For Bangladesh and India, the past year has been about celebrating 50 years of Bangladesh and commemorating the iconic event, the Liberation War of Bangladesh, one that irreversibly changed the political landscape of South Asia.
On 21st February 2022 Vivekananda International Foundation organised a virtual book discussion on “The Janajatis of Nepal” authored by Professor Hari Bansh Jha. The welcome address was delivered Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, Vivekananda International Foundation. The speakers included Mr. Rajendra Mahato, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Nepal, Professor Hari Bansh Jha, Executive Director, Centre for Economic and Technical Studies, Kathmandu, Nepal.
On 27th January 2022, Vivekananda International Foundation organised a discussion on Integrated Country Strategy: From Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions in India (2021/2023). In the last few months, India-Sri Lanka Relations have seen significant developments.
A virtual talk was organised by the Vivekananda International Foundation on 21 October 2021 on India-Bhutan Relations. The talk delved upon the following areas.
On 31st January 2022, Vivekananda International Foundation organised a talk on "50 years of Bangladesh and its Evolving Ties with India". 2021 marked the Golden Jubilee of the Liberation War and 50 years of India-Bangladesh ties. It also marked the 100th Birth Anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of Bangladesh. Additionally, 2022 marks 75 years of India's Independence. The 50 years of India-Bangladesh friendship are built on the sacrifices made by the Indian forces and Bangladesh warriors in the Liberation War.
On 04 January 2022, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organised a talk on "Recent Visit of Foreign Secretary to Myanmar and India-Myanmar Relations”. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, gave the introductory remarks followed by Amb Rajiv Bhatia and Amb Gautam Mukhopadhaya making presentations respectively. Both of them have served as Ambassadors to Myanmar in the previous decades. Dr Gupta spoke about India's interests and role in the country.
India and Iran share close historical and cultural links dating back to ancient times. In contemporary times, this relationship is multi-faceted and includes cooperation in political, trade-economic, security, and multiple other sectors. To assess the developments after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) Iran organized a virtual dialogue on The Latest Development in Afghanistan in collaboration with the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) on September 7, 2021, 12:00-1330 Hrs. Dr.
The Maldives has attracted international attention due to the increased importance of the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region. India-Maldives relations have made immense progress in the past years. The relations have seen significant positive developments, such as signing of the agreement for the Great Male Connectivity Project (GMCP). However, the relations face two major challenges - the presence of Islamic radicalisation and China’s increasing economic clout in the country. The brief also discusses Maldives relationship with the United States (US), China, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The Vivekananda International Foundation organised a book discussion on “Kathmandu Dilemma: Resetting India-Nepal Ties”on November 05, 2021. The event was chaired by Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF. Author of the book Ambassador Ranjit Rae delivered a talk on the book followed by a discussion of the book by Prof. Sangeeta Thapliyal, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan (Ret.), 11th Gorkha Rifles, Indian Army.
The Vivekananda International Foundation organized an interactive session with Shri Sunil Bahadur Thapa, Joint General Secretary, Nepali Congress, and Member of Constituent Assembly on 08 November 2021. Shri Thapa was joined by Brishaw Parajuli, Representative and Country Director, United Nations World Food Programme, Nepal. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, chaired the session and delivered introductory remarks on India-Nepal bilateral relations and the impact of the domestic politics of Nepal. The other participants included Ambassador Jayanta Prasad, Professor Sangeeta Thapliyal, Dr.