mayawati Courtesy:
2 March 2012

The Makeover of Mayawati

Uttar Pradesh (UP) is going to the polls this month and the results will have implications even beyond India. However, Mayawati, the Chief Minister of UP, will encounter big challenges for re-election as the state faces major problems such as poverty and an inefficient education structure.

SAARC pic Courtesy: PMO
8 November 2011

Reviving SAARC

Creating a neighbourhood of compatible interests in South Asia isn’t easy, especially when intra-regional trade accounts for only 5% of total trade in the region. However, the region has seen considerable progress in the past year. India is well poised to lead the change, starting with the upcoming SAARC summit.

indo us education summit Courtesy: Phil Humnicky/Georgetown University
20 October 2011

Education: The new Indo-U.S. alliance?

The first Indo-U.S. Education Summit held last week showed much promise. While education can be driving force of the strategic dialogue between the two countries, this is also an opportunity for business. India's massive education sector, estimated at $25 billion, is waiting to be tapped.

bbc news logo Courtesy: BBC News
27 September 2011

Viewpoint: Brics bailout of Europe is unlikely

BBC News published a feature written by Gateway House’s Head of Research, Akshay Mathur, in their Asia business section. Mathur writes on the the financial crises in Europe and the possibility of the BRICS countries playing an active part in the European bailout.

reasserting Courtesy: PMO
26 September 2011

Reasserting India’s independence

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s speech at the UN General Assembly has put Indian perceptions on the record and clearly outlined India’s independent foreign policy. India came out unequivocally in support of the Palestinian struggle & reiterated its traditional stance of respecting countries’ sovereignty.

brics bailing out europe piece Courtesy: www.kremlin.ru/Flickr
23 September 2011

BRICS bail-out of Europe: A far cry

In a reversal of historical roles, the BRICS nations may be coming to Europe’s rescue. During the Asian Financial Crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) introduced structural adjustments in return for IMF loans, and many institutions and individuals went bankrupt. Will it be any different now?

Courtesy: WTCTributeinLight/WikimediaCommons
12 September 2011

9/11 America: Dignity, democracy and fear

Although the U.S. has not faced another terrorist attack since 9/11, much has changed in its democratic framework. Gripped by fear, 3,984 federal, state and local organizations work on domestic counter-terrorism, spending an estimated $1 trillion.

9,11 neelam akshay piece_210x140 Courtesy: Scott Hudson/Flickr
10 September 2011

9/11: India, still waiting for peace

India's security concerns seem to grow weaker by the year. The dangerous political polarity, a paralysed ruling coalition, a fractured opposition, a popular distaste for a corrupt polity and complicit bureaucracy, and a slowing economy, has handicapped any progress towards this issue.

bangaldesh trip piece Courtesy: PMO
9 September 2011

India-Bangladesh: Like U.S.-Canada? Someday, maybe.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Dhaka was, by and large, a success; but poor internal coordination hampered the greater possibilities of the visit. India and Bangladesh can now explore new prospects, on maritime issues, oil and gas and environmental concerns in the Sundarbans.