BIMSTEC has evolved as an important multilateral institution around the geography of Bay of Bengal. Its significance has been spurred by regional governments who are proactively engaging to make BIMSTEC a vibrant institution. This book argues for promoting we-ness in the region and foster cooperation for regional integration. Available at Pentagon Press
… there is apparently a tacit understanding between the UAE and Saudi Arabia over the STC-Hadi government conflict … the recent attempts in September 2019 to bring STC and the Hadi government to the negotiating table reflect Saudi attempts to reach reconciliation to re-group the anti-Houthi coalition ... the stalemated nature of the conflict between the Arab coalition and the Houthis has prompted Saudi Arabia to gradually reconcile its interests vis-a-vis the Houthi Movement …
The attack on Saudi oil installations has large scale implications for the hydrocarbon supply to the world specially for countries like China, India and the Asian giants of Japan and South Korea. The Strait of Hormuz becomes critical for energy imports of these countries.
The Vivekananda International Foundation organized a closed-door interaction for a visiting delegation from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS, London) on 4th December 2019. The Roundtable focused on addressing the implications of Brexit on India’s Relations with the EU and the UK. After welcome remarks by Dr Arvind Gupta (Director, VIF), there were two short presentations by Mr Desmond Bowen (team leader of the visiting delegation) and Amb Asoke Mukerji (Distinguished Fellow, VIF). The discussion was moderated by Amb Kanwal Sibal, Member of VIF Advisory Council.
A delegation from the VIF comprising Director, Dr Arvind Gupta, Lt. Gen. Ravi Sawhney and Dr. Harinder Sekhon visited Washington DC from 11 to 15 Nov 2019 for the annual return meetings – a bilateral on India-US relations with the Hudson Institute and a trilateral dialogue with the Heritage Foundation and the Jerusalem Centre. This opportunity was used by the VIF to hold other important meetings both with the Indian Embassy and with the US establishment.
Sreeram Chaulia’s thought-provoking book, Trumped; Emerging Powers in a Post-American World is likely to trigger a debate on the impact of the disruption in the global order brought out by Trump’s ‘America First’ policy. The author’s key argument is that Trump through his policies has “created unique window of opportunity for regional powers to rise up and fill the vacuums America leaves behind”. He has chosen India, Turkey, Brazil, and Nigeria as case studies to bolster his thesis.
The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted Professor Kenneth Matengu, Vice Chancellor of University of Namibia (UNAM), on 1St October 2019. Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF, and the Professor discussed the warm and cordial relationship that India and Namibia share. They examined that India’s commitment towards Namibia in human resource development and capacity building through Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) and other bilateral programme has been a solid pillar of support which has also been appreciated by the Namibians.
The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted a delegation from the Fudan University, Shanghai on 14 November 2019. The Delegation was led by Zhang Weiwei, Distinguished Professor of International Relations and Director of the China Institute at Fudan University. The other members of the delegations were Zhu Caihua, Fan Yongpeng, and Lin Minwang. Hu Hailiang and Qin Wenci were from the Division of Information and Public Diplomacy, Department of Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.
The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organized an interactive session on ‘Humanitarian Crisis in Syria: Truth & Disinformation’ on 8 November 2019. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF delivered his opening remarks followed by a brief summary by Russian Ambassador to India, Nikolay Rishatovich Kudashev who introduced the main speaker, Maxim Grigoryev, Director of the Foundation for the Study of Democracy”, Moscow.
On 3rd October 2019, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) held a book discussion on the book, ‘Containing the China Onslaught’, written by Mr. Pradip Baijal, a former Indian Administrative Service official. Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF opened the discussion by introducing Mr. Baijal to the audience and gave an introduction to the book.