wignraja Courtesy:
9 July 2024

Indian Diplomacy: Diversifying Global Supply Chains

China-centric global supply chains, the backbone of East Asia’s prosperity, are shifting out as tensions over tariffs and strategic contest between the West and China soars. Ganeshan Wignaraja, Professorial Fellow, Economics and Trade, Gateway House, discusses diversifying supply chains, the China plus one strategy, and the role of India as a supply chain magnet for its South Asian neighbours.

download Courtesy:
20 June 2024

A new Mexico for a new Middle East

On June 3, Claudia Sheinbaum made history by becoming the first woman elected President of Mexico. In terms of foreign policy and carving a geopolitical identity, this marks the beginning of a new stage of Mexican integration into the global agenda. It provides another dimension for international stability, including a revitalized Mexican perspective of the Middle East.

1-Handelsbeurs-foto-middenplein Courtesy:
6 June 2024

The global Indian diamantaire network

Recent changes in Belgian and EU tax law and regulation have resulted in some Antwerp-based Palanpuri Jain diamond traders shifting base to the newly booming Dubai diamond market. But Antwerp dominates the diamond business for this enterprising community, where 400 families continue to stay and use it as a gateway to the European market for diamonds cut and polished in Surat and Mumbai in India.

Tourists visit Gangaramaya Buddhist temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka April 25,2024. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte Courtesy:
6 June 2024

Sri Lanka confronts illegal tourist ventures

Asian nations like Sri Lanka have seen a rush of Russian and Ukrainian tourists over the last two years. They discover salubrious climes and overstay their visas to start small businesses. It has helped Sri Lanka boost tourism after its 2022 debt default but also created economic problems for locals. It is necessary to identify trade-offs between economic benefits and security threats associated with extended-stay tourism.

dedoll Courtesy: CNBC
1 March 2024

Unfolding Geopolitics | Episode 7, De-dollarisation: economic or political?

The imposition of sanctions, continuing wars and the rise of new geopolitical blocs seeking to move away from western economic dependence, have prompted talk of ‘de-dollarisation,’ switching from the U.S. dollar as a currency of trade and reserves. Surjit Bhalla, well-known economist and India’s former representative at the International Monetary Fund, discusses the logic behind de-dollarisation and the key indicators of its sustainability or demise.

WTOMC13 Courtesy: World Trade Organisation
27 February 2024

WTO’s MC13 must leap forward

The ongoing WTO 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi is a critical one. Apart from reform of the existing system, negotiations on e-commerce and digital trade should be finalized, as it represents the human capital of growing digital services economies in developing and developed countries. Cooperation will demonstrate that members can produce results and chart a constructive path for the WTO system.

SA trade Courtesy: Hindustan Times
15 February 2024

South Asia’s trade architecture matters

South Asia requires resilient and cost-effective regional supply chains. This can be achieved through Indian investment, fostering local linkages while reducing dependency on Chinese financing of regional partners. A new approach enhances India's regional influence, creating a win-win scenario for the entire South Asian neighbourhood in a changing global landscape.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meets with President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa inside the Madama Palace (Senate) as Italy hosts the Italy-Africa summit in Rome, Italy January 29, 2024. REUTERS/Remo Casilli Courtesy: Reuters
8 February 2024

Italy reaches out to Africa

The Italy-Africa summit, held on January 28-29, followed Prime Minister Meloni’s Mattei Plan for greater engagement with Africa and the Global South. It gives Italy’s ongoing G7 presidency an edge and a means of addressing immediate concerns like energy and illegal migration. Italy must now follow through on its commitments by coordinating with partner countries, organisations and private sector.