38665014532_cfcdf709c3_o Courtesy: MEA India/Flickr
1 December 2017

Ivanka Trump: family matters

The successful conclusion of Ivanka Trump's visit to India is yet another example of the expansive influence exerted by the President Trump's “special advisors”. India’s decision to receive the First Daughter is not only reflective of the country's adaptive diplomatic rulebook, but of a changing state of play in Washington

37575409684_6289864915_o Courtesy: Flickr/WhiteHouse
17 November 2017

Trump in China: ceremonial hits, strategic misses

The visit yielded no dramatic breakthrough. But Team Xi finally got the respect and validation it desired, and deserved. Trump rightly praised China’s success in meeting its own development goals and contributing to global growth. But he is unlikely to soften his stance on jobs lost to China or the more vexing structural issues

Bin_Salman__Reuters_ Courtesy:
9 November 2017

Saudi purge: Arab Spring 2.0?

The removal of 11 top ministers in the Riyadh government last week by the young crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, is a geopolitical upheaval, the implications are serious. Domestically, the kingdom is seeking to liberalise its conservative society and move away from oil-dependency – evident from the expected listing of its crown jewel Aramco. For India, which imports oil largely from West Asia, instability could cause a spike in prices, leaving less for its ambitious reforms. Globally, there is now space for new alignments – in the Great Power plays, in the Shia-Sunni rivalry, and in the war on terrorism.

International Monetary Fund Manging Director Christine Lagarde (L), Jeremy Johnson(2ndL), Sara Horowitz;(3rd L), Deborah Greenfield (3rd R), Jim Clifton (2nd R) and James Manyika (R) participate in a Seminar "The New Economy Forum:Future of Work" at the IMF Headquarters during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings October 11, 2017. IMF Staff Photo/Stephen Jaffe Courtesy: IMF/ Flickr
12 October 2017

IMF, WB Annual Meetings 2017: growth outlook

The IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings, being held on October 12-15 will take place amidst news that the growth momentum of the global economy is being sustained, and the outlook looks better than it did during the Spring Meetings. How can a global consensus be developed to better address the growth fundamentals now that the global economy is strengthening?

Djibouti - Title Card Courtesy:
3 October 2017

Djibouti’s ‘military base’ diplomacy

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind leaves for Africa on his first foreign visit as president on October 3. His first port of call will be Djibouti, which occupies a strategic location in the Horn of Africa. The country has assumed significance for hosting multiple foreign military bases on its territory, the latest entrant being China. This infographic illustrates Djibouti’s ‘military base’ diplomacy.