Policy Update Nagul Prana K.S. Background Source: In recent years, economic connectivity has become an increasingly important part of global geopolitics. Countries are now using trade corridors, infrastructure projects, and regional partnerships not only for economic growth but also to…
Policy Update Ameya Satam Background: From May 5 to 7, 2026, President To Lam visited India to strengthen the bilateral relationship between India and Vietnam. On May 6, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President To Lam met at…
The once-in-a-generation free trade agreement between India and New Zealand is a comprehensive framework that encompasses market access, agricultural productivity, investment, talent mobility, collaboration in sports, tourism, and people-to-people ties, marking a historic milestone in bilateral economic relations.(Ministry of Commerce and Industry, 2025). The FTA is designed to benefit manufacturers, farmers, MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, students, and skilled professionals across both nations.
The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is one of the most strategically important maritime regions in the world. Encompassing critical sea lanes through which over 80 percent of the world's energy supplies transit, it is simultaneously a zone of immense economic opportunity and increasing security threats such as piracy, human trafficking, illicit arms transfer and unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing (Indian Navy, 2015).
Naval power has been a major determinant of power since ancient times. In the contemporary era of geopolitics, control over certain sea lanes of communication (SLOC), important maritime ports and important straits like the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait has become a domain of power struggle. At the same time, the Indo-Pacific region is slowly becoming the epicentre of the world with almost 60% of the Global GDP and 65% of the population concentrated in this region
The Strait of Malacca, through which over 80,000 vessels transit annually, constitutes one of the world’s most strategically consequential maritime chokepoints. Stretching for approximately 900 kilometres between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, this narrow sea lane connects the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea and serves as the primary artery for maritime and naval commerce between East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Over the past two decades, India and the European Union (EU) have developed a strong strategic partnership especially in the sphere of technology. Both partners view technological collaboration as crucial for economic growth, sustainable development and global governance of emerging technologies. Both India and the European Union are technological giants in their own capacity. India is home to some of the best minds in the IT sector and Europe has the most established industries in the technological sector.