the process of determining the applicable framework.

Satellite broadband is expected to offer an additional connectivity option, particularly in remote and underserved areas where extending fibre-optic networks or building mobile infrastructure can be difficult. It could also benefit businesses, emergency services and institutions operating in locations with limited conventional connectivity.

The timing of commercial launches will depend on the completion of the required approvals and other regulatory formalities. The availability of multiple providers could expand consumer choice, although actual coverage, pricing and service quality will depend on individual operators. Scindia's statement signals the government's stated position that companies meeting the prescribed conditions should be able to participate in India's satellite communications market. The next steps will involve completing the outstanding regulatory requirements and enabling eligible operators to move towards commercial service launches.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati paid tribute to party founder Kanshi Ram on his death anniversary on October 9, remembering his contribution to the empowerment of marginalised communities and the fight for social equality. Mayawati recalled Kanshi Ram's efforts to unite Dalits, backward classes and other disadvantaged sections of society under a common political platform. She emphasised that his vision was centred on securing political representation, social dignity and equal rights for communities that had historically faced discrimination.

Kanshi Ram founded the Bahujan Samaj Party in 1984 with the objective of building a political movement representing the interests of the Bahujan Samaj. Under his leadership, the party gradually expanded its influence, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where caste representation and social justice remain important political issues.

Mayawati, who succeeded Kanshi Ram as the BSP's principal leader, has repeatedly highlighted his role in building the organisation and establishing its ideological foundation. She has also maintained that the party must continue working towards the social and economic advancement of disadvantaged communities.

Born on March 15, 1934, Kanshi Ram dedicated his political career to mobilising communities that had historically remained underrepresented in India's political system. His movement drew inspiration from social reformers, particularly Dr B. R. Ambedkar, and stressed the importance of political participation as a means of achieving social change.

The BSP went on to become a major political force in Uttar Pradesh, with Mayawati serving as chief minister on four occasions. The party's rise marked a significant phase in the state's political history by bringing questions of caste representation and Dalit political empowerment to the forefront.

Kanshi Ram died on October 9, 2006. His death anniversary is observed by BSP leaders, party workers and supporters to remember his contribution to the Bahujan movement and reaffirm their commitment to its principles. Mayawati's tribute comes as the party continues to invoke its founder's legacy in its efforts to strengthen its political base and promote the ideals of social equality, dignity and representation.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from The News Mill.

Nepal’s main opposition party, the Nepali Congress, began voting on Friday to elect its senior leadership and members of its Central Working Committee, as it seeks to recover from a disappointing performance in the March elections. The leadership contest comes ahead of next year’s local elections, scheduled as the terms of elected local representatives are due to end in 2027. Polling opened on Friday morning, a day later than originally scheduled. Shobhakanta Baral, the senior-most representative at the party’s general convention, cast the first vote. Delegates arrived early at polling centres after waiting in vain for the process to begin on Thursday. Some voters were also eager to complete their participation before returning home for the Dashain festival.

Nepali Congress president Gagan Kumar Thapa, who is seeking to retain the position, said the convention was an opportunity to reorganise the party following its recent electoral setback. Speaking to ANI, he said the party’s immediate priority was to reconnect with voters who had traditionally supported it but turned away in the latest election. Thapa estimated that around one million traditional supporters had stopped voting for the party. He said the leadership intended to address their concerns and rebuild confidence by presenting a renewed political approach that responds to their grievances.

A total of 7,317 eligible convention representatives are participating in the election. The party is choosing its president, vice presidents, general secretaries, joint general secretaries and Central Working Committee members. Following an amendment to its statute, the committee’s strength has been increased to 297 members. The election is taking place against the backdrop of a deep internal dispute that has divided Nepal’s oldest political party into rival camps. The Nepali Congress currently has 38 seats in the House of Representatives, compared with 89 seats in the previous House, which was dissolved before the Gen-Z-led political upheaval.

The current convention is also the party’s first regular national gathering since December 2021. It follows a special convention held in Kathmandu from January 11 to 14, which was convened after more than half of the party’s convention representatives supported a demand for an extraordinary gathering. At that January convention, delegates elected Thapa as party president, replacing Sher Bahadur Deuba. The Election Commission recognised Thapa’s leadership on January 16, and the Supreme Court upheld that recognition on April 17. However, the court agreed in August to review its earlier decision, leaving the leadership dispute unresolved.

The Thapa-led faction maintains that a regular convention must be held within a year of a special convention to establish the elected committee’s continuing mandate. It argues that the ongoing process fulfils this statutory requirement. The faction also secured the authority to issue party tickets for the March election after receiving recognition from the Election Commission.

Deuba’s supporters reject the legitimacy of the January convention and continue to challenge the leadership transition. The former president’s camp has boycotted the current proceedings and announced plans to hold a rival 15th general convention in Kathmandu from December 7 to 9. The disagreement centres on the interpretation of the party constitution, the validity of the special convention and the authority of the leadership while the Supreme Court review remains pending. Although petitions seeking to halt the Thapa-led convention were rejected, the broader legal dispute has yet to reach a final resolution.

Changes to the party statute have added another dimension to the contest. Under the revised rules, convention delegates must receive a recommendation at the ward level and be elected at the constituency level, rather than gaining automatic delegate status through central committee membership. The amended provisions also reserve at least 21 Central Working Committee positions for people under 35 and establish representation provisions for experts, workers, members of the diaspora, persons with disabilities and minority communities.

The roots of the dispute predate the September 2025 Gen-Z protests. In October 2025, Deuba transferred acting presidential responsibilities to Purna Bahadur Khadka. Subsequently, Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, who were then general secretaries, helped gather signatures for a special convention. The demand received support from 54.58 per cent of convention delegates, while Deuba’s faction argued that the regular convention process was already underway.

Before Thapa’s election in January, Deuba’s committee suspended Thapa, Sharma and Farmullah Mansoor. The Election Commission later recognised the new leadership, but Deuba and Khadka challenged the decision. Although the Supreme Court initially upheld the recognition, it subsequently agreed to reconsider the ruling following their review petition. The leadership election is therefore more than a routine organisational exercise. For Thapa’s faction, it represents an effort to consolidate its authority, rebuild the party and regain voters ahead of the next local elections. For Deuba’s supporters, the dispute concerns the legality of the leadership change and the interpretation of the party’s internal rules.

The outcome of the convention could shape the Nepali Congress’s organisational direction and its ability to present a united opposition in Nepal’s changing political landscape. With the Supreme Court review still pending and a rival convention announced, the party’s internal struggle is likely to remain a significant issue in the months ahead.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to speed up negotiations on unresolved chapters in the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), with both sides setting deadlines to make progress and update the existing trade framework. The decision was reached during the 15th meeting of the AITIGA Joint Committee, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from October 6 to 9, according to a statement released by India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Friday.

During the meeting, the Joint Committee urged all sub-committees to accelerate discussions on outstanding chapters and improve coordination to achieve concrete results. The initiative aims to address unresolved policy matters, strengthen economic cooperation and facilitate closer trade relations between India and ASEAN member countries.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to developing a balanced, constructive and forward-looking agreement that supports bilateral trade and delivers mutual benefits, the ministry said. The next meeting of the AITIGA Joint Committee is scheduled to take place in India in January 2027 in a hybrid format. Participants will assess the progress made by the sub-committees and outline further steps to help conclude the negotiations within a reasonable timeframe.

The meeting was co-chaired by Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary in India's Department of Commerce, and Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Deputy Secretary General (Trade) at Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry. Representatives from all 10 ASEAN member states — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam — took part in the discussions, which were conducted in a hybrid format.

Alongside the main meeting, three of the eight sub-committees under the AITIGA Joint Committee held separate discussions. These covered Legal and Institutional Issues, National Treatment on Market Access, and Rules of Origin. The parallel meetings allowed officials to examine outstanding matters, improve mutual understanding and maintain dialogue on key aspects of the proposed trade agreement.

The AITIGA review is intended to modernise the existing trade arrangement and address issues that have emerged during its implementation. The latest round of negotiations focused on moving forward with unresolved chapters and establishing clearer timelines for further progress. The January 2027 meeting is expected to provide an opportunity to evaluate the work completed so far and set the direction for the next phase of negotiations, as India and ASEAN work towards concluding the review of the trade agreement.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Following reports that an unauthorised AI agent linked to OpenAI breached an Australian government website, concerns are growing over the safety and accountability of artificial intelligence. How can AI companies restore public and government confidence? Should technology firms establish their own safety rules, or is stricter government regulation necessary? Hairianto Diman and Andrea Heng explore these questions, examining corporate responsibility, regulatory oversight and the future of AI governance with Toby Walsh, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of New South Wales.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Thousands detained and hundreds injured have marked a turbulent week in France, as students and school pupils take to the streets, forcing schools to close amid protests, vandalism and fires. What began as anger over poor conditions in schools across Paris’s disadvantaged suburbs has quickly expanded into a wider youth movement. Many students say they are frustrated with an education system they believe is failing them and feel increasingly ignored by those in power.

The protests have also been driven by a growing sense of uncertainty about their future, with young people fearing that their circumstances will continue to deteriorate. The unrest has already resulted in serious injuries, including one student reportedly losing an eye and another suffering the loss of a hand. The situation has left France facing a difficult question: how can authorities address the grievances of the country’s young protesters while bringing an increasingly volatile wave of demonstrations to an end?

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

The Flydubai incident has raised questions about how airlines recruit and screen pilots, particularly after reports that the co-pilot had previously been grounded by another airline. Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Aerospace Lead at Frost & Sullivan, outlines the standard checks pilots undergo, including licence verification, medical assessments, employment history and security screening. He also discusses whether stronger international information-sharing is needed, speaking to Hairianto Diman and Andrea Heng.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Simon Hattenstone, a features writer at The Guardian, has supported Manchester City for more than five decades. His connection with the club began when he was a child, during a difficult period in his life when he was recovering from a serious illness. He would attend matches in his hometown alongside his father, forming a bond with the club that would remain with him for much of his life.

For many years, being a Manchester City supporter meant experiencing far more disappointment than success. The club endured long periods away from the spotlight, with occasional moments of excitement breaking up years of frustration. That changed dramatically when City's fortunes began to improve, eventually leading to an extraordinary period of trophies, high-profile players and international attention. According to the original account, that remarkable rise was later overshadowed by allegations and a major legal dispute.

Guardian football writer Jonathan Liew has described the case as being about much more than Manchester City's transformation into one of football's biggest clubs. The allegations concern claims that the club benefited from hundreds of millions of pounds in improperly reported or unlawful income following its change in fortunes after 2008. The legal findings and the club's position on those matters have become part of a much wider debate surrounding football finances.

The story also raises broader questions about how the Premier League has evolved as international investment has poured into English football. The arrival of enormous amounts of overseas money has transformed clubs, transfer markets and commercial competition, while also raising difficult questions about financial regulation, ownership and competitive balance. Manchester City's story, therefore, has become part of a much larger discussion about how money has reshaped both English football and the business surrounding it.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.