the bohra transcultural network Courtesy: Alvazarat
22 April 2021

The Bohra transcultural network

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The Dawoodi Bohra diaspora is present in over 40 countries that are home to 500 sizeable communities. From a predominantly Indian Ocean merchant diaspora in the past, today, its young prefer to seek educational and professional opportunities in developed countries, like the United States. What remains unchanged is the Bohras' traditional way of life, as lived through its rich and composite cuisine and its unique, ever-evolving language – Lisan-ul-Dawat – both of which connect the community across continents.

bimstec needs to reinvent itself Courtesy: @MEAIndia | Twitter
14 April 2021

BIMSTEC needs to reinvent itself

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The 17th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) ministerial meeting was held on 1 April 2021. Though the grouping is ready to move forward, a number of obstacles stand in the way of this, including regional tensions, uncertainties surrounding SAARC and China's involvement in the multilateral. As BIMSTEC is to celebrate the silver jubilee of its formation next year, can it achieve its goal, to effect “a paradigm-shift in raising the level of cooperation and regional integration"?

un chief: woman-led or west-led? Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
7 April 2021

UN: Woman-led or West-led?

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A new chief is due to occupy the chair of the UN Secretary General later this year. The lobbying for this prestigious global post has already begun. There is a rotation system that offers equal opportunities to regional blocs to promote their candidates. But this time, it's a toss between having the first woman to head the body, or continuing with the West-led bloc's candidate. Who will win? And where does India stand?

learning from bangladesh Courtesy: Shutterstock
25 March 2021

Learning from Bangladesh

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This month marks the beginning of triple celebrations in Bangladesh, including the 50th anniversary of its independence, for which Prime Minister Modi will be traveling to Dhaka as the guest of honour. There is much to celebrate: A country that began as a case study for development is now on top of the global GDP charts. The springboard was achieved through a thriving textiles industry, women's workforce participation, micro finance, liberal investment policies. There is much to learn from this neighbour.

the quad comes of age Courtesy: Shutterstock
12 March 2021

The Quad comes of age

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In its recent itineration, the Quad (or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) has been toiling since 2017, through deliberations among mid-level and senior officials, to develop a common vision for the challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region, challenges caused by China's menacing rise and aggressive behaviour.

PM Netanyahu with US President Trump, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed (far right) and Bahrain Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif Al Zayani (far left) Courtesy: Shutterstock
25 February 2021

Realignments in West Asia

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India recognises the importance of West Asia, with Prime Minister Modi’s Link West policy, relations have flourished with the Arab world and Israel. India is also dependent on West Asia for energy and foreign remittances. The panel discussed the implications of various changes in the region - the Biden administration in the USA, the historic Abraham Accords and al-Ula agreement and India's growing economic relations with countries in West Asia.

India, IOR and blue economy Courtesy: Common Wealth
25 February 2021

India, IOR and the blue economy

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The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) presents a unique opportunity to develop a Blue Economy, with security, sustainability and business profitability as its three pillars. An IOR Defence Ministers' Conclave held on 4 February provided a platform to discuss regional cooperation, linking development with defence, and emphasized India's pivotal position within the IOR.

japan blooms in india's north east Courtesy: Government of Meghalaya
24 February 2021

Japan blooms in India’s North East

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Japan and India’s North East are culturally contiguous – and have been for centuries. From their monoliths and cenotaphs, to the sacred bamboo and house construction, the old similarities are now being carried into the future by the younger generation of North Easterners, who admire and seamlessly blend Japanese creative influences like anime, food and street style, into their own.

BIMSTEC: Potential and Opportunities Courtesy:
22 February 2021

BIMSTEC: Potential and Opportunities

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During the Bay of Bengal Economic Dialogue 2021 on, Post-COVID Challenges in the Bay of Bengal Region, Amb. Rajiv Bhatia, Distinguished Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies, Gateway House addresses the staggered growth of BIMSTEC, whilst also highlighting its potential as a regional grouping. He identifies the lack of political commitment, bureaucratic inertia and insufficient engagement of the Third Space and disregard for the region as a community as the chief obstacles to a successful initiative.