Courtesy: Gateway House
All eyes are on the July 25-26 visit of Prime Minister Modi to Maldives as chief guest for the Maldivian Independence Day celebrations. It’s a remarkable turnaround by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who won the 2023 election on an “India Out” campaign. What caused the change? Proximity and geopolitics, says Rajiv Bhatia transformed Maldivian view.
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India is strategically expanding its influence across the Indo-Pacific region, positioning itself as a key player in regional affairs. Three elements anchor the effort: development aid, trade and the diaspora. The country now has 20 Free Trade Agreement partners in the Indo-Pacific. The 21.8 million-strong Indian diaspora across the region is a significant source of soft power for India.
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The embargo on rare-earth magnets by China reflects a gap in India’s critical mineral supply chain. India should reduce the need for these minerals by promoting green hydrogen.
Courtesy: X / PMOIndia
PM Modi's five-nation tour highlights that despite geopolitical conflicts, New Delhi remains confident in its ability to balance relationships with the North and South.
Courtesy: Nayanima Basu
Thailand is often associated with its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife. However, a visit to the country’s historic past, from the ancient kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya to its role in the second World War, reveals how much Thailand has for those interested in history and culture.
Courtesy: Ricardo Moraes / Reuters
While BRICS does have a wise agenda, backed by considerable unity, it is not in a strong position to garner the world’s support for it. The fissures within the G7, the tensions between the U.S. and Europe, and the unilateralism of Washington leave little room for BRICS to develop an international consensus on the issues agreed at the recent Rio Summit.
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BRICS is undergoing a major transformation—expanding its membership, redefining its global role, and navigating geopolitical tensions. As the group prepares for the Rio Summit in July 2025, key challenges include integrating new members, reforming multilateral institutions, and balancing economic ambitions with strategic unity. With India set to chair in 2026, the bloc’s evolving identity will shape its global influence.
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The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington on 1 July, 2025, underscored the importance of diversified and reliable global supply chains, especially for critical minerals. A Gateway House report shows how to strengthen supply chains for rare earths by creating deep financial markets similar to those that exist for bullion and oil.
Courtesy: X / PMOIndia
PM Modi's multi-country visit from 15-19 June to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia demonstrated India's expertise in nurturing ties with great powers, middle powers and state powers. The common thread was twofold: to represent India at the still-important summit of the Group of Seven in Alberta, and to push India’s strategic partnership with the EU, by forging closer ties with the countries of eastern and central Europe.
Courtesy: Gateway House
A slowdown of the Chinese economy, and the shift, particularly by MNCs, from China to other more competitive locations has opened up business opportunities for latecomers to supply chains in the developing world. Evidence suggests that Southeast Asia and some South Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, could be beneficiaries of the supply chain shift, particularly in labour-intensive segments.