Gateway Features
Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship disappoints
Courtesy: Bernama
On 27 May, 2025, the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit led by Malaysia in the chair, concluded in Kuala Lumpur. The main outcome, the ASEAN Vision 2045, emphasised regional integration, keeping in mind the theme of “inclusion and sustainability” against the backdrop of intensifying Sino-U.S. geostrategic rivalry and trade protectionism. ASEAN has several ongoing challenges, which the leadership in Kuala Lumpur has failed to address. Is the stated deliverable merely a diversion from Malaysia's weakening leadership read more
BRICS Summit: strengthening cooperation
Courtesy: Ricardo Moraes / Reuters
The 17th summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro from 6–7 July under trying circumstances, with Israeli and U.S. military strikes against Iran – a new BRICS member – dominating the immediate backdrop. Furthermore, the failure of the BRICS foreign ministers to produce a joint statement at their April meeting had raised doubts about whether Rio would succeed in crafting a joint declaration at all. In this light, Brazil, as the chair and host, scored a notable success, delivering read more
Thailand’s unexplored history
Courtesy: Nayanima Basu
Thailand is currently making headlines, but not for its vibrant tourism sector... Instead, the focus has shifted to a deepening political crisis that is manifesting in ways reminiscent of the 2014 military coup. This situation highlights the dual nature of Thailand—a nation renowned for its breathtaking beaches, delicious cuisine, and rich culture, yet also a significant political and geopolitical player in Southeast Asia. This was true historically too, when Thailand was a central actor during the tumultuous events of the read more
Reappraising QUAD post Pahalgam
Courtesy: U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India
The July 2 meeting of the QUAD foreign ministers in Washington, D.C., restated all the commitments of the grouping – and included a condemnation of the April 22 terrorist attacks on Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. It called for “the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay and urge all UN Member States… to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.” Without naming Pakistan, the implication is clear. But read more
Research
India and Indonesia have a comprehensive strategic relationship built on their ancient and modern histories, and a flourishing relationship sustained by trade, economic exchange and people-to-people contact. The India-Indonesia Track 1.5 Dialogue, hosted by Gateway House and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Indonesia, aims to provide policy recommendations to promote innovation and navigate evolving governance issues through bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Foreign Affairs
China’s expansionist nuclear programme aims to bolster its capabilities, so much so, that Beijing's predictions boast 2500 new warheads by 2030, thus rivalling the American and Russian arsenals. As the dragon quadruples its nuclear propensity, heralding the world to something greatly unstable – a tripolar nuclear system; nuclear peace seems a quite convoluted goal.
Book Reviews
The current global focus on terrorism and the threats from nation-states, seem as it is a recent phenomenon. In fact terrorism has been present for the last century, still has the capacity to return and to shock with its brutality. India is no stranger to these acts and Germany has just suffered another attack on a Christmas market. A new book recalls the terrorism of 50 years ago and identifies how it became entangled in the politics of the Cold War.
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