Editor's Note 
In this issue, we have introduced a new chapter so to speak; well, two for that matter. Apart from our regular features, we have ‘focused chapters’ on two countries, Tajikistan and Indonesia. We plan to carry chapters such as these regularly, so do let us know in case you would like your country to be a focus; you may find it appropriate if there is a special occasion such as your national day coinciding with the release dates of our issues....  Read the Note. 
  

INDIA-CHINA: Friendship Year 2006 
The 'India-China Friendship Year' is an endorsement of the close links, and one can be sure that the rich past that India and China have inherited can only but translate into a very promising future indeed...  Read the Article.  
 

NUCLEAR DIPLOMACY  
Iran has ruffled many feathers in the western world by asserting its intentions of using nuclear energy to generate power, and continuing with its uranium enrichment programme. A number of western powers, which include the US, France, Germany, and the UK, suspect that Iran nurses a secret agenda of developing nuclear weapons under the guise of generating civilian nuclear energy. The debatable decision on the part of Iran has raised the vexing issue of whether third world countries have the technology to develop safe comprehensive nuclear technology—which includes uranium enrichment—as sanctioned by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and thereby allowing them to go nuclear: Low-level enrichment of Uranium is used to generate electricity, but can be used as the core of an atomic weapon when more highly enriched.  Read the Article. 
   

TRANSITION IN NEPAL  
Nepal’s recent transition from monarchy to democracy has a brief but eventful history, which we need to focus upon for getting a comprehensive picture of the recently experienced political turmoil in the Himalayan democracy. King Gyanendra of Nepal staged a coup in February 2005 in which he dismissed Sher Bahadur Deuba, the then Prime Minister of Nepal, and arrested prominent politicians from democratic parties. He also introduced other restrictions on political activity through a sudden countrywide emergency and assumed executive powers. The autocratic monarch then made a show of taking steps to restore democracy, including a decision to hold municipal elections. The democratic Seven Party Alliance (SPA) rightly questioned the legitimacy of a municipal election called by an unconstitutional ruler, who imposed his rule upon the people.  Read the Article.  
   

The DR is Placing a Lot of Importance on Relations With India and Southeast Asia
Already, India’s relations with Latin America are friendly, and India even has Memorandums of Understanding with a number of Latin American countries. I am especially hopeful that we can generate cultural interest on both sides as both countries have so much to offer.  Read an Interview.      
     

Suspension of Doha Round Talks: Reasons and the Possible After effects 
Among all the General Agreement on Trade and Tariff (GATT)/World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade rounds, the current Doha Round has been the most eventful. Since its launch in November 2001 at the Qatari capital, Doha, it has seen many highs and lows, finally sliding into a deep freezer following failure of G-61 countries to reach a consensus on key issues of agriculture and industrial goods market access. The talks have been formally suspended without any new timetable for completing the Round. Read the Article.
  

Developing Asia to Post Strong Growth in 2006-2007
Developing Asian economies will deliver strong growth in 2006 supported by a broadly favourable outlook for the international economy, the continuing trend toward improved economic management, and apparent resilience to high oil prices. ADB’s annual economic publication Asian Development Outlook (ADO) projects the region will achieve an overall economic expansion of 7.2% in 2006 and 7% in 2007, a marginal easing from 7.4% in 2005.   Read the Article.
  

Water Occupying an Important Place in People's Lives 
Water has always played an important role in inter-state relationships. The issue has occupied a prominent dimension in international relations recently with the end of the Cold War. Safe and clean water plays a catalyst role in ensuring good quality of life and all round development of the country. The probability of conflict becomes imminent because of interconnectedness of rivers flowing through different territories.  Read the Article.   
    

Taking the Course Adventures on a golfing Afternoon  
I have discovered to my consternation that golf is not about a ball of any size, but about life. A mystery that eluded me for years of diplomatic life in North America and Europe has been revealed in this land of biryani, computers, maestro Ravi Shankar’s sitar recitals, reflection and sophistry. To know everything you need to know about the meaning of it all, all you need is eighteen holes.  Read the Article.