U.S. President Donald Trump is back for a second term, and India and the U.S. together have much to gain from it. The bilateral has grown tremendously over the decades, with technology, scientific and trade ties deepening and expanding. Also, both countries have a common interest in addressing the ascent and bullying tactics of China.

The India Middle-East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) announced during India’s G20 leaders’ summit in September 2023 aims at security and ease of connectivity by multi-modal physical, digital and energy corridors connecting India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Europe. Like many of the connectivity projects created around the world today, IMEC’s origins are 2,300 years old, ancient routes that connected the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea

On January 20, when the U.S. gets a new president, he will face a world of changed alliances. China at the high table and newly aligned with Russia, which is separated from its European cousins, two wars and a G2-leaning global economy. Will Donald Trump revert to the days of ‘détente’ or continue the ‘neocon’ policies in vogue, to maintain U.S. hegemony?

Conversations on forced displacement in many cases still centre on the climate versus conflict dichotomy, but multiple factors including social inequality, poor infrastructure and weak governance, often combine as triggers for displacement. A more analytical approach to financing forced displacement response is necessary to enable humanitarian actors to work more effectively in the allocation of resource and disaster preparedness.

Donald Trump has re-entered Washington with the backing of a solid political base, a redefined Republican Party, and a more seasoned presence on the international stage, including in the Middle East. Since his last imprint on that region in 2016, 2024 presents significant shifts: alliances redefined, regional power dynamics realigned, trade networks transformed, and urgent security challenges restructured. These changes demand strategic recalibration from all stakeholders.

Domestic concerns regarding the cost of living, immigration and crime were the key issues that brought about change in the U.S. Presidential elections. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former Indian ambassador to the U.S., discusses the election outcome and its geopolitical implications, the potential economic and political trajectory of a Trump presidency, and the future of the India-U.S. bilateral.

The U.S. presidential election campaign has produced two stunning developments: the attempted assassination of Trump and the withdrawal of Biden, under severe pressure from leaders of the Democratic Party. Putting optics aside, observers should focus on the ideological differences between the two candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, which will be on display on Sept. 10 when they debate the issues.

The Quad foreign ministers meeting, held in Tokyo on July 29, took a clear position against China’s coercive actions in the East and South China seas. The four ministers have done their bit by reviewing the progress of the grouping’s many initiatives and reiterating its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. For continued progress, the Quad now needs solid initiative from the top leadership – and a summit at the earliest.

The last two weeks have been turbulent for U.S. politics: a past President and current candidate survives an assassination attempt; the current President is forced to withdraw from contesting and is replaced by a new nominee in a flash. This is set in the backdrop of tumultuous domestic and international politics. Neelam Deo, co-founder, Gateway House, discusses the U.S.’ electoral race and its implications for global geopolitics.

Prime Minister Modi’s third term began with India’s participation at the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Russia and the Outreach Session of G7 in Italy. India’s participation at both conferences highlighted New Delhi’s continuing preoccupation with great powers. How Indian diplomacy navigates ties between the West and BRICS will shape and decide its strategic autonomy in a multipolar world.