Editorial
Welcome to the May-June edition of the Diplomatist. We normally carry a ‘Publisher’s Note’ and an ‘Editorial’ in each edition. However, our former editor has moved on and our new editor will join us for the next edition – hence the dual purpose heading on this page.   Read the Note.  
  

From BRIC to BRICS and ‘Bric-a-Brac’? The Danger of Overstretch
What the BRIC countries broadly have in common is that they are continent-sized countries with huge populations and some of the highest economic growth rates in the world. Some, like political analysts Aubrey Matshiqi and Francis Kornegay, argue that these are countries where prioritising the development of human capital and education, research and development, innovation, and long-term strategic planning is at the top of the national agenda. Read the Article.  
     

BRICS: No Longer an Alphabet Soup
BRIC foreign ministers have met annually since 2006. The recently concluded Summit meeting in Sanya, China was the first for South Africa, the latest entrant in this informal grouping making it ‘BRICS’, and the third for the original four members who first gave shape to this club in Yekaterinburg in Russia in June 2009, followed by a second summit in Brasilia in April 2010.   Read the Article.  
  

BRICS and China-Brazil Relations
Brazil’s place in BRICS is unique. It possesses the capacity to enrich uranium but is the only BRICS country without nuclear power. It is a mining and agricultural powerhouse and has the clear potential of becoming a major energy player in the world.   Read the Article.  
  

Earth Day and the Transition to Clean Energy  
Emissions from burning of fossil fuels are leading to climate change with potentially devastating consequences for agricultural production, ecosystems survival, human health and economic activity. The decreasing availability of fossil fuels, their price volatility and eventual depletion will send tremors through the world economy if viable substitutes are not deployed in the next three to four decades.   Read the Article. 
   

Somali Sea Pirates in India’s Backyard    
In the early years of the last decade, ships of the Indian Navy patrolled the Singapore-Malacca straits to deter piracy. Now the navies of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia carry out regular anti-piracy patrols to ensure safe navigation for merchant ships plying these restricted ‘choke points’.   Read the Article. 
 

India Must Institute A Firm Anti-Piracy Policy
The presence of the Indian Navy in the area is to protect our seaborne trade and instil confidence in our sea faring community. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are regularly deployed for surveillance close to the coast. Due to reports of rising incidents of piracy, surveillance has been increased in the Indian Ocean Region.  Read the Article..      
     

Chance for China to Warm Ties with Japan after Earthquake and Tsunami 
Japan, has in the past, extended economic and humanitarian assistance to other countries which experienced similar natural disasters. It was, therefore, the turn of those countries to come to Japan’s rescue in this time of distress.
Read the Article..  
 

China for Better Trade Ties with India 
Mr. Zhihua said that the main purpose of the trip was to increase the understanding between the two countries, help and support each other, and make a new beginning towards developing better trade relations.   Read the Article..
  

Uzbekistan: Twenty Years of Dynamic Growth and Development
Development of transport, communications and logistics centres is another priority of Uzbekistan’s government. More than 50.1 thousand tons of cargo was shipped through the newly commissioned cargo terminal of Navoi international inter-modal logistics center. Read the Article.  
   

Indian Prime Minister’s Visit to Kazakhstan
India has always viewed Kazakhstan as a strategic partner and wants to partner with the Central Asian nation in implementing mutually-beneficial economic programmes. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992, the development of friendly relations with India has always been an important aspect of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.   Read the Article.  
   

India-Kazakhstan Time for Strategic Decisions   
The history of relations between our countries began in the distant past and now, they are warm and friendly. The Great Silk Road brought our peoples closer through trade and cultural exchange. People of different nationalities and beliefs are living in our countries, but they share common values of Eastern cultures, traditions and even cuisine. Read the Article.
  

25th Anniversary of Chernobyl The World Remembers  
This April Ukraine commemorates 25th anniversary of Chornobyl disaster – the biggest nuclear catastrophe in the history of mankind. The word “Chornobyl” is known to almost everyone in the world. But after 25 years it is not merely a part of history, but still an ominous reality reminding of how dangerous the nuclear power is. Read the Article..  
 

India’s Royal Legacy Now Yours to Experience 
India has alway s been an exotic land, a country that the west fantasized. It was a land inhabited by martial races that ruled India, tracing their lineage from the warring Gods, and known for their aestheticism and chivalry. It is home to an impressive lineage that over the centuries has amassed a tremendous wealth of grandeur and majesty.   Read the Article.   
 

Meeting of the Classics Lieder of Franz Schubert Seen Through the Eyes of an Indian Classical Dancer 
Schubert, who was born in the year 1797 and died in November 1828 at the young age of 31, produced his first music compositions to lieder in 1814. It is stated that in 1814, at the age of 17, he wrote his first music for Goethe’s poem ‘Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel’.   Read the Article.   
 

EU-India Economic Diplomacy 
The EU and India have a longstanding relationship that is unique not only because of its decades old history but also because of its strategic depth. While India has signed free trade agreements (FTA) with many countries including Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, Thailand, SriLanka, Singapore and others, none of them are as ambitious and far reaching as the comprehensive FTA currently haggled over with the European Union.    Read the Article.   
 

Golf and the St Andrews Connection 
A golf-like game is recorded as taking place on 26 February 1297, in The Netherlands, where the Dutch played a game with a stick and leather ball. The winner was whoever hit the ball with the least number of strokes into a target several hundred yards away.  Read the Article.   
 

 The Hits and Misses of Cricket Diplomacy 
For the last two and half decades, India-Pakistan bilateral relations made use of cricket match venues as the public diplomacy platform, mostly known as ‘Cricket Diplomacy’, over three times to alleviate tensions between the two countries. Other than providing temporary relief to the tension, cricket diplomacy’s substantial contribution to bilateral relation is still a question.  Read the Article.   
  

Doing Business with Belgium At the Heart of Europe 
Belgium is one of the prime sources of investments in India, at par with countries like Russia, Australia and Canada. There are close to one hundred and fifty Belgian enterprises firmly established in India, and that number is currently growing every month.    Read the Article.   
 

Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2011 Inspiring India and The World 
VGGIS 2011 was considered to be litmus test for Gujarat’s economic heft; the culmination of the summit on 13th January 2011 was marked by a commemoration of the country’s economic prowess. But this compelling attribute is not the only aspect that commands appreciation.   Read the Article.   
 

India’s Rise Brings New Opportunities for U.S. Partnerships 
The U.S. relationship with India will continue to be a mainstay of both countries’ foreign policies well into the 21st century, the Obama administration says, and it sees great potential for closer relations as India grows into its anticipated place as the world’s most populous country and third-largest economy by 2030.   Read the Article.