mahathir Courtesy: Reuters
24 May 2018

Mahathir’s Malaysian manoeuvres

Malaysia is in the eye of a different power game today. Fifteen years ago when Mahathir’s last tenure as prime minister ended, the United States loomed over the Asia-Pacific and Malaysia. Today it is an unlikely leader and Mahathir inherits a China-dominated Indo-Pacific and vexed internal politics. What changes in foreign policy will this entail?

US - North Korea Courtesy: Wikipedia
24 May 2018

Trump’s North Korea mission

A historic summit is scheduled to take place on June 12. Three participants—the two Koreas and the U.S.—were involved in effecting the rapprochement that has preceded it. And for once, China is playing catch-up. Here is how it came about

aashna-china Courtesy: Gateway House
14 May 2018

Gwadar: trade hub or military asset?

China’s ostensible intentions are to turn Gwadar port into a focal point of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. But the geography of the region is a major stumbling block in the realisation of these ambitions and raises questions about the project’s underlying motives

asian age Courtesy:
13 May 2018

Trump hits Iran and India reels

Amit Bhandari, Fellow, Energy and Environment Studies, Gateway House, and Kunal Kulkarni, Senior Researcher, Gateway House, write an op-ed for The Asian Age on the possible implications of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement to withdraw from the JCPOA, more colloquially Read more

karnataka Courtesy: Siddaramaiah/ Twitter
10 May 2018

The importance of Karnataka

Most of Karnataka is in a post-issue era. That means voters, especially young people, have the luxury to think beyond the immediate. They are looking for candidates with talent and an eye to the future

South Africa's new president Cyril Ramaphosa (R) holds up his right hand as he is sworn into office by South Africa's Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng (L) after being elected by the Members of Parliament at the Parliament in Cape Town, on February 15, 2018.

South African lawmakers elected wealthy former businessman Cyril Ramaphosa on February 15, 2018 as the country's new president after scandal-tainted Jacob Zuma resigned under pressure from his own ANC ruling party. Ramaphosa was elected without a vote after being the only candidate nominated in the parliament in Cape Town, chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng told assembled lawmakers.
 / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Rodger BOSCH Courtesy: Sfgate.com
10 May 2018

The opportunity with Ramaphosa

The governments of India and South Africa are eager to reinvigorate their relationship after it suffered damage in the latter half of Jacob Zuma’s presidency. The current president has spoken of a ‘new dawn’ for his country, driven by economic advancement. In that, India can play a big role

The Presidency Chartered Bank of Bombay on 1 Rampart Row was founded in 1840 and was one of three presidency banks that were the precursors of the State Bank of India (1955) Courtesy: State Bank of India
3 May 2018

Indian banking’s chequered history

The history of modern Indian banking in the 19th century is full of examples of lopsided loan portfolios, favouring a few individuals and businesses, which is not very different from today’s world of financial fraud and manipulation of the system for personal gain. The past still holds many lessons

A Mix of Colours and Wonder Courtesy: ESO/G. Lombardi (glphoto.it)
3 May 2018

Astro-diplomacy over Himalayan plateau

Modern astronomy will stimulate scientific, technological, economic and human resource development—all high priorities for India. New Delhi should exploit its proximity to the ‘Roof of the World’ to advance its geopolitical interests

(in the pic - Chinese President Xi Jinping addressing FOCAC summit). President Jacob Zuma co-chairs the FOCAC Summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping - Sandton, Johannesburg. 04/12/2015, Elmond Jiyane, GCIS Courtesy: GovernmentZA/ Flickr
26 April 2018

The race to be Africa’s best partner

China’s judicious deployment of economic diplomacy—in sectors ranging from infrastructure and agriculture to skill development--has enabled it to develop relations with several African countries. India, Africa’s oldest partner, which is diversifying its own relationship, can replicate parts of China’s approach

The historic Bombay Mint Courtesy: Wikipedia Commons
19 April 2018

Rationale for the return of the global rupee

Over 50 years ago, the Indian rupee was a currency of overseas trade besides being the local currency for the Gulf nations and many regions of the Indian Ocean. It fell into a retreat for many reasons. With the Indian economy slated to strengthen 2019 onwards, this is the right time to speed up the rupee’s full capital account convertibility