India International

The world cannot afford another arms race that will divert resources from poverty, pandemic and climate crisis to defence.

This article provides an overview of how Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine is being viewed and assessed in various regions and countries in Asia, and how the governments there are positioning themselves and reacting: in the Southeast Asian ASEAN countries, in Northeast Asia, and in India, China, and Myanmar.

New Delhi's indirect support to the Russian position is not a product of Russian pressure. Neither is it about its genuine belief about Russia’s legitimate interests in Ukraine. Rather, it is the result of a desire to safeguard its own interests, strategic vulnerability and 'non-alignment'- a cultural foreign policy ethos that prevails in Indian thinking.

Geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific is defined today largely by an escalating polarisation between the China-Russia camp and the US-led Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States). The war in Ukraine is a temporary diversion; interstate tensions in maritime Asia are here to stay and may increase. The European Union (EU) attempts to chart a ‘third way’ that strengthens the hand of the region’s democracies – but without seeking a confrontation with China. Germany has a pivotal role in shaping and implementing this inclusive approach and ensuring that it delivers satisfactory results.

We declare our full solidarity with Ukraine. We stand by the side of our Ukrainian partners and colleagues, and at the same time also by the side of our partners in Russian civil society who are under harsh state repression.

Thoko Madonko from our Cape Town office speaks to Marlise Richter about inequity in access to covid vaccine in global south and gendered aspects of vaccine equity.

K.M. Gopakumar speaks to Shalini Yog Shah about global vaccine monopoly, TRIPS Agreement and hurdles in vaccine production

Hosting G20 Presidency in 2023 is a fitting aspiration and a welcome challenge for India. A major economy and a developing country with a mature democracy, heading into its 76th year of its independence, India has the unique opportunity to set ‘Agenda 2023’ with a focus on equitable green and resilient recovery.

The Pandemic and post pandemic phase will be testing for the G20. With India holding the G20 in 2022, it will be for the Indian leadership to deliver on the aspirations of a range of stakeholders invested in development initiatives. Indian Civil Society will be mobilizing itself to interact with the Government of India to submit recommendations through Civil 20, a unique platform and one of the many engagement groups of the G20. It is for India to rise to the occasion and provide the wherewithal for Civil Society to flourish. Heinrich Boell Stiftung’s partner organization VANI has published three reports highlighting the role and urging for a stronger engagement of Civil Society as part of debates around G20.