Prashant Jha is the Washington DC-based US correspondent of Hindustan Times. He is also the editor of HT Premium. Jha has earlier served as editor-views and national political editor/bureau chief of the paper. He is the author of How the BJP Wins: Inside India's Greatest Election Machine and Battles of the New Republic: A Contemporary History of Nepal.
Articles by Prashant Jha
DeSantis bows out, endorses Trump
Florida governor Ron DeSantis drops out of the race for the Republican nomination for US President, endorsing Donald Trump. It's now a direct contest between Trump and Nikki Haley ahead of the New Hampshire primary. DeSantis's campaign struggled due to poor management and messaging, while Trump's base remains strong. Haley hopes to consolidate the anti-Trump vote but polls suggest Trump is ahead. A decisive Trump win in New Hampshire will likely secure him the nomination. He will face President Joe Biden in the general election.
Updated on Jan 23, 2024 06:14 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
DeSantis drops out of US prez race, endorses Trump who retires ‘DeSanctimonious’
DeSantis faltered with a poorly managed campaign, ultra-conservative messaging, limited public speaking skills and a generally less than charismatic demeanour
Published on Jan 22, 2024 03:53 PM IST
Trump sweeps Iowa caucus to stamp election credentials
Former US President Donald J Trump emerged as the clear front-runner in the Republican Party's first primary caucus in Iowa, setting the stage for a likely rematch with President Joe Biden in the 2024 elections. Trump won with 51% of the votes, establishing his dominance over the party and solidifying his position as a top contender for the Republican nomination. Florida governor Ron DeSantis came in second, narrowly beating Indian-origin Nikki Haley. Trump's victory raises the possibility of an unprecedented situation where a candidate facing criminal indictments and barred from the ballot becomes President again.
Updated on Jan 17, 2024 05:36 AM IST
The contrasting fate of GOP’s two Indian-American presidential candidates
Nikki Haley remains in the race as the non-Trump candidate and banks on his failure; Ramaswamy’s rides on Donald Trump bandwagon
Updated on Jan 17, 2024 09:21 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
Build expertise on America in India
The depth of Delhi-DC ties demands greater scholarship of history, actors, motivations, and society. Both government and academia need to invest more
Published on Jan 16, 2024 09:42 PM IST
Trump sweeps Iowa caucus, sets himself up to be Republican nominee for President
Donald J Trump wins 51% of the vote in the Republican Party's first primary caucus in Iowa, establishing himself as frontrunner for 2024 presidential nomination
Updated on Jan 16, 2024 01:00 PM IST
100 days of a war that may alter course of West Asia geopolitics
In just 100 days, a terrorist attack on Israel, followed by a devastating Israeli response, has led to political, humanitarian, and diplomatic consequences.
Updated on Jan 15, 2024 05:36 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
Tesla's plans for India: May set up factory, make new car for developing nations
Tesla is reportedly in advanced talks to enter the Indian market and may invest nearly $30 billion over the next five years.
Updated on Jan 13, 2024 06:04 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
US, UK militaries strike Houthi targets in Yemen
The US and UK launched strikes on Houthi military capabilities in Yemen in response to attacks against shipping in the Red Sea corridor
Updated on Jan 13, 2024 11:11 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
US envoy Taranjit Singh Sandhu set to wrap up stint at month-end
India’s ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, will wrap up his term in office in Washington DC at the end of January and retire from government service after a 35-year long career that was marked by four postings in America, people familiar with the development said.
Updated on Jan 12, 2024 12:22 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
A day in the public life and politics of a fractured America
Wednesday began with Hunter Biden’s surprise appearance in the US Congress in Washington DC. He faces a federal indictment for tax crimes related to foreign business dealings
Updated on Jan 11, 2024 01:52 PM IST
India calls for de-escalation of Israel-Hamas conflict
India pointed out that it had provided 70 tonnes of humanitarian aid including 16.5 tonnes of medicine and medical supplies in two tranches to Palestine
Updated on Jan 11, 2024 04:19 AM IST
The Modi-Doval-Jaishankar playbook for the neighbourhood
The new handbook involves shaping democratic verdicts when possible, including by turning a blind eye to democratic deficits if core interests are at stake
Updated on Jan 09, 2024 02:48 PM IST
Bangladesh elections not free or fair but will partner with country: US
State Department on Monday offered the first official American response after polls in Bangladesh over the weekend saw Awami League return to power for the fourth consecutive time
Published on Jan 09, 2024 10:01 AM IST
Biden slams Trump as ‘sick, loser’ echoing Nazi Germany as campaign turns virulent
Biden termed Trump’s attempts “to overturn a free and fair election by force and violence” following his defeat, “among the worst derelictions of duty by a president in American history”
Updated on Jan 09, 2024 06:56 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
There is a Trump hawa in America
The former US president may or may not be allowed to contest. He may or may not win. But there is an unmistakable surge in support for Donald Trump
Published on Jan 02, 2024 09:54 PM IST
The year ahead in politics: It’s Centre forward in India
The country is at a turning point. If Modi wins a third term, he will match Nehru’s record of electoral victories, amid a Congress fade.
Updated on Jan 01, 2024 06:43 AM IST
When India showed its diplomatic mettle
India delivered a common global vision at a time of deep fractures, continued to navigate and leverage great power competition; but it also faced serious global challenges
Updated on Dec 31, 2023 07:07 PM IST
Rift split wide open
2023 saw the intensification of old trends: explosion of old conflicts, multilateralism in crisis, growing gulf between the global north and south, along with an American polity under strain
Updated on Dec 31, 2023 04:55 PM IST
In a crisis, Delhi and DC display maturity
Since the Pannun controversy, both governments have sought to preserve ties through a mix of signals and actions. Crisis management shows commitment
Published on Dec 19, 2023 09:15 PM IST
Probe Pannun plot or ties may be hit: US ‘Samosa Caucus’ to India
The five Congressional leaders welcomed India’s announcement of a committee of enquiry to investigate the murder plot
Updated on Dec 16, 2023 07:09 AM IST
Biden won’t come in Jan, remains fully committed to India partnership: Sullivan
NSA Jake Sullivan said President Biden shares a “close personal bond” with PM Modi, and he looks forward to engaging with the PM “in the weeks and months ahead”
Updated on Dec 14, 2023 10:37 PM IST
One day, two wars, and what haunts the Biden presidency
The sense that Biden fights wars but doesn’t know how to end them may well turn out to be not just his big geopolitical challenge but also a major electoral one
Updated on Dec 14, 2023 05:15 PM IST
Amid Israel-Hamas war, India backs ceasefire in Gaza at UNGA
India abstained on a similar resolution that didn't categorically name Hamas and held it responsible for the terrorist attack of Oct 7.
Updated on Dec 14, 2023 02:19 AM IST
Prashant Jha, Washington
The time has come for an intelligence reboot
Allegations raised by Ottawa and Washington must lead to systemic correctives, particularly when it comes to the nature and functioning of intelligence agencies
Published on Dec 05, 2023 10:00 PM IST
West is our natural tech partner: Jaishankar
Union external affairs minister S Jaishankar expressed confidence that these ties will continue to deepen irrespective of political changes in America.
Updated on Dec 05, 2023 12:41 AM IST
Prashant Jha, New Delhi
US, India handle differences maturely: Finer
Finer called on external affairs minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval during the visit.
Updated on Dec 05, 2023 12:42 AM IST
Prashant Jha, New Delhi
The comeback in Chhattisgarh
This time around, the BJP matched the Congress on procurement price, enabling the party to recover lost ground with a crucial constituency
Updated on Dec 04, 2023 01:07 AM IST
Rajasthan: The BJP’s gambit pays off
Beyond religion and caste, anecdotal reports from the ground suggest that a key reason for the BJP’s win was the support of women voters
Updated on Dec 04, 2023 05:44 AM IST
Assembly election results: How BJP’s gambit paid off in Rajasthan
Rajasthan’s vote for the BJP was a result of its national leadership and astute management of local egos, seats, and social coalitions
Published on Dec 04, 2023 12:12 AM IST