Progressive Thinking for A Global Age
FPC Briefing: India-China Relations and the Future of Af-PakBy Chris Ogden .
FPC Research Associate Chris Ogden explores the warming relations between India and China and how they can work together to face common challenges in their troublesome neighbours.
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Pakistan's government plays second fiddle to the armyBy Ella Rolfe.
Recent curbs on civil liberties are attempts to grasp slipping control over population
While Pakistan may seem to be descending into a pitched battle between state and Taliban, the current power relations are much more nuanced than this. To be sure, the Pakistani authorities are engaged in a large military operation against the Taliban in the country's north-western tribal areas; but there is a power struggle within the Pakistani polity as well. And the army, not the civilian government, is firmly in charge of efforts against militancy.
FPC Briefing: India's BJP Contemplate their FutureBy Chris Ogden .
New FPC Research Associate Chris Ogden looks into the future of India's Hindu nationalist opposition party - the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP - Indian People's Party)- that faces a potentially uncertain and unstable future after its 2009 election defeat. Despite remaining as India's second largest political force, and indeed the country's only other national party besides Congress, the BJP faces a period of repackaging for India's electorate. Given that the BJP's current head, LK Advani who turns 82 on Sunday 8th November, and has announced his plans to step-down, any re-branding will be underscored by a phase of internal restructuring, most prominently involving the emergence of a new leader.
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Mutual interests bring EU and India closer togetherBy Dick Leonard. Source: The European Voice
Just back from India after my first visit in seven years, I had two overwhelming impressions. One was the evidence, wherever I went, that the Indian economy has taken off in a big way and has developed unstoppable momentum.
Investing in India: Is the UK doing enough?By Shairi Mathur, Shairi Mathur. Source: 31 March 2005 India News in Europe
Post-liberalisation, the Indian economy has become an attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Potential foreign investors are lured by the size of the Indian market, low labour costs and an educated pool of management and technical personnel, stable legal system and finally, strategic location of India for expanding into Asian markets.
New realities mean we need a fresh approach to IndiaBy Keith Didcock, Keith Didcock. Source: Labour Friends of India newsletter
Given our historic links with India, it is easy for the UK to feel complacent about the future of Indo-British relations. A seamless transition from rosy memories of the sunset of empire to Bend It Like Beckham and Bride and Prejudice suggest that the relationship can continue to glide smoothly along, accommodating changing fashions as it goes. The world, however, is changing and Indo-British relations are being shaped by two forces which mean that the UK's approach to its relations with India must change too.
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Outsourcing: the acid test for India's liberalisersBy Phoebe Griffith, Phoebe Griffith. Source: Global Thinking, Spring 2004
The world's two largest democracies – India and the US – go to the polls this year. But when it comes to political rhetoric about free trade and jobs, the contrasts are stark. While both Republicans and Democrats fret about the deracination of white collar America, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee launched an election campaign called "India is Shining". Based on India's stunning 8% economic growth in the last quarter of 2004, the campaign is characterised by its feel-good factor. Outsourcing plays a role in both elections.