The PSAARC declaration
The People's SAARC (PSAARC) declaration,which called for the governments to address a number of issues from food security to climate justice, established the network as advocates for a progressive humanitarian agenda
People’s SAARC: a valid agenda
Rajni Bakshi, Senior Gandhi Fellow, Gateway House reports from People’s SAARC, a motley gathering of NGO workers and members of the village communities they work with. PSAARC will compile a memorandum – a wish-list of demands and aspirations – on November 24 and present it to the heads of SAARC nations
Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
The UN and sustainability
The UN and the global finance industry are making gradual but concerted efforts to align business interests and ecological sustainability. A growing number of companies are combining profit-making with social responsibility. There is still a long way to go, but the UN system has created useful mechanisms of change
Courtesy: wikimedia\commons
Rethinking history
Textbooks in India and Pakistan offer vastly differing views of events related to the freedom struggle. The History Project is an attempts to introduce students from both sides to an alternative and more balanced account of a shared past
Courtesy:
Lanka’s anti-Muslim violence
The rising number of anti-Muslim attacks in Sri Lanka has grave security implications for South Asia, including India. The Mahinda Rajapaksa government must take steps to address the situation immediately, even if it comes at the cost of losing votes
Courtesy: MEA/Government of India
Time for economic diplomacy
The Narendra Modi government’s first budget comes at a time when the prime minister has been substantially responsive to the world that has reached out to him. It is apparent that the new government will combine politico-strategic concerns with economic advantage
Courtesy: Telegraph.co.uk
Wahhabi designs on India
Indian security establishments are closely monitoring developments in West Asia in the wake of the recent threat against India by the Islamic State and the Al-Qaeda. While the possibility of terror violence cannot be ruled out, careful attention needs to be given to the attempts to spread Wahhabi ideology in India
Courtesy: Gateway House
India-Pakistan bonhomie
The deliberations during a India-Pakistan young scholars’ workshop in the historic city of Istanbul held out a renewed hope for the bilateral relationship and a genuine desire for peace. The magnificent city of Istanbul offered an excellent backdrop to the serious, often heated discussions.
Courtesy: MEA
Gross regional happiness
Economic security needs to be defined holistically through an open and democratic discourse. A plurality of perspectives on what constitutes development is essential to democracy across the world. Grass roots protests are driven by a longing for a truly inclusive and fair model of growth.
Paradigm change in Pakistan
The newly elected Modi government in India must acknowledge the paradigm change in internal Pakistani politics, and pursue normalization in ties, through an innovative approach.