Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

September 14, 2018 Brig Vinod Anand, Senior Fellow, VIF Commentary

Conceived and formed in 1997 at Bangkok initially as a grouping of Bay of Bengal littoral countries, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) grouping has expanded to include hinterland countries li....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Indian Ocean Region , Commentary , BIMSTEC , Kathmandu Summit

The Tehran Summit

September 12, 2018 Amb D P Srivastava, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Commentary

The trilateral Summit of Iran, Turkey and Russia concluded in Tehran on 7th September with a reaffirmation of support for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria. The Summit once again underlined the central role of Ru....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Commentary , Tehran Summit , Syria-Idlib war , Astana Process

Developments in West Asia, August 2018

September 12, 2018 Amb Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Commentary

Jordan-Palestine Confederation

President Trump had spoken about his “ Deal of the Century” for resolving the Palestinian issue. He also created a huge controversy and immense setback to the prospects of the Middle East Peace Process w....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Commentary , Yemen , Jordan- Palestine , Iran-US

Visit of the Chinese Defence Minister: A Missed Opportunity to Establish Hot Line between the Two Armies?

September 12, 2018 Col Shubhankar Basu, SM, VSM Commentary

The Chinese Defence Minister, Lieutenant General Wei Fenghe, visited India for four days, from 21 to 24 Aug 18¹. This visit was significant from more than one perspective. First, it was the first visit by a defence minister from China not ....

Keywords : National Security and Strategic Studies , Defence , Commentary , Chinese defence minister’s visit , India-China Boundary Hot Line

Will China Boycott Goods from the United States of America?

September 11, 2018 Aayush Mohanty Commentary

The United States of America (U.S.) and the People’s Republic of China (China), are locked in a fierce trade tussle. Both countries have imposed tariffs which threaten to de-stabilise the integrated global economic order. China has a history of bel....

Keywords : Economic Studies , Commentary , China’s boycott diplomacy , US China trade war

Indus Commissioners Meeting at Lahore: Need for a New Approach to Indus Waters Treaty

September 11, 2018 Gautam Sen Commentary

India and Pakistan have just concluded their 115th Indus Commissioners` meeting at Lahore. The meeting involving technical discussions, was successful to the extent that the structured dialogue process within the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty ....

Keywords : Governance and Political Studies , Commentary , Indus Water Treaty , Indus Commissioners` meeting Lahore

Bangladesh's quest for Sufi and Liberal Space

September 10, 2018 Dr Sreeradha Datta Commentary

Sufis are accepted as a moderate strain of Islam and often being described as the ‘Mystic Muslim’ too. Historian Richard Eaton has identified several strands and references to Sufis and Pirs during 16^th Century in the documented Musli....

Keywords : Neighbourhood Studies , Bangladesh , Commentary , Confronting Fanaticism , Sufi tradition in Bangladesh

Fighting Drug Abuse in India: Greater Focus on ‘Demand’ side is Required

September 07, 2018 Rajesh Singh Commentary

Late last month, six northern States and a Union Territory joined hands to tackle the rising drug abuse menace in the region. Ruled by different political parties, they have come together, cutting across ideologies, to plot a common strategy. The ini....

Keywords : Governance and Political Studies , Commentary , Drug menace , Combating drug abuse

BIMSTEC: Poised to make Progress?

September 06, 2018 Dr Sreeradha Datta Commentary

India’s commitment towards establishing regional connectivity has been reiterated once again at the Bay of Bengal initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit held at Kathmandu on August 30-31, 2018. According ....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , regional cooperation , BIMSTEC , 4th Summit at Kathmandu

Lead, Kindly Light! - The Importance of Teachers in Our Lives

September 05, 2018 Dr Arpita Mitra Commentary

India has always bowed in veneration before the teacher. Why? Ancient Indians considered Creation itself a great sacrifice on the part of the Cosmic Being. This act of sacrifice is to be replicated by human beings in all their actions to uphold this ....

Keywords : Historical and Civilisational Studies , Featured , Commentary , Teacher’s day , Gift of knowledge