Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

Round-Table Discussion on India-Bhutan Bilateral Relationship

On 21 April 2023, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a talk on “India-Bhutan Bilateral Relationship”. Lt General R K Sawhney gave the introductory remarks, followed by presentations by the expert group on the issues of the internal political situation, trade and hydropower cooperation and security and borders. Lt Gen Sawhney welcomed the speakers and the participants and shared some key insights on the strategic significance of Bhutan in our neighbourhood.

May 04, 2023 Event Report

Interaction with Visiting Delegation of MP's from Nepal

On 29 March 2023, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised an interaction with a visiting delegation of 18 Members of Parliament (MP) from Nepal. Brig Vinod Anand, Senior Fellow & Research Coordinator VIF gave the introductory remarks, followed by short presentations by Brig Rahul Bhonsle and Dr Nihar Nayak.

April 19, 2023 Event Report

Round Table Discussion on Evolving Myanmar Crisis: Implications for India

The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a Round-Table Discussion on “Evolving Myanmar Crisis and Implications for India” on 01 February 2023. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, gave the opening remarks, followed by brief presentations by Amb Rajiv Bhatia and Amb Gautam Mukhopadhaya. Before the presentations, a brief introduction to the current developments in Myanmar was given by Cchavi Vasisht. 01 February 2023 marked the completion of two years of military rule in Myanmar, and within these two years, the country witnessed intensified conflict and displacement.

February 10, 2023 Event Report

AFGHANISTAN: Through the Fog of Instability

Lt General R K Sawhney, PVSM, AVSM, Centre Head & Senior Fellow, National Security and Strategic Studies & Internal Security Studies, VIF

Afghanistan is a country that has seen more devastation than prosperity, especially in the last 20 years. The resurgence of the Taliban and its cat-and-mouse game with the West has brought the once lively nation on the brink of starvation and decline. And it’s not just the story of the present times. Even in the early nineteenth century—be it the three Anglo-Afghan wars, or the skirmish between Afghanistan and Pakistan surrounding the Durand Line—the nation has seen much more bloodshed than any other country in Asia.

February 07, 2023 Books/Book Review

VIF Delegation’s Visit to Colombo and Interaction with Pathfinder Foundation

A VIF delegation led Dr. Arvind Gupta, comprising of Lt Gen Ravi Sawhney and Dr Sreeradha Datta visited Colombo during 10-14 January. VIF’s think tank partner, the Pathfinder Foundation hosted the delegation and organized many of the interactions and meetings. The delegation met a cross section of officials, political leaders and dignitaries and subject experts too.

January 17, 2023 Event Report

Round Table Discussion on Power Trading between India and Nepal

On 16 December 2022, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a talk on “Power trading between India and Nepal”. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, gave the introductory remarks, followed by a presentation by Mr Lal Krishna KC, Sr. Advisor to the Energy Committee at the Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI), Mr Kunal Kayal, Treasurer at NICCI and Neha Agarwal, Director of Arunachal Pradesh Power Trading Company.

January 04, 2023 Event Report

Round Table Discussion on Assessment of the Nepal Elections

On 19 December 2022, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a talk on “Assessment of the Nepal Elections”. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, gave the introductory remarks, followed by a presentation by Shri Jay Nishaant. Dr Gupta welcomed Shri Jay Nishaant, Lt General R K Sawhney, Dr Sreeradha Datta, Brig Vinod Anand, Rishi Gupta, Aakriti Vinayak and Cchavi Vasisht, Anil Kumar and Aarushi Gupta.

January 04, 2023 Event Report

Gorkha Dimension in India-Nepal Relations

Jyoti Kumar

India has always been proud to have Gurkha/Nepalese as soldiers in Indian Defence Forces and has made every effort to ensure that they are looked after and cared for in their twilight years even when these pensioners reside in Nepal. The GOI has made every effort to ensure that these pensioners, their families and dependents are looked after in the best possible manner. To ensure these measures, various branches of the Defence Wing are working in sync to fulfil the aspirations of our Nepal Domiciled Gorkha Ex-servicemen community.

December 29, 2022 Issue Brief

VIF-Pathfinder Foundation Sri Lanka Bilateral Dialogue

The online bilateral dialogue held on 11 Oct 2022 was co- chaired by Dr Arvind Gupta, Director Vivekananda International Foundation, India and former Amb. Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman Pathfinder Foundation, Sri Lanka. The dialogue was attended by speaker Amb Ashok Kantha, Admiral Satish Soni (retd), Lt Gen Ravi Sawhney (retd), former Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, and Rear Admiral Dimuthu Gunawardena (retd) and scholars and practitioners from both sides. These are some of the salient points brought out by the Chairs, speakers and ensuing discussion.

December 21, 2022 Event Report

Killing of al-Zawahiri: U.S. Counter-terrorism Operations, Future of Al Qaeda and Implications for Taliban, Pakistan, other Stakeholders and India

Maj Gen P K Mallick, VSM (Retd)

… al-Zawahiri’s killing could be the beginning of a new road instead of its end, depending on how the Taliban evolves from here ... Taliban is caught between devil and deep-sea ... There is enormous pressures from international community ... Will Taliban reconstruct Afghanistan or spread jihad and harbour the global Al Qaeda groups?

December 21, 2022 Monograph