Courtesy: Wikipedia.org
Incumbent Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa lost to his opponent Maithripala Sirisena in the recent elections. The reasons have been attributed to nepotism and dwindling support from the Sinhala community. With considerable challenges awaiting the new government, it would be wise to not rule out a return of Mahinda
Courtesy: wikimedia.org
Global markets stumbled across all asset categories in the first two weeks of 2015. With the domestic economy showing signs of improvement, structural improvements are now needed to shield the Indian economy from such shocks
Courtesy: MEA/Government of India
India’s engagement with Africa currently is trapped in a discourse from another era. With a change in governance structures and demographics, African countries are keen to elevate the level of trade and investment ties. India is in an advantageous position due to historical linkages but China and the U.S. are already ahead in the game
Courtesy: wikimedia.org
The five-day strike threatened by Coal India’s unions has driven home the risks India faces due to excessive dependence on a single company. The Indian economy needs to be secured against such blackmail by diversifying—using more gas and hydropower, and by getting other public sector firms such as NTPC into coal mining
Courtesy: psychotropicon.info
Cyber crime has transcended hacking and other online illegal activities—the black markets of the “hidden” internet are now a potent threat. This “darknet” is used by illicit traders, saboteurs and terrorist groups—with serious financial and security implications for the Indian government and business sector
Courtesy: globalsherpa.org
The Indian government has undertaken a massive financial inclusion scheme to bring bank accounts to the poor. But poverty alleviation needs to be addressed at multiple levels for which the Latin American example of using targeted and customised conditional cash transfer programmes can help India
Courtesy: youtkiawaaz.com
In 2014 the Narendra Modi-led government outlined a neighbourhood-first approach, revitalised traditional ties and invited the world to invest in India’s growth story. But, a new year brings new challenges as well as new goals. Gateway House outlines the priorities for India’s foreign policy for 2015
Courtesy: gaatha.com
Although the informal and small enterprises sector contributes significantly to India’s GDP, and engages the majority of the country’s workforce, it is barely reflected in official growth numbers. Strengthening this segment will revitalise the economy and substantiate the government’s ‘Make in India’ policies
Courtesy: MEA/Government of India
2015 is likely to begin with India-China boundary talks in New Delhi, and strategic analysts believe it can be a unique window—arising out of the new political dynamism in both countries—to resolve the dispute. Besides, if Modi visits China in 2015, it can expedite investments—also making it a big year for bilateral ties
Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs of India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a busy diplomatic calendar in 2014. He travelled to seven countries and met dozens of world leaders in his first six months in office, and received 11 heads of state during that time. Gateway House followed his foreign engagements closely, commenting on them in our weekly newsletter to our members