Courtesy: Owlpacino
Although the histories, levels of economic development, and critical issues of India and the U.S. are different, the confrontational party politics in their political systems pose similar challenges. Both countries can learn from the experience of federalism of the other to take their national agendas forward
Courtesy: wikimedia\commons
Brazil follows a more decentralised form of federalism and gives special importance to the municipalities. Porto Alegre’s successful 'participatory budgeting' is a role model for the world. India can learn from both the positive and negative aspects of the Brazilian system
Courtesy: BBC
The election of Salvador Sanchez Ceren, a leftist ex-guerilla fighter, as president of El Salvador, is a reflection of the maturity and inclusiveness of the Latin American democracies. With his compassionate and pro-poor policies, Ceren has the vision and compassion needed to reduce poverty and break the vicious cycle of crime and violence which has paralysed El Salvador
Courtesy: Government of Brazil/Wikimedia Commons
Brazil’s advantages – including resources of oil and gas, no historical baggage, an absence of terrorism and military conflicts – and regional leadership, make it a potential global power. But it also has to tackle many challenges in the medium-term, such as poverty, poor infrastructure, healthcare and education
Courtesy: www.narendramodi.in
The burgeoning trade between the state of Gujarat and Latin America has ensured that Narendra Modi’s campaign is closely followed in Latin America. The new government in India must build on this engagement, which will help address India’s energy, food and investment needs
Courtesy: Narendra Modi/Wikimedia Commons
Fewer than 10% of the candidates in the ongoing elections in India are women. A law to reserve seats for women in Parliament, which will increase this number, is in abeyance. Our next government can take lessons from Latin America, where 16 countries have successfully implemented reservations and other enabling measures
Courtesy: Google Maps
In 'Latin America Update' Gateway House lists some of the important events in Latin America over the past month
Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Latin America continues to turn to the Left. Michelle Bachelet became president of Chile in March and has promised fiscal reform; Salvador Sanchez Ceren took over as president of El Salvador in June and will tackle inequality; and in Costa Rica too, the centre-left Luis Guillermo Solis assumed power
Courtesy: Indianhillybilly and Ambuj.Saxena/Wikimedia Commons
As India goes to the polls, many in the U.S. and at home will hope that a new government will usher in a new era in the India-U.S. bilateral. Yet, past condemnations of the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate and the Obama administration’s liberal leaning bureaucrats might prove to be stumbling blocks
R. Viswanathan, Distinguished Fellow, Latin America Studies, Gateway House, has been following the movements in Ukraine and Venezuela closely. In this interview, he explains the parallels and the impact on Venezuela
