|
Dear Readers,
We are pleased to present the last quarter issue of 2006. The year witnessed a number of events affecting India, and with India firmly lodged among the leading economies of the world, Indian policy and direction has started to effect change globally and not just within the country.
Indo-Japanese relations are upbeat, and our consultant editor Anil Bhat details the strides taking place in furthering engagement between the two countries since the assumption of office by Prime Minister Shinzô Abe. Aptly, our featured profile on world statesmen in this issue is of former Japanese Prime Minister—the ‘maverick’ and ‘lionheart’—Junichiro Koizumi. Besides, as always, there are numerous articles covering a diverse range of topics from diplomacy to travel to art.
This issue also carries a special supplement on the Kingdom of Thailand—a tribute to the redoubtable monarch, H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose reign of over six decades reflects unswerving commitment towards the betterment of his country, which has deservedly inspired reverential devotion amongst his people for their king. The focus country in this issue is Ukraine, featuring an exhaustive interview with Mr. Mykola Mischuk, Ukrainian Chargé d’Affairs, New Delhi.
The year began with a spate of high profile visits, including a king, a few presidents, and many prime ministers, fortifying the entente cordiale. Now, nearing the end of 2006, the culmination of the year—which is also being celebrated as the ‘India-China Friendship Year’—with the historic and befitting visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to India, ushers in a new era for Sino-Indo friendship. On this happy note, we at Diplomatist would like to convey to all our readers Season’s Greetings and best wishes for a Happy New Year.
|
