... Asia, above all China. As Russia’s new Asian policy takes on greater conceptual depth, new outlines of Russia’s interaction with Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries also take shape. And it is only with regard to India that comparable foreign policy steps have not been taken.
Meanwhile, India itself has entered a period of active change. In 2014, Narendra Modi, a modern and ambitious politician, became India’s Prime Minister. His programme entails enhancing ...
... development and peace.’
President of Turkmenistan
Slowly but surely, steps are being taken to actually start the construction of the TAPI pipeline. But what exactly is the motivation of the four countries (Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India) to take part in this project, and what are the main challenges they are facing? Who is supporting the project and what factors are pushing neutral and closed Turkmenistan to reach outside of its borders? Finally, what are the project’s current ...
... security problems of the region. While the central focus of the meeting was on the fight against terrorism and extremism, the question of extending membership to several countries was discussed. The main result of these discussions was that Pakistan and India signed memorandums of obligation to join as full members. It is expected that they will accede to the organization by 2017.
Expansion of the organization into South Asia is being viewed as crucial to tackling security threats that affect the entire ...
... the status of full SCO member states in the near future will boost the organization’s potential and provide a fresh impetus to further securing its role on the regional and international arena.
The
signing
of the Memorandum on the Obligations of India and Pakistan for becoming SCO member states was a landmark event that took place in Tashkent (link in Russian). The final phase of their accession to the organization was thus launched. It also reaffirmed the positive dynamics of the SCO’s development ...
... means for settling international conflicts.
Why is the organization expanding now? Is it due to new threats and challenges?
Of paramount significance were the SCO decisions taken at its 2015 summit in Ufa on the launch of the procedure for admission of India and Pakistan. The status of Belarus was elevated from partner to observer. More partners were invited, among them Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia and Nepal. Thus, the group now incorporates 18 states and about 44 percent of the globe's population....
... the importance of disseminating educational products and services of the BRICS countries through the Internet, and submitted the
RIAC report on university e-internationalization
.
Anna Kuznetsova also held a number of meetings with representatives of Indian think tanks, involved in the study of international relations. During the meetings, the sides discussed various issues of promoting cooperation between their organizations.
Digital BRICS Conclave 2016
On April 7, 2016 the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The document suggests searching for new formats of cooperation between Russian and Indian research centers, an exchange of analytical materials and holding joint activities.
The Vivekananda International Foundation is an Indian think tank aimed at analyzing key political, economic and social trends in India and in the international ...
... negotiations with the Taliban; China, the United States and Pakistan act as facilitators, that is countries that facilitate the negotiation process, together with the government in Kabul. Today’s situation is favourable for diplomatic steps (I would put India aside for now, even though it is interested in a normal development of the country no less than the neighbouring countries).
China is interested in maintaining steady relations with all members of the Afghan conflict, and it is doing it successfully....
A distinctive feature of current Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi’s foreign policy is his direct call to the Indian diaspora abroad. Every appearance he has made in the 18 months since he came to office – at Wembley Stadium in London, Madison Square Garden in New York and Dubai International ...
... ASEAN to play a larger diplomatic role in the Asia-Pacific region? What is the future of the Asia-Pacific region?
Maavak: Southeast Asia is a colorful tapestry weaved by aeons of indigenous cultures as well as civilizational strands from China and India. By virtue of being bridges between both ancient civilizations, ASEAN is a natural buffer of stability as well as a beltway for prosperity.
These unique factors alone equip ASEAN to play larger arbitration and diplomatic roles in the Asia Pacific ...
