Kenny Holston AP Courtesy: Kenny Holston / AP
4 June 2026

China trumps the U.S.?

BY

President Donald Trump’s May 13-15 visit to China was set against the backdrop of the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. Though the agenda was an economic one, Beijing used the occasion to project itself as a stabilising power, urging dialogue between Washington and Tehran. The visit did produce agreements on trade and investment, but the absence of a joint statement and differing priorities exposed persistent tensions. In this tale of two visits, China seems to have trumped the U.S.

Gateway House Courtesy: Gateway House
4 June 2026

A BRICS Energy Stability Framework

BY

The 2026 Persian Gulf conflict has pushed energy security to the forefront of the BRICS agenda. Divergent national interests prevent the grouping from acting as a unified geopolitical bloc, the growing energy crisis highlights the need for stronger economic cooperation. Proposals such as a BRICS energy reserve, an Energy Stability Fund, and cross-border investments could enhance resilience and be essential if BRICS wants to emerge as a serious economic grouping.

DD India Courtesy: DD India
4 June 2026

BRICS at a Pivotal Moment

BY

BRICS is too significant to ignore but too fragmented to drive meaningful change for the developing world. The West Asia conflict, U.S. tariff threats over de-dollarisation, UNSC reform divisions, and the presence of regional rivals has exposed its internal strains. Will India’s ongoing 2026 chairship rise above the contradictions, and manage to turn BRICS from a reactive forum into a more assertive and credible global force?

oil Courtesy: KNN
28 May 2026

India’s Opportunity in the New Oil Order

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The UAE’s recent exit from OPEC, and the US push to sell more oil to India are markers of a new order in the oil world with demand security at a premium. As a major oil importer, India must respond to it smartly. It must develop deeper partnerships with both the UAE and U.S., and a new financial ecosystem and benchmarks for the new order.

Website articles - 2026-05-28T124708.235 Courtesy: Global Times
28 May 2026

The Quad, reset

BY

The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held in New Delhi on May 26, highlighted both the progress and uncertainties surrounding the grouping. Significantly, it reaffirmed U.S. engagement. While the Quad has expanded its agenda and provided some concrete outcomes, the all-important Leaders’ Summit is still not visible – a worry for India’s prolonged chairship since 2024.

Website articles - 2026-05-21T164114.205 Courtesy: X/@IndiainZimbabwe
21 May 2026

India-Africa: taking stock before the summit

BY and

Africa is central to India’s foreign policy, a priority expected to be reaffirmed at the upcoming India–Africa Forum Summit. The much-anticipated event will focus on deepening economic partnerships and expanding strategic cooperation. Ahead of the summit, it is necessary to take stock of the current state of the continental engagement, particularly in trade, investment, technology, and capacity-building.

Website articles (97) Courtesy: The Hindu
21 May 2026

India-Africa strategic partnership needs realism

BY

India and Africa together represent nearly a third of humanity, making deeper ties a strategic priority. However, the partnership faces multiple challenges: growing competition in Africa; limited interest within Indian diplomacy, business, and media; instability across parts of the continent; and inadequate financial resources for development co-operation. As the fourth IAFS progresses, both must adopt a holistic and forward-looking approach anchored in both realism and shared historical ties.

Website articles (96) Courtesy: The Secretariat
20 May 2026

Interview with Sheikh Hasina

BY

Bangladesh elected a new government in February this year after former long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in a violent mass protest on August 5, 2024. Her party, the Bangladesh Awami League, was banned from participating in this year’s election, which saw the return of the rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Hasina has been living in India since then and talks about her plans to return to Bangladesh and revive her party’s activities there. She spoke exclusively to Nayanima Basu.

Website articles (95) Courtesy: Gateway House
14 May 2026

Stacking up the India-Africa summits

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The Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) will take place in New Delhi from May 28-31, 2026. It is being held at a time when Africa has actively engaged with several other major partners, placing high expectations on India. Over the last 18 years, the India-Africa partnership has had ambitious goals and some outcomes across diplomacy, trade, education, capacity building, health, and infrastructure development. This will deepen.

Rajiv Bhatia with Aung San Suu Kyi Naypyidaw in 2013 Courtesy: Rajiv Bhatia
14 May 2026

Leaves from my Myanmar diary

BY

Myanmar’s latest political transition offers the illusion of closure, but little clarity. After years of conflict triggered by the 2021 coup, a new administration under Min Aung Hlaing takes charge amid continuing resistance and fragmentation. Is this consolidation or another phase of instability? Reflecting on this question, Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia draws upon his three-decade-long association with Myanmar, including serving as India’s Ambassador from 2002 to 2005.