obamaxi Courtesy: Systemman, Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo/Wikimedia Commons
21 October 2013

U.S. government shutdown, China’s gain

The U.S. government shutdown and President Obama’s absence gave China immense diplomatic and political space at the APEC and East Asia Summit meetings. China’s declaration of a “de-Americanised” world may be premature but the crumbling old order is doing little to dispel this notion

merkel cdu www.GlynLowe.com flickr Courtesy: www.GlynLowe.com/Flickr
27 September 2013

Germany after elections: Similar but not the same

It may take Chancellor Angela Merkel weeks to negotiate a new coalition, but the vote for stability means that change will only be at the margins of current domestic and foreign policy. Still, the fallout of the election in the EU and beyond, including in India, should not be underestimated

Indira Lyndon Jerchel wikimediacommons Courtesy: Jerchel/WikimediaCommons
24 September 2013

The case for India-Alignment

India often finds itself in the right place at the wrong time or vice versa, as our dogma of non-alignment trumps honest calculations of self-interest in policy-making – rendering it unfavourable. The national interest, hence, calls for selective alignment on some issues with Washington and on others with Beijing

g20akshay Courtesy: The Prime Minister's Office/Flickr
12 September 2013

G20: The new Bretton Woods?

Global institutions responsible for price discovery and speculation in commodities are suspected of fuelling price hikes. With the world experiencing turmoil in the food and energy markets, fixing the global pricing architecture for commodities should be the priority for the G20

merkey steinbruck Courtesy: WikimediaCommons
6 September 2013

What does Germany want?

German foreign policy can be described as one anchored in the European and NATO alliance while being the economic centre of Europe. Yet, any government that comes in after the September 22 elections will be challenged by rapid developments in West Asia and elsewhere in a politically and economically turbulent world

BRICS Summit Courtesy: Blog do Planalto
12 July 2013

A clarion call to study BRICS

The launch of the BRICS Universities League in Shanghai is an important effort for the five nations to understand each other and define their place in global governance

Badi Soch: Is the U.S.-EU free trade plan a threat to India and China?
19 June 2013

Badi Soch: Is the U.S.-EU free trade plan a threat to India and China?

This daily column includes Gateway House’s Badi Soch – big thought – of the day’s foreign policy events. Today’s focus is on the negotiations for a free trade agreement between the E.U. and the U.S.

ansari AU Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs, India
7 June 2013

Destination Africa

The role of the emerging economies of Africa was discussed at the recent summit of the African Union. Africa’s resources are crucial to fuel such economic powerhouses as India, Brazil and China, and India must accelerate its trade and aid relationship with the continent.