International Relations/Diplomacy
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Qin, Hui, 2021. Globalization after the Pandemic: Thoughts on the Coronavirus. Translated by David Own by. Hong Kong: The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press

During the pandemic, China has pursued a “zero COVID policy,” which has required harsh restrictions on citizens' mobility and freedoms. Well into 2022, the Chinese government is shutting down entire districts, because a few asymptomatic COVID cases were detected.[1] The government has also been willing to bear economic consequences of such strict policies as well. In comparison to countries like the US and the UK, the death toll and case load were reportedly less in China.

Visit of Third Batch Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme of ICCR to VIF

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) organized the visit of the third batch of Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme. The delegates visited the Vivekananda International Foundation on July 21, 2022 for a roundtable discussion/lecture on different aspects and dimensions of Indian democracy. The eminent panel consisted of Prof Sujit Dutta, Distinguished Fellow & Editor – National Security, VIF; Professor Dr. (Ms.) Shashiprabha Kumar, Distinguished Fellow, VIF and Lt Gen RK Sawhney, Distinguished Fellow, VIF.

VIF-IPIS Webinar on Bilateral, Regional and International Issues

In order to assess the dynamics of India-Iran relations, the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) Iran, in collaboration with the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organized a webinar on Bilateral, Regional and International Issues on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 1430-1630 Hrs. Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director VIF delivered the welcome remarks followed by the opening remarks of Dr Mohammad Hassan Sheikholeslami, President, IPIS.

West Asia Experts Group Meeting

The West Asia Experts Group Meeting was held on 8 July 2022 by the Vivekananda International Foundation, the discussion was focused on "The Geopolitical Impact of the War in Ukraine on the Middle East". The key speaker for the session was Giorgio Francesco Cafiero, CEO, Gulf State Analytics. The members attending and contributing were Amb. Anil Trigunayat (Coordinator); Amb. D P Srivastava; Dr. Meena Singh Roy; Prof. SujitDutta; Prof. Kingshuk Chatterjee; Vice Admiral Satish Soni; Lt. Gen. Ravi Sawhney and Director, VIF, Dr. Arvind Gupta.

Interaction with Mr. Dammu Ravi on ‘Prospects of I2U2 Summit’

The Vivekananda International Foundation organised a discussion on "Prospects for I2U2 summit" on 25 July 2022. The key speaker in the discussion was Mr. Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs. The members attending and contributing were Amb. Anil Trigunayat; Amb.D P Srivastava; Amb. Satish Chandra; Amb. Anil Wadhwa; Amb. Prabhat Shukla, Vice Admiral Satish Soni; Dr. Meena Singh Roy; Prof. Sujit Dutta; Brig. Vinod Anand; Lt. Gen. Ravi Sawhney and Director, VIF, Dr. Arvind Gupta.

Interaction with Prof. Alexandra Xanthaki, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights

The Vivekananda International Foundation held an online interaction with Prof. Alexandra Xanthaki, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights on 14 July 2022. In his Opening Remarks, Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, gave a brief insight into UN Special Procedures on Human Rights and highlighted the unifying force of culture in India’s political-social landscape. Prof. Xanthaki in her remarks focussed on the definition and scope of Cultural Rights, the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights including navigating the spectrum between tangible and intangible cultures.

China's Cyber Espionage Operations

… India is on the hit list of some very sophisticated cybercriminal groups of attackers … Indian businesses need to take note as Singapore is becoming a significant hotspot for cyberattacks … China’s cyber espionage against Indian security forces, the ISRO, DRDO, BARC, critical information infrastructure etc… calls for extreme vigilance and mitigating actions ...

Kashi Ram Sharma, ‘The Third Birth of Confucius: Reconstructing the Ancient Chinese Philosophy in the Post-Mao China’. New Delhi, Manohar, 2022. 385pp. Rs. 1,995.00

Kashi Ram Sharma, ‘The Third Birth of Confucius: Reconstructing the Ancient Chinese Philosophy in the Post-Mao China’. New Delhi, Manohar, 2022. 385pp. Rs. 1,995.00Confucius has made a remarkable comeback in China. As the author emphasizes, “Confucius and Confucianism is in the blood of every Chinese. It is their DNA.”So the book by a renowned Indian Sinologist with long experience and expertise in the field of Chinese studies, and who has relied on Chinese and other primary sources, on the Chinese sage and philosopher Confucius and his legacies, is very timely and valuable.

VIF- The Heritage Foundation Roundtable Discussion on 7 July 2022

The VIF in collaboration with the Heritage Foundation, USA, organized a virtual roundtable discussion on the ‘Geopolitical and Economic Implications of the Ukraine Crisis for India’ and the US on 7 July 2022. The opening remarks were delivered by Dr Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF and Mr Dakota Woods, Senior Fellow, Centre for National Defense, The Heritage Foundation. The discussion saw in attendance eminent participants on both sides like Amb. Ashok Kantha, Lt. Gen. Ravi. K. Sawhney, Amb. Arun K. Singh, Amb. Anil Wadhwa, Amb. P.S. Raghavan, Mr Max Primorac, Dr Kiron Skinner and Mr Jeff Smith.

Monthly Compilation of Views of VIF Expert Groups: June 2022

In the month of June 2022 Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organized two expert group, one think tank and one eminent person interaction with most of them being hybrid. The restricted interactions of the other expert groups were due to scheduling commitments of experts. The keenly awaited Quad Plus group meeting was held in the month along with West Asia group. In addition, after a long hiatus, a roundtable with the Chinese think tank on environmental issues was organised.

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