The early arrival of the southwest monsoon in India this year ~ eight days ahead of its usual date ~ is more than a meteorological headline. It is a quietly momentous development that could ripple through the economy, influence political discourse, and bring tangible relief to millions. As the monsoon touched down in Kerala on May 24, its earliest onset in 16 years, it brought with it the promise of abundant crops, tempered inflation, and crucial respite from a punishing heat wave.

India’s deep dependence on the monsoon is no secret. Nearly half the country’s cultivated land is not irrigated, relying solely on these rains for sowing and sustenance. From rice paddies in Tamil Nadu to maize fields in Madhya Pradesh, the southwest monsoon is the invisible hand guiding India’s agricultural fate. The difference of a few days in its arrival can be the difference between a delayed harvest and a bumper crop. This year’s early onset, coupled with........

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