India-China Relations and Their Implications for the BRICS Summit

12 Sep 2026

Context: Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India for the 18th BRICS Summit marks his first visit to India in seven years and comes amid gradual efforts to stabilise bilateral relations after the 2020 India-China border standoff.The trajectory o...

A Bigger BRICS, Shaped by India’s Vision

12 Sep 2026

Context: The 18th BRICS Summit, to be hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, comes amid wars, weakening global governance, shifting alliances and growing competition over emerging technologies.BRICS now comprises 11 full members and a...

BRICS and the Limits of Its Alternative Financial Architecture

12 Sep 2026

Context: The 18th BRICS Summit, to be hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, is being held under the theme “Humanity First”, amid renewed debate over reforming the Western-dominated global financial system.BRICS has sought to create a...

BRICS as a Platform for the Global South

11 Sep 2026

Context: Over two decades, BRICS has evolved from a grouping of five emerging economies into a major platform representing the interests of the Global South.Its growing membership and relevance reflect dissatisfaction among developing countries with...

BRICS and India’s Strategic Economic Interests

11 Sep 2026

Context: India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13, 2026, while chairing the grouping, prompting debate over whether BRICS provides sufficient strategic and economic benefits to India.The article argues that India should increasingly prior...

India–U.S. Trade Relations: Lessons from the U.S.–Canada Trade Dispute

11 Sep 2026

Context: The recent U.S.–Canada trade dispute highlights the risks of excessive economic dependence and uncertainty surrounding trade agreements, offering important lessons for India’s trade negotiations with the United States. U.S.–Canada Econo...

UK Ban on Goods from Illegal Israeli Settlements in the West Bank

10 Sep 2026

Context: The United Kingdom has announced a ban on imports originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, citing concerns over settlement expansion, displacement of Palestinians and the weakening of pro...

BRICS and India’s Role in Advancing the Ukraine Peace Process

10 Sep 2026

Context: The Ukraine war has entered a possible phase of renewed diplomatic engagement, with the United States, Russia and Ukraine exploring ways to revive negotiations. As the 2026 BRICS Chair, India faces the challenge of keeping the peace pro...

BRICS: Turning Economic Cooperation into Shared Prosperity (MAINS)

10 Sep 2026

Context: As global economic uncertainty, trade restrictions and supply-chain disruptions increase, BRICS seeks to make international economic cooperation more resilient, inclusive and development-oriented. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a full BRICS...

Nepal’s Compensation Demand After Devastating Floods

09 Sep 2026

Context: Nepal has sought international support through the UN Loss and Damage Fund after devastating flash floods caused extensive loss of life and infrastructure. The move reflects the growing demand by climate-vulnerable countries for compensation...

India–Japan Defence Cooperation: From Strategic Convergence to Operational Capability (MAINS)

09 Sep 2026

Context: Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s August 2026 visit to India marks a shift in bilateral defence ties from largely institutional cooperation towards greater operational capability and implementation.Over the past decade, India and J...

India’s Opportunity to Course-Correct BRICS

08 Sep 2026

Context: The 18th BRICS Summit, to be held in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, provides India an opportunity to restore cohesion within the expanded grouping and revive its original focus on reformed multilateralism and a more equitable global ord...

India–Belgium: Emerging “Natural Partners”

08 Sep 2026

Context: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s visit to India highlights the growing importance of India–Belgium ties within India’s broader engagement with Europe, particularly in trade, defence and strategic cooperation.Economic and Trade Cooperat...

Why is BRICS Exploring Cross-Border Payments?

06 Sep 2026

Context: The 18th BRICS Summit, to be held in New Delhi in September 2026 under India’s chairship, is expected to discuss mechanisms for facilitating cross-border payments, including linking digital payment systems and Central Bank Digital Currencies...

Nepal’s Climate Compensation Demand: Climate Justice and Loss & Damage

05 Sep 2026

Context: Following the August 26 glacial collapse and flash flood, Nepal has demanded climate compensation from the United States, China and India, shifting the discourse from humanitarian aid to liability for climate-induced losses.The demand highli...

India and the Changing Security Architecture of the Gulf

05 Sep 2026

Context: India’s West Asia policy traditionally prioritised energy security, diaspora interests, remittances and trade, while avoiding deep security commitments.This evolved into “multi-alignment”—maintaining workable relations simultaneously with co...

Indus Waters Treaty: Hague Arbitration, India’s Rejection and the Road Ahead

02 Sep 2026

Context: The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has issued two further orders in the dispute raised by Pakistan regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), ruling that India’s decision to place the Treaty in “abeyance” is not permissible under th...

Why the US Wants Greater Control Over Venezuela’s Oil

01 Sep 2026

ContextThe US says it will gain majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil, equivalent to about 20% of Venezuela’s proven reserves, under a proposed agreement.US President Donald Trump described it as the “biggest oil deal i...

US–Iran Conflict: Why the Strait of Hormuz Remains Central

01 Sep 2026

Context●    Renewed US–Iran strikes, after more than a month, have brought the military dimension back into a conflict increasingly shaped by economic pressures.●    The conflict has major implications for ener...

Unlocking India’s Soft Power through Saptadhara

31 Aug 2026

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced Saptadhara from the Red Fort on August 15, identifying seven streams of national strength to support the goal of Viksit Bharat.Soft power is one of these streams and refers to the ability of a cou...

State of Exception: Addressing Discrimination in India

31 Aug 2026

Context: The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), in its first review of India since 2007, expressed “grave concern” over reports of violence and discrimination by law-enforcement agencies against minority ethnic and ethno...

India and Central Asia: Strategic Importance and the SCO

29 Aug 2026

visit and the Kyrgyz Republic (August 31–September 1) for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit.India's focused engagement with Central Asia began with the “Connect Central Asia” policy (2012) and received...

BRICS as an Emerging Engine of Global Growth

28 Aug 2026

Context: The 2026 BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi, providing an opportunity to expand cooperation among major emerging economies.BRICS has evolved from a grouping focused primarily on emerging economies into a broader platform for e...

India–China Boundary Talks: Progress, but a Long Road Ahead

28 Aug 2026

Context: The 25th round of talks between the Special Representatives (SRs), India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, produced an eight-point consensus.The outcome is significant ahead of the expected visit of...

India’s Return to Its Central Asian Neighbourhood

28 Aug 2026

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uzbekistan and participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.The outreach reflects India’s effort to strengthen engagement with Cen...

State of Exception: Addressing Discrimination in India

31 Aug 2026

Context: The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), in its first review of India since 2007, expressed “grave concern” over reports of violence and discrimination by law-enforcement agencies against minority ethnic and ethno...

Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule: Five Years of Stability, Repression and Diplomatic Isolation

29 Aug 2026

Context: Five years after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan on 15 August 2021, the country has achieved relative security and some economic stabilisation, but remains politically isolated, economically fragile and governed by a hardline theocrati...

BRICS as an Emerging Engine of Global Growth

28 Aug 2026

Context: The 2026 BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi, providing an opportunity to expand cooperation among major emerging economies.BRICS has evolved from a grouping focused primarily on emerging economies into a broader platform for e...

India–China Boundary Talks: Progress, but a Long Road Ahead

28 Aug 2026

Context: The 25th round of talks between the Special Representatives (SRs), India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, produced an eight-point consensus.The outcome is significant ahead of the expected visit of...

India’s Return to Its Central Asian Neighbourhood

28 Aug 2026

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uzbekistan and participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.The outreach reflects India’s effort to strengthen engagement with Cen...

India–China Boundary Talks: Balancing Normalisation with Transparency

27 Aug 2026

Context: Following the latest Special Representatives (SRs) talks on the India–China boundary question, both sides reached an eight-point consensus aimed at strengthening border management and sustaining the broader normalisation of bilateral relatio...