the influence of phil in the UN  (1) Courtesy: Debarpan Das
5 February 2026

Influence of philanthropies in the UN

Over the last few decades, countries have stopped, delayed, or withheld their UN dues. The UN’s increasing financial needs have led to the acceptance of “voluntary” contributions. Those which come from any entities or individuals and are now its largest income stream. The biggest of these donors are the global philanthropies, which often have differing agendas from the UN’s responsibilities. This report studies these contributions and examines the linkages between donor priorities and UN mandates.

2 (6) Courtesy: Gateway House
5 February 2026

Influence of philanthropies in the UN

On January 7, 2026, the U.S. government announced its withdrawal from 31 UN organisations. This is a shock to the UN system. Several other countries have halted or only partially paid their dues over the years, creating a major funding gap. To cover for it, the UN has turned to “voluntary contributions” which come from philanthropic and private actors. Their misaligned mandates are distorting UN priorities.

News on Air (5) Courtesy: Gateway House
29 January 2026

Bombay Gymkhana @150

Mumbai’s oldest sports club, the Bombay Gymkhana, is celebrating 150 years of its existence. Its legacy as a central gymkhana for all sports in the city is reflected in the year-round sports events in which the Club has a continuous presence, such as cricket, rugby, football, squash, tennis, badminton, swimming, and billiards. Its biggest achievement is putting India on the international calendar for cricket and rugby.

News on Air (4) Courtesy: DD News
29 January 2026

The European pivot to India

By signing the EU-India Free Trade Agreement on January 27, the ties that bind India and the European collective have been re-energised. They are now set to reach new heights, while overcoming past hesitations and divergences.

Website articles  (34) Courtesy: Gateway House
22 January 2026

Case for post-study ‘S’ visas

In recent months, visa restrictions have been imposed on foreign students particularly Indians, seeking higher education, especially in the U.S. and the UK. Post-study work opportunities, a key factor in international education choices, have also been affected. This creates an opportunity for India to step in and attract foreign students by introducing an ‘S’ visa that permits post-study work opportunity in India.

Untitled design (10) Courtesy: Foreign Affairs
15 January 2026

How Strong are The Strongmen?

Not long ago in the sweep of history, countries that had once been buried behind the Iron Curtain, and even some Soviet republics, were transformed into members of the solidly democratic club. Some of those that weren’t, such as Ukraine, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan, experienced mass revolts against rigged elections and corrupt misrule amid widespread public yearning to join the West. Free trade was again celebrated as an instrument of peace; Kant’s “democratic peace theory” enjoyed a revival.

News on Air Courtesy: News on Air
8 January 2026

2026: India’s foreign policy challenges

In the shifting sands of contemporary geopolitics, terms such as ‘fluid multipolarity’, ‘multiplexity’, ‘tripolarity’, and ‘bipolarity with multipolar characteristics’ are replacing the old dogmas and orders. But what is driving the world today? How does India plan to protect its vital interests in the current age of ongoing polycrisis? The road ahead is challenging, marked by risks and uncertainty.

US Embassy and Consulates in Italy Courtesy: US Embassy & Consulates in Italy
18 December 2025

U.S.’ National Security Strategy 2025

It is customary for every U.S. president to release a National Security Strategy (NSS) early in their tenure. President Trump published the NSS for his second term in November 2025. It’s a contrast from his 2017 NSS, which addressed broad threats. The 2025 version is narrower, emphasising trade over security, with the Western Hemisphere being the primary area of focus. Is the U.S.’s global role shrinking?

9feb9c42-5bb4-16f6-4358-f21cbb0992ff Courtesy: Gateway House
11 December 2025

Ambedkar the forgotten internationalist

As global conflicts intensify and global leadership falters, it is time to look back 75 years to Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar - not only the father of India’s Constitution but also an internationalist whose foreign policy vision remains overlooked. He warned against aligning with China, upheld Tibet’s sovereignty, advocated U.S. ties, rejected non-alignment, and championed India’s UNSC seat. How different would the scenario have been if Ambedkar had led India’s foreign policy?

Getty (2) Courtesy: All India Radio News
9 December 2025

Putin’s visit sends a signal

India and Russia have a time-tested relationship, which was evident during President Putin's state visit to New Delhi last week. Its success lay in the warmth the leaders of the two countries share and in its timing: geopolitically, just after discussions of the U.S. and China as the G2, and commercially and strategically, at a time when India’s needs match Russia's capabilities.