Publisher’s Note
Welcome to the October-November Edition of the Diplomatist!
In the international arena, these two months were very interesting with major happenings that seem set to
shape the future of world dynamics. The death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is an example. Global
Centre Stage looks at whether the incident will impact world politics or change the nature of relations between
countries. We bring you insights analysing Saudi-US relations and whether the ‘Davos in the Desert’ Summit
is a Mirage.
The other signifi cant episode was the political clamour in Britain as it came to the fi nal stages of Brexit
Mode. The Diplomatist brings a glimpse into the Royal Family Narrative - the one narrative that still somehow
holds it all together in British psyche; as well as a ‘new geopolitical perspective for the European Union’.
James Brokenshire, UK Secretary, writes on his visit to India to inaugurate the highly anticipated UK-India
FutureTech Festival.
2018 marks the 100th year for a couple of historical events; one of them being the centenary of end of
the Great War. Refl ections on the Armistice, that was signed on "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the
eleventh month" in 1918, can be approached through various perspectives. Inside Europe, we further look at
the independence anniversary of both Hungary and Poland. Culture Connect brings you a slice of the latter’s
100-year history through music.
India, Russia and the US are In Focus. Read on to get an analysis of how Bosnian Serb President Milorad
Dodik would want to balance America though he leans closer to Russia; the current state of the Indo-Russian
relationship and its future prospects in the backdrop of the 19th bilateral Summit between Modi and Putin.
Enjoy reading how India maneuvers its strategy in a turbulent geopolitical landscape such as the Indo-Pacifi c
and South China Sea; and how the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will “deepen” economic ties
between China and Pakistan.
This edition of the Diplomatist pays tribute to two of the most eminent architects of modern India - Father
of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and the fi rst Prime Minister of Independent India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. As
India moves towards celebrating 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi, the Lead Story looks at how the proliferation
of Gandhian philosophy in all walks of life is the greatest exercise in India’s Soft Power. Memoir on Nehru
points out that the values that make up the core of what India and her foreign policy is, were consolidated by
this world renowned statesman.
Spotlight is on the Afghanistan parliamentary elections which were held after a long-delay of more than
three years. The parliamentary vote is a prelude to the presidential election scheduled for April 2019. Enjoy
Perspectives on how India needs to engage itself in the Arctic region for its energy security; and how the
annual UN General Assembly clearly revealed that despite there being some trust defi cit disorder amongst the
nation-states, there was a call for collective actions to uphold multilateralism and globalization.
Africa Diary looks into the third summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and provides
an analysis of how signifi cant are Chinese programs of aid and investment to Africa.
We bring you these and more! We hope you enjoy reading this edition as much as we enjoyed getting it
ready for you! As always, we welcome your feedback and comments.
Linda Brady Hawke
Publisher
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 10 • Oct-Nov 2018, Noida • 3