Editor's Note
This edition of Diplomatist, first in the New Year (2010) captures the spirit of optimism that comes with every New Year. Starting with the report on World Economic Forum 2010 held at Davos, it picks up threads of recent diplomatic advances in various parts of the world.   Read the Note.  
  

India’s Foreign Policy Intact on Principles: Shashi Tharoor
MR. SHASHI THAROOR, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs in an exclusive interview with G. Kalyan Kumar, Editor-in-Chief, Diplomatist talks about key foreign policy issues and India’s relations with China, Middle East, Africa and Americas.   Read an Interview.  
  

Relief at Economic Recovery: Clueless on What Next
Sarkozy’s speech marked a turnaround of a conservative who once espoused freer markets and won France’s presidency in 2007 on pledges to loosen up its financial and labour rules.   Read the Article.  
  

Interview with Hungarian Foreign Minister: India is a Key Player in G20  
Hungarian foreign minister Mr. Peter Balazs visited India from 17 to 20 January 2010. During the visit, Diplomatist Editor-in-Chief G. Kalyan Kumar met him in New Delhi, for an exclusive interview. The foreign minister spoke about global and bilateral issues and was upbeat on his country’s impending Presidency of the EU in January 2011.   Read an Interview. 
   

India's Foreign Policy - Comes of Age     
For a long time, India had the luxury of being on the periphery of global politics from where it was relatively easy to substitute ‘sloganeering’ for any real foreign policy. India, with some skill, used issues like ‘third world solidarity’ and ‘general and complete nuclear disarmament’ to make its presence germane on the international stage.   Read the Article.  
 

Prague: City of a Hundred Spires
The Old Town Square in the Old Town quarter of the city is located between Wenceslas Square and the Charles Bridge. It was bustling with tourists during the festive season, but we were told that it’s even more bustling during the summer  Read the Article.      
     

President of Malawi: Assumes Chair of the African Union 
Dr Bingu wa Mutharika (born 24 February 1934) is a Malawi economist, politician, and the current President of the Republic of Malawi. He first took office on 24 May 2004, after winning a presidential election. He won a second term in the May 2009 election. He is credited with implementing responsible policies that have encouraged economic growth. In fact, under his leadership, Malawi has been transformed from an importer of food to a food exporting nation.  Read the Article.  
 

Sri Lanka Polls: President Humbles General   
The Presidential election in Sri Lanka on 26 January had its surprise only in the whopping margin that incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa grossed in his powerful comeback to power for a second consecutive term.   Read the Article.
  

Towards a Strategic Partnership: Visit Expands Vistas of Cooperation 
Mr. Lee Myung-Bak, President of the Republic of Korea (RoK), paid a State Visit to India from 24 to 27 January 2010. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on 25 January. During the visit, President Lee met Indian President Mrs. Patil and other leaders.  Read the Article.  
     

BILATERAL NOTES
German President Visits India
Indian Political leaders visit Taiwan
India to emerge as Renewable Energy Powerhouse 
Myanmar is new BIMSTEC Chair
New Zealand offers Green Technology to India 
Nepal President in India 
India-ASEAN, Delhi Dialogue-II Held 
   Read the Notes.  
   

COPENHAGEN CLIMATE SUMMIT: Flexible Accord Takes Care of All
The climate summit in the Danish capital Copenhagen belied all tall expectations and ended up in delivering a political accord in place of a legally binding agreement. The outcome saved developed countries (or Annex-1) from making any hard commitments on any deep emission reduction plan, particularly for the medium term, as mandated by the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). At the forefront of resistance was Latin American countries who bitterly opposed the political accord.    Read the Article.  
   

PM'S VISIT TO RUSSIA: Hassle-free - Nuclear Pact is the Trophy   
The recent summit between Dr. Manmomhan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow injected “a new freshness” into India-Russia relations which are now “back on a very solid track” Read the Article.
  

Susan Boyle: She ‘Dreamed a Dream’ 
That would be Susan Magdalane Boyle, a Scottish singer who came to international public attention when she appeared as a contestant on reality TV programme Britain’s Got Talent on 11 April 2009, singing “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables. Her first album was released in November 2009 and debuted as the number one best-selling CD on charts around the globe.    Read the Note.  
 

SAARC: Sheikh Hasina's Visit to India - Opening a New Chapter in Bilateral Relations  
The three-day visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from 11 to 13 January was hailed as a success. The Prime Minister herself termed her India tour as “cent per cent successful”. It was her maiden visit to India after assuming power from the second time.  Read the Article.
 

Hasina Assures Congenial Climate for All Investors
H. E Mrs. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, addressed a Business Session in New Delhi on January 12, 2010, during her official visit to India. The Business Session was jointly organized by industry chambers FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM to explore ways and means to enhance investment and trade between India and Bangladesh. The session was held at Hotel ITC Maurya and helped the two sides in identifying opportunities and impediments in the area of expanding trade and investment between the two countries.  Read the Article.
 

LONDON CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN - Reality Check: Making Peace with the Taliban
The London Conference on Afghanistan was held on 28 January 2010 and was decisive in many ways. With the objective to “move international effort forward in key areas of security, governance, development, and regional support” the conference saw the 70 odd participating countries pledging US$10.5 billion towards new reconstruction of hobbled institutions in Afghanistan. Interestingly, Iran stayed away from the London conference.    Read the Article
   

VISIT OF ICELAND PRESIDENT TO INDIA: Clean Energy Cooperation in Cards 
The President of Iceland H.E. Dr. Olafur Ragnar Grimsson paid a visit to India from 12-17 January 2010. On his arrival, the President said, “Iceland admires India’s diverse culture, history and its modern achievements” and said “it is amazing to see democracy serving as a guiding spirit in India, a country of more than one billion people.”  Read the Article.
  

BHUTAN KING'S VISIT: Close Ties Renewed  
“The high level reception accorded by all the Indian leaders reflects the excellent relationship between the two countries”. — Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck   Read the Article.  
 

SAARC @ 25 Still at Crossroads 
Bhutanese capital Thimphu is readying to host the 16th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit on 28-29 April 2010 in a grand manner. The last summit was held in Colombo in 2009. Bhutan is hosting the summit for the first time since the regional body was established in 1985.   Read the Article.  
 

JAPAN PM'S VISIT: Strategic Ties Reinforced 
Japanese Premier Hatoyama paid his first official visit to India from 27 to 30 December. Hatayoma came to power in September 2009 ending the monopoly of the Liberal Democratic Party. The visit was reflective of the strengthening of ties between the two countries.   Read the Article.