shutterstock_612980177 Courtesy: Shuttlestock
19 September 2019

Failing to reform the UN

An expert workshop on reinvigorating the UN, offered an opportunity for scholars, think tanks and members of civil society to revisit the many contradictions that plague it 75 years after it was formed. An assessment of some of the issues that persist

GAS-ENERGY-Cementing-the-Partnership Courtesy: eGov Magazine
12 September 2019

Cross-investing for economic security

India and Russia need to invest more in each other’s energy sectors. This will help both countries to secure their energy markets, while protecting India against high energy prices and enabling Russia to hedge against low energy prices. Such investments also can help both countries bypass sanctions on key military hardware suppliers based in Russia.

shutterstock_363517736 Courtesy: Shutterstock
5 September 2019

From Interkosmos to Gaganyaan

On his visit to the Russian Far East this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured Russia’s assistance in training India’s human spaceflight crew ahead of the launch of Gaganyaan in 2021-2022. French assistance for India has come in the form of its specialised knowledge of space medicine. Gaganyaan has thus become an India-Russia-France megaproject, a symbol of India’s futuristic space diplomacy

Cover with black border Courtesy: Gateway House
29 August 2019

Petro Dollar. Petro Yuan. Petro Rupee?

The global energy scenario has changed in every way – be it in demand, supply or energy type – in the last two decades. The only unchanged component has been the currency of energy trade: the U.S. Dollar. Lately, though, the Chinese Yuan has emerged as a challenger. Can the Indian Rupee be a third contender?

feni-in-goa Courtesy: GoaVilla
22 August 2019

Lifting Indian spirits with a GI tag

India’s traditions are finally getting their due – with a Geographical Indication tag. This opens up a world of soft power for India. The first GI tag was given to Darjeeling tea. Now, after over a decade, the first ever GI store has opened at Goa’s airport. One of the Goan products on sale is feni, a popular local brew, which, with its new GI tag, can make a global splash

shutterstock_1369455998 Courtesy: Shutterstock
22 August 2019

Chief of defence staff: executive chief or staff officer?

The announcement by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi of a new position of a Chief of Defence Staff is a long-pending and vital appointment for national security, but it will be effective only if the defence apparatus is also overhauled

shutterstock_1023930217 Courtesy: Shutterstock
22 August 2019

The Telegram phenomenon

The tool used to sustain and coordinate protests is a young, encrypted messaging service called Telegram. Its unique privacy and security features and resistance to the state has made Telegram more popular than its larger rivals, WhatsApp and WeChat. What is this communication phenomenon?