Category: 3. Business

Introduction
The rise of seaweed superfoods
Nutrient and bioactive profile
How seaweed compounds combat inflammation and aging
How seaweed waste fuels the circular economy
Safety and risks
References
Further reading

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Seaweeds are no longer just salad; they’re the blueprint for a sustainable, brain-boosting future powered by marine innovation.

Image Credit: Lesterman / Shutterstock.com

Introduction

Seaweed is increasingly recognized as a sustainable and functional food source that supports human health, including cognitive function and cardiovascular balance, through the gut-brain axis.^4,5 This article examines its neuroprotective potential and addresses current safety challenges related to heavy metal and iodine accumulation.^2,11

The rise of seaweed superfoods

Seaweed is an umbrella term for thousands of macroscopic marine algae species, including Rhodophyta, Phaeophyta, and Chlorophyta. Historically, it has been a dietary staple in many Asian countries, commonly consumed in soups, salads, and pickles.^1,2

Seaweed cultivation offers a uniquely sustainable food source, requiring no arable land, fresh water, or synthetic fertilizers, while also providing ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and nitrogen removal.³ According to recent EU sustainability reports, the seaweed sector is expected to reach a market value of EUR 9 billion by 2030, highlighting its role in global food transition efforts.¹¹

Seaweed’s dense nutritional and bioactive profile underpins its reputation as a superfood. Phlorotannins, fucoidan, and other polyphenols exhibit antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, which are linked to reduced neuroinflammation and cognitive decline.^4,6

Nutrient and bioactive profile

Nutriomics research reveals that consumable seaweeds have biochemical compositions distinct from terrestrial plants.^1-3 Protein content varies widely, from 5–24% of dry weight in brown algae to as high as 47% in red species. These proteins are rich in essential amino acids and show higher digestibility when enzymatically processed or fermented using marine fungi such as Paradendryphiella salina.¹

Dietary fiber accounts for up to 75% of seaweed’s dry mass, dominated by soluble polysaccharides like fucoidan, alginate, and carrageenan, which act as prebiotics that modulate gut microbiota. Studies confirm that these fibers stimulate beneficial bacterial genera and increase short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, which in turn influences brain and immune health.⁵

Although the total lipid content is low (1–5% dry weight), seaweeds are a unique plant source of omega-3 long-chain fatty acids, notably EPA and DHA, which support cognitive function and promote anti-inflammatory balance.^4,5

Seaweed also provides calcium, potassium, and iron, alongside vitamins A, C, E, and B12.⁵ Recent compositional analyses highlight seaweed as one of the few vegetarian sources of bioavailable vitamin B12 and vitamin K.¹¹

Compounds such as fucoxanthin and phlorotannins contribute to antioxidant and anti-aging properties relevant to the prevention of neurodegeneration.^4,5,6

How seaweed compounds combat inflammation and aging

Phlorotannins and fucoidan are potent antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and suppress inflammatory pathways such as NF-κB. These compounds also inhibit amyloid-beta aggregation and tau phosphorylation, key pathological steps in Alzheimer’s disease.^4,5,6

Prebiotic polysaccharides from seaweed ferment in the colon to yield SCFAs like butyrate, which improve gut barrier integrity and reduce systemic inflammation.⁵

A 2025 meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials found that consuming edible algae lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 2.05 and 1.87 mmHg, respectively. Doses above 3 g/day produced reductions exceeding 3 mmHg, underscoring a dose-response relationship.⁷

Additional meta-analyses confirm that brown algae reduce LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol,⁸ and improve glucose homeostasis by lowering fasting plasma glucose by 4.6 mg/dL and postprandial glucose by 7.1 mg/dL.⁹

Collectively, these findings position seaweed as a multifunctional food capable of modulating metabolic, vascular, and neural pathways that contribute to healthy aging.^4,7-9

How seaweed waste fuels the circular economy

Adopting a circular economic model transforms seaweed byproducts into valuable resources. Research demonstrates that industrial residues and beach-cast seaweed can be repurposed for use in renewable energy and as fertilizers.¹⁰

Some seaweed as a renewable and sustainable resource. (A) Kelp (Saccharina) Phaeophyceae; (B) dulse (Palmaria palmata) Rhodophyta; (C) nori (Porphyra/Pyropia) Rhodophyta; (D) wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) Phaeophyceae.³

Composting seaweed biomass yields premium biofertilizers that enhance soil quality and water retention, with market values two to three times higher than conventional compost.¹⁰

In Denmark, integrating 90% of coastal seaweed waste into energy and fertilizer production resulted in a 32,800-ton reduction in annual CO₂ emissions.¹⁰

Emerging green-extraction technologies now recover bioactives, such as alginates and phlorotannins, from seaweed waste at costs under $0.70/kg, creating nutraceutical and cosmetic ingredients from material that was once discarded.^3,10

Safety and risks

Seaweeds efficiently sequester both nutrients and contaminants. This dual capacity means they can accumulate heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, posing potential health risks if unregulated.^1,2

A Malaysian risk assessment reported a hazard index (HI) of 4.38 for metal exposure, exceeding WHO limits.² However, separate iodine risk analyses indicate that toxicity concerns depend strongly on species and intake levels.¹¹

A 2025 Korean nationwide study found average iodine levels of 2,432 mg/kg dry weight in sea tangle (Saccharina japonica), compared to less than 200 mg/kg in most red and green algae. Iodine-related hazard indices remained below 1.0 under Korean MFDS guidelines but exceeded 1.0 under EFSA and JECFA standards, particularly for sea tangle and hijiki.¹¹

Cooking significantly reduces iodine exposure – boiling or blanching can remove up to 90%, and the bioavailability of iodine from seaweed is approximately 75% compared to iodide supplements.¹¹

In some species, a one-gram serving may deliver over 4,000 µg of iodine, about seven times the EFSA upper intake level of 600 µg/day.¹¹

International regulations vary widely: Germany limits iodine to 20 mg/kg, France to 2,000–6,000 mg/kg (depending on the species), and Australia restricts imports above 1,000 mg/kg.¹¹ Harmonized global labeling and intake guidance are increasingly necessary as seaweed consumption expands.^2,11

Overall, evidence from recent meta-analyses and risk assessments supports the safety of seaweed consumption when moderate and sourcing is monitored for heavy metals and iodine.^2,11

References

1. Salgado, C. L., Muñoz, R., Blanco, A., & Lienqueo, M. E. (2021). Valorization and upgrading of the nutritional value of seaweed and seaweed waste using the marine fungi Paradendryphiella salina to produce mycoprotein. Algal Research 53. DOI:10.1016/j.algal.2020.102135, https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2211926420310031.
2. Elekwachi, L. O., Hirschkop, D., & Tlusty, M. F. (2023). REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON THE SEAWEED INDUSTRY AND FOOD SAFETY ISSUES. University of Massachusetts Boston. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.27576.32004, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376683232_REVIEW_OF_THE_LITERATURE_ON_THE_SEAWEED_INDUSTRY_AND_FOOD_SAFETY_ISSUES.
3. Pereira, L., & Cotas, J. (2024). Seaweed: a sustainable solution for greening drug manufacturing in the pursuit of sustainable healthcare. Exploration of Drug Science 2(1); 50–84. DOI:10.37349/eds.2024.00036, https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/eds/Article/100836.
4. Cokdinleyen, M., dos Santos, L. C., de Andrade, C. J., et al. (2024). A Narrative Review on the Neuroprotective Potential of Brown Macroalgae in Alzheimer’s Disease. Nutrients 16(24); 4394. DOI:10.3390/nu16244394, https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/24/4394.
5. Hagan, M., & Fungwe, T. (2025). Investigating the Effect of Seaweed Bioactive Compounds on Gut Microbiota Composition and Dysbiosis: A Systematic Review. Current Developments in Nutrition 9. DOI:10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.106433, https://ffhdj.com/index.php/AgricultureFBC/article/view/1596.
6. Cadar, E., Popescu, A., Dragan, A., et al. (2025). Bioactive Compounds of Marine Algae and Their Potential Health and Nutraceutical Applications: A Review. Marine Drugs 23(4), 152. DOI:10.3390/md23040152, https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/4/152.
7. Casas‐Agustench, P., Mínguez, S., Brookes, Z., & Bescos, R. (2025). Edible Algae Reduce Blood Pressure in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 38(4). DOI:10.1111/jhn.70095, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jhn.70095.
8. Shin, D., Shim, S. R., Wu, Y., et al. (2023). How Do Brown Seaweeds Work on Biomarkers of Dyslipidemia? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression. Marine Drugs 21(4); 220. DOI:10.3390/md21040220, https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/21/4/220.
9. Vaughan, K., Ranawana, V., Cooper, D., & Aceves-Martins, M. (2021). Effect of brown seaweed on plasma glucose in healthy, at-risk, and type 2 diabetic individuals: systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition Reviews 80(5); 1194-1205. DOI:10.1093/nutrit/nuab069, https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/80/5/1194/6359344.
10. Eriksen, M. L., Salvador, R., Kjærsgaard, N. C., et al. (2025). Circular business models for composting waste seaweed: Potential, barriers, and enablers. European Journal of Sustainable Development 14(4); 39-50. DOI:10.14207/ejsd.2025.v14n4p39, https://ecsdev.org/ojs/index.php/ejsd/article/view/1777.
11. Lee, Y., Park, H. J., Jo, M., et al. (2025). Analysis and Risk Assessment of Total Iodine Content in Edible Seaweeds in South Korea. Foods 14(16); 2865. DOI:10.3390/foods14162865, https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/16/2865.

Further Reading

Last Updated: Nov 6, 2025

As the record-breaking federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US airspace is about to get a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US airports.

Donald Trump’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said flights are being reduced to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government shutdown, now the longest recorded and with no sign of a resolution between Republicans and Democrats to end the federal budget standoff.

Airline regulators identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and create a cascade of scheduling issues and delays at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, wrote on X Thursday that the decision was “not about politics” but rather “about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” Duffy added.

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US airlines cancel flights after federal directive to cut air traffic

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. The cuts could represent as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, according to an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

The affected airports covering more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the US – including Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Orlando, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. In some of the biggest cities – such as New York, Houston and Chicago – multiple airports will be be affected.

All three airports serving the Washington DC area – Washington Dulles international, Baltimore/Washington international and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, inevitably causing delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as other travelers.

_{Read the full story}

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US supreme court allows Trump to block passport sex markers for trans and non-binary people

The supreme court on Thursday allowed Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a policy blocking transgender and non-binary people from choosing passport sex markers that align with their gender identity.

The decision by the high court’s conservative majority is Trump’s latest win on the high court’s emergency docket, and it means his administration can enforce the policy while a lawsuit over it plays out.

The court’s three liberal justices dissented, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson calling the decision a “pointless but painful perversion”.

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US judge orders Trump administration to fully fund Snap benefits in November

The ruling by US district judge John J McConnell Jr on Thursday was in response to a challenge from cities and non-profits complaining that the administration was only offering to cover 65% of the maximum benefit. The government said it will rely on $4.65bn on emergency funding.

“The defendants failed to consider the practical consequences associated with this decision to only partially fund Snap,” McConnell said. “They knew that there would be a long delay in paying partial Snap payments and failed to consider the harms individual who rely on those benefits would suffer.”

_{Read the full story}

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Workers decry Trump officials as ‘out of control’ as longest shutdown drags on

As the US federal shutdown enters its second month, government workers are accusing the Trump administration of being “out of control” and bullying people who are “simply trying to do their best”.

About 700,000 federal employees are furloughed without pay, and about 700,000 additional federal workers have been working without pay through the shutdown.

Affected workers say the shutdown has been a continuation of attacks they have experienced under the Trump administration, from mass firings – many of which have been overturned or blocked in federal courts – to drastic budget cuts, pushes to take early retirements or resignation buyouts and threats of withholding back pay for workers furloughed during the shutdown.

_{Read the full story}

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Nancy Pelosi, a force on Capitol Hill for decades, to retire from Congress

The California Democratic representative and the first woman to serve as speaker, announced on Thursday she will retire from Congress, two years after stepping down from House leadership.

Even when no longer in leadership, the 85-year-old remained enormously influential among Democrats, quietly counseling her party as they navigate Trump’s second term. In 2024, she played a key role in pushing Biden to withdraw from the presidential race after a disastrous debate performance against Trump.

_{Read the full story}

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Trump announces plan to cut cost of weight loss drugs and expand access

The agreement will make oral versions of GLP-1s, which aren’t yet to market but are expected to be approved in the coming months, available at $150 per month for starting doses. The average price for these injectables will be about $350, which will “trend down” to $245 a month over the next two years, the Trump administration said.

Trump calls the medications the “fat drug”, his term for these semaglutide or tirzepatide shots, known by their brand names: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound.

_{Read the full story}

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Senate blocks Democrats’ bid to check Trump power over Venezuela strikes

The 49-51 vote against passing the resolution, mostly along party lines, came a month after a previous effort to stop strikes against alleged drug trafficking boats in international waters similarly failed, 48-51.

The new resolution narrowed its scope to attract Republicans, but senators Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski remained the only two Republicans to cross party lines to support the resolution. Susan Collins and Thom Tillis, who had expressed reservations about the strikes, voted against.

_{Read the full story}

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What else happened today:

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Catching up? Here’s what happened on 5 November 2025.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says he has sued Roblox over “flagrantly ignoring” safety laws and “deceiving parents” about the dangers the online video gaming platform poses to young people.

In a social media post he said Roblox is a “breeding ground for predators”, accusing Roblox of putting “pixel paedophiles and corporate profit” over the safety of Texas children.

The lawsuit adds to the legal challenges related to online safety and internet predators faced by the gaming giant, which has tens of millions of daily active users.

Roblox told the BBC it is “disappointed” that it is being sued based on “misrepresentations and sensationalised claims”.

The company’s spokesperson said in a statement that it shares Paxton’s commitment to keeping children safe online and that it has introduced measures to remove bad actors and protect its users.

Roblox, which is especially popular with children, operates a massive online platform where users can play solo or with friends.

Users can also go in to servers and interact with strangers online – a feature that has been criticised for potentially exposing young players to dangerous individuals.

Parents and children have raised concerns about Roblox, saying that they have seen distressing content or suffered abuse on the platform.

Paxton called on the company to do more to protect children from “sick and twisted freaks hiding behind a screen”.

“Any corporation that enables child abuse will face the full and unrelenting force of the law,” he said in a statement on X.

Texas joins the US states of Kentucky and Louisiana which have also sued Roblox over potential harms to children.

Dave Baszucki, Roblox’s chief executive, previously told the BBC that parents who are uncomfortable with their children playing games on the platform should not let them use it.

“That sounds a little counter-intuitive, but I would always trust parents to make their own decisions,” Mr Baszucki said.

Roblox has introduced features in recent years to tighten age verification and safety for young players.

The platform said it is rolling out technology to estimate a player’s age using video selfies and other measures before they are allowed to communicate on Roblox.

Last year, Roblox also announced it will block under-13s from messaging others on the platform unless a parent or guardian grants permission.

Roblox has been banned in some countries, including Turkey over concerns about child exploitation.

The platform came under scrutiny in Singapore in 2023 after the government said that a self-radicalised teenager had been groomed online by people on the game’s servers.

Qantas has released the “first images” of its specially configured plane that will fly Australians non-stop from Sydney to London and New York from 2027.

The A350-1000ULR is on the Airbus assembly line in Toulouse, France, with its fuselage sections, wings and landing gear now attached, the airline said on Friday.

The aircraft would soon be transferred to a new hangar where its engines and instruments would be installed for test flights in 2026, Qantas said.

The carrier has ordered a dozen of the planes for “project sunrise” – its plan to connect Australia’s east coast with London and New York via non-stop flights.

The 22-hour flights will cut up to four hours off the total travel time compared to the current one-stop services.

The airline released the imagery on Friday to coincide with its annual general meeting in Brisbane. Images of the cabin have been released previously.

“This is an aircraft that will change what’s possible when it comes to international point-to-point air travel,” Qantas’s chief executive, Vanessa Hudson, said in an advance copy of her speech to shareholders.

“Our teams are incredibly excited for the arrival of the first aircraft late next year, a landmark moment for international aviation.”

Qantas has been flying direct from Perth, on Australia’s west coast, to London using Boeing Dreamliners since 2018.

Qantas said on Friday it expected its domestic revenue to grow by about 3% in the first half, which is at the lower end of the guidance range it provided in August.

While demand for leisure travel remained strong, businesses outside the resource sector were flying less than it had expected, the company said.

Its forecast for international revenue remained unchanged at 2-3% growth, while its Qantas loyalty program growth remained strong and on track.

Qantas said on Friday it would introduce a new cabin product on domestic and short-haul flights that would offer passengers extra leg-room, priority boarding and priority access to overhead baggage space.

Qantas Economy Plus would be available for purchase beginning in February, with high-level frequent flyers receiving complimentary access.

In this first-person narrative, Nick Cheung, undergraduate researcher, tells Nevada Today about his experience in various research labs studying the microscopic world of neurons and molecules.

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The first time I stepped into Associate Professor Jenny Ouyang’s lab during my freshman year, I found myself staring at a cage of zebra finches under a glow of artificial light, thinking, ‘Okay… how much trouble can a tiny bird get into?’ Little did I know, these tiny birds would teach me more about biology and research than I ever expected. That day, I learned that curiosity can bridge the gap to experience. Sometimes the smallest creatures reveal the biggest lessons, and this was my introduction to research through the Pack Research Experience Program (PREP).

During my freshman year, a friend told me about PREP, a program designed for students with little or no research experience. Even though I doubted I’d be accepted, I decided to apply. Turns out, the application was less time-consuming than I thought. It was more like a side quest, as I didn’t have to write long essays but instead just a few paragraphs here and there. Over winter break, I opened my email and saw the word “accepted.” I was thrilled and nervous. I would be working with Dr. Ouyang, studying circadian rhythms in zebra finches. I had no prior experience, but Dr. Ouyang and her lab were incredibly kind and supportive, guiding me through experimental design, data collection and analyzing how artificial light affects gene expression. PREP not only taught me hands-on research skills but also gave me confidence, a sense of curiosity and a reminder that mentorship can make all the difference.

After getting a taste of research, I was drawn to pursue more advanced research, which led me to my current work in Associate Professor Jung Hwan Kim’s lab through the Nevada Undergraduate Research Award (NURA) program. Here, I study neurons in Drosophila, commonly known as fruit flies, focusing on Bruchpilot (BRP), a protein critical for synaptic function between the neurons that make up the brain of the creature. I’m investigating how different neurodegenerative disease models affect BRP expression and neuron length. So far, I’ve seen patterns like altered neuron length across diseases, with Huntington’s disease models showing a change in BRP expression. A major part of my project involves testing other protein’s influences on BRP localization in these disease models. This requires careful staining, imaging and quantification of expression in motor neuron cell bodies.

The work can be challenging and sometimes frustrating when nothing seems to work, but every experiment teaches me more about neurons, neurodegeneration and the research process itself. I’ve also been fortunate to have Ph.D. students in Dr. Kim’s lab guiding me. They’ve been incredibly patient and generous with their time, teaching me techniques, troubleshooting experiments and sharing tips that make the lab a place to really learn and grow.

Looking back, PREP was the push I needed to step into research, and NURA has helped me to build on that foundation. Both programs have taught me that progress isn’t always linear, mistakes are part of learning, the right mentors make all the difference and as long as you’re truly curious, you can make up for your lack of experience. If you’re considering research, I highly encourage other undergraduate students to apply for PREP or NURA; you never know where it might take you. I know for me, it started with tiny birds and a few nervous looks, and now I’m exploring neurons in fruit flies, one synapse at a time.

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Nick Cheung, undergraduate researcher, three-time Undergraduate Research awardee and biotechnology major at the University of Nevada, Reno.

About the author

Nick Cheung is an undergraduate biotechnology student at the University of Nevada, Reno, set to graduate in fall 2026. He has spent countless hours exploring the microscopic world of neurons and molecules, and plans to attend graduate school to keep asking big questions.  

The fall 2025 Wolf Pack Discoveries symposium is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4, in the Joe Crowley Student Union Milt Glick Ballrooms. Student registration closes Nov. 23. 

Good morning. The benchmark stock indices in India have all been negative or flat most of this week, as scepticism over AI grips global markets. It’s hard to predict what the next positive trigger will be, but one must have hope, I suppose. 

Meanwhile, polls have started in Bihar, and nothing gets Indians excited more than a good election. We will know the results next Friday. Will Nitish Kumar manage to hang on to his chair for five more years? Scroll down to see how this newsletter’s readers voted. He is not going to give up without a fight, that’s for sure.

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KKR bets on India

Investment major KKR is looking at significant investments in India as part of its global expansion strategy. The firm’s co-chief executive, Scott Nuttall, who was visiting India this week, said the company was boosting investments in healthcare, financial services, consumer and technology businesses.  

Significantly, Nuttall also said the firm was planning to use its insurance arm to fund transactions in India. In June, KKR financed $600mn in Bengaluru-based healthcare and education provider Manipal Group through its insurance subsidiary Global Atlantic. This was the company’s first Indian investment through Global Atlantic, which it fully acquired in 2023. The company is looking to expand the India business to resemble its global model — moving beyond buyouts and core investments into insurance capital solutions and other financial markets. 

KKR has $9bn invested in various Indian entities, making it one of the largest private investors in the economy. The group’s optimism about India is not just based on projections of the country’s economic growth but also on account of the success of its investments. In 2022, it sold its holdings in Max Healthcare for $2bn, the largest market monetisation then by a PE investor in India. Earlier this year, it exited its holdings in JB Pharma for $1.4bn, netting fivefold returns. According to Nuttall, India and Japan are the best performing markets for the investment company in Asia, although he did not share specific numbers.

India’s share in private investments by large fund houses has been growing as China’s prospects have dipped. With slowing growth, geopolitical tensions and regulatory challenges, China is now far less attractive to foreign investors compared with a decade ago. Data from the Global Private Capital Association suggests that this year India has cornered a 41 per cent share of all private equity inflows into emerging and growth markets, beating China’s 34 per cent.

Much of this is thanks to the fact that New Delhi has rationalised the regulatory framework in many sectors. The central bank and the capital markets regulator have also loosened norms in order to welcome foreign investment. This is bearing fruit: net foreign direct investments were up more than 120 per cent in the April to August period this year compared with the same period last year. These numbers are especially impressive when contrasted with the fact that foreign portfolio investments are set for record outflows this year. A surge in patient money is some comfort in these difficult times. 

Why do you think India is more attractive to FDI than FPI now? Hit reply or email me at indiabrief@ft.com

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Mending fences

India is sending aid to Afghanistan after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the country’s north on Monday. Foreign minister S Jaishankar was one of the first to call his counterpart in the Taliban administration to offer his condolences and assure them of New Delhi’s support. 

These overtures come after Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Mutaqi’s groundbreaking (and controversial) trip to New Delhi last month. This was the first visit to New Delhi by a senior Taliban official since the group’s takeover of Kabul in 2021. A few days later, India announced its intention to reopen its embassy in Kabul, which had been shut for four years. 

In rushing to help its neighbour this week, India is trying to beat China to the punch as Afghanistan’s strategic significance in the region rises. For one, there is now a vacuum to fill after the Joe Biden-led US administration abruptly ended its engagement with the country, pulling troops and administrative resources in 2021. Secondly, India is desperately seeking allies in the region, especially after the military hostilities with Pakistan earlier this year. Afghanistan is an easy win in this regard, since Kabul’s relations with Islamabad too have significantly soured. The past few weeks have seen several clashes between the two countries on the border.

For more than a decade now China has been the region’s prominent benefactor, making big investments in all the countries in India’s immediate vicinity. But with the Trump administration shaking up geopolitical alliances all over the world, India too is looking at rewiring some of its friendships and alliances. With the Taliban, for example, India has done a full 180-degree turn from its former stance that there is no such thing as a good Taliban.

Earlier this week, a senior Indian official suggested to me that India’s strategic initiatives in foreign policy significantly revolve around being an important actor in the global south and in its commitment to the neighbourhood-first policy. Even though no one in the administration will concede to it, this does sound like a retreat from India’s aspirations to play in the big playground with western powers. Embracing the Taliban is only the first step in realigning equations in the region. There will be several others to follow.

Go figure

It’s been a year since Trump was elected to office for his second term. He has upended global trade, and despite his predilection to chicken out, the US’s de facto tariff rate is at its highest level in nearly a century.

Read, hear, watch

We did a fun thing yesterday, when Tee and I met a few of you — readers of this newsletter — for drinks at the Samuel Pepys pub near the FT’s headquarters in London. We had a fabulous time, hanging out and chatting with some wonderful people. Gossip and stories were shared, LinkedIn connections made and some warm new friendships initiated. I was especially pleased to see people brought together by India Business Briefing making plans to play tennis together! Thank you to everyone who came.

Buzzer round

What connects Johnnie Walker, Captain Morgan and Don Julio?

Send your answer to indiabrief@ft.com and check Tuesday’s newsletter to see if you were the first one to get it right.

Quick answer

On Tuesday we asked if sentiment against the incumbent will affect Nitish Kumar’s chances in Bihar? Here are the results. We will know for certain in a week.

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Thank you for reading. India Business Briefing is edited by Tee Zhuo. Please send feedback, suggestions (and gossip) to indiabrief@ft.com.