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PM's trip to Russia and China gave reason enough to cheer
Oct 31, 2013

PM's trip to Russia and China gave reason enough to cheer

Though India and China failed to resolve the issue of the stapled visa for those hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, there was substantial progress in other areas. The memorandum of understanding speaks about nine deals signed during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

PM's US visit: Nothing to write home about
Sep 25, 2013

PM's US visit: Nothing to write home about

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit, his sixth bilateral summit with the U.S. leader in nine years in office, will not be of great significance because the circumstances of what go into a successful summit do not exist. That has to do with the paralysis of governance in New Delhi, but equally the distemper that afflicts Washington.

PM's visit to Russia and China: A journalist's report card
Nov 09, 2013

PM's visit to Russia and China: A journalist's report card

Russia is considering supplying Hydrocarbons to India through pipelines and both countries have commissioned joint study groups to analyse the feasibility of the project.

PM, now it's time to introduce governance analytics
Jun 17, 2014

PM, now it's time to introduce governance analytics

To convert Modi's vision of more governance and less government into a quantifiable experience requires a change in the prevailing mindset of electronic governance as an exclusive issue of hardware and connectivity. The approach has to be reoriented towards intelligence, analytics, real-time data points, interlinked cross-tabulation and smart solutions.

Pointers to Pakistan's Strategy
Sep 14, 2005

Pointers to Pakistan's Strategy

The composite dialogue between India and Pakistan has reached a critical juncture. In the past 20 months, there have been countless discussions on a variety of issues that have been plaguing the relationship between the two neighbours.

Police reform must target weakest link
Sep 28, 2018

Police reform must target weakest link

While technocentric threats pose evolved security problems that need to be addressed, overhauling the police force is essential to move forward.

Policies that fail to energise the fuel sector
Jun 11, 2013

Policies that fail to energise the fuel sector

Starting with the challenges faced by Indian petroleum sector in its hydrocarbon discoveries, the scenario remains to be unimpressive even after nine rounds of NELP bidding. Out of sedimentary basin area of 3.14 million km2 only 22 per cent has been well explored, while similar percentage is poorly explored.

Policy to fight Naxalism: Need for political consensus
Apr 03, 2006

Policy to fight Naxalism: Need for political consensus

On March 13, 2006, the Union Home Minister announced a 14-point policy on Naxalism in the Lok Sabha as outlined in a booklet, 'Status Paper on the Naxal Problem'. In an effort to counter political criticism and allay the oft- repeated concerns of knowledgeable and informed circles,

Political  Iran
Jun 25, 2013

Political Iran

It is easy to be cynical about the elections in Iran to choose a new president. After all, the elected president does not dominate Iran's complex political system. That privilege belongs to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This does necessarily mean the current elections are inconsequential.

Political developments in Pakistan and Impact on India
Sep 21, 2007

Political developments in Pakistan and Impact on India

Brigadier V R P Sarathy (retd) initiated a discussion on Political Developments in Pakistan and Impact on India on Saturday 22, 2007 in ORF Chennai. He started his discussion on Pakistan's political development with Stephen P. Cohen's words: 'Pakistan is cursed by history but blessed by geography - always at the right place at the wrong time'.

Political Dynamics of Allahabad High Court Judgment
Sep 22, 2010

Political Dynamics of Allahabad High Court Judgment

The BJP, which benefited the most from the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi temple dispute catapulting it to power in 1998, would be faced with a serious dilemma in either case of the two possible judgments of the Allahabad High Court on September 24.

Political movements in region becoming unpredictable: ICRC chief
Mar 11, 2013

Political movements in region becoming unpredictable: ICRC chief

There has been a large degree of unpredictability with which political movements have gained weight in the region, making providing humanitarian aid to affected areas very difficult, according to the chief of the International Committee of Red Cross.

Political opposition in Russia in 2018: Composition, challenges and prospects
Aug 21, 2023

Political opposition in Russia in 2018: Composition, challenges and prospects

Russia recently witnessed the re-election of its long-serving president. A constitutionally mandated term limit suggests this would be Vladimir Putin’s last presidential term. As Russia enters a period of power transition, it is likely that a number of political actors will become relevant during this phase. This brief looks at the groups that form the opposition—those operating within the formal institutions and the major players outside it�

Politics of Famine in Somalia
Aug 05, 2011

Politics of Famine in Somalia

Although mired in a state of conflict for the past two decades, the year 2011 has turned out to be particularly bad for Somalia. The United Nations declared famine in regions of Bakool and Lower Shabelle on July 20.

Politics of fear in US presidential campaigns
Oct 21, 2015

Politics of fear in US presidential campaigns

As the election season heats up in the US, the language of fear and name calling is rampant within parties and between parties. Instilling fears of the other candidate into the minds of voters, through campaign rhetoric and negative ads and distributed many times over by the power of new media technologies, has emerged an important feature of the campaigns.

Politics of Naxalite violence in Andhra Pradesh
Nov 24, 2000

Politics of Naxalite violence in Andhra Pradesh

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, announced on November 14, 2003 that the forthcoming mid-term elections to the State Legislature would be fought on the issue of ¿crushing¿ the Naxalites. He declared in Hyderabad, in the presence of the national media, that Naxalite violence was hampering development and progress in the State.

Populism will run out of steam
Mar 15, 2012

Populism will run out of steam

For a person who knows his business economics well, the Railway Minister obviously realises that he will need money to make that happen. That is why his speech contained so many references to the need for budgetary support from the government.

Portends from Polls-2011: Performance and accountability
May 13, 2011

Portends from Polls-2011: Performance and accountability

With the decisive verdicts in these Assembly elections, and more Assembly elections slated in Uttar Pradesh and a host of others States before 2014 general elections, the voter has put Governments and leaders on notice, when it comes to performance and accountability.

Post troops withdrawal, regional mechanism needed to deal with Afghan situation
Dec 01, 2012

Post troops withdrawal, regional mechanism needed to deal with Afghan situation

Prof. Feng Zhongping, Vice President of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, feels that US's rebalancing strategy in Asia is not entirely designed to contain China but also based on economic considerations.

Post-Benazir Pakistan may turn militant
Jan 05, 2008

Post-Benazir Pakistan may turn militant

At an Interaction of the ORF Chennai Chapter of the Observer Research Foundation on 5 January 2008, Mr K J M Varma, until recently the Special Correspondent of the Press Trust of India (PTI) at Islamabad, spoke on 'Pakistan after Benazir Bhutto'

Post-Fahd Saudi Arabia: Al Qaeda Waiting in the Wings
May 31, 2005

Post-Fahd Saudi Arabia: Al Qaeda Waiting in the Wings

Attention has to be focussed on Saudi Arabia as it enters a period of transition and uncertainty in the wake of reports about a deterioration in the health of King Fahd, who has been admitted in hospital. In the absence of authentic reports on his health, rumours are rife that his end may be near.

Post-Genocide Rwanda's dramatic transition
May 22, 2015

Post-Genocide Rwanda's dramatic transition

As Rwanda commemorates 1994 genocide, now it has become a global example of successful post-conflict reconstruction. A talk at ORF by Rwandan High Commissioner Ernest Rwamucyo focussed on post-genocide Rwanda's unique story where ownership and innovative "home-grown solutions" helped re-construct the nation.

Post-Japan, the hunt for the safest option
Apr 28, 2011

Post-Japan, the hunt for the safest option

What are India's options to make Space Based Solar Power a real viable option given the cost factor and technology? Can the governments and the private sectors of both India and the US make serious commitments to take the first step towards R&D investment on SBSP?

Post-Osama Pakistan: Can the civil-military balance change?
May 16, 2011

Post-Osama Pakistan: Can the civil-military balance change?

It is high time that enlightened Pakistanis realize that the real threat to the existence of the Pakistani state comes from their own army which has usurped authority due to debilitated political institutions and geo-political concerns of western powers.

Post-poll, BJP need to tread carefully in J-K
Dec 30, 2014

Post-poll, BJP need to tread carefully in J-K

Given its unique position, the politics and governance of J&K have always depended on the good relations between the governments in New Delhi and Srinagar. When they have been disrupted, as happened in the 1983-87 period, it was disastrous for the state and the country.

Post-triumph, Modi faces grim realities
May 21, 2014

Post-triumph, Modi faces grim realities

The historic election verdict offers Narendra Modi an unprecedented opportunity. A truly transformative election that was fought on the issues of leadership, economy and governance has raised unprecedented hope and expectations among ordinary Indians. This is a verdict for change and Modi represents the face of that change.

Post-war Sri Lanka and politics in India
Sep 09, 2011

Post-war Sri Lanka and politics in India

Two years after the conclusion of the ethnic war in Sri Lanka, the nation is still confused over reactions from across the Palk Strait to the current developments - or, lack of them - on the prospects of power devolution and a political solution, also encompassing rehabilitation and reconstruction issues.

Post-War Sri Lanka: A Resurgent Nation
Jul 12, 2010

Post-War Sri Lanka: A Resurgent Nation

South Asia comprises of eight countries-Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Except for India and to an extent, Pakistan given our obsession with it, we know very little about other countries of South Asia.

Potential Military Strikes in Syria Threaten Regional Flare-up
Aug 31, 2013

Potential Military Strikes in Syria Threaten Regional Flare-up

Military strikes on Syria are no longer about Syria alone but, more importantly, about the US and its declared objectives on issues of conflict globally. The possibility of the situation flaring up into a wider regional conflict also looks very plausible with serious implications for India.

Potentials of ASEAN, India and China integration
May 24, 2014

Potentials of ASEAN, India and China integration

As ASEAN, China and India already share a high volume of trade and have common borders, an integrated ACI (Asean, China, India) region might be able to contribute to a more balanced and resolute Asia, argues an expert.

Powell's meeting with Modi signifies much more than US claims
Feb 17, 2014

Powell's meeting with Modi signifies much more than US claims

The next round of bilateral summit entails a US presidential visit to India. Should Modi become Prime Minister, then he and his Govt would expect the visiting President to lend greater clarity than Ambassador Powell's meeting now would entail.

Power crisis adds to Pak woes
May 24, 2012

Power crisis adds to Pak woes

An unrelenting power crisis is adding to Pakistan's woes. Power shortage has hit Punjab the hardest, shutting down industrial units and market places for days together and bringing people out on to the streets.

Power reforms: Now on the backburner
Jun 01, 2004

Power reforms: Now on the backburner

The Congress-led United Progessive Alliance government in its just released CMP has done the unexpected vis a vis power sector reforms. The Manmohan-Chidambram combine which was expected to resolve the nitty-gritty¿s of the Electricity Act 2003 has instead decided to review the entire Act itself.

Power Reforms: The U Turn
May 27, 2004

Power Reforms: The U Turn

The process of reforms in the power sector has undergone a full circle with the outcome of this general election and the people's verdict in at least two key reform oriented states, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, necessitating a rethink of the issue.

Power Sector Management & Growth-Past & Future
Dec 31, 2010

Power Sector Management & Growth-Past & Future

Many people think Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity with his famous kite flying experiments in 1752, but electricity was not discovered all at once. After various developments world over, Italian scientist Alesandro Volta made a great discovery in 1800.

Power sharing holds the Afghan peace balance
Jul 28, 2014

Power sharing holds the Afghan peace balance

The significance of the agreement brought out between rival Afghan presidential candidates, Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani, should not be overlooked. It has ensured that Afghanistan's democratic transition does not come to a premature halt. A timely resolution of the immediate predicaments could guarantee that it remains a durable one.

Power-sharing at the Centre in Sri Lanka vital, says Prof. Peiris
Oct 15, 2010

Power-sharing at the Centre in Sri Lanka vital, says Prof. Peiris

Sri Lanka is considering a power-sharing mechanism at the Centre, said Prof. G.L. Peiris, Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister, while delivering the second R.K. Mishra Memorial Lecture in New Delhi.

Power: Visions Vs Delusions
Feb 16, 2012

Power: Visions Vs Delusions

Does our political and administrative structure perceive future energy plans without the sense of sight? Here lies the biggest differentiation between 'vision and delusion'. The lessons learnt from reviewing past year have the potential to reveal the gaps in our planning, implementation and governance.

Powershift in Colombo is Delhi's opportunity
Jan 12, 2015

Powershift in Colombo is Delhi's opportunity

As a new government led by Maithripala Sirisena takes charge in Colombo, New Delhi has a valuable opportunity to arrest the drift in bilateral relations over the last few years. The Modi government, less constrained internally than the UPA government, is in a good position to rebuild the partnership with Sri Lanka that occupies a vital position on India's maritime frontiers to the south.

Pragmatic approach to combat climate-change: Former Secretary
Jan 31, 2015

Pragmatic approach to combat climate-change: Former Secretary

India, China and the US share a similar perspective on balancing economic interests with climate-action, seeking a pragmatic approach to combat climate change through plausible self-determined contributions that are cognizant of national interests, says former Union Environment Secretary N R Krishnan.

Pre-poll Naxal violence rising in AP
Feb 10, 2004

Pre-poll Naxal violence rising in AP

In the past few days there has been a spate of attacks by the People¿s War Group (PWG) Naxalites on leaders belonging to the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the southern Indian State of Andhra Pradesh.