Diplomacy | India Writes

11 Indians held in Nigeria released

July 4, 2016July 4, 2016 - by India Writes Network

The ordeal of eleven Indians languishing in a Nigerian prison for two years has come to an end with their release. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj confirmed their release on …

Dhaka terror: Outrage in India, PM Modi speaks to Sheikh Hasina

July 2, 2016 - by India Writes Network

The attack on an upscale restaurant in Dhaka has triggered concern and sorrow in the neigbouring India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi voicing pain beyond words at this despicable attack. Mr Modi spoke to his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina and expressed condolences and solidarity at the devastating terror attack in Dhaka, which killed 20 people including a young Indian girl studying in California.
The terror attack in Dhaka is set to propel India and Bangladesh to step up their counter-terror cooperation in days to come. Indian intelligence and security agencies are closely tracking the rise of Islamist radicalism and the ramifications of the July 1 terror attack in Dhaka.

Dhaka’s date with terror: Indian girl among 20 killed in café attack

July 2, 2016July 2, 2016 - by India Writes Network

In a horrific 26/11 attack on an upscale restaurant in Dhaka, 20 foreigners were killed, including a 19-year-old Indian woman, putting the spotlight on the danger of rising radicalism in Bangladesh and the need for the world to double efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism.
Tarishi Jain, “an Indian girl who was taken hostage in the terror attack in Dhaka” was among those killed, said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in a series of tweets. She was studying at the UC Berkeley in the US, and was on a vacation in Dhaka, say sources in India’s foreign office.

India and SCO – Future Prospects

July 1, 2016July 1, 2016 - by India Writes Network

The ball for the expansion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was set rolling at its Summit in Ufa, Russia, in July 2015, with the acceptance of applications by India and Pakistan. The process was taken forward at the recent Summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 23-24 June, with the two countries signing the SCO’s ”Memorandum of Obligations”. Over the coming year India will sign around 30 documents, and join as a full Member at the next Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan in June 2017.
India’s membership of the SCO is a win-win proposition for the Organization, for Central Asia, for Russia, for China as well as for India. Members will reap huge benefits if they conduct themselves with responsibility.

India focuses on youth power to bolster BRICS, rejects selective approach on terror

June 30, 2016 - by Shweta Aggarwal

Placing youth at the centre of its vision of a people-centric youth, India, the current chair of the five-nation grouping of emerging powers, has pushed for fast-tracking reform of the UN Security Council and collective response to tackling global terror.Ahead of the 8th BRICS summit in Goa on October 15-16, India hosted the second BRICS Youth Summit, which brought together young people from China, Russia, Brazil and South Africa, to brainstorm on a slew of global challenges and enhance people-to-people connect between the five countries.
The minister also seized the occasion to send a message to “those countries which sponsor and harbour terrorists” and underlined the need to “work and fight together to eliminate international terrorism.”

Pakistan demands more proof from India for 26/11 trial

June 30, 2016June 30, 2016 - by India Writes Network

Nearly eight years after the savage terror spree in Mumbai, unleashed by Pakistani militants, Islamabad has yet again asked New Delhi to provide “more evidence” for the early completion of the 26/11 attack trial. In New Delhi, it’s seen as a stalling tactic, with sceptics saying that with this attitude the Mumbai trial will never to its logical conclusion, with punishment for LeT operations commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and six other accused.

Stopping Illegal Migration from Bangladesh: Need for a Comprehensive Approach

June 30, 2016June 30, 2016 - by India Writes Network

The electoral victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in Assam has brought the focus back on the issue of illegal immigration. After all, this was one …

Political Upheaval in Brazil

June 29, 2016June 30, 2016 - by India Writes Network

Brazil has been in a state of political upheaval since April-May 2016. In fact, political scandals, based on allegations of corruption against politicians and state functionaries, have been building up …

India’s NSG Bid – The Way Forward

June 29, 2016June 29, 2016 - by India Writes Network

The Seoul meeting concluded with members declaring their “firm support for the full, complete and effective implementation of the NPT as the cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime” [emphasis added]. The phrase “effective implementation’’ was introduced by some Western countries to provide an entry to India by ensuring that compliance with NPT obligations will be a significant consideration and not only signature of the NPT. Developments in Seoul are a temporary setback. They are not a disaster. With its unblemished and impeccable record, India can hope to enter the portals of the NSG during this year or soon thereafter.

After NSG setback, India gets into MTCR club

June 28, 2016June 28, 2016 - by India Writes Network

Days after the NSG setback, India’s quest for entry into global nuclear clubs got a decisive boost as New Delhi was formally admitted as the 35th member of the Missile Technology Control Regime. India’s Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar signed onto the MTCR, which seeks to prevent the unchecked proliferation of missiles and their delivery systems.