New Delhi

By Kamal Hyder in Asia on November 8th, 2010
Photo from AFP

The US president's visit to India has been hailed as a landmark moment, coming amidst much pomp and ceremony.

It could be a defining moment for Barack Obama's future, following the Democrat's humbling experience in midterm elections last week. But one thing is more certain: American foreign policy has the consensus of both the Democrats and the Republicans, no matter who is in power.

India mostly relied on Russian and British military equipment for its forces during the cold war era, something the US was always suspicious of despite its good relations with New Delhi over the years.

But with a new US-Indian strategic partnership, the stage is set for India to make a transition to American military hardware.

Obama may be trying to take credit for the new partnership, but actually it started during the tenure of George W Bush.

By Imran Khan in Asia on May 17th, 2010
Photo by EPA

The recent announcement that Pakistan and India have agreed to talk about peace talks and that the foreign ministers of each country will meet in July in Islamabad has sent muted shockwaves through both countries.

As one friend in New Delhi put it; "Talking's good. Action might be better though, but talking is all we have for the time being."

In a way he is right. India and Pakistan have been here before. Peace talks between the two countries have often failed because of the difficulties both countries face at home.

India is an established democracy and any deal that is seen as giving up too much to Pakistan will mean election defeat.

In Pakistan, a fledgling democracy, giving up too much to India means much the same thing for its politicians.

So, its a delicate balancing act.

What are the challenges that face Pakistan and India when it comes to peace?

By John Terrett in Americas on November 25th, 2009
Photo by GALLO/GETTY
In Washington, US President Barack Obama hosted a high-level dinner in honour of India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday.
 
It followed talks between the two leaders earlier in the day during which they covered issues ranging from the India-US civilian nuclear deal, to climate change and the global economy.
 
It's not an official state visit, of course, because Mr Singh is not head of his state - that would be the Indian president - but you'd never know here in DC.
 
By Gabriel Elizondo in Americas on November 11th, 2009
Photo by Reuters
Blackout. Simple as that.
 
By now, you probably heard the news that Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and cities in 18 different Brazilian states were plunged into darkness last night with a massive power outage.
 
I am in Sao Paulo now, but when I heard the news last night, I was in the Houston, Texas airport waiting to board a flight back home. But from those I have spoken to since returning to Brazil this morning, it was a scary night that caused panic on the streets but no major public security incidents.
 
For those of you who have never been to Sao Paulo, and can’t imagine what the city would be like in total darkness, just imagine New Delhi totally without power. Or Los Angeles, Mexico City, or Bangkok.
 

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