Courtesy: Government/ZA/Flickr
At the 5th BRICS Summit that begins in South Africa today, the heads of state of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are expected to ratify the creation of the BRICS Bank. After discussion and study for over a year by the respective governments, the bank will be launched with seed money estimated at between $50 billion to $100 billion, and most likely an equal share of voting rights for the management of the bank. What remains
With India backing the United Nations resolution against Sri Lanka, New Delhi-Colombo relations appear to be in a tense phase. Gateway House interviews Prasad Kariyawasam, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, to discuss the implications of the UNHRC vote and the future of India-Sri Lanka relations.
Courtesy: WikimediaCommons
New Delhi has taken some opportunistic actions, such as its vote against Sri Lanka in the UN Human Rights Council, to pacify internal political demands. But these extract a price in the international arena. Should we anticipate a further decline in India’s regional and international credibility?
The establishment of a BRICS Development Bank will be among the prime topics of discussion at the BRICS Summit on March 26. Gateway House’s Akshay Mathur interviews former Indian Ambassador and Foreign Secretary, Shyam Saran, on the prospects and viability of alternate financial architectures.
The experience between the people of Myanmar’s Chin Hills and of Mizoram’s Lushai Hills shows that increased cross-border interaction has influenced the economic situation on both sides of the border. Sanjay Pulipaka blogs about the challenges and opportunities that come with increased exchanges across the border.
The recent allegations of corruption against the sale of AgustaWestland helicopters has renewed serious concerns on foreign defence acquisition in India. The larger question is this: to what extent does corruption really affect national security? Aakash Brahmachari blogs.
Courtesy: Matanya/WikimediaCommons
Since 2002, a large amount of U.S. funds flowing into Afghanistan has been diverted to the Taliban by local strongmen, resulting in a continued presence of the militia. The challenge post-2014 will be to reverse the West’s top-down strategy, creating a grassroots-driven incentive for peace and development.
In the backdrop of the European Union’s (EU) economic crises, the international community’s focus has shifted towards Asia. Gateway House interviews renowned historian and scholar Timothy Garton Ash on the lessons Asia can learn from Europe, Britian’s role in the EU and political morality.
Courtesy:
India’s relations with Islamic nations, many of which are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have become even more prolific over the last decade. While India does not visualise becoming a member of a religious international body, many reasons militate against our formally joining the OIC.
Courtesy: MEAIndia/Flickr
The steps taken by the Indian government to enable private sector involvement in ASEAN have been hesitant. After the recent ASEAN summit in New Delhi, it is time for greater coordination of Indian private industry with government-to-government interaction, which will benefit all members, including India.
