Pranab Mukherjee meeting the President of the Republic of Ghana_122907 Courtesy: The First Mail
30 June 2016

A new trajectory for India-Africa ties

India now sees Africa as a promising market for Indian goods, services, and investments. This is evident in the government’s recent concerted focus on the India-Africa relationship—high profile visits by top leaders to African countries, a recasting of India’s development diplomacy, and an attempt to match action to past promises

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the African leaders during the special dinner hosted, on the sidelines of the 3rd India Africa Forum Summit, in New Delhi on October 28, 2015. Courtesy: MEA / Flickr
31 March 2016

Africa: diplomatic flavour of 2016?

India has hosted a plethora of India-Africa conferences, expressing commitment to deepen mutual cooperation. It is further expected that the president, vice president, and prime minister may visit Africa this year, to follow up actively. Indeed, a senior official predicts Africa will even become “the diplomatic flavour in 2016”. An analysis.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the African leaders during the special dinner hosted, on the sidelines of the 3rd India Africa Forum Summit, in New Delhi on October 28, 2015. Courtesy: MEA / Flickr
16 November 2015

India-Africa: walk the talk

The third India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi concluded on 29 October 2015. It is time that India begins work towards elevating the partnership with Africa and move ahead from the lofty ideals and grand vision statements. A conscious effort to shift gears and pour in investment in Africa is the need of the hour.

IAFS MEA Courtesy: MEA
5 November 2015

Can India allay Africa’s IPR fears?

The U.S. is urging India to alter its IPR regime, and the potential impact on prices in the pharmaceuticals sector is of concern to African countries that depend on India for low-cost generic medicines. The recent India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi sought to address this issue, but it will be a challenge for India to balance competing pressures.

reset africa strategy Courtesy: MEA / Flickr
5 November 2015

India resets Africa strategy

Changes in how India plans to approach its relationship with Africa were evident at the recent India-Africa Forum Summit, including the wider representation of African countries, and Modi’s push to forge a united front with Africa at multilateral institutions on trade and other issues. But beyond these, gaps in the India-Africa alliance remain to be addressed.

NIgeria elections Courtesy: Flickr/Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
25 March 2015

Nigeria: a precarious election

The upcoming Nigerian elections is set to be a defining one for the country. Rampant corruption and the terrorist threat from Boko Haram have dampened the economic and social climate. The world is watching keenly as for the first time in a decade it is unclear which party will emerge victorious

AAP victory_2 Courtesy: rediff.com
13 February 2015

AAP, Occupy and the Arab Spring

There is an emerging consensus among scholars and political analysts across the world that the 20th century advances in building democratic systems have run their course. It is in this context that AAP’s rapid rise to power might serve as a light-house of global significance—a beacon that guides others seeking to take democracy to a higher level and warns of treacherous rocks

lng Courtesy: wikimedia
24 October 2014

Can cheap oil give peace a chance?

The fall in oil prices is creating new complexities for the energy exporting economies of West Asia. With smaller profits, these countries may not be able to buy off political dissent at home and fund client governments and rebels abroad. Lower energy prices could also mean a renewed chance for peace