The Nuclear war continues between the Congress and the Left and this should surprise no one in particular as elections are around the corner and anything done today has little relevance in the immediate future as numbers determine Coalition patterns rather than ideology and politics is about making suitable compromises at the right time based on winning numbers. The Nuclear deal is neither an election issue nor can it linked in totality to energy security but looking forward it signals a new level of commercial relations between the USA and India in highly strategic areas with a high degree of technical competence available in India.

The Cold war arguments are no longer relevant and we cannot be prisoners of the past as we live in the present and have to plan for the future. The deal will go through as it suits both countries and we should not be too worried about dissent by interested quarters in the USA. The lobby system with highly connected legal firms and lobbyists is an essential part of negotiations in the USA and there are vested interests who will oppose the nuclear agreement. The Nuclear deal is never easy to explain as it has many dimensions and both the Congress and the opposition will have a great deal to say on the subject but that will not motivate voters to a great extent. The election issues can be quite different and price rise and inflation coupled with anti incumbency will be major factors and looking at the comfortable food situation within the country and a good monsoon and there are reasonable chances that prices of essential commodities may show a decline as we near election time.

This and many other issues will confront both the developed and the developing world and change is in the air both in thought and action as we face the future. The J&K Government is gone as the CM loses majority and resigns. The valley will see the NC and the PDP fight for control and the former has an edge whilst in Jammu the BJP will be a comfortable winner in both the seats. Expensive political accident as a good decision becomes controversial due to poor communication and whilst the cancellation may suit political parties in the Valley the reaction in the rest of the country will be negative. The security situation in the Valley needs very careful attention as the militants and there masters look for every opportunity to create complications.

The economic crisis continues and despite the optimistic statements by all Governments, no country is free from the financial crisis and the escalating oil crisis. Inflation fuelled by rising oil prices makes the situation difficult and clearly this is the time for positive leadership skills and in a changing economic landscape every country has to evolve its own solution to the challenges of the future. Leadership skills both at the political and business levels will be fully tested as every crisis has a solution and we wish everyone well as they handle the situation. Every crisis brings an opportunity and with a huge base of management talent this will be a good testing time for future leaders with a positive attitude.