Courtesy: MEA/ Flickr
The Indo-Pacific region is home to some of the largest and most rapidly growing economies as also powerful military forces. Nuclear threats, international terrorism and climate change are some of the issues that define the region. Uncertainty dogs relations among the four nations in the top league—U.S., China, India and Japan—but what is emerging is a hawkish, policy stance from the U.S. as opposed to an isolationist outlook apprehended earlier
Courtesy: IB Times
The era of globalisation is drawing to a close and a new one is emerging—an era of bilateralism over globalisation, of domestic over foreign focus, and reality-based policy-making
Courtesy: MEA/Flickr
Brexit has put Prime Minister Modi in the driving seat for negotiating a better trade deal for India with the UK--and the EU
Courtesy: ukrep.be
As the referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU draws near, predicting the outcome remains difficult. While the potential impact of Brexit on the UK has been discussed at length, a vote to stay in the EU could have implications for the UK’s domestic political situation as well as its future relationship with the EU.
Courtesy: Wikimedia
French President Hollande was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade on 26 January 2016. India-France relations, post President Hollande’s visit, are promising, and will have a positive impact on Prime Minister Modi’s scheduled visit to Brussels later this year including India's trade with the EU. Informed citizenry should appreciate the huge stakes involved.
Courtesy:
This year, India's defence diplomacy has ramped up. In 2015 alone there have been 18 military exercises- naval, army and air force- with 13 countries, among the largest engagements the country has had. Most significant is Japan joining the Malabar exercises in the Bay of Bengal and the first-ever maritime exercise with Australia. This is increasing India's presence from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal. As these exercises intensify India will be better positioned to handle regional security challenges.
Courtesy: MEA / Flickr
German Chancellor Merkel’s recent visit to India with a high-powered entourage showed the weight attached to this bilateral relationship. German companies want to gain more access to the Indian market and be part of Prime Minister Modi’s high-tech initiatives—and it is up to India to surmount political hurdles and tap into this potential.
Courtesy: Wikipedia
It has been ten months since India and Germany signed an agreement to partner in developing three smart cities. The government now seriously needs to move beyond slogans and aspirations and start addressing the more pressing issues specific to smart city development. Then only will the Modi-Merkel diplomacy be viewed as a success at home.
Courtesy: Jürgen / Flickr
In Germany in June 2015, G7 countries made major commitments towards decarbonisation and reduction in greenhouse gases, which will lead to binding decisions at the COP-21 conference in Paris in December. Germany pushed for these outcomes, and as one of the most energy efficient countries in the world its technology and expertise can help India’s targets of alternative energy and sustainable industry.
Courtesy: MEA India
The French media’s reportage of Modi’s recent visit to France was limited but significant, and inevitably a lot of it was about the Rafale deal. Various other issues were covered, including the nuclear reactor project in Jaitapur. Some newspapers recommended that France must heavily invest in India, while some expressed concerns, but on the whole the coverage has generated enthusiasm