kerry-modi Courtesy: MEA\photogallery
4 August 2014

John Kerry’s charm offensive

Much was made of the ‘incredible possibilities’ for India-U.S. ties preceding John Kerry’s visit to India. The American emphasis on rhetoric touched a new high when Kerry formally invited Indian PM Modi to Washington in September. The two sides must now get beyond words to work towards a resolution of differences for the bilateral to blossom

Sushma on Gaza Courtesy: Rajya Sabha TV
30 July 2014

A confusing stand on Gaza

Historically, India has supported the Palestinian cause but today, shares strong diplomatic relations with both West Bank and Tel Aviv. India's vote at the UNHRC has provoked much debate within the country as it marks a distinct shift in the government's stand from a few weeks ago when it was reluctant to even discuss the Gaza crisis in Parliament

041005-N-0021M-001 Courtesy: U.S. Navy photo/Journalist 1st Class Todd Macdonald
29 July 2014

Malabar 2014: a good beginning

India’s invitation and the subsequent participation of the Japanese navy in the Malabar 2014 exercise is a sign of the deepening of the political-security relationship between India and Japan. However, an actual fruition of the potential requires both the administrations to be more flexible, especially on the nuclear deal and defence purchases

kerry Courtesy: IBtimes.com
29 July 2014

India-U.S: from strategic to historic

On the eve of his departure to India for the fifth India-U.S Strategic Dialogue, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry outlined a roadmap of partnership between the two countries. While mentioning some of the ongoing concerns of the U.S government, he said this was a moment to chart a new course in the bilateral relationship

images Courtesy: wikipedia\commons
29 July 2014

India-U.S. ties: expert speak

Four years ago, U.S. President Barack Obama announced that the India -U.S. relationship would be "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century". However the relationship hasn’t matched up to the rhetoric and bilateral ties hit a low in 2013. Forthcoming high profile engagements between the two suggest the tide might be changing

IBSA Courtesy: Gateway House
15 July 2014

Time to revive the IBSA Dialogue Forum

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Brazil for the BRICS summit is an opportunity for India to intensify its engagement with South America and reactivate the long-dormant IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) grouping. This grouping is a promising partnership comprising of different models of democracies spread over three continents

US_Flag_Backlit Courtesy: Jnn13/Wikimedia Commons
9 July 2014

Awaiting an American ambassador

The U.S. has not yet appointed a new ambassador to India. But this absence of urgency is less a ‘signal’ to India and more a result of factors such as a backlog of appointments awaiting approval in the Senate and candidates unwilling to accept the post only for the remaining period of the Obama administration

swaraj Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs
27 June 2014

Disquiet on the eastern front

Relations between India and Bangladesh have been limping along a road paved with good intentions, but little action. Will the new government in Delhi make things better or worse for its smaller and weaker neighbour? There are concerns, but there is also optimism, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may be the man to do business with

Modi departure_Bhutan Courtesy: MEA/Indian Embassy Thimphu
18 June 2014

Modi: charting a new foreign policy course

Narendra Modi’s first month in office has seen him deftly handle India’s neighbours, accept an invitation to visit Washington, enhance relations with Bhutan and accord due importance to China. In the same manner, Modi will also have to move quickly and firmly to reassure foreign investors of the dependability of India’s fiscal environment