Courtesy: Gateway House
The ongoing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad regarding the closure of trade routes could significantly alter the trade landscape in South Asia. This strain can benefit India. The export and import of merchandise goods between India and Afghanistan are expected to experience significant growth, provided New Delhi moves swiftly.
Courtesy: News on Air
In the shifting sands of contemporary geopolitics, terms such as ‘fluid multipolarity’, ‘multiplexity’, ‘tripolarity’, and ‘bipolarity with multipolar characteristics’ are replacing the old dogmas and orders. But what is driving the world today? How does India plan to protect its vital interests in the current age of ongoing polycrisis? The road ahead is challenging, marked by risks and uncertainty.
Courtesy: Gateway House
India and Oman signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on December 18, 2025. The agreement reflects India’s approach to engaging with trusted partners while rediscovering its historic trading ties. Ambassador Anil Wadhwa explains what CEPA means for India: it is less about becoming a global gateway and more about anchoring a strategic economic partnership in a geopolitically sensitive region.
In December, India and Oman signed a Free Trade Agreement – a formalisation of exchanges which are, in fact, two hundred years old. These were led by the Indian merchant diasporas, especially the Bhatia, Bohra, Khoja, Khimji and Jain communities, which used Omani-controlled maritime networks to link Bombay with East Africa. These networks still endure, and among the oldest, strongest, and culturally richest are the Bombay-Oman-East Africa connections.
Courtesy: Gateway House
Bangladesh’s economy, already weak at the time of the August 2024 coup, has been on a downward spiral since. Banks are insolvent and cannot lend, business confidence is low, and investors are staying out. These issues will worsen the ongoing radicalisation, extremism and violence in the country.
Courtesy: @narendramodi/X
Ethiopia's importance as an African country that has played a vital role in advancing the vision of African unity and integration, and as a nation that killed its own demons of dictatorship to emerge as a successful democracy, is remarkable. In this upgraded frame, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Addis Ababa is significant, with India as a partner offering economic and technological engagement.
Courtesy: Adobe Images
Renewable energy adoption will be much slower than what was being projected earlier, and China’s curbs on rare-earth magnets will slow down the adoption of electric vehicles. Oil will continue to fuel India’s economy in 2026 and beyond.
Courtesy: US Embassy & Consulates in Italy
It is customary for every U.S. president to release a National Security Strategy (NSS) early in their tenure. President Trump published the NSS for his second term in November 2025. It’s a contrast from his 2017 NSS, which addressed broad threats. The 2025 version is narrower, emphasising trade over security, with the Western Hemisphere being the primary area of focus. Is the U.S.’s global role shrinking?
Courtesy: Wikiwand
For a week in December, the Feast of St. Andrew is observed in Mumbai’s two Scottish Presbyterian churches – St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the Church of St. Columba. In the absence of Scots, these Churches and multiple educational institutions and trading houses remind us that colonial Bombay was primarily built by these hardy Highlanders, often mistaken by locals for Englishmen. The Scots were also Britain’s most enthusiastic Empire-builders.
Courtesy: Gateway House
As global conflicts intensify and global leadership falters, it is time to look back 75 years to Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar - not only the father of India’s Constitution but also an internationalist whose foreign policy vision remains overlooked. He warned against aligning with China, upheld Tibet’s sovereignty, advocated U.S. ties, rejected non-alignment, and championed India’s UNSC seat. How different would the scenario have been if Ambedkar had led India’s foreign policy?
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