Tokat_darbe_karşıtları Courtesy: Wikipedia
27 July 2016

The beginning of the end for Erdogan

The attempted coup on July 15 in Turkey as well as its aftermath have irreparably dented President Erdogan’s international image and impacted Turkey's standing as a democratic state, a military power, a NATO member, an EU aspirant, and an emerging economy. This downtrend is unlikely to be reversed in the near future and the country is in for an extended period of instability

Wah_Umngot_River_Dawki_Meghalaya_Border_Crossing_Bangladesh_India Courtesy:
27 July 2016

Listening to the Rivers

India's North Eastern States are part of one of the largest fluvial regions, they share this region with five other nations. At a recent conference, held on the sidelines of the the Nadi Festival in Shillong, the message of 'Listen to the dignity of the river' struck a chord with all present, and is a message which should be carried across the region.

484379-donald-trump-rnc-pti-3-resized Courtesy: PTI
25 July 2016

Is it Trump’s Party now?

The victory of Donald Trump in becoming the presidential nominee for the Republican Party is a significant moment in American history. However, the cause for common unity in the GOP is associated with a hatred towards Hillary Clinton, not support for Donald Trump. Controversies like the recent WikiLeaks of Democrat Party emails are sure to increase in the road to November, making it a rocky and treacherous one.

ukip-eu-protest-5 Courtesy: Business Insider
24 June 2016

Brexit: a wake-up call for global elites

The message from Brexit is simple: the post-second world war financial, trade and industrial order and security arrangements that developed around Bretton Woods, have passed their expiry date. This is the time for countries, regional unions and global institutions to reform themselves – putting people instead of regulations and strategic objectives at the centre of their decision-making.

screenshot Modi US Congress Courtesy: MEA / Flickr
23 June 2016

India-U.S.: not yet a priority partner

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fourth visit to the United States has been met with hails of success and with comments of 'too little, too late'. While Modi's friendship with President Obama is often credited for improving bilateral relations, the U.S. leader is currently nearing the end of his term. The new President will have their own geopolitical demands, which will invariably result in India being relegated to a second-term priority.

Union_Jack_and_the_european_flag Courtesy: Wikipedia
19 June 2016

What does Brexit mean for India?

On June 23, the United Kingdom will vote on whether they wish to remain a part of the European Union through the Brexit vote. The debate surrounding the vote has spurred many a heated and emotional debate. While the Indian government has not declared anything publicly - remaining in the EU would be beneficial to Indian businesses.

art pic Courtesy: Telegraph India
9 June 2016

Indian embassies: custodians of cultural heritage

This week, Australia returned 29 antiquities stolen from India. It highlights India’s quest to reclaim its heritage and the patronage provided by Indian ministries and the public sector to art. The MEA is a rare custodian of India's cultural heritage. Its Objects d'art committee selects the best Indian art and craft for its embassies, with choices dictated by the many ideas of India and by emotional responses.

_89083411_89083410 Courtesy: BBC
26 May 2016

International credibility in a domestic crisis

At present, South Africa finds itself charting political and economic policy uncertainties. This is not to suggest that the domestic political crisis will see different trajectories unfolding with regard to its BRICS/IBSA engagements, or on a broader foreign policy path, but it will have repercussions at the international level, in terms of investor confidence, credit ratings, and currency volatility. Pretoria will face constant pressure to be seen as a credible actor, especially when it comes to its African identity.

Asia_topic_image_Satellite_image Courtesy: Wikipedia
26 May 2016

Bioregions: India’s strategic imperative

Prime Minister Modi’s term has been marked by a resolve to improve cooperation among South Asian nations. These proactive efforts can bear rich fruit if the Modi government promotes the concept of geoeconomic and geopolitical equations being seen through the lens of bioregions. There are significant precedents which the Modi government can build upon