Courtesy: Swarajya
India, as chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, hosted the foreign ministers’ meet in Goa last week. What would have been an important and expanding regional grouping has been complicated by the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the increased influence of China and an obstructionist Pakistan. Still, India has played its role with an eye on the long term.
Courtesy: The Week
In 2022, increased sanctions were imposed on Russia by the U.S., E.U., and their allies. The track record of Western sanctions shows they are quick to be imposed, but slow to be removed. In the current environment, it is reasonable to assume that sanctions on Russia will stay in place for a very long time. India should plan its defence and commercial relations accordingly.
Courtesy: South Asian Voices
The UK has been admitted to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership or CPTPP, a significant step forward for its efforts in achieving its Brexit goals. The benefits will be more strategic than economic, as it gives the UK a place in the new ‘Atlantic-Pacific’ region.
Courtesy: Sputnik News
India’s G20 and SCO presidencies have both promise and complexity, for itself and for Moscow. India need not involve itself in crisis settlement, but focus on economic issues, food and energy security, innovation and terrorism. Moscow can help itself by aligning its interests with India’s especially at multilaterals and the global south outreach, and potentially rebuild bridges with the developed north.
Courtesy: Economic Times
The state visit by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on 2-3 March marked the elevation of the India-Italy bilateral to a strategic partnership. Both countries have set the stage for an expanding relationship based on shared interests and priorities in defence, security, trade, and energy sectors – domestically and in the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Courtesy: Deccan Herald
The eighth round of talks for the proposed India-UK free trade agreement is scheduled in New Delhi in March 2023. Both countries stand to make significant gains from a comprehensive agreement covering tariffs, sustainable growth, SMEs, data flows, and intellectual property. This article reviews motives for the India-UK agreement, the economic gains, contentious negotiation issues and win-win solutions.
Courtesy: Twitter/@DrSJaishankar
The recent Voice of the Global South Summit in New Delhi attracted 125 developing countries, and some tangible outcomes for India to carry to its G20 presidency agenda. It showed India's equity to be intact, despite a perception that in the past decade, India has moved away from NAM and closer to the developed West.
Courtesy: Reuters
2023 brings responsibility and opportunity for India. As the host of the G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the world will be watching closely. With this authority, comes challenges encapsulated by five C’s: Covid, Contraction, Climate crisis, Conflict and China. If India is able to use its opportunity, the year could end with India viewed as a near-great power, an international bridge-builder, and a successful democracy.
Courtesy: India Blooms
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's essay on Zeitenwende emphasises a strong Germany as a guarantor of European security. It has attracted global attention - but has virtually no mention of India. In parallel, however, the visit of Foreign Minister Annalenna Baerbock reinforced Germany's interest in India, and suggested an upgrade to the bilateral. It is necessary, if India is to seek expanded economic ties with Berlin.
Courtesy: India Briefing
Trade-shy India is now energetically embarking on a series of trade agreements to boost exports, remove barriers for skilled Indian professionals and secure imports of essential raw materials for manufacturing growth. New trade agreements signed with Australia, the UAE and soon the U.K. will be templates for more to come.