Kenny Holston AP Courtesy: Kenny Holston / AP
4 June 2026

China trumps the U.S.?

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President Donald Trump’s May 13-15 visit to China was set against the backdrop of the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. Though the agenda was an economic one, Beijing used the occasion to project itself as a stabilising power, urging dialogue between Washington and Tehran. The visit did produce agreements on trade and investment, but the absence of a joint statement and differing priorities exposed persistent tensions. In this tale of two visits, China seems to have trumped the U.S.

Gateway House Courtesy: Gateway House
4 June 2026

A BRICS Energy Stability Framework

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The 2026 Persian Gulf conflict has pushed energy security to the forefront of the BRICS agenda. Divergent national interests prevent the grouping from acting as a unified geopolitical bloc, the growing energy crisis highlights the need for stronger economic cooperation. Proposals such as a BRICS energy reserve, an Energy Stability Fund, and cross-border investments could enhance resilience and be essential if BRICS wants to emerge as a serious economic grouping.

AFP Courtesy: AFP
4 June 2026

Two significant critical minerals deals

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India signed on to two deals on critical minerals in May: one was the launch of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative and the other a new bilateral India–U.S. framework on critical minerals. Both highlight the deep concerns over China’s dominance of global supply chains. For India, specifically, these initiatives will advance its ambitions in green energy. Collectively, the QUAD members have differing priorities. Can those be sustained long-term, for success?

oil Courtesy: KNN
28 May 2026

India’s Opportunity in the New Oil Order

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The UAE’s recent exit from OPEC, and the US push to sell more oil to India are markers of a new order in the oil world with demand security at a premium. As a major oil importer, India must respond to it smartly. It must develop deeper partnerships with both the UAE and U.S., and a new financial ecosystem and benchmarks for the new order.

Website articles - 2026-05-21T164114.205 Courtesy: X/@IndiainZimbabwe
21 May 2026

India-Africa: taking stock before the summit

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Africa is central to India’s foreign policy, a priority expected to be reaffirmed at the upcoming India–Africa Forum Summit. The much-anticipated event will focus on deepening economic partnerships and expanding strategic cooperation. Ahead of the summit, it is necessary to take stock of the current state of the continental engagement, particularly in trade, investment, technology, and capacity-building.

Website articles (95) Courtesy: Gateway House
14 May 2026

Stacking up the India-Africa summits

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The Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) will take place in New Delhi from May 28-31, 2026. It is being held at a time when Africa has actively engaged with several other major partners, placing high expectations on India. Over the last 18 years, the India-Africa partnership has had ambitious goals and some outcomes across diplomacy, trade, education, capacity building, health, and infrastructure development. This will deepen.

Website articles (92) Courtesy: Gateway House
7 May 2026

India’s quest for sovereign AI

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India is moving from “digital adoption” to “digital swaraj,” a demand for technological self-reliance. The national discourse is shifting from data sovereignty to broader technological sovereignty. India’s goal is a hybrid model where global innovation meets local control and digital services that align with domestic needs. If successful, this model could offer the Global South an alternative to both U.S. private-led and Chinese state-led digital systems.

AP517-519 00_Cover.indd Courtesy: Routledge
7 May 2026

India and the Rebalancing of Asia

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In this book, C. Raja Mohan analyses Asia’s shifting political, economic, military, and technological balance, with particular focus on U.S.-China and India-China relations. He argues that India’s rise from a middle power to an emerging great power will require stronger hard power, diplomatic creativity, economic vitality, and domestic consensus. Yet, amid tensions over tariffs, Russian oil, Gaza, and the U.S.-Iran conflict, India’s strategic path remains challenging.

Website articles (91) Courtesy: PIB
7 May 2026

Strengthening Africa’s security architecture

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Africa has been increasingly drawn into conflicts and faces difficulty in preventing or managing them. At the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit to be held on May 28-31, India can announce assistance to the continent in capacity-building in training, logistics, and technology. India-Africa defence industrial cooperation, particularly in affordable equipment and maintenance capabilities tailored to African conditions, will align with its evolving needs.

Website articles (90) Courtesy: Gateway House
7 May 2026

The Smackover blueprint

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The Smackover Formation in south Arkansas and east Texas holds vast reserves of lithium — the critical mineral powering electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and data centres. If successfully tapped, those reserves could drastically reduce America's dependence on China. Arkansas has a stable, proven, predictable regulatory and statutory framework and familiarity with the production process. Policymakers in India would be wise to follow developments closely.