India_fields_and_wind_turbines Courtesy: Wikipedia
23 March 2016

Move over solar; welcome, wind

After the recent WTO ruling against India on the issue of local content of solar panels, India must revise its renewable energy strategy in favour of wind power. Instead of imported solar panels, India’s renewable capacities can use locally-manufactured windmills.

Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley arrives at parliament house to present federal budget 2016-17, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. It was Jaitley’s second full budget since Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a huge majority in national election in 2014, on the back of promises to turn around the economy and boost job creation. There have been few sweeping reforms in the past two years that the government has been promising. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) Courtesy: AP
17 March 2016

Budget 2016: the challenge begins now

Two weeks after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced the Union Budget 2016-2017, it continues to be a hotly discussed topic. This pro-farmer budget has laid down great plans, but in a nation where Mars Missions and farmers suicides occur simultaneously, aspirations will have to take a backseat until the way forward has been paved.

Bollywood_dance_show_in_Bristol Courtesy:
10 March 2016

A diplomacy of song and dance

The Latin American region already identifies with India through its pop culture, so India needs to capitalise on this goodwill to deepen its diplomatic relations with the region.

india afghan Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs / Flickr
10 March 2016

Building a path to Afghanistan

A more robust foreign policy initiative is required for India to be seen as a serious player in the future of Afghanistan. Building dams and roads has ensured its presence as a partner in rebuilding the country, but its conservative handling of Afghan issues must be challenged, perhaps by following the Iran route, to push forward its geostrategic interests.

India’s Act East Policy and Myanmar’s Role
10 March 2016

India’s Act East Policy and Myanmar’s Role

Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia, Distinguished Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies, Gateway House delivered a lecture on India's Act East Policy at Jadavpur University, Kolkata on 10 March, 2016 as part of the Ministry of External Affairs' 'Distinguished Lecture Series.'

Azaz,_Syria Courtesy: Wikipedia
9 March 2016

India and the Syrian quagmire

With a cessation of hostilities been brokered by Russia and the United States, the conflict in Syria has entered a tense pause. India has had a bystander attitude to the conflict in Syria. However, with the truce expected to be short, does India have the incentive or the option to depart from its current position, and deepen its engagement in Syria?

2903370723_e804987949_o Courtesy: Wikipedia
3 March 2016

WTO solar ruling: victim to victor

The WTO judgment on the India-U.S. dispute on solar panels shows how rules across different international regimes – climate change, trade and nuclear power – favor the countries which set those rules. India must deepen its participation in such multilateral fora to protect its interests.

TPP Courtesy: ustr.gov
3 March 2016

A fine line: TPP and India

The Trans-Pacific Partnership has dropped strong Intellectual Property Rights regulations on India’s doorstep. The implications of these regulations could affect India’s own policies, as well as her global aspirations towards the potential Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.