iranupload Courtesy: openDemocracy/Flickr
22 June 2013

In Iran now, will it be country before cause?

Hassan Rohani’s victory in the June 14 presidential election has demonstrated a growing urge among Iranians for democracy, freedom and integration with the outside world. Will Rohani be able to create an environment where pragmatic policies and national interests take precedence over revolutionary zeal?

John Kerry 2 Courtesy: Center for American Progress/ Flickr
21 June 2013

India-U.S. revive lingering ties

The upcoming India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue offers an appropriate platform to move past complaints both sides have against each other in the trade and economic spheres. The stage can be used to re-apply emphasis on strategic relations and reach levels of goodwill established during the time of former U.S. President George W. Bush and Manmohan Singh

Nuclear Plant (Crop) Courtesy: NRCgov/ Flickr
21 June 2013

The energy behind Kerry’s visit

India-U.S. bilateral trade stands to benefit if U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is able to seek clarification on the specificities of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act and alleviate the worries of American energy companies which fear paying monetary damages without limit in the event of a nuclear accident

Untitled Courtesy: Center for American Progress Action Fund/Flickr
21 June 2013

Kerry: Stepping onto an Asian merry-go-round

The U.S. Secretary of State’s visit to India comes at a time when India is witnessing significant realignments in its domestic politics while the U.S. is busy tackling its cyber-spying allegations. Amidst these preoccupations, will the upcoming India-U.S. talks churn out substantive outcomes?

Obama 210x140 Courtesy: Shotgun Spratling/ Flickr
20 June 2013

Giving up GWOT

U. S. President Barack Obama has strongly indicated a move away from the ‘Global War on Terrorism,’ – a term famously coined by his predecessor George W. Bush after the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Given that a common definition of a ‘terrorist’ hasn’t yet been found, was the war on terrorism ever practical?

Hassan_Rouhani2 Courtesy: Ansarymehr/Wikimedia Commons
17 June 2013

Will Rouhani plough a reformist furrow in Iran?

Hassan Rohani’s victory in the June 14 presidential election in Iran might allow more moderate voices in the political dialogue. But Iran's establishment decides positions on all major issues, including the nuclear programme, Syria, and dealings with the West. To what extent can Rohani change course?

bse Courtesy: Niyantha/flickr
14 June 2013

Countering transfer pricing

Keeping subsidiaries of multinational corporations publicly-listed in India exposes minority shareholders to the risk of unfair treatment by favouring the majority shareholders. In some cases, it leads to transfer pricing transactions that hurt the country’s revenue. Delisting MNCs is one way to address this problem

iran election 1 Courtesy: Creative Commons/Flickr
13 June 2013

Why the world should take the Iran elections seriously

The 11th presidential election of Iran is unlikely to be fully democratic or transparent, but the winner will decide the nature of Tehran’s engagement with the West over its nuclear programme. The outcome of this election will also have a bearing on the crises in Syria and Iraq, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

chinesearmy Courtesy: cornfed1975/Flickr
7 June 2013

Lessons from Depsang

The Depsang valley incursion by the Chinese army may have moved the Indian Ministry of Defence out of its inertia in implementing long-pending proposals; but the lack of a comprehensive strategy to deal with the Chinese threat was especially evident in the manner in which decisions were taken to handle the situation.

smith antony aus def min Courtesy: Australian Government Department of Defence
7 June 2013

India-Australia: Aligning strategic spheres

Defence Minister A. K. Antony’s visit to Australia this week was a significant step forward in the defence relationship. In coming years an India-Australia partnership will be important for managing maritime security in the Indian Ocean and will also have implications for security in Southeast Asia and the Pacific