Nov 15: Bihar Election Results, India’s New High-Altitude Airbase

To all of you big on the “spice makes everything better” argument, you now have ardent supporters in China. Two fish farmers have been feeding 1000s of kgs of chillies every day to their fish, convinced it gives them richer flavour and shine. The fish, who have no taste buds and absolutely no vote in this arrangement, can simply drink more water to survive this assault as per the farmers. If the visionaries are to be believed, the fish have now developed a taste for chilli over grass. While we’d never given much thought to what fish eat while eating fish, eating chilli-fed chilli fish might just be too meta.

Now, let’s get into the Dispatch! 🚀

Today’s reading time is 6 mins.

The Nifty 50 extended its winning streak for a fifth straight session on Friday, with the Sensex also gaining. The surge was fuelled by investors cheering the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) decisive victory in the Bihar assembly elections.

A Stunning Political Swing: Just months after a bruising Lok Sabha performance, the NDA staged a dramatic comeback in the Bihar Assembly elections. The BJP–JD(U) alliance not only recovered lost ground but swept the state with surprising ease. At the heart of this resurgence was a recalibrated BJP and a rejuvenated Nitish Kumar, proving once again that in Indian politics, no one stays down for long.

The NDA Reset: BJP went back to the basics after its Lok Sabha wobble. Instead of relying solely on brand Modi, the party revived its booth-level machinery, re-engaged the middle class, and sharpened its welfare messaging. A major force behind the landslide was the women’s vote. Years of JD(U)’s gender-focused policies, combined with BJP’s national welfare schemes, created a powerful bloc of female voters who saw stability in the NDA. The middle class, once disenchanted, returned after receiving renewed assurances on inflation, jobs, and governance consistency.

Nitish Kumar, The Tiger Still Roars: Written off after multiple alliance flips, Nitish Kumar quietly rebuilt his relevance. His focus on extremely backward castes (EBCs), women, and welfare delivery helped restore voter trust. The “Tiger abhi zinda hai” sentiment captured this comeback perfectly: Nitish didn’t roar, he worked. Voters rewarded the administrator over the agitator, and his reunion with the BJP was seen as a return to predictable governance.

Where RJD Went Wrong: RJD entered the election overconfident, misreading voter sentiment after the Lok Sabha results. Tejashwi Yadav’s jobs-first pitch resonated emotionally but lacked administrative credibility. The party failed to expand beyond its traditional Muslim–Yadav base, while the NDA successfully consolidated non-Yadav OBCs, EBCs, and women across castes. Organisational issues, weak booth presence, rebels, poor candidate choices, hurt RJD further. In contrast, BJP introduced new faces with precision and discipline.

The Numbers Tell The Story: The NDA’s gains across urban pockets, semi-urban belts, and several rural strongholds showed a broad mandate. JD(U)’s unexpectedly strong performance provided the final push the alliance needed.

Bihar Verdict Could Unlock US Trade Deal: Modi’s sweeping Bihar victory gives the government the political room to push forward a long-pending India–US trade deal. The U.S. wants India to make farm-related concessions, especially allowing more imports of American corn. New Delhi may agree to limited, regulated imports, mainly for ethanol and poultry feed but will avoid anything that appears anti-farmer, particularly GMO corn, which India currently bans and which makes up 94% of U.S. production. With several major agrarian-state elections ahead, the BJP must balance strategic ties with Washington while keeping domestic farmer sentiment intact. The Bihar mandate strengthens its hand on both fronts.

A Strategic Lift-Off In Ladakh: India has operationalised the Mudh-Nyoma airbase in eastern Ladakh, one of the highest military aviation facilities in the world, marking a major boost to its capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Perched at nearly 13,000 feet and barely 25 km from the border, this airbase gives India an unprecedented forward presence in one of the most contested military theatres with China.

Sharper Reach, Faster Response: The airbase can now support fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters, significantly enhancing India’s mobility in the high-altitude region. The C-130J Super Hercules made the first operational landing, symbolising its readiness for both combat and logistics missions. From troop induction and supply drops to quick medical evacuations, Mudh-Nyoma will dramatically cut response times across critical sectors including Depsang Plains, Pangong Tso, and Chushul.

A New Layer Of Deterrence: Mudh-Nyoma adds an overlapping layer of air power to existing bases at Leh, Thoise, and Kargil. Together, they create a dense grid of operational coverage that strengthens India’s deterrence posture. More importantly, it sends a clear message: India is not just reacting to Chinese infrastructure along the border, it is matching and, in some places, surpassing it.

Beyond Military Muscle: The airbase also has civil-military relevance. Improved connectivity in this remote region will support local communities, humanitarian missions, and disaster relief. Symbolically, the base asserts India’s sovereignty and its resolve to remain firmly positioned in Ladakh.

Looking China In The Eye: China will inevitably view the airbase as an assertive move, but its strategic value for India is undeniable. As border tensions persist, Mudh-Nyoma gives India tactical depth, operational flexibility, and the confidence of a ready-forward air posture. In the thin air of Ladakh, it’s a clear message, India is prepared, present, and watching.

AP’s Mega Investment Push: The state government has outlined massive development plans aimed at accelerating growth over the next four years. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said projects worth ₹20 lakh crore will be executed to boost industrial expansion. The initiative is expected to generate around two million jobs across sectors. The administration believes these investments will significantly raise Andhra Pradesh’s economic competitiveness.

Reliance Plans Major AP Data Centre: A new wave of tech infrastructure investment is heading to Andhra Pradesh as Reliance prepares to build a 1-GW data centre. This development follows Google’s earlier decision to set up a similar facility in the state. The project is expected to strengthen India’s digital backbone and enhance cloud capacity. Authorities view the move as a strong signal toward the region’s rising strategic tech importance.

Amazon Pushes AI-Led Video Ads: Amazon is introducing new AI tools to make video advertising easier and cheaper for India’s small and medium sellers. The company aims to help millions of merchants create simple product videos without needing professional production. This move is expected to widen ad participation on its marketplace. The strategy reflects Amazon’s broader plan to boost seller engagement and strengthen its advertising business in India.

SIA Profits Hit By Air India Deal: Singapore Airlines reported a steep drop in earnings for the second quarter and first half of the year. The carrier’s profit plunged 82%, largely due to costs linked to its investment in Air India. Higher expenses and integration challenges have weighed on financial performance. Despite the setback, the airline maintains that long-term benefits from the partnership remain intact.