Hagel2 Courtesy: Joshua Martin
7 August 2014

Hagel in India: building greater synergy

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

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

kerry Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs
2 August 2014

Strengthening ties amid differences

The 5th India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue was an effort to reverse the downward spiral in bilateral ties, and an opportunity for the two countries to get a realistic assessment of each other. Clearly given the range of differences on issues such as trade, tariffs and price controls, there is still plenty of work to be done

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

Karnali_River,_Nepal_6 Courtesy: Wikipedia\commons
28 July 2014

India-Nepal: a Himalayan opportunity

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit all the right notes in his landmark visit to Nepal this week. Modi’s announcement of hydropower being a key area of synergy in the bilateral will help India solve its electricity shortage and also provide the country a renewable energy import from a friendly neighbour

Modi Jokowi cross Courtesy: Gateway House
22 July 2014

A better partner: Indonesia?

The recent election in Indonesia gives India a chance to evaluate the many points of comparison between the two diverse and vibrant democracies. Both will face similar challenges, and so Indonesia may be a better parallel as well as partner than China – the usual model cited for development