Maldives-618x412 Courtesy: Dying Regime / Flickr
25 April 2019

A power change in Maldives

Maldives’ new president, Ibrahim Solih, has had two election wins in a span of six months – his own in September 2018 and his Maldivian Democratic Party’s landslide victory in the Majlis elections about three weeks ago. An analysis of what this win says about democratic politics in Maldives, improved relations with India and the complex equation it shares with China

591ba7996bbfe0287b0c8a5c01dc4a1defb31b68 Courtesy: AFP Photo/AREF KARIMI
28 March 2019

Afghanistan: Development against the odds

The people of Afghanistan, torn by war, ethnic strife and geoeconomic contestation for their country’s rich natural resources, have paid by forsaking the assurances of daily life. But President Ashraf Ghani has shown them that normalcy can return and it is possible to hold regular elections. The author, a guest of the President and First Lady, travelled through the country in October 2018 to record her impressions of a resilient people who have reason to hope for a different future 

iran-702x336 Courtesy: Fatemeh Bahrami / Anadolu Agency
14 March 2019

Iran @ 40: tensions underlie stability

The Islamic Republic of Iran, which turns 40 in April 2019, has come a long way from the Persia of the past. Some changes in the last four decades have been beneficial, and while people do support the regime, they are disaffected with its handling of the economy and foreign affairs

Harry Edmonds Courtesy: Alice Lewthwaite
14 February 2019

An International House for India

International House, a home-away-from-home for foreign students, was begun in the 1920s by Harry and Florence Edmonds, an idealistic New York couple whose mission was to foster understanding and tolerance. An Edmond family scion suggests the time is right for India, with its growing global profile, to have an I-House too

AshishSanyal Courtesy: Ashish Sanyal
7 February 2019

Meera Sanyal and Mumbai: a love affair

She was a daughter of India, one who wanted to serve the country by entering politics. Her bold move to quit her job as a professional banker inspired other regular citizens to join public life

Green-fin-web Courtesy: Hume Brophy
23 January 2019

The imperative for a sustainable financial system

The global financial system has been driven by the search for profit, but serious flaws surfaced in such a myopic approach. Now, sustainable finance’s time has come—and investment decisions will benefit from integrating environmental, social and governance factors

32063194508_79ef867901_o Courtesy: MEA Flickr
13 December 2018

Maldives’ new balance

Maldives president Mohamed Solih comes to India this week, fresh from his election win and with a host of good intentions. His aim is to recast the bilateral and restore balance in Maldives’ external relations after the previous president’s China-centric leanings. Such a reversal may not emerge instantly