IMG_2283 Courtesy: Manjeet Kripalani
2 June 2016

The sanctioned, sleeping beauties awake

BY

The crippling effect of American sanctions are thorough; designed to strangle economies and bring entire nations to a halt. However, they unknowingly pull people together, imparting a deep sense of patriotism and often sparking innovation which can quickly surpass any other world power. With sanctions being lifted on nations like Myanmar, Iran and, hopefully, Cuba, the question remains whether they will retain their uniqueness or fall into line with the rest?

modiobama Courtesy: Wikipedia
29 May 2016

Modi in the U.S.: a changed landscape

BY

Prime Minister Modi’s skills will be tested on his upcoming visit to the United States. The challenge comes in light of recent anti-India sentiments voiced at a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. With Modi set to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress, this is an opportunity to address all concerns, be it on policy or polity.

modi RCEP Courtesy: MEA / Flickr
26 May 2016

India’s five-cornered trade strategy

BY

Five rather unfavourable trends define India’s trade performance over the past two years; these trends also provide useful pointers as to where India’s future trade strategy can go over the next three years as it deals with a global economic slowdown, the rise of megatrade agreements and a pivot to a more intensive trade relation with the U.S.

800px-thumbnail Courtesy: Wikipedia
12 May 2016

India: openly-allied with the U.S.

BY

After nearly a decade of moving slowly towards the U.S. on critical matters including nuclear power, the recent bilateral agreement to share military facilities and have anti-submarine warfare talks, suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have India sail the oceans with the American eagle.

A_presidente_Dilma_Rousseff_durante_cerimônia_contra_o_impeachment_em_31_de_março_de_2016 Courtesy: Wikipedia
21 April 2016

Brazil’s hour of reckoning

BY

The recent decision of Brazil's lower house of parliament to impeach President Rousseff has once again brought attention to the country's struggles with corruption. The crisis has already affected Brazil’s economy. Its impact on the region and on Indian businesses in the country is yet to be seen.

US India Navy Courtesy: Ash Carter / Flickr
16 April 2016

India-U.S.: convergence and divergence

BY

The success of the U.S. Defense Secretary's recent visit to India is indicative of the deepening India-U.S. defence relationship. It has become clear that Indo-U.S. maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean is steaming ahead; while other geopolitical differences, like the sale of aircraft to Pakistan, seem unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

Carter and Parikhar Courtesy: Department of Defense, U.S. Gov
14 April 2016

Carter in India: a foundational visit

BY

The recent visit of the U.S. Defense Secretary to India has yielded significant outcomes on streamlining bilateral military interactions, deepening maritime security cooperation and defence technology collaboration. As India grows closer to the U.S., it should be clear about the objectives of this engagement

Mr_Donald_Trump_New_Hampshire_Town_Hall_on_August_19th,_2015_at_Pinkerton_Academy,_Derry,_NH_by_Michael_Vadon_02 Courtesy: Wikipedia
31 March 2016

Dismantling the geopolitical Bretton Woods

BY

Statements by Donald Trump, the business magnate turned serious contender for the Oval Office, assert that he wants “good” political and economic deals for the U.S. - even if it means dismantling alliances, i.e. the geopolitical equivalents of Bretton Woods that underwrote the U.S .domination in Europe, Asia and Middle East for more than six decades. A new era could dawn.

Azaz,_Syria Courtesy: Wikipedia
9 March 2016

India and the Syrian quagmire

BY

With a cessation of hostilities been brokered by Russia and the United States, the conflict in Syria has entered a tense pause. India has had a bystander attitude to the conflict in Syria. However, with the truce expected to be short, does India have the incentive or the option to depart from its current position, and deepen its engagement in Syria?

CyberAttacks_Samir Courtesy: Christiaan Colen / Flickr
18 February 2016

Geopolitical rivalries in cyberspace

BY

The recent cyber attack on Ukraine’s power grids is indicative of the cyber space becoming the most useful tool for perpetuating geopolitical rivalries. Many countries are rapidly expanding their offensive cyber capabilities, and it appears the militarisation of cyber space is complete.