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Frank F Islam

Articles by Frank F Islam

US walks the thin line on Canada-India rift

The US faces a challenging position in the India-Canada diplomatic conflict over the killing of a Sikh Canadian citizen

In reality, the India-Canada dispute came at a very inopportune moment for the US(REUTERS)

opinion

Updated on Oct 01, 2023 08:30 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Green card backlog is hurting US innovation

Canadian work permit program attracts Indian tech professionals entangled in the prolonged US green card waiting process, highlighting flaws in US immigration

File photo of a US visa.(Courtesy issa.house.gov)

opinion

Updated on Sep 03, 2023 06:31 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Indian Americans must back affirmative action

Despite affirmative action ruling, however, statistics show that African Americans and Hispanics are still underrepresented in elite universities.

The argument that Asian Americans face discrimination in school admissions contradicts the evidence. (AP)

opinion

Updated on Jul 23, 2023 12:05 AM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Lax gun control in the US is birthing a tragedy

Aishwarya Thatikonda, and many others were unsuspecting victims of what has now, unfortunately, become an American pastime: Gun violence

Americans need to choose between the second amendment and the constitutional rights of all American citizens(AFP)

opinion

Updated on May 28, 2023 03:39 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

The influence of US as a global leader is waning

There is no conclusive evidence, but the influence of the US as the leader internationally appears to be on the wane. Will China replace the US in that leadership position? Time and what transpires over the next decade or so — in the US, in China, and around the world — will shape that story.

Now the US dominance is threatened by China, the second largest economy in the world. What is undermining a US-dominated world order, however, is not just the rise of China and the Sino-Russian alliance, or the de-dollarisation drive, but also dwindling support for a US-led order domestically. (REUTERS)

opinion

Updated on Apr 04, 2023 07:30 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

How tech layoffs will affect the H-1B worker economy

It is too early to predict what the full and permanent impact of these layoffs will be on the H-1B programme and the Indian economy. If the reading of the tea leaves by the US tech industry on recession turns out to be correct, its effect will be enormous.

This reduction in workforce has occurred across the US, especially among the tech behemoths. (Representative Image/Unsplash)

opinion

Updated on Feb 17, 2023 07:37 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

G20 presidency: A crucial responsibility

PM Modi is likely to use the G20 platform to showcase the country’s economic muscle and convert the challenge of the G20 presidency into an opportunity to move India to the forefront of world leaders

The G20 summit will be the biggest multilateral event held in India in four decades, the last being the 7th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1983 (ANI)

opinion

Updated on Dec 31, 2022 08:48 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Economic headwinds are hurting the world

There are a whole range of reasons — from systemic and structural ones to the pandemic-related supply-chain disruption and the geopolitical power play by Russia in Ukraine — that are triggering massive economic headwinds

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which led to highly punitive western sanctions against Moscow kept prices high despite measures to contain inflation. (AP)

opinion

Published on Oct 29, 2022 08:13 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Why Indo-Americans must speak up on race relations

As a significant demographic, they must speak out on race relations, engage other minority groups and civil rights organisations, and use our formidable resources to work for racial equality and justice for all in the US.

Hate crimes against immigrant groups have been rising in the US since 2015, when Donald Trump launched his toxic campaign for president and stoked anti-immigration sentiments. (AP)

opinion

Published on Sep 22, 2022 07:10 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

India, US should look at deepening defence ties

The Khanna amendment provides an excellent platform to make that partnership even stronger. It will accomplish this by enabling India to buy the time necessary to diversify its defence acquisitions, without compromising the country’s immediate security needS

There have also been a number of defence-related joint initiatives between the two countries lately. The US granted India “Strategic Trade Authorization tier 1” status in 2018, allowing the country to acquire a number of military and dual-use technologies. (ANI)

opinion

Updated on Jul 25, 2022 08:30 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Runaway inflation is a global problem. It needs global solutions

Those solutions can only be crafted by those who care about the world and not just themselves or their own little corner of it

Janet Yellen, US Treasury secretary, listens during a Senate Finance Committee hearing in Washington, DC, June 7, 2022 (Bloomberg)

opinion

Updated on Jun 08, 2022 07:32 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

What the successful completion of the 2+2 Dialogue signifies

It demonstrates that India and the US can work together despite their differences in these key areas

A collaborative tone for the dialogue was set by President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, in their hour-long virtual summit, stressed their commitment to working together on a range of issues (PTI)

opinion

Updated on Apr 25, 2022 05:51 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine throws world order into disarray

The brazenness with which Russia attacked Ukraine signals that the multipolar world order Moscow and Beijing are seeking may be near — or already here.

Putin would not have embarked on the Ukraine project without the tacit approval of China, which is why he waited till the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics. (AFP)

opinion

Published on Mar 03, 2022 07:39 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Remembering Nobel Laureate Khorana

The failure to recognise the contributions of Khorana this year . The origin of the PCR test, one of modern medical science’s best tools in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, traces its beginnings to Khorana’s foundational research on the ribonucleic acid gene

Khorana’s journey from Raipur, a small village now in Pakistan on the Jammu border, to being a Nobel laureate and a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is awe-inspiring. It was a circuitous journey. (HT Archives)

opinion

Updated on Jan 29, 2022 08:03 PM IST

ByFrank F. Islam

Democracy summit: A first step for renewing democracy worldwide

The US and India must be leaders in that renewal process by demonstrating what they are doing within their countries to strengthen democracy and serve as examples for the rest of the world

President Joe Biden speaks at the Democracy summit, December 9, 2021 (AP)

opinion

Updated on Dec 21, 2021 08:18 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Facebook won’t reform. Strong regulation is key

The absence of regulation, or minimal regulations, makes social media the modern-day Wild West. Many activists have complained that the largely unregulated social media ecosystem is having a corrosive effect on democracies around the world

The recent release of a trove of whistleblower documents, dubbed the Facebook Papers, was so damaging that the company was forced to rebrand itself (REUTERS)

opinion

Updated on Nov 13, 2021 10:46 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

AUKUS won’t affect the US-India relationship. But it will affect Quad

The US-India relationship remains steady and focused and where its leaders want it to be at this point in time with each other and in Quad. There was a little churn over AUKUS but it is time to set the noise aside and get to work on issues that really matter.

Despite knowing that AUKUS would ruffle some feathers, the Biden administration proceeded with the new alliance. This speaks volumes of the importance the Biden administration gives to countering Beijing’s belligerence in the Indo-Pacific. (AP)

opinion

Updated on Oct 18, 2021 11:46 AM IST

ByFrank F Islam

The India story is back. But it needs courage and perseverance

The rollback of the tax legislation was one of the most positive signals New Delhi has sent to investors in a long while

2030 is less than a decade away. It may take a bit longer than that to achieve true leadership in the world (Shutterstock)

opinion

Updated on Aug 29, 2021 08:05 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

The Afghan endgame: The US retreats, Taliban returns

The Taliban has been emboldened by the American withdrawal and the prospects for a negotiated peace for Afghanistan have grown exceedingly dim.

The US presence in this latest war brought about a modicum of stability beginning in 2001 but at a heavy cost (AFP)

opinion

Published on Jul 07, 2021 08:00 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

How Indian-Americans shaped the US response to India’s second wave

With its leadership in mobilising America’s efforts to help combat the pandemic in India, the Indian-American community has demonstrated what it can accomplish when it comes together for a common purpose

Those speaking on behalf of India have included Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella, both of whom announced multi-million-dollar packages on behalf of their respective organisations (AFP Photo)

opinion

Published on Jun 02, 2021 07:31 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Why Biden delayed offering help to India

The delay could have been due to the US’ unfinished battle with the virus, its deliberative decision-making process, and, the desire to avoid a controversy

The Biden administration also brings a compassion and moral understanding to the table that empowers it to do this as the right thing to fight this virus globally. (AFP)

opinion

Updated on Apr 26, 2021 05:12 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Under Joe Biden, a return to professional diplomacy with India

Under the current secretary of state, Antony Blinken, the US is more likely to play the role of a firefighter, rather than that of an arsonist. That does not, however, mean Washington will be blind to potential Chinese aggression

During the campaign, there were concerns among some in India about Biden because of his criticism of India on issues such as Kashmir and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) (REUTERS)

opinion

Published on Mar 15, 2021 08:57 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Joe Biden’s win is good for India-US ties, writes Frank F Islam

2020 was a long and contentious year politically which ended with a win for Biden, America, and India. That is good news. The better news is that the best is yet to come.

Under the Biden presidency, the US will rejoin the Paris Agreement — which took effect on November 4, the day after the elections — and a series of other international accords and treaties, and rebuild the bridge with its NATO partners. India will benefit from the US once again taking an active role internationally.(REUTERS)

analysis

Updated on Nov 23, 2020 06:56 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

2020 marks the arrival of the Indian-American voter | Opinion

Irrespective of who wins, Indian-Americans will be winners. November 3 will mark their arrival as major players, contributors and indeed, as citizens, in the political arena of the world’s second-largest democracy

The first survey conducted by AAPI Data, disclosed that nearly half of the Indian-American population (48%) identify themselves as Democrats, while 22% of the community identify as Republicans(AP)

analysis

Updated on Nov 02, 2020 07:04 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

2020 is the year of Indian-Americans, and they’re not with Trump

There are many reasons the president hasn’t been able to move the needle substantially with the Indian-American community. First and foremost is the former vice-president’s long track record as a supporter of India, dating back to his Senate days.

These are among the dozen states that will decide the fate of Trump and Biden on November 3(AP)

analysis

Updated on Sep 29, 2020 08:09 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

For strategic reasons, India must deepen defence ties with the US

With India hoping to meet most of its defence needs locally, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the US and its companies are ideally positioned to be the best partners and allies for India in that campaign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to US President Donald Trump, New Delhi, February 25, 2020(REUTERS)

analysis

Updated on Sep 02, 2020 10:27 AM IST

ByFrank F. Islam

Covid-19: From the US, lessons on what not to do | Opinion

Driven by politics rather than science, Donald Trump took a set of reckless decisions. Here are 10 lessons

President Trump’s coronavirus playbook is a template for current and future national leaders on how not to fight a pandemic(AFP)

analysis

Updated on Jul 15, 2020 08:11 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

The precarious status of H-1B visa holders in the US

Some sort of restrictions could be imposed even within weeks. In the proclamation, Trump directed the secretaries of labour and homeland security to review various visa programmes and recommend appropriate measures

H-1B was a big target for Trump in 2016, who repeatedly criticised it during the presidential campaign(Reuters)

analysis

Updated on Jun 06, 2020 07:37 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

The US presidential election match-up is welcome news for India

It can do business with both Trump and Biden. But the latter will be a more friendly interlocutor, steady partner

Indians will not get to vote for the next president of the US. But Indian-Americans will. They should keep distinct differences in style and behaviour of Donald Trump and Joe Biden in mind when they cast their ballots.(AP)

analysis

Published on Apr 21, 2020 06:11 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Trump’s India visit was aimed at the diaspora vote | Opinion

In 2016, he received only a sixth of the Indian-American votes, while the majority went to the Democrats

The Trump visit differed from the previous presidential visits in one aspect. The trip was in essence a campaign stop as well. If the tens of thousands of white hats audience in Motera reminded one of a MAGA rally, it was not coincidental(AFP)

analysis

Updated on Mar 01, 2020 07:22 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

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Frank F Islam

The US faces a challenging position in the India-Canada diplomatic conflict over the killing of a Sikh Canadian citizen

Canadian work permit program attracts Indian tech professionals entangled in the prolonged US green card waiting process, highlighting flaws in US immigration

Despite affirmative action ruling, however, statistics show that African Americans and Hispanics are still underrepresented in elite universities.

Aishwarya Thatikonda, and many others were unsuspecting victims of what has now, unfortunately, become an American pastime: Gun violence

There is no conclusive evidence, but the influence of the US as the leader internationally appears to be on the wane. Will China replace the US in that leadership position? Time and what transpires over the next decade or so — in the US, in China, and around the world — will shape that story.

It is too early to predict what the full and permanent impact of these layoffs will be on the H-1B programme and the Indian economy. If the reading of the tea leaves by the US tech industry on recession turns out to be correct, its effect will be enormous.

PM Modi is likely to use the G20 platform to showcase the country’s economic muscle and convert the challenge of the G20 presidency into an opportunity to move India to the forefront of world leaders

There are a whole range of reasons — from systemic and structural ones to the pandemic-related supply-chain disruption and the geopolitical power play by Russia in Ukraine — that are triggering massive economic headwinds

As a significant demographic, they must speak out on race relations, engage other minority groups and civil rights organisations, and use our formidable resources to work for racial equality and justice for all in the US.

The Khanna amendment provides an excellent platform to make that partnership even stronger. It will accomplish this by enabling India to buy the time necessary to diversify its defence acquisitions, without compromising the country’s immediate security needS

Those solutions can only be crafted by those who care about the world and not just themselves or their own little corner of it

It demonstrates that India and the US can work together despite their differences in these key areas

The brazenness with which Russia attacked Ukraine signals that the multipolar world order Moscow and Beijing are seeking may be near — or already here.

The failure to recognise the contributions of Khorana this year . The origin of the PCR test, one of modern medical science’s best tools in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, traces its beginnings to Khorana’s foundational research on the ribonucleic acid gene

The US and India must be leaders in that renewal process by demonstrating what they are doing within their countries to strengthen democracy and serve as examples for the rest of the world

The absence of regulation, or minimal regulations, makes social media the modern-day Wild West. Many activists have complained that the largely unregulated social media ecosystem is having a corrosive effect on democracies around the world

The US-India relationship remains steady and focused and where its leaders want it to be at this point in time with each other and in Quad. There was a little churn over AUKUS but it is time to set the noise aside and get to work on issues that really matter.

The rollback of the tax legislation was one of the most positive signals New Delhi has sent to investors in a long while

The Taliban has been emboldened by the American withdrawal and the prospects for a negotiated peace for Afghanistan have grown exceedingly dim.

With its leadership in mobilising America’s efforts to help combat the pandemic in India, the Indian-American community has demonstrated what it can accomplish when it comes together for a common purpose

The delay could have been due to the US’ unfinished battle with the virus, its deliberative decision-making process, and, the desire to avoid a controversy

Under the current secretary of state, Antony Blinken, the US is more likely to play the role of a firefighter, rather than that of an arsonist. That does not, however, mean Washington will be blind to potential Chinese aggression

2020 was a long and contentious year politically which ended with a win for Biden, America, and India. That is good news. The better news is that the best is yet to come.

Irrespective of who wins, Indian-Americans will be winners. November 3 will mark their arrival as major players, contributors and indeed, as citizens, in the political arena of the world’s second-largest democracy

There are many reasons the president hasn’t been able to move the needle substantially with the Indian-American community. First and foremost is the former vice-president’s long track record as a supporter of India, dating back to his Senate days.

With India hoping to meet most of its defence needs locally, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the US and its companies are ideally positioned to be the best partners and allies for India in that campaign

Driven by politics rather than science, Donald Trump took a set of reckless decisions. Here are 10 lessons

Some sort of restrictions could be imposed even within weeks. In the proclamation, Trump directed the secretaries of labour and homeland security to review various visa programmes and recommend appropriate measures

It can do business with both Trump and Biden. But the latter will be a more friendly interlocutor, steady partner

In 2016, he received only a sixth of the Indian-American votes, while the majority went to the Democrats

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