Gateway Features
India-Sri Lanka, friends in deed
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Sri Lanka’s new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is on a state visit to India, his first foreign trip. Dissanayake was given a high ceremonial welcome by his counterpart, President Droupadi Murmu, and received with warmth by Prime Minister Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. In the joint statement released thereafter, India has pledged to supply LNG gas to Sri Lanka, enhance INR-LKR trade settlements between the two countries, boost education and technology exchanges and encourage Indian FDI in Sri Lanka. It is clear read more
India’s oil strategy in the Trump era
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During his visit to Guyana in South America (20-21 November), Prime Minister Modi signed a number of MOUs, including one for cooperation in the hydrocarbon (petroleum) sector. The agreement included sourcing of crude oil, cooperation in natural gas and development of infrastructure. Guyana has become an important oil producer in the past five years – from its astounding oil discovery in 2015 and first oil production in 2019, Guyana now produces 645,000 barrels/day of oil. A consortium led by U.S. oil read more
Saudi Arabia’s rising regional positioning
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The timing of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s remarks accusing Israel of “genocide” at the Arab-Islamic summit, held in Riyadh on November 11 this year, was interesting. The statement which came in the wake of recent moves by Riyadh and Tehran to strengthen ties, suggested that Saudi Arabia was finally acceding to Iran’s request that Arab nations needed to take a more active role in the Gaza war. Iran will not have been surprised by the Prince’s remarks read more
Xi Jingping’s Latin Success
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Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Peru and Brazil from 13 to 21 November 24 made global headlines. There were two purposes for his visit. One, to attend the APEC Summit meeting in Peru and to inaugurate the Beijing-funded Chancay Port, and two, to participate in the G20 Summit in Brazil. He also turned the events into a state visit to both countries. This trip has been interesting as it sought to project China as a champion of the global read more
Research
Divergent global reactions to major crises such as those sparked by the war in Ukraine and NATO’s Afghanistan withdrawal have widened the chasm between Western countries and emerging middle powers. This survey, conducted among nearly 1,000 experts from India, Brazil, South Africa and Germany, examines key foreign policy priorities in these countries, and reveals that despite differences, dialogue is possible.
Foreign Affairs
China’s expansionist nuclear programme aims to bolster its capabilities, so much so, that Beijing's predictions boast 2500 new warheads by 2030, thus rivalling the American and Russian arsenals. As the dragon quadruples its nuclear propensity, heralding the world to something greatly unstable – a tripolar nuclear system; nuclear peace seems a quite convoluted goal.
Book Reviews
A timely book on the Naga contribution to Allied victory in the Second World War is a necessary documentation. Northeast India was the eastern flank of the British empire where the battles of Kohima and Imphal stopped Japan’s invasion into India. While western historical narratives are being reiterated during the war’s 80th anniversary, the role and sacrifice of the Nagas is a neglected but important counterpoint.
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