Diplomatist Magazine DIplomatist September 2018

Publisher’s Note Welcome to the September Edition of the Diplomatist! This month, we bring you an insightful report on Taiwan. In the backdrop of the upcoming National Day celebrations, The Diplomatist gives you a peek into how Taiwan continues to contribute to the UN goals. Apart from releasing its ﬁ rst Voluntary National Review last year, Taiwan has also provided developmental assistance to other countries. Our Special Report on India’s bilateral relations with Afghanistan, apart from providing useful information on potential areas for business and lucrative markets, also gives an insight into the positive trajectory of relations between India and the Heart of Asia Nation. Global Centre Stage looks at the various aspects of the United States’ foreign policy. We take you through the NAFTA negotiations and the consequent geo-political reshufﬂ ing around it. Whatever the outcome may be, its implications will not just heavily affect the trade relations between the North American countries, but also the wider geopolitical theatre. Read on to find out how the US’s disagreements with Turkey will impact their bilateral trade and defence cooperation. American President Donald Trump needs his Turkish counterpart Erdogan’s military support to enact his campaign promises to create safe zones in the war-ravaged Syria and to bring US troops back home. Retired Australian Diplomat AO Peter Joseph Varghese, in an interview with the Diplomatist, stresses on the need for better India-Australia relations, given that both the countries are natural partners in the Indo-Paciﬁ c region. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrated its 88th National Day on 23 September. The Saudi Ambassador writes to the Diplomatist on how the Desert nation has progressed and what the journey looks like ahead. We cover in detail the BIMSTEC Summit in Nepal. The Summit points to the fact that despite its dearth of a Charter and strong institutional mechanism, the BIMSTEC member nations performed a military exercise addressing common efforts to control international terrorism, illicit drug trafﬁ cking, cross border organised crime, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, speaks candidly to the Diplomatist on improving ties with India. This was the ﬁ rst visit of a Moldovan Foreign Minister in the last 25 years. Find out how Moldovan wine is playing a role in enhancing cultural diplomacy between the two nations! In another interview with the Diplomatist, the Economic and Commercial Counselor of Peru to India, Luis Miguel Arroyo, provides an elaborate picture about the commercial ties between the two nations and what more could be done to expand ties in the private sector. Through the “Japan-Sri Lanka Maritime Relations”, understand the delicate balancing act between the two countries, and how they aim to achieve peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. We also bring to you an analysis on the signiﬁ cance of Vostok-2018 — the largest military drill held by Russia with China and Mongolia. The partnership between Russia and China has grown stronger, especially after the West-led 2014 sanctions on Moscow. The September Edition of the Diplomatist also carries a prelude to the Brazilian election. It is important to note that irrespective of the outcome, the election will impact the entire region of Latin America. Africa Diary covers the growing interest of the UK in the continent, in the backdrop of British Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Given that policymakers in London are overwhelmed by Brexit, it is signiﬁ cant to note that UK’s National Security Council conﬁ rmed a new Africa strategy earlier this year. Further, get a glimpse of the ﬁ rst "Nelson Mandela Peace Summit", held in tribute to the late South African President’s celebrated qualities and service to humanity. Enjoy reading an enlightening article on how Pakistan’s government under the new Prime Minister Imran Khan is handling the country’s foreign policy and domestic issues. Pakistan also ﬁ nds mention in Spotlight in a comparative analysis with India, of their defence and diplomatic outcomes, revealing the need to institutionalise competing socio-political and geo-strategic components. 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 9 • September 2018, Noida • 3

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