Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

President Trump’s Visit to India: Need to Focus on the Strategic Context

President Trump is visiting India on a state visit on 24-25 February 2020. The Indian government will no doubt lay out the red carpet for the visiting President. This is President Trump’s first visit to India as President. Although the visit comes

February 17, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, US, Commentary, China, trade, Dalai Lama, DTTI, CAA, Howdy Modi, LEMOA, BECA, tariffs, Art 370

The Wuhan Coronavirus Epidemic - Lessons for Governance

PK Khup Hangzo, Associate Fellow, VIF

Introduction

Transparency or the sharing of accessible, timely, relevant, and accurate information in an open manner is a core component of good governance.¹ More broadly, transparency refers to “the quality of being open, co

February 14, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, China, Article, Wuhan coronavirus epidemic, Coronavirus Outbreak

The Virus Effect on India-China Trade

Naval Jagota

Coronavirus (CoV) has caught China in its grip, China and the world are trying to grasp the effect of this virus on its population both medically as well as economically. The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes it as “a large family of viruse

February 14, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, China, Commentary, Tourism, India-China trade, Carona virus, Import-Export, Aviation

West Asia Roundup - January 2020

Dr Hirak Jyoti Das

Abstract:

The year ended on a sombre note and 2020 woke up to more accentuated volatility in West Asia pursuant to the targeted killing of highly influential Iranian IRIGC General Qassem Soleimani by the US drone strikes in Iraq (

February 13, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, Berlin Conference, US-Iran tensions, The Demise of Sultan Qaboos of Oman, US drone strikes in Iraq

The United Kingdom Hit by another Islamist Extremism Inspired Terror Attack

Anurag Sharma, Associate Fellow, VIF

The knife terror attack on 02 February 2020 in Streatham High Road in London, United Kingdom (UK) brought back memories of a similar terror incident on the streets of London on 29 November 2019 in which a Pakistan-origin British national—Usman Khan

February 13, 2020 Terrorism, International Relations and Diplomacy, Commentary, Islamic State, Terrorism, Islamist Extremism, Streatham terror attack, London attack, UK, London Sudesh Amman, Stabbing

Does The Trump Plan for Peace Make Sense?

Amb K P Fabian

Before answering the question, let us look at the highlights of the 180-page plan worked out over three years, between Israel and U.S., with marginal consultations with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and one or two others , but not with the Palestinians wh

February 12, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, Commentary, Jerusalem, Palestine, Gaza, West Bank, Arab League, OIC

China in Cyberspace

Col Pradeep Jaidka (Retd.)

A number of major developments in warfare and military technology occurred in the latter half of 20th century. These paradigm shifts are seen in veering away from waging conventional wars to unconventional wars; from nuclear wars to non-proliferation

February 10, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, China, Article, PLA, Information Warfare, Electro Magnetic Spectrum, Cyber warfare, cyber doctrine, informationization, cyber espionage, Strategic Support Force, C4ISR Attachments area

India-Central Asia Business Council: Reinvigorating India-Central Asia Economic Engagement

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF

On 6 February 2020, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) along with apex industrial bodies of the five Central Asian countries launched the India-Central Asia Business Council. In his address, External Affairs Minister,

February 10, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, Central Asia, Commentary, India, Kyrgyzstan, INSTC, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, trade, Chabahar, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Business Council, FICCI, Tourism

Act Far East Policy: Strengthening relations between India and Russia

Aayush Mohanty

Introduction

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, in his recent visit to India, attending the ‘Raisina Dialogue,’ opposed the Indo-Pacific concept, in New Delhi in January this year. In December 2019, the Russian Navy partici

February 07, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, Article, India, China, Russia, Indo-Pacific, Japan, energy, Vladivostok, Act Far East

Review of Japan 2019 and Outlook for 2020

Prerna Gandhi, Associate Fellow, VIF

2019 was an eventful year for Japan in both national and international domains. From an imperial transition to being the G20 Chair, to major trade agreements and the deadly Typhoon Hagibis, the year was filled with its share of ups and downs for Japa

February 03, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, Indo-Pacific, Article, India, South Korea, US, China, Iran, EU, Reiwa Era, G20, Northeast India