Do it yourself

The two-decade period between 1988-2008 saw the most remarkable progress in the sphere of international relations and collaborations. The technological developments made global trade faster and cheaper, aiding global businesses to collaborate with distant partners to optimally exploit their core competencies to materially enhance productivity. End of the Cold War and fall of the Berlin Wall led to nearly full integration of global economies and unprecedented growth in global trade. The global financial crisis (2008-09) however paused the trend. The global trade and technological partners forces began to grow increasingly uncomfortable with technological, trade and political collaborations. Emerging global forces like China & India erstwhile global political powers like Russia, the UK, and Japan etc. found the terms of engagement unfavorable and started to focus on developing regional alliances. Breaking of global supply chains due to outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic provided further...

In the past 6 years, several significant events have occurred that would shape the new global order in the next decade or two. I would particularly like to mention the following ten events that in my view could potentially prove to be transformative for the global order: 1.      Incorporation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) into the Constitution of the Chinese Communist Party. (2017) 2.      Abolition of time limits, allowing Xi Jinping to remain General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and chairman of the Central Military Commission for life. (2018) (After winning an overwhelming majority in the 2020 elections, Russian President Vladimir Putin is also eligible to stay in office until 2036.) 3.      The Exit of the UK from the common European market (the EU) (2017-2020); and the elevation of the first non-white person (Rishi Sunak) to the office of Prime Minister of the UK in 2022. 4.      The ...

  The latest G20 Summit, hosted by India ended on a cheerful note. Apparently, most delegates and dignitaries enjoyed the Indian hospitality, especially the colorful ambiance and brilliant food. It was perhaps for the first time ever that a host country added so much festivities to a G20 summit. The city was virtually shut down to control traffic, minimize air pollution, and allow safe passage for the delegates. Overall, the theme appeared similar to the famous three-day-long fat Indian wedding. The guests were welcomed in the same manner as a traditional Indian household would welcome a bridegroom’s family. They participated in a variety of events, unrelated to the G20 geo-economic agenda. The main venue of the summit (Bharat Mandapam) was decorated like a grand marriage pandal with colorful lighting, décor, traditional dancers, and all welcoming staff dressed in fine attires. The bride’s family displayed its finery (UPI, rich culinary traditions, classical architecture, colorful ...