The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted an interactive session with an Iranian delegation represented by Seyed Mohammd Kazem Sajjadpour, the President of Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS), a think-tank based in Tehran, Ali Chegeni, Iranian ambassador to India, and Dr. Kyhan Barzeger. The Director, Dr. Arvind Gupta during the introductory remark touched upon global issues, regional developments, bilateral relations and developing scenario in Afghanistan.

The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted an interaction with a senior delegation from the Institute of Democracy, South Korea, on November 22, 2018. The delegation was led by the director, Mr. Kim Minseok, who was formerly a member of the National Assembly (for two terms) and the Chairman of Democratic Party in 2015-16. He also held the position of Head Director, Situation Headquarters, Campaign Committee for President-elect Moon Jae-in in 2017.

The One Belt One Road Initiative or the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is one of the most widely discussed topics in the Chinese Foreign Policy. It has been five years since the launch of the BRI. On 17 May 2013 and 7 September 2013, Xi Jinping delivered speeches in Indonesia and Kazakhstan respectively highlighting the importance of connectivity vis-a-vis these countries with China. Against this background, Tom Miller’s book on the BRI is an opportunity to analyse the developments of the initiative.

… many in Africa support China’s economic initiatives, but there has been some amount of resistance to the latter’s aggressive business plans fueled by the belief that the Chinese are sending their workers not hiring the local population, investments are self-serving and just about grabbing natural resources. While China has definitely improved infrastructure in Africa and delivered projects fast, it is advisable to verify the agreements signed keeping in consideration, ecological changes, and social development …