Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

January 10, 2020 Amb Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Commentary

President Trump has the uncanny habit of surprising the world by his unique and often contentious tweets on foreign policy issues. But this time it pleased many. “All is Well” tweeted President Trump after 20 odd Iranian missiles apparently targe....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , US , West Asia , Commentary , JCPOA , Trump , Arab Spring , Soleimani , Javad Jarief , missiles attack , unconditional talks

Practical Patriotism: Remembering Swami Vivekananda on his 157th birth anniversary

January 10, 2020 Dr Arpita Mitra Commentary

In December 1892, Swami Vivekananda was visiting Trivandrum, the capital of the then Princely State of Travancore. This was right before his visit to Kanyakumari, where, during the Christmas of 1892, sitting on “the last bit of Indian rock” ^....

Keywords : Historical and Civilisational Studies , Commentary , Swami Vivekananda , birth anniversary; 12 January , National Youth Day , patriotism , service to the nation , call to the youth , serving the poor

All Quiet in Kashmir?

January 09, 2020 Bashir Assad Commentary

Kashmir is relatively calm since the last couple of months. No street protests, no encounters between the militants and the security forces. Last encounter was reported on November 26 between the militants and the forces in Pulwama district of South ....

Keywords : Jammu & Kashmir , National Security and Strategic Studies , Commentary , Pakistan , FATF , infiltration , ISI , Article 370 , Intelligence , Communications

Chinese President Xi Jinping Faces Difficult Times Ahead

January 08, 2020 Jayadeva Ranade Commentary

There are clear indications that popular dissatisfaction and discontent with Chinese President Xi Jinping inside China continues to simmer just below the surface. The economic slowdown, unemployment and rising cost of living have contributed to the d....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Commentary , Protests , BRI , China's universities , surveillance , leaks

China’s Energy Challenge: Lessons for India

January 08, 2020 Amit Bhandari Commentary

Like other large economies, China faces the twin issues of affordable energy and environmental concerns. China accounts for almost half of the global coal consumption, has recently overtaken the U.S. as world’s largest oil importer, is the world’....

Keywords : Governance and Political Studies , Commentary , Electric cycles , Lithium batteries , urban transport , renewable energy

The Soleimani Assassination : Taking it from There

January 07, 2020 Lt General S A Hasnain, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM (Bar), VSM (Bar) (Retd.), Distinguished Fellow, VIF Commentary

Since he kept a comparatively low profile as the commander of a strategic force designed to act clandestinely not many realized that Qasem Soleimani was virtually Number 2 in Iran’s effective hierarchy. That is why people are surprised by the asses....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Commentary , Kata'ib Hezbollah , Quds Force , Solemani , IRGC , Iraqi militias

Global Nuclear Order in 2019: A Review

January 06, 2020 Dr Kapil Patil Commentary

The year 2019 has precipitated two important trends in the global nuclear order namely, an unstable deterrence environment, and worsening tensions between nuclear and non-nuclear weapon possessor states over the pace of nuclear reductions. According ....

Keywords : National Security and Strategic Studies , Commentary , North Korea , Nuclear missiles , Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty , START , New START , NPT

2019 Sets 2020 for a Robust EV Policy in India

January 03, 2020 Aayush Mohanty Commentary

2019 has been a pivotal year for the State Governments and Union Territories in India to come up with policies and initiatives for Electric Vehicles. The pivot comes at a time when India’s major cities saw high levels of pollution, some entering th....

Keywords : Governance and Political Studies , Commentary , Electric Vehicles , States' policies , energy

As the 2019 Ends on a Mixed Note, the Tasks for 2020 are Clear

December 27, 2019 Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF Commentary

The year 2019 will go down as one of the most seminal years for India. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), won a spectacular victory in the Lok Sabha elections with the BJP winning a record 303 seats on its ....

Keywords : Governance and Political Studies , Commentary , economy , Ram Mandir , elections , Article 370 , NRC , Balakot strike , Triple Talaq , CAA , Strategic Communication

Afghanistan Presidential Election: Analysing the Preliminary results

December 27, 2019 Dr Yatharth Kachiar Commentary

Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) has finally announced the preliminary results of the Presidential elections held in Afghanistan on 28 September 2019. The results, though not final, gave a thin majority to the incumbent President....

Keywords : Neighbourhood Studies , Afghanistan , Commentary , Taliban , Afghanistan Elections , Ashraf Ghani , Abdullah Abdullah , UNAMA