bhutan Courtesy: MEAphotogallery/ Flickr
19 July 2013

India-Bhutan: Winning friendship

The opposition People’s Democratic Party in Bhutan won the National Assembly elections held on July 13 taking another large step towards democracy. However, India became the unwitting subject of campaign discourse after the government abruptly halted fuel subsidies to the country

troops Courtesy: Senior Airman Sean Martin, U.S. Air Force/Wikimedia Commons
19 July 2013

Kabul Diary: Implications of the ‘zero option’

Kabul Diary is a compilation of experiences and observations by Gateway House’s Rajeshwari Krishnamurthy, who is visiting Afghanistan. In her fourth entry, she writes about the possible consequences for the country and its neighbours if the U.S. completely withdraws its troops in 2014

egypt Courtesy: oxfamnovib/Flickr
18 July 2013

Protests in democracies – patterns and problems

Elections are meant to be a suitable recourse in democracies if citizens feel that the government does not represent them. However, the recent protests in Brazil, Turkey and India show that people feel political classes are too far removed from their every day realities to address their grievances

corridorsmap2 Courtesy: Gateway House
11 July 2013

Asia’s Strategic Corridors to India

The map – Asia’s Strategic Corridors to India – has emerged from Gateway House’s study of India’s strategic links with other parts of Asia. It highlights the progress India has made in forging multiple links with six strategic regions – Central Asia, West Asia, East Africa, South-East Asia, East Asia, and our immediate neighbourhood

sameerchina Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
5 July 2013

Convergence and divergence in Beijing

Both Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visit China this week. However, their objectives are different. Antony visits China to bring up security issues in the aftermath of the Depsang incursion, while Sharif makes his visit in hope of bettering his flailing economy

Morsi Courtesy: European External Action Service/ Flickr
3 July 2013

Why Morsi is wrong for his people

The downfall of Egyptian president Mohammad Morsi was partly contributed by those thousands of protesters who disagreed with his view of “Us” and “Them”. Leaders such as Morsi have focused on persecuting those who refuse to share their vision; continuing down this path would have had a negative impact on history

Khurshid in Iraq Courtesy: MEAphotogallery/ Flickr
28 June 2013

India finally reconnects with Iraq

In 2012, Iraq emerged as India’s second largest crude oil supplier thereby shifting focus back on bilateral relations. However, India’s historical and cultural connection with Iraq, as well as common geopolitical concerns, reveal that relations have the potential to go beyond oil

Musharaff Courtesy: World Economic Forum/ Flickr
27 June 2013

Badi Soch: Musharraf caught in the crosshairs

This daily column includes Gateway House’s Badi Soch – big thought – of the day’s foreign policy events. Today’s focus is on why prosecuting former President General Pervez Musharraf has serious implications for regional stability

iranupload Courtesy: openDemocracy/Flickr
22 June 2013

In Iran now, will it be country before cause?

Hassan Rohani’s victory in the June 14 presidential election has demonstrated a growing urge among Iranians for democracy, freedom and integration with the outside world. Will Rohani be able to create an environment where pragmatic policies and national interests take precedence over revolutionary zeal?