schengen spirit of openness Courtesy: FourthFloor/Flickr
23 June 2011

The Schengen spirit of openness

Despite their economic downturns, domestic tensions keep developed countries from embracing the revitalizing potential of foreign workers. Ambassador Neelam Deo argues that India should continue to leverage its history of diversity and capitalize on a world more open to the free flow of goods and services.

christine lagarde_380x270 Courtesy: WorldEconomicForum/Flickr
31 May 2011

The IMF: Emerging economies aren’t ready for prime time

With the post for the head of the International Monetary Fund up for grabs, the emerging market countries are yet to unite and provide a suitable candidate who receives formidable support for his or her candidature. China, however, may boldly question the status quo and step ahead.

bob dowling financial crisis_210x140 Courtesy: Katrina.Tuliao/Flickr
21 April 2011

How powerful are the world’s bankers?

The 2008 financial collapse has economists pondering over the stability of global economies and the ability of those with financial power to maintain their wealth. If such a situation recurs, who will be held accountable?

admiral bharatan interview piece_210x140 Courtesy: OfficialU.S.NavyImagery/Flickr
19 April 2011

“India needs a maritime governance authority”

The Navy, Coast Guard, Police and maritime companies now encounter new threats, as piracy threatens the Indian seas and our trade routes. This calls for a united approach in combating threats and even more so, for a single governing body for maritime issues.

UN Photo Marco Castro_210x140 Courtesy: UNPhoto/MarcoCastro
14 April 2011

South Africa’s human rights dilemma

As the newest entrant of the BRICS group, South Africa's unpredictability in upholding the human rights dimension of its foreign policy agenda, by its stance to impose a ‘no fly zone’ over Libya, has brought about an incoherency between the BRIC countries and South Africa.

Frank Wisner Courtesy: GatewayHouse
26 March 2011

“No political connectivity between BRICS”

Frank Wisner, the legendary US diplomat who was not only President Barack Obama's special envoy to Egypt but also a former ambassador to India, discusses the outlook for Egypt, resolving the mayhem in the Middle East and India-Pakistan relations in a Gateway House exclusive.

Durova Wikipedia Courtesy: Durova/Wikipedia
16 March 2011

Japan: A model of resilience

Japan has always been the quickest to extend relief to any country facing a humanitarian crisis. In the wake of its cataclysmic earthquake and subsequent tsunami, the former Indian Ambassador to Japan hopes that India can extend the same measure of compassion to a country that is celebrated for its resurgence.

Nina-no wIKIMEDIA Courtesy: NinaAldinThune/Wikimedia
7 February 2011

March of Follies in Egypt

There are more than Western interests at play in Egypt. The other catalysts for the unrest are a combination of Iranian adventures, hypocritical policies of West Asian regimes and resurgent commodity speculation in western markets, triggering a rise in prices of basic items in emerging markets