Putin’s Russia

The compelling feedback one gets soon after arriving in Moscow is that whatever reservations the Russians may have about Vladimir Putin’s autocratic style of governance notwithstanding, they are united behind him on Crimea and the Ukraine. In his broken English our driver described with great gusto how Putin had snatched Russia’s Crimea back from foreign…

Read More

To Go or Not to Go?

There is a lot of speculation about the PM’s possible visit to New Delhi on Monday May 26 to attend Narendra Singh Modi’s inauguration as Prime Minister of India. Any exchange between Pakistan and India assumes symbolic proportions, arousing considerable comment and analysis thereof. Even though the invitation went to all SAARC member countries, Modi’s…

Read More

Uzbekistan’s Global Integration through Cultural Diplomacy

We are living in the web of uncertainties because of rapidly emerging socio-economic barriers, geo-political bargains and the last but not the least geo-strategic bisects. In the era of confusions, conflicts and conspiracies diplomatic means play a crucial role in a country’s efforts to achieve political goals, further strengthening of bilateral relations, greater socio-economic integration,…

Read More

Emerging Contours of the Gulf Politics

Nawaz-Rouhani summit was long overdue; preceding high profile exchanges of visits between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had caused unease in Iran despite Pakistan’s assurances that it wishes a balanced relationship with both friendly countries. The Iran-Pakistan summit was on hold for the last couple of months due to some untoward spontaneous irritants. Despite immense preparatory…

Read More

Operation Blue Star

June 05 is the thirty year anniversary of the Indian army operation to clear militants from the Sikh religion’s holiest temple in Amritsar. This was the culmination of chain of events that were simmering for several years. In late 1970s, conflict between the center and Punjab, internal power struggle among Sikh political elite, poor economic…

Read More