Courtesy: Gateway House
The recently concluded U.S. midterm elections have brought a major shift in the American political landscape, with the Democratic Party now in control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. In this webinar, experts Ambassador Mohan Kumar, Lt Gen S. L. Narasimhan and Amit Bhandari decode the election results and their implications for India, the war in West Asia and global oil markets.
Courtesy: Pakistan PMO / X
The recent Maldivian President Muizzu’s state visit to Pakistan has drawn attention in India. What is the Maldives signalling? Since taking office in 2023, Muizzu has pursued a ‘Maldives First’ policy, while recognising India’s importance despite the ‘India Out’ campaign that he led. Its ties with Pakistan reflect multi-alignment, shaped by geography and Islamic affinity. India must devise a strategy to deepen its engagement with the Maldives.
Courtesy: X/ @NationPress
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Mumbai and Jamnagar from October 20 to 22 reflected a new dimension to the India-U.S. bilateral: economic diplomacy. Referring to India as “a refining superpower” showed how global energy trends have impacted the U.S., whose national interest dictates a deeper energy cooperation with India. The two sides still remain apart on Pakistan, China, Iran, tariffs, and BRICS.
Courtesy: @IsraeliPM / X
Israel's national elections took place on October 27, 2026. Among the tasks for the new government is a $29 million programme to resettle India's 6,000 remaining Bnei Menashe Jews in Israel. These Jews from Mizoram and Manipur trace their descent to the Lost Tribes of the ancient Biblical Kingdom of Israel. They will join Israel's 85,000-strong Indian-origin Jewish community, strengthening the 'living bridge' connecting the two nations.
Courtesy: Tarushi Aswani / Al Jazeera
Ladakh is getting new districts, even a new High Court bench, but not the statehood it was promised by the Indian government when Article 370 and 35A were abrogated in August 2019. Seven years later, locals are restless and New Delhi has yet to find a permanent solution by way of a Constitutional guarantee.
Courtesy: TATA
The tussle between the directors on the Tata Sons’ board has drawn attention to the company’s largest shareholder: the Tata Trusts. The Trusts hold a 66% stake in Tata Sons and have pushed back against diluting it through a public listing. A look at the vision for and establishment of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Bombay, supported by the Trusts, underscores the pioneering philanthropy the Tatas always practised.
Courtesy: Gateway House
The visit of Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to three African countries – Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia – from October 6 to 10 was an important step in imparting fresh momentum to bilateral relations with these countries. It also drew public attention to the imperative of continuing the multi-dimensional partnership between India and Africa.
Courtesy: BSS News
Beijing has agreed to fund a port in Bangladesh, the third port funded by foreign governments. This shouldn’t be a concern for India, because unlike Pakistan and Sri Lanka, it has a diversified lender base. Japan and Russia are the large infrastructure funders, with China in the third place, while the U.S. and the EU are key export markets. India lags as an investor.
Courtesy: Gateway House
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, currently stalled due to conflicts in the Gulf, may be an answer to the disrupted energy flows from the Persian Gulf. The proposed route, which connects the interior of Saudi Arabia to the Arabian Sea on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other, has immense value as a conduit for West Asian oil, as well as global data flows.
Courtesy: Gateway House
India’s Digital Public Infrastructure is spawning important services in agriculture which, when combined with Artificial Intelligence, is giving access to the country’s remotest and most linguistically diverse farmers. The state of Maharashtra is a case study in how this works, at scale and diversity. Components from the India example are being adapted in countries like Ethiopia with needs for similarly varied populations.