CUba Courtesy: Madaki/Wikimedia Commons
15 June 2015

Can Cuba become a Singapore?

After respite from the U.S. government, Cuba now faces the daunting task of reviving its economy without having to give up on its political ideology. The Singaporean model of limited democracy is something Cuba could emulate.

130918-D-NI589-073 Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
2 June 2015

India-U.S.: technology transfer tussle

The visit of U.S. Defence Secretary Carter will help cement trust and expand the scope of India-U.S. defence cooperation. However, there are several important details around technology transfer that still need to be worked out before co-production of weapons can begin.

Leaders_of_TPP_member_states- wikipedia Courtesy: Wikipedia
20 May 2015

TPP and RCEP: the hare and the tortoise?

The Trans-Pacific Partnership might soon be concluded if the U.S. Congress fast-tracks it, as recently announced, while the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement remains on slow-track. But the TPP, although ambitious, follows an outdated template, and it is the dynamic RCEP that can be a model for a new global rules-based framework

PRISM_logo by NSA Courtesy: NSA/Wikimedia Commons
20 May 2015

Exposing NSA’s fallibility

This month’s U.S. Appeals Court ruling that deemed illegal the collection of bulk phone records by the U.S. NSA—falsely claimed by U.S. officials as having helped detect 26/11 plotter David Headley—is another nail in the coffin of the U.S. surveillance programme. However, detection of terrorist activity and prosecution of perpetrators remains as problematic as ever

Dilma Xi Courtesy:
14 May 2015

China in Latin America

China's influence and presence in Latin America has grown rapidly in the form of trade and investment. China's growing presence is both a concern for Latin America and the U.S., which creates a window of opportunity for India

car mexico Courtesy: Taneli Rajala
7 May 2015

Make in India Mexican-style

The 'Make In India' campaign could learn from the manufacturing success story of Mexico which has come to be called as a 'rising global star in manufacturing’ and 'the China of the Americas'. Prime Minister Modi can seek inspiration from President Enrique Peña Nieto who has brought about a dozen major reforms by forging a historic consensus with the opposition parties through the Pact for Mexico.

2016 Republican candidates Courtesy: Gage Skidmore
28 April 2015

Republicans gear up to ‘Stop Hillary’

With the 2016 U.S. presidential primaries in less than a year, Republican candidates have begun to multiply. Former Senator Jeb Bush is leading the pack, followed by Governor Scott Walker and Senator Marco Rubio. It is early days yet, but in their focus on countering Democrat Hillary Clinton, discussions on issues like the growing rivalry with China and plurilateral trade agreements are, so far, missing

Komagata_Maru Courtesy: Leonard Juda Frank/Wikimedia
15 April 2015

Komagata Maru: mission to Canada

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his April 14-17 visit to Canada, will visit the Komagata Maru Museum & Monument in Vancouver, an important milestone in Canada’s Indian diaspora as well as Asian immigrant history

Modi-Harper Courtesy: Wikimedia commons
14 April 2015

India-Canada: partners on nuclear energy

Canada’s nuclear energy sector has a lot to offer India—the sale of uranium, joint development of technology and best practices on regulations. Nuclear energy co-operation is also an area in which Canada and India can make substantial advancements quickly. We should not let this opportunity slip by

Hillary 2016 Courtesy: Hillary Clinton/Flickr
13 April 2015

Hillary’s candidacy and India

Hillary Clinton finally announced her second bid to be the democratic candidate for the November 2016 presidential election on April 12. Despite her landmark achievements, there are a number of controversial issues from her time as senator, the first lady and as Secretary of State, that will be raised in the coming months