Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

Pakistan Insights 2020

Following the success Pakistan Insights 2019 that was based on discussions held in the Pakistan Study Group (PSG) of the Vivekananda International Foundation, it was decided to continue with the Insight series, making it an annual feature. Despite the constraints imposed by COVID-19, the PSG has met virtually and continued to discuss issues relating to Pakistan in a holistic manner, going beyond the headlines. Pakistan Insights 2020 is a comprehensive book that deals with most aspects of Pakistan.

December 15, 2020 Books/Book Review

Webinar on India-Nepal Relations: The Way Ahead

On 23rd November 2020 Vivekanand International Foundation India (VIF) and Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) organised a round table discussion on India-Nepal Relations. Director Dr Arvind Gupta chaired the session while Gen Ravi Sawhney delivered the welcome comments. Mr. Sunil KC, CEO AIDIA delivered the opening remarks followed with remarks by Amb Ranjit Rae, General Rookmangud Katawal, Lt Gen (Dr) Rakesh Sharma (retd), Mr. Uday SJB Rana, Mr. Sanjay Chadha, Dr. Deepak Prakash Bhatta, Mr. Purshottam Ojha and Dr. Nihar Nayak.

November 26, 2020 Event Report

Discussion on Elections in Myanmar and India’s Way Forward

On 10 November, VIF organised a discussion on ‘Elections in Myanmar and India's Way Forward". Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, welcomed the participants and delivered the opening remarks followed by brief presentations by Amb Gautam Mukhopadhya, Mr Sanjay Chadha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Mr K Yhome, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, and Mr Sanjay Pullpaka, Senior Fellow, Delhi Policy Group.

November 18, 2020 Event Report

VIF and ISAS Book Discussion “Bangladesh at 50: Development and Challenges”

On 28 September 2020, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore (ISAS-NUS) jointly organised a book discussion on “Bangladesh at 50: Development and Challenges” edited by Dr Sreeradha Datta and Dr S Narayan. The VIF’s Director - Dr Arvind Gupta and ISAS’s Director - Prof. Raja Mohan welcomed the participants and delivered the opening remarks in which they stated Bangladesh’s journey of transition from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a developing country as an ongoing and outstanding achievement.

October 01, 2020 Event Report

India’s Economic Miracle & Nepal

Prof Hari Bansh Jha

The book “India’s Economic Miracle and Nepal” reiterates the time-tested view that no two countries of the world are as close to each other, particularly at the people-to-people level, as Nepal and India. The relationship between both countries in the socio-cultural, economic, political and spiritual spheres is well known.

September 09, 2020 Monograph

Bilateral Meeting Vivekananda International Foundation (India) & the Pathfinder Foundation (Sri Lanka)

On 17 August 2020, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a bilateral meeting in collaboration with the Pathfinder Foundation (Sri Lanka) on “India - Sri Lanka relations”. Dr Arvind Gupta - Director of the VIF, welcomed the participants - Amb.

August 29, 2020 Event Report

Possibility of Developing Regional Value Chain in South Asia

On 24 July 2020, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted an online discussion on “Possibility of Developing Regional Value Chain in South Asia”. The panel included, Dr Sreeradha Datta, Mr Bipul Chatterjee, Mr Pratim Bose, Mr Analraj Bhattarai, Mr Shaquib Quoreshi, and Dr Nuwanthi Senaratne. From the VIF, Dr Arvind Gupta, Amb Ranjit Rae, Lt Gen Ravi Sawhney, Mr Aayush Mohanty, and Ms Cchavi Vasisht also participated in the event.

July 28, 2020 Event Report

Discussion on ‘Post COVID-19: India and the South Asian Neighbourhood’

Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a discussion on ‘Post COVID-19: India and the South Asian Neighbourhood’ on 18 May 2020. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, delivered the opening remarks followed with presentations by Dr Sreeradha Datta, Prof Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Admiral Prof Jayanth Colombage and Amb Sambhu Ram Simkhada. From VIF, Amb Satish Chandra, C D Sahay, Gen Ravi Sawhney, Naval Jagota, Col Jaideep Chanda attended the discussion.

May 25, 2020 Event Report

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor of the Belt and Road Initiative Concept, Context and Assessment by Siegfried O. Wolf, Springer, Switzerland, 2020, £88, ISBN 978-3-030-16198

Aakriti Vinayak

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative that was officially launched in April 2015, promised to be a game changer. The economic corridor that would link Kashgar in Xinjiang to Gwadar in Baluchistan five years later has entered its second phase. While the first phase was essentially about electricity projects and railway lines the second phase has special emphasis on development of special economic zones, agriculture, industry, trade and science and technology.

May 23, 2020 Books/Book Review

Round Table Discussion on ‘Post COVID-19: India and the Neighbourhood’

Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a Round Table Discussion (RTD) on ‘Post COVID-19: India and the Neighbourhood’ on 11 May 2020. Amb Satish Chandra, Vice Chairman VIF, delivered the opening remarks followed with presentations by Amb Ranjit Rae, Amb Ashok Kantha, Amb Pinak Ranjan Chakraborty and Prof S.D. Muni. From VIF, Gen Ravi Sawhney, Dr Sreeradha Datta, Col Jaideep Chanda attended the RTD. The RTD was an attempt to reflect on India’s position and role in the South Asian region Post COVID-19 scenario.

May 13, 2020 Event Report