T20 in Lima: a Latin insight

A T20 workshop in Lima, Peru, provided the opportunity to for a deeper insight into the the Latin American economic situation. While the workshop focused on finding innovative solutions to sustain high growth in middle-income countries. There is a need for India and similar countries, to become sensitized to each others problems on development.


Balancing Israel and Palestine

Since the end of the cold war, India has deepened its engagement with Israel while continuing to support the Palestinian cause. India’s position does not emerge out of a vacuum. The country has had many geopolitical and moral considerations to take into account before determining its stance.


India-Nepal ties back on an even keel

Nepal and India are trying to even out recent crimps in their decades-old relationship by focusing on areas of cooperation – such as, energy, trade, investment and infrastructure – with the bilateral cooperation agenda also including a public diplomacy programme


Discussions in a disorderly world

Discussions at the Global Security Forum 2016 at Bratislava, Slovakia were reflective of some of the most pressing contemporary global security concerns; differences between NATO and Russia, the rise of China, turmoil in Iraq and Syria etc.


Caste: mapping positive changes

In the ruckus raised by a growing number of caste-based groups, not earlier regarded as backward, for reservation quotas in government jobs and educational institutions, what is not being highlighted is the increasing success of how caste based discrimination is being reduced, even eliminated in some contexts. This must be mapped by social science researchers and policy makers, to help change the discourse of grievance.



South-South Cooperation: emerging challenges

Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), hosted a Conference on South-South Cooperation in New Delhi on 10-11 March, 2016. The conference, represented by about 350 delegates representing 62 countries, demonstrated both the maturity of South-South Cooperation and the creative challenges that lie ahead.



Saudi-Russia oil production cap – can it work?

Saudi Arabia, Russia and other oil producers are trying to cap oil production to support prices. Such distortions are unlikely to work. India should be more concerned about the long term rise in oil prices due to falling investment in exploration and production – and should protect itself by acquiring oil and gas assets to cover its energy needs.


Exploring Calcutta’s multi-ethnicities

At a recent panel discussion on Calcutta hosted by Gateway House-Avid Learning for the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, the conversation centred on Calcutta’s cosmopolitanism, multiculturalism, and the parallels and non-parallels between Calcutta & Bombay.