Search: For - Asia

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Witch hunting for WMDs in Iraq
Nov 11, 2003

Witch hunting for WMDs in Iraq

Bush Blair duo is finding it extremely difficult to justify the invasion of Iraq to the world in general and to their local constituency in particular. The United States military has been unable to locate WMDs in Iraq in spite its best efforts. This has led the entire world to believe that the war was an unjust war.

With China, keep it real
May 20, 2013

With China, keep it real

Chinese leaders are steeped in the realist tradition and appreciate the logic of power politics. Premier Li Keqiang might respond more positively to a frank discourse from Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh than Delhi's self-deceptions that have so misled India's Chinese interlocutors.

With fall of rupee, wooing foreign investors won't be easy
Jun 24, 2013

With fall of rupee, wooing foreign investors won't be easy

We should be prepared for a lower rupee unless the RBI steps in and boosts the rupee by releasing a huge amount of dollars. In this situation, wooing back the FIIs would not be easy. Proping up exports will also not be easy. It would be very difficult for the rupee to regain its former value unless commodity prices decline.

With Russian buildup in Syria, is Turkey a bigger loser?
Oct 01, 2015

With Russian buildup in Syria, is Turkey a bigger loser?

Much of this month has witnessed a slow but steady build-up of Russian troops in Syria. The Russian move is of huge significance - militarily as well geopolitically - not by what it brings to the table, but by what it prevents the other protagonists from doing in that tragic conflict.

With season of elections setting in, political battle-cries begin
Sep 27, 2013

With season of elections setting in, political battle-cries begin

Election season has begun in the country as in the next two months, five states are going to have assembly elections which are being billed as mini-general elections. Soon thereafter, parliamentary elections will be held in the first four months of the next year to elect the 16th Lok Sabha (lower house).

With urbanisation, a new breed of politician is set to dominate Indian governance
Mar 21, 2014

With urbanisation, a new breed of politician is set to dominate Indian governance

The politics of India is changing. The change will come not just through macro measures like the introduction of large-scale manufacturing or modern agriculture, but in a number of small ways - better schools, safer cities, better urban facilities, mental institutions and jails, fairer purvey of justice and so on.

Women in uniform are valued
Jul 01, 2006

Women in uniform are valued

As someone who started wearing uniform 56 years ago and then saw life from a cadet in the Academy to the Chief of the Army Staff, I feel disappointed with the unfair manner in which the whole issue of women in the Army has been dealt with in public.

Women power and the Armed Forces
Feb 04, 2015

Women power and the Armed Forces

Even today, the Army continues to be organised on the basis of regional, linguistic, caste and religious affiliations. Nearly 70 years since Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose raised combat units in which personnel from all over India served together, it is time that our Armed Forces seriously consider these issues of regionalism, ethnicity and deployment of women in combat roles.

Women's Bill: Liberal measure, illiberal politics
Mar 16, 2010

Women's Bill: Liberal measure, illiberal politics

That the Yadavs also constitute the political class is a fact but in this instance neutralized by the backward environment in which women of intermediate castes live

Women's issues and politics
Dec 03, 2013

Women's issues and politics

From recent events it is evident that misogyny and patriarchal attitudes cut across party lines, ideologies, sexes and classes. Worse still is the fact that whatever is being won by the serious and concerted efforts of those who really 'care' is being squandered by those who do not.

Won by UPA 1, lost by UPA 2
Nov 06, 2013

Won by UPA 1, lost by UPA 2

Having created unprecedented diplomatic opportunities in the first term, the UPA has managed to squander them in the second. India's ambassadors, gathering in New Delhi this week, are in a better position than most to reflect on the undeniable reversal of India's international fortunes in the second term of the UPA government.

Working the Federal Polity, the Tamil Nadu Experience
Dec 08, 2004

Working the Federal Polity, the Tamil Nadu Experience

The Madras High Court¿s notice to authorities in some coastal districts of southern Tamil Nadu over the ¿public hearings¿ on the Sethusamudram project proposal has brought out a new facet in Central-State relations unnoticed by many. Coming under the Union Shipping Ministry, the Tuticorin Port Trust, entrusted with the Rs 3000-crore project,

Working towards BRICS cooperation, consultation and coordination
Jul 17, 2012

Working towards BRICS cooperation, consultation and coordination

ORF Director Sunjoy Joshi said the seminar on "BRICS trade, investment and finance cooperation"is part of the ongoing research agenda which will feed into the South Afr ican Summit to be held next year.

Working with Tehran on the Red Sea crisis
Jan 19, 2024

Working with Tehran on the Red Sea crisis

Regional security in West Asia stands at a precarious intersection.

Workshop on 'The Naxalite Movement'
Jan 28, 2005

Workshop on 'The Naxalite Movement'

The ORF Chennai Chapter of Observer Research Foundation (ORF) brought together eminent, senior retired civil servants and police officials, well-known academicians and journalists and policy makers for two days, on January 28 & 29, 2005, at a Workshop on the Naxalite Movement. Mr D Raja, National Secretary, Communist Party of India, inaugurated the Workshop, which was conducted under the guidance of Mr B Raman, Distinguished Fellow and Convenor,

Workshop on Access to Justice
Aug 21, 2004

Workshop on Access to Justice

Observer Research Foundation on August 21 organised a day-long workshop on ¿ Access to Justice in India¿ particularly for the poor and vulnerable sections of the society. Drawing the attention of the participants, ORF Chairman R.K.Mishra, in his welcome address said there was no dearth of studies and recommendations on improving the justice delivery system in the country but the will to implement them was what was missing

Workshop on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights
Mar 15, 2007

Workshop on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights

On 15 and 16 March 2007, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, and the Center on Global Counter-Terrorism Cooperation of the Fourth Freedom Forum, USA, convened a two-day South Asia Regional Workshop, "Security and Liberty," which examined the relationship between human rights and counter-terrorism. This Chairmen's Report highlights some of the themes and recommendations put forward during the workshop.

World according to Romney
Aug 06, 2012

World according to Romney

Delhi, which saw President Obama build on Bush's strategic initiative towards India, has no dog in the presumed fight on foreign policy between the Democrats and Republicans in this election. There is no argument between the two candidates on the US relationship with India.

World sees India as not contributing positively to trade negotiations
Mar 02, 2015

World sees India as not contributing positively to trade negotiations

The world sees India as not contributing positively to the international trade negotiations and this makes it difficult for India to actively participate in ongoing major plurilateral trade negotiations, according to Dr. Harsha Vardhana Singh, India's former DDG to WTO.

World War II: Time to mark India's contributions
Feb 06, 2015

World War II: Time to mark India's contributions

If the world rapidly forgot about the Indian role in the Second World War, independent India did a lot worse. Its political leaders trivialised the war by dismissing it a colonial enterprise. Seventy years later, the time has come for political India to put the war in its proper historical context and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of the Indian people.

World War-II mistakes: What should Abe do?
May 18, 2015

World War-II mistakes: What should Abe do?

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War-II. This day should have been used to reflect on the pain inflicted by the war. Unfortunately, this anniversary appears to be degenerating into a political battle, that could have a critical impact on Japan's diplomacy and reputation, especially in Asia.

Worst-ever power crisis hits Pakistan
Oct 21, 2011

Worst-ever power crisis hits Pakistan

Pakistan is facing an unprecedented power crisis, the worst in its history, with the deficit estimated to be over 8,000 MW. Rather than a shortage in its installed capacity.

Would Telangana be a viable state?
Jun 05, 2010

Would Telangana be a viable state?

ORF holds a dialogue on the creation of Telangana where two Congress Lok Sabha Members of Parliament participated

WTO's Bali Ministerial: What is in it for India?
Jan 15, 2014

WTO's Bali Ministerial: What is in it for India?

To be relevant, the WTO cannot keep postponing handling the major sticking points. It has to fulfill its agenda of ending rich country farm subsidies and tackle issues like rules governing intellectual property rights - things that regional FTAs are already dealing with.

Xi Jinping moves one step closer to the top post in China
Oct 29, 2010

Xi Jinping moves one step closer to the top post in China

His appointment as the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission is a clear indication of the eventual change of guard in 2012

Xi Jinping visit - a wasted opportunity to break new ground
Sep 25, 2014

Xi Jinping visit - a wasted opportunity to break new ground

The Chinese diplomacy seems to have erred on the side of aggression. A golden opportunity "to make a new beginning" was lost mainly due to the face-off in Ladakh. Modi genuinely wanted a much higher level of engagement, but the Chinese President failed to seize the opportunity.

Xi's India trip: Time for a reality check
Sep 18, 2014

Xi's India trip: Time for a reality check

As Xi and Modi meet in first Ahmedabad and then in New Delhi, India has political and strategic issues that it will want China to respond to - the contested border and territorial issues, China-Pakistan cooperation on nuclear, missile, maritime and border infrastructure issues.

Xi's visit to Maldives: Should India worry?
Sep 29, 2014

Xi's visit to Maldives: Should India worry?

Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit and accompanying independent agreements with Maldives and Sri Lanka, on undefined maritime issues and cooperation, have the potential for causing greater concern not only in India, but in the shared neighbourhood and beyond.

Xi-Putin bonhomie fails Western policy towards Russia
Jun 16, 2015

Xi-Putin bonhomie fails Western policy towards Russia

The Western policy of isolating Russia has only served to push Russia deeper into Chinese arms. Russia and China are planning to increase their engagement in Central Asia and will coordinate their policies in the former Soviet territories in Eurasia.

Yameen greets poor Opposition rally with China visit
Jun 17, 2015

Yameen greets poor Opposition rally with China visit

In Maldives, the combined Opposition rally on June 12 failed to impress or inspire. The failure is attributed to the confusion caused by the unclear Opposition response to President Yameen's call for political negotiations.

Yassin's killing: Possible Impact
Mar 24, 2004

Yassin's killing: Possible Impact

The targeted assassination of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, the founder of the militant Hamas group, by Israel was a dangerous act of escalation. Hamas, locked in a violent campaign with Israel, responded to the outrage with threats to "send death to every house, every city and every street in Israel." Hamas has avenged Israeli targeted killings with suicide bombings in the past.

Yemen evacuation
Apr 09, 2015

Yemen evacuation

While India continues to evacuate its citizens from Yemen, China was quick to complete its operation last week. China had barely 600 people in Yemen to rescue. India had nearly 4,000 citizens in Yemen when the evacuation began last week amid the escalation of the conflict.

Yemen: The Real Story
Feb 19, 2010

Yemen: The Real Story

Just as Zia ul Haq and the ISI chose to keep the Mujahideen as an asset, so did Yemen President Saleh. Therefore, there should be no surprise at the presence of Al Qaeda in Yemen

Yet Another  Round of Platitudes
Jul 10, 2012

Yet Another Round of Platitudes

For those cynical about the dialogue process with Pakistan, the lack of substance in the joint statement issued after the latest round of Foreign Secretary level talks (July 4-5) confirms our neighbour's unwillingness to fundamentally revise its thinking on core bilateral differences.

Yoga diplomacy
Jun 23, 2015

Yoga diplomacy

The impressive participation around the world on International Yoga Day is indeed a testimony to India's immense soft power. However, Modi should remember that India's soft power has the greatest impact when official New Delhi keeps its heavy hand away from it.

Young Voices Policy Forum: Detailed discussions on Indian foreign, security policies
Mar 05, 2014

Young Voices Policy Forum: Detailed discussions on Indian foreign, security policies

With the aim of bringing together some of the brightest young minds working on various issues of national and international importance, Observer Research Foundation has initiated a forum called the Young Voices Policy Forum.

Yuan appreciation and China's battle with Inflation
May 16, 2011

Yuan appreciation and China's battle with Inflation

Although Yuan appreciation is warranted, politicians in the US should be aware that this is not a panacea for global imbalances and especially their huge trade deficit. Appreciation of the Yuan will not change the import needs of the US and the widening of the trade deficit to $48.1 billion in March.

Zardari and the curious incident of NAB
Jan 16, 2005

Zardari and the curious incident of NAB

Accountability, like any other term associated with modern good governance, is a grossly abused word in Pakistan. Just as the victors of a war determine what the terms of the peace are, the people running the government determine what sort of accountability, and whom to target with it, the country requires.

Zardari's India visit: An assessment
Apr 07, 2012

Zardari's India visit: An assessment

When Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mr. Asif Ali Zardari meet in New Delhi on Sunday, they could productively focus on two important themes - one, looking at a number of agreements that could be clinched in the next few months. Two, to set a date for Dr. Singh's visit to Pakistan.

Zardari's India visit: Improve religious tourism
Apr 07, 2012

Zardari's India visit: Improve religious tourism

After Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) on India-Pakistan borders having almost failed, may be, hopefully, the high-profile pilgrimage of President Asif ali Zardari will play a role in making the visits of not-so-high profile ones less arduous and cumbersome.

अनिश्चित पाण्याचा ‘वायदे’बाजार
Oct 16, 2020

अनिश्चित पाण्याचा ‘वायदे’बाजार

पाण्याच्या वायदे बाजाराचा प्रस्ताव दक्षिण आशियात कदाचित एक दूरचे स्वप्न वाटेल किंवा एक चमत्कारिक विचार वाटेल. पण खरेचच ही काळाची गरज आहे.

अमेरिका के इस बयान से भारत को बड़ी राहत क्यों?
Aug 20, 0022

अमेरिका के इस बयान से भारत को बड़ी राहत क्यों?

अमेरिका का यह बयान भारत-अमेरिका के संबंधो के लिए अहम है. पहली बार अमेरिका ने भारत और रूस के संबंधो के स्‍वीकार किया है. आइए जानते हैं कि बाइडेन प्रशासन के दृष्टिकोण के क्‍या �