iran election 1 Courtesy: Creative Commons/Flickr
13 June 2013

Why the world should take the Iran elections seriously

The 11th presidential election of Iran is unlikely to be fully democratic or transparent, but the winner will decide the nature of Tehran’s engagement with the West over its nuclear programme. The outcome of this election will also have a bearing on the crises in Syria and Iraq, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Li manmohan abe Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs, India
31 May 2013

Li and Abe

While the recent India-Japan Joint Statement contains significant breakthroughs, the China-Pakistan Joint Statement reveals the absence of warmth between India and China. With the current flurry of bilateral exchanges, India is fine-tuning its approach to emerging regional realities, as are others.

Iran Majlis source iran majlis website Courtesy: Parliament of Iran (Majlis)
30 May 2013

A civilisation goes to the polls

As the 11th Presidential election of Iran draws closer, the atmosphere in Tehran has been abuzz with hope as well as deep cynicism. Why is Iran at a crossroads again? Why will the outcome of this election indicate the foundation of the next chapter in this civilization’s history?

ambani Courtesy: World Economic Forum/Flickr
24 May 2013

The privilege of protection

The recent protestation over Mukesh Ambani receiving CISF protection has thrown light on why current laws make it preferable for private individuals and organisations to seek government guarding agencies for protection over private security firms

akash jayaprakash Courtesy: Aakash Jayaprakash
23 May 2013

“India should be more active in protecting its workers”

In the run-up to the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Gateway House interviews Aakash Jayaprakash from the Qatar Foundation to discuss the preparations underway to make the event a big success. He also talks about the issues of immigration, labour rights and the effects of the Arab uprisings in Qatar

iran election wikimedia commons Courtesy: WikimediaCommons
17 May 2013

Iran: Contentious election, uncertain outcomes

The 11th Presidential election of Iran will be held on June 14, 2013. Why will this election be a test for the Islamic Republic’s stability? What are the factors at play that make this election critical; and more importantly, why must India monitor it closely?

Bahrain protest1 Courtesy: Al Jazeera English/Flickr
16 May 2013

Policy and Prejudice: Shia Divisionism in Bahrain

Two years ago, during the Arab Spring uprisings in several West Asian nations, youth and pro-democracy movements flared up on the Persian Gulf island of Bahrain. In light of these events, this paper assesses how Bahrain’s policies toward its Shia constituency have affected relations between Sunni and Shia groups.

nawaz pic final_210x140 Courtesy: Martin H./WikimediaCommons
13 May 2013

‘Naya’ Nawaz Sharif?

Will former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif prove to be his country’s saviour, one that can make Pakistan the ambitious transit economy it can be? However, the most needed and least controversial angle from which India and Pakistan’s new government can begin to engage is through business and trade.

Arun nanda 2 Courtesy: World Economic Forum/Flickr
13 May 2013

Interview: Are India and Pakistan ready for business?

For the first time since 1947, Pakistan, on May 11, succeeded in transitioning from one elected government to another. Gateway House interviews Arun Nanda, Director, Mahindra Group, on the prospects of India-Pakistan trade in the new political environment.