International Relations/Diplomacy
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RTD on China-India Ties Post Xi Visit

A six-member delegation from China, led by former Ambassador Lu Fengding, visited VIF on 25 Sep, 2014 for an interaction which sought to assess the outcome of Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping’s recent visit to India. Other members of the delegation included, Ambassador Zhou Gang, two experts on South Asian affairs, Mr. Ye Hailin and Mr. Gong Yingchun and two officials from China Public Diplomacy Association.

VIF Round Table on PM Modi’s US Visit

A VIF Round Table was organized on 15 September 2014 to deliberate on core issues in India-US relations on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States. Ambassador Lalit Man Singh, former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador to the US chaired the meeting while General NC Vij, Director VIF, made the introductory remarks and conducted the proceedings. Others present included Mr. CD Sahay, Lt. Gen. RK Sawhney, Mr. Rajiv Kumar, Ambassadors Kanwal Sibal, TCA Rangachari, Sanjay Singh, Rajiv Sikri, Brig. Vinod Anand and Dr. Harinder Sekhon.

Interaction with Dr William Antholis, MD, Brookings Institution

Dr William Antholis, Managing Director, Brookings Institution interacted with the VIF faculty on 09 September, 2014 on the current state of India, China and US relations and the emerging dynamics. Speaking on ‘India, China and the US- Which Way Does the Triangle Tilt’, Dr Antholis dwelt on the differences between the coastal provinces and the internal areas in China, the political and social interest and a gamut of governance problems and related issues. He compared Modi’s governance model to China’s model of governance.

Interaction on ‘Indo-US Relations’

Marshal Bouton, Interim Director of the Asia Society Policy Institute and President Emeritus of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, interacted with the VIF faculty on Indo-US Relations on 08 September 2014. He has been a resident in India for long and has taken a keen interest in Indian affairs for a number of years.

Interaction with Dr Neil Joeck

Dr Neil Joeck, a visiting scholar at the Institute of International Studies, University of California at Berkeley and an expert on nuclear weapon issues, visited the VIF on 05 September, 2014 for an interaction with Indian defence and security experts, scholars and academics. In his presentation on the ‘Nuclear Doctrines of India and Pakistan’, Dr Joeck explained that the US often tended to view South Asia from the prism of Pakistan's nuclear capability and the challenge it posed to India. He also spoke about the role of China in the region and how it impinged on India's security.

Round Table on ‘Xi Jinping Visit and India-China Relations’

A Round Table to discuss the forthcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to India was organized at VIF on 29 August 2014.

Interaction with Chinese Scholars

Vivekananda International Foundation held an interactive session between eminent scholars from China and the VIF faculty on 27 August 2014. The session was organized to discuss Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to India in September and its implications for India- China relations. The Chinese delegation was represented by Prof. Wang Zhengyi, Prof. Li Li, Prof. Su Changhe, Dr. Wu Chunsi, and Dr. Zhang Jiegen.

Interaction with Islamic Scholar Syed Babar Ashraf

Mr. Syed Babar Ashraf, noted Islamic scholar and National Secretary, All India Ulama & Mashaikh Board interacted with the VIF faculty on July 23, 2014. In his address, Ashraf traced the history of Wahabism and its growing presence in India. He said the developments in Syria and Iraq reflected the tyrant face of Wahabism. He said the people of Egypt realised that Wahabism was an attack on Islam and thereby overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood regime. He gave full marks to the world renowned Al Azhar Islamic University for preserving the Sufi tradition of Islam intact in Egypt.

The Berlin-Baghdad Express; Sean McMeekin; Penguin Books 2011; PP 461; Price Rs 550; eBook Rs 413

Ideas & Ideologies That Provoked World War I Still Pose A Threat

Seminar on West Asia

VIF organized a seminar on ‘Recent Developments in West Asia: Challenges and Implications’ on July 25, 2014 to analyse the situation in the strife-torn area and its broader ramifications for the region and India.

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