Courtesy: paula bronstein/getty images/file
An alarming pattern of complicity of the government officials in the anti-Muslim violence in Myanmar are emerging. This trend is detrimental for emerging democracy and gives rise to the question that these cases are a diversionary tactic to draw the attention away from the real issue of stalling democratic reforms
Courtesy: Gateway House
A lot has been written about the Modi-Abe equation and expectations are high from the upcoming Tokyo summit. Despite the bonhomie shared by the two leaders much work needs to be done on the civil nuclear deal as well as defence cooperation to arrive at a substantive and fruitful relationship
Courtesy: wikimedia
The Argentines blame the 'Washington Consensus' for the default in 2001, and the New York judiciary and vulture funds for the 'artificial default' in July this year. These are challenges not just for Argentina; they endanger the global debt restructuring system and contradict U.S. domestic laws
Courtesy: Gateway House
The Modi-Obama meet in Washington will be crucial to take the India-U.S. bilateral forward. The meet will test the commitment of both administrations and hence the dialogue must focus on deliverables such as defence co-operation and LNG exports to create a roadmap for concrete progress
Courtesy: Owlpacino
Although the histories, levels of economic development, and critical issues of India and the U.S. are different, the confrontational party politics in their political systems pose similar challenges. Both countries can learn from the experience of federalism of the other to take their national agendas forward
Courtesy: Synthesio.com
Many Arab Republics are mired in political discord after the departure of the old tyrannical regimes opened up spaces for new struggles. In Iraq, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan, attempts to address the turmoil through constitutional reform are facing challenges. Will a democratic federalism be attained when the battles are done?
Courtesy: wikimedia\commons
Brazil follows a more decentralised form of federalism and gives special importance to the municipalities. Porto Alegre’s successful 'participatory budgeting' is a role model for the world. India can learn from both the positive and negative aspects of the Brazilian system
Courtesy: MEA/Government of India
With a 1600-kilometre-long shared border, and a maritime boundary in the North East, Myanmar is critical to India’s Look East policy. However, India has to look beyond the China bogey in order to find ways to truly consolidate ties with Myanmar
Courtesy: MEA/Government of India
Myanmar, currently listed as one of the least developed nations by the UN, provides its neighbouring countries the opportunity to invest in one of the world’s last few business frontiers. Sushma Swaraj on her maiden visit to Nay Pyi Taw should continue to strengthen ties based on economic goals to develop largely underdeveloped areas along the common border as well use Myanmar’s increasing weight in the ASEAN grouping
Courtesy: Joshua Martin
U.S. defence secretary Chuck Hagel’s visit is the third in a flurry of visits by top American officials before the scheduled Modi-Obama meet in September. Hagel’s visit will aim to enhance an already well-established defence-trade partnership and allay fears of the Pentagon’s bias towards Pakistan