India: up-and-down on Pakistan
The U.S., post-9/11, has made large strides with their homeland security. In contrast, what has India done to counter terrorism? How have Indo-Pakistan relations unfolded?
The U.S., post-9/11, has made large strides with their homeland security. In contrast, what has India done to counter terrorism? How have Indo-Pakistan relations unfolded?
President Barack Obama is receiving pressure from domestic politics and Israel to maintain his stance on a nuclear free Iran. Will the United States go so far as to attack Iran, and if so, can it deal with the consequences?
The 'double-dealing' of the U.S. and Pakistani army - all with the ambition of military dominance - has significantly aided various terrorist groups. After 26/11, there is no place to hide for the Mike Mullens and countless others who have been apologists for the Pakistan army and the state it controls.
In the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, the Pakstani deep state role was highlighted. The U.S. has come to realise this reality too. Bilateral information sharing could prove to be vital to combat terrorism - both regionally and globally.
Last May, U.S. citizen David Headley confessed to being a spy for the Lashkar-e-Taiba. What no one has tackled yet is whether there are other Headleys out there whose actions threaten India, or any other country. Even with thousands of intelligence agencies scouting for terrorist activities, are we really safer?
The first Indo-U.S. Education Summit held last week showed much promise. While education can be driving force of the strategic dialogue between the two countries, this is also an opportunity for business. India's massive education sector, estimated at $25 billion, is waiting to be tapped.
With increasing debt and recession in the West, it seems no longer fitting for the rest of the world to follow traditional Western financial models. India’s long experience of capital markets, with its conservative and ‘inclusive’ financial regulatory system, on the other hand, makes for a compelling case study.
NATO’s poor strategy in Afghanistan has failed to quell the Taliban. Now, India will begin to train the Afghani military, and has proven with its light force tactics in Kashmir that it is better suited for the role than NATO forces.
Is China poised to take over from the United States as the world’s leading economy? Yes, judging by its GDP, trade flows, and ability to act as a creditor to the rest of the world. In fact, China’s economic dominance will be far greater and come about far sooner than most observers realize.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s speech at the UN General Assembly has put Indian perceptions on the record and clearly outlined India’s independent foreign policy. India came out unequivocally in support of the Palestinian struggle & reiterated its traditional stance of respecting countries’ sovereignty.