Home Commentries
Commentries
Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railroad Proposal Revived
August 21, 2024 Amb Skand Ranjan Tayal Commentary

The proposal to construct a railroad from Termez in Uzbekistan to Mzaar-e-Sharif and Kabul in Afghanistan and onwards to Peshawar in Pakistan has been on the drawing boards since 2007. Instability in Afghanistan, lack of political will in Uzbekistan ....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , Pakistan , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Doha 3 , railroad
Despite Hiccups, India-Malaysia Ties on Track
August 20, 2024 Rajesh Singh Commentary

The India-Malaysia relationship has come a long way since 2019, when Malaysia’s the then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad ruined the ties with his uncalled-for remark on Kashmir—he said that ‘New Delhi had invaded and occupied Kashmir’. He ha....

Keywords : Governance and Political Studies , Commentary , Kashmir , Zakir Naik , CAA , Mahathir Mohammad , Anwar Ibrahim
Games, Politics and Geopolitical Games
August 20, 2024 Anurag Saxena Commentary

आयुधानामहं वज्रं धेनूनामस्मि कामधुक् प्रजनशाऽस्मि कन्दर्पः सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकिः “Among weapons....

Keywords : Governance and Political Studies , Technological and Scientific Studies , Commentary , Bharat , data sovereignty , Gaming Industry , itihasa
The Global South and the Summit of the Future
August 20, 2024 Amb Asoke Mukerji, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Commentary

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is scheduled to convene for a “Summit of the Future” in New York on 22-23 September 2024. The outcome of this meeting of world leaders will be the adoption of a “Pact for the Future”. During the past....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , World Health Organization , Covid , UN Security Council , UNGA
No End to Political Instability in Nepal
August 14, 2024 Prof Hari Bansh Jha Commentary

Once again President of Nepal Communist Party – Unified-Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) KP Sharma Oli, 72, became Nepal’s Prime Minister on July 15, 2024, after his predecessor Pushpa Kamal Dahal failed to prove a majority in the Nepalese Parliament, ....

Keywords : Neighbourhood Studies , Nepal , Commentary , India , Nepal , BRI , KP Oli , MCC , Deuba
What Does a Second Term of Mr. Trump Mean for China?
August 14, 2024 Anil Kumar Kanungo Commentary

What would a second term of Trump administration mean for China? Would it be much harsher than the first one or would there be a minor compromise? It looks difficult to predict the exactness of Trump’s approach. However, looking at the chronology o....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , China , Trump , USA , WTO , Biden
Moidams: The Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty
August 14, 2024 Saudiptendu Ray, Research Associate, VIF Commentary

In Upper Assam’s Charaideo district on the foothills of the Patkai Ranges, amidst the vast expanse of greenery, one can find a place where the holy spirits reside, the Moidams. There are around 90 big and small dome-shaped earthen mounds in Charaid....

Keywords : Historical and Civilisational Studies , Commentary , Assam , conservation , UNESCO World Heritage site , Archaeological Survey of India , Sukaphaa , Buranji , Moidams , Ahom Dynasty , Charaideo , Me-Dam-Me-Phi
Unstable Bangladesh: Bad News for India
August 12, 2024 Lt Gen Kamal Davar, PVSM, AVSM (Retd) Commentary

After the momentous and historical day of 16 December 1971 when India freed East Pakistan from the inhuman clutches of Pakistan leading to the birth of Bangladesh, no other day in the history of Bangladesh has, so far, assumed such importance - albei....

Keywords : Neighbourhood Studies , Bangladesh , Commentary , Bangladesh , Sheikh Hasina , Dhaka , BNP , Bangladesh Army
Assassination of Hamas Leader Haniyeh in Tehran
August 09, 2024 Amb D P Srivastava, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Commentary

Since the missile exchange between Israel and Iran in April last, the tensions in the region had subsided though the war in Gaza was simmering. There was some hope that Israel and Hamas were nearing a deal on hostage release and ceasefire. The target....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , Israel , Iran , Gaza , UN , Hezbollah , Hamas , Haniyeh , Palestine authority
Presidential Elections in Venezuela: Yet Another Fraud upon Democracy
August 06, 2024 Amb JK Tripathi Commentary

The 28th July witnessed another presidential election marred by the allegations of large- scale fraud in Venezuela. Contrary to the predictions before the counting was over, the incumbent president from PSUV (the United Socialist Party of Venezuela) ....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , USA , Presidential elections , Oil , Venezuela , Maduro , Chavez , Gonzalez , ONGC Videsh
Contact Us