Backlit keyboard Courtesy: Wikipedia
21 October 2015

U.S.-China: no more spy games?

The recent U.S. and China agreement to contain cyber espionage will not only impact their bilateral relationship, it will also create norms in international cyberspace. But implementation remains a challenge, and businesses, including in India, that have faced cyber threats must proactively plug their vulnerabilities

Merkel Modi Courtesy: MEA / Flickr
15 October 2015

Moving ahead after Merkel’s visit

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.

nuke power plant Courtesy: Pixabay
15 October 2015

Why India-U.S. energy ties are stuck

Even as India and Germany move ahead on energy cooperation, India-U.S. energy collaboration is stranded in the three key areas: nuclear power, shale gas, and solar energy. But with cheaper energy imports due to the fall in fossil fuel prices over the past 12 months, India can wait till it gets a better deal from the U.S.

Modi SAP Center Courtesy: MEA / Flickr
8 October 2015

Dialing up the Diaspora: Modi Act II

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s U.S. visit from 26-30 September managed to attract a lot of attention from Indian-Americans. However, not a lot of business was done. The diaspora hopes that Modi visits the U.S. again next year but the focus must shift to showcasing India’s commitment towards progress of “Make in India”, self-reliance in energy and commitment towards elimination climate change.

India_fields_and_wind_turbines Courtesy: Wikipedia
8 October 2015

India’s climate change leadership

On 1 October 2015, India submitted its INDCs to the UN. The ambitious goals set by the Narendra Modi government have no doubt silenced its critics. However, to achieve these lofty goals, India needs a paradigm shift in the kinds of business and development models it encourages.

U.S. Mission / Eric Bridiers Courtesy: Wikipedia
8 October 2015

UNSC and sanctions: a balanced role

The sanctions against Iran impacted the country’s oil, banking, aviation, and other sectors, and had a major humanitarian impact. But neither is armed attack a more suitable method in most instances to address allegedly recalcitrant states. What then is the middle ground? And can the UNSC assume a more proactive role in this context?

Modi and Merkel WIkipediaEdit Courtesy: Wikipedia
5 October 2015

Modi-Merkel: Smart City diplomacy

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.

Xi'an_erhuan_southeast Courtesy: Wikimedia
28 September 2015

Learning from China’s OBOR playbook

The ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative announced by China last year is being actively implemented at the provincial level. A recent conference in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, provided a glimpse of China’s multi-pronged strategy to harness various resources available to make OBOR a success.