Had it not been for the COVID-19 and Abe Shizo’s ill health, Tokyo Olympic 20201 would have been a crowning glory on the political career of modern Japan’s most consequential Prime Minister. Alas! That was not to be. Showcasing Japan as the world’s great ‘Soft Power’ on global scale was the dream of Abe Shinzo ever since he won at ‘Rio 2016’ the rights to organize Olympic 2020 in Tokyo. Remembering 1964, the golden 60s, Japan went ecstatic about the decision.

The emerging regional security threats post-US withdrawal from Afghanistan has led to an active engagement between Pakistan and Central Asian republics (CARs). The US and NATO forces were scheduled to be withdrawn from Afghanistan by 11 September 2021, but the military mission will be ending by 31 August 2021, earlier than the given time.1 Since the Intra-Afghan talks are nowhere near to an agreeable solution and the Taliban continues its violence against Afghan people and armed forces, Afghanistan’s future is again on the brink.

As the largest bay in the world, the bay of Bengal holds pivotal importance for the countries surrounding it. During the 4th submit of BIMSTEC, countries discussed the challenges of environmental degradation and climate change, and how the Himalayan ecosystem was related to the ocean ecosystem. Dr Sreeradha Datta has taken the initiative from the VIF, to edit a book on “BIMSTEC: The journey and the way forward” with the contributions of 23 scholars and experts. Join Ruwanthi Jayasekara and Cchavi Vasisht to discuss the importance of the blue economy and the importance of BIMSTEC region.