Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

February 28, 2020 Dr Harinder Sekhon Commentary

The deep camaraderie seen between the two leaders during US President Trump’s visit to India is a testimony to the tenacity of India-US relations that continues to deepen despite challenges. Though the visit was high on pomp, pageantry and symbolis....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , US , Commentary , Afghanistan , BECA , America First , Big trade deal , Homeland Security , H1B Visa , GSP

Constitutional Changes in Russia

February 26, 2020 Dr Himani Pant Commentary

In his annual Presidential address to the Federal Assembly last month¹, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a series of amendments “to improve social policy and public administration” in the country. His speech addressed constit....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Russia , Commentary , Russian President , Russian Constitution , Constitutional amendments Russian Parliament , Russian State Council

COVID-19 Disrupts Maritime Supply Chains

February 26, 2020 Dr Vijay Sakhuja Commentary

The COVID-19 virus has impacted global maritime transportation sector including cruise liner industry. A number of major manufacturing hubs and markets across China have stopped businesses and manufacturing by small and medium enterprises has been pu....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Indo-Pacific , Commentary , Very Large Crude Carrier , Health emergency , losses of containerized lines , Shipyards deserted , Shortage crews , Cruise lines

Understanding India's Genome Project

February 25, 2020 Rajesh Singh Commentary

If things proceed as planned, an ambitious project to understand India’s enormous genetic diversity will be launched later this year. This will arguably be the first of its kind to be initiated in the country under the aegis of the government of In....

Keywords : Governance and Political Studies , Commentary , Genome , GIP , DNA , Indian Institute of Science , Genetics , India's Genome Project

India-US relationship –Strategic as it is!

February 24, 2020 Amb Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Commentary

“Namaste Trump ji” is going to be the reverberation through media and speeches in the two days as President Donald Trump arrives for his 36 hour long maiden visit to India from February 24-25. Apart from the bilateral meetings with Prime Minister....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , US , Commentary , Energy Security , COMCASA , CAA , LEMOA , Art 370 , Namaste Trump , Taj Mahal , America First , King of Tariffs , India developed country

Afghanistan: Peace deal and deepening political crisis

February 24, 2020 Dr Yatharth Kachiar Commentary

President Trump’s upcoming visit to India and the rapidly progressing peace talks between the US and the Taliban gives yet another opportunity for the policymakers in India to use their ingenuity in order to secure a place for itself in a post-Amer....

Keywords : Neighbourhood Studies , Pakistan , Commentary , India , Afghanistan , Presidential elections , Peace Deal , Trump Visit

President Trump’s Visit to India: Need to Focus on the Strategic Context

February 17, 2020 Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF Commentary

President Trump is visiting India on a state visit on 24-25 February 2020. The Indian government will no doubt lay out the red carpet for the visiting President. This is President Trump’s first visit to India as President. Although the visit comes ....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , US , Commentary , China , trade , Dalai Lama , DTTI , CAA , Howdy Modi , LEMOA , BECA , tariffs , Art 370

The Virus Effect on India-China Trade

February 14, 2020 Naval Jagota Commentary

Coronavirus (CoV) has caught China in its grip, China and the world are trying to grasp the effect of this virus on its population both medically as well as economically. The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes it as “a large family of viruse....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Commentary , Tourism , India-China trade , Carona virus , Import-Export , Aviation

The United Kingdom Hit by another Islamist Extremism Inspired Terror Attack

February 13, 2020 Anurag Sharma, Senior Research Associate, VIF Commentary

The knife terror attack on 02 February 2020 in Streatham High Road in London, United Kingdom (UK) brought back memories of a similar terror incident on the streets of London on 29 November 2019 in which a Pakistan-origin British national—Usman Khan....

Keywords : Terrorism , International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , Islamic State , Terrorism , Islamist Extremism , Streatham terror attack , London attack , UK , London Sudesh Amman , Stabbing

Does The Trump Plan for Peace Make Sense?

February 12, 2020 Amb K P Fabian Commentary

Before answering the question, let us look at the highlights of the 180-page plan worked out over three years, between Israel and U.S., with marginal consultations with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and one or two others , but not with the Palestinians wh....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , Jerusalem , Palestine , Gaza , West Bank , Arab League , OIC