India Quarterly, Volume 79, Issue 4, Page 594-610, December 2023.
Close historical, social, cultural and economic ties and geographical proximity present ample opportunity for both Iran and India to advance their national interests by forging strong bilateral relations. Rich in energy resources, particularly oil and gas, Iran can meet India’s growing demand for energy while serving as an international transit route in India’s march towards global prominence and power. India, on the other hand, can help Iran in its testing times to end its isolation and contribute to its economic development. The ground reality, however, is different. India, while maintaining some level of cooperation with Iran, has been increasingly looking towards other countries like Saudi Arabia and Iraq to meet its energy demands. Based on descriptive-analytical research methodology, the article posits that the shift in the Indian foreign policy paradigm from Nehruism during the Cold War period to pragmatism in the post-Cold War period has negatively impacted Iran–India relations. A number of additional factors hinder the development of positive Iran–India relations. The present article considers the role of third countries such as the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and China as important factors impeding positive Tehran–Delhi relations.
Pursuing Profit: An Insight into the Notion, Ethics and Practices of a Trader as Depicted in the Ardhakathanaka
Indian Historical Review, Volume 50, Issue 2, Page 266-279, December 2023.
It is a general belief that when a person undertakes any business enterprise, he calculates profit as his ultimate aim. Profit is defined as the monetary gain made by a person by selling something for more than it costs him. As per the norms of the economic concept of medieval Europe, moral scruples such as greed and avarice were associated with the notion of profit. This in turn acted as a hindrance to pursue profit while undertaking the profession of business. In the sixteenth century, due to Calvinism, the life of business was given a new sanctity. In the context of India, we can anchor the fact that the calculation of profit was an integral aspect of the existence of the community of bania. This can be established with the help of a study of the Ardhakathanaka—an autobiographical memoir. It was written by Banarasidas in A.D. 1641 (V.S. 1698) when he was living at Agra. Banarasidas was a middle-class Jain merchant. While understanding the notion of profit, the present article looks into the aspect of whether religion acts as a restraint or promotes business as a profession. It enables us to seek an insight into the mercantile world of the early sixteenth and late seventeenth centuries. This was also the time when the Mughal Empire was in its heyday. The Ardhakathanaka is an invaluable contemporary source; hence, it has great historical value. Profit being an integral aspect of mercantile life, this feature is explicitly highlighted in the Ardhakathanaka. We get to know about the motives and methods employed by the bania community to earn profit. Despite providing immense, crucial information associated with mercantile life, historians have not highlighted this aspect of the Ardhakathanaka. The article is an attempt to draw the gaze of historians to a primary source providing vital first-hand information regarding the motives and methods in the pursuit of profit during the medieval period.
It is a general belief that when a person undertakes any business enterprise, he calculates profit as his ultimate aim. Profit is defined as the monetary gain made by a person by selling something for more than it costs him. As per the norms of the economic concept of medieval Europe, moral scruples such as greed and avarice were associated with the notion of profit. This in turn acted as a hindrance to pursue profit while undertaking the profession of business. In the sixteenth century, due to Calvinism, the life of business was given a new sanctity. In the context of India, we can anchor the fact that the calculation of profit was an integral aspect of the existence of the community of bania. This can be established with the help of a study of the Ardhakathanaka—an autobiographical memoir. It was written by Banarasidas in A.D. 1641 (V.S. 1698) when he was living at Agra. Banarasidas was a middle-class Jain merchant. While understanding the notion of profit, the present article looks into the aspect of whether religion acts as a restraint or promotes business as a profession. It enables us to seek an insight into the mercantile world of the early sixteenth and late seventeenth centuries. This was also the time when the Mughal Empire was in its heyday. The Ardhakathanaka is an invaluable contemporary source; hence, it has great historical value. Profit being an integral aspect of mercantile life, this feature is explicitly highlighted in the Ardhakathanaka. We get to know about the motives and methods employed by the bania community to earn profit. Despite providing immense, crucial information associated with mercantile life, historians have not highlighted this aspect of the Ardhakathanaka. The article is an attempt to draw the gaze of historians to a primary source providing vital first-hand information regarding the motives and methods in the pursuit of profit during the medieval period.
Walking a Tightrope: Assessing India’s Engagements with G20 and BRICS
India Quarterly, Volume 79, Issue 4, Page 525-534, December 2023.
Both the G20 and BRICS forums were established roughly at around the same time. This article examines India’s engagement with both these forums in the context of its complex position as a leader representing the Global South and a newly emerged power seeking an elevated status in international diplomacy. The study begins by highlighting India’s initial scepticism towards the G20 and its preference for the transformative potential of BRICS. However, under Modi, India’s approach gradually shifted towards embracing the G20, driven by multiple factors. The article also explores the relevance of BRICS for India amidst its growing inclination towards the G20. It argues that India cannot afford to undermine BRICS, as it would strengthen China’s claims as the sole representative of the Global South. However, its aim to balance China within the BRICS has proven to be challenging owing to recent developments that have complicated matters for India.
Both the G20 and BRICS forums were established roughly at around the same time. This article examines India’s engagement with both these forums in the context of its complex position as a leader representing the Global South and a newly emerged power seeking an elevated status in international diplomacy. The study begins by highlighting India’s initial scepticism towards the G20 and its preference for the transformative potential of BRICS. However, under Modi, India’s approach gradually shifted towards embracing the G20, driven by multiple factors. The article also explores the relevance of BRICS for India amidst its growing inclination towards the G20. It argues that India cannot afford to undermine BRICS, as it would strengthen China’s claims as the sole representative of the Global South. However, its aim to balance China within the BRICS has proven to be challenging owing to recent developments that have complicated matters for India.
Assessment of Possible Economic Alignment Between G20 Nations with Special Focus on India, G7 and G12: A General Equilibrium Analysis
India Quarterly, Volume 79, Issue 4, Page 535-551, December 2023.
The article analyses the ex-ante effects of India’s possible alignment with G20 countries. The study considers G7, G12 and G20 countries as separate blocks. The study analyses India’s bilateral tariff and non-tariff liberalisation, free flow of factors of production, Global Value Chain (GVC) participation, output-oriented technological progress in manufacturing, transport and communication and the introduction of shipping technology in India. The study considers liberalisation in G7 standalone, G12 standalone, G20 standalone and also G20 comprehensive liberalisation. The study also considers India’s bilateral standalone liberalisation with G7, G12 and G20 countries separately using computable general equilibrium (CGE) analysis with the help of the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) 10 database. The overall results indicate that strengthening of GVC standalone in the G20 region may bring maximum welfare to the region. Further, the sectors which may gain the most seem to be grain crops, meat and meat products, textiles and apparel, etc., and in terms of factors of production, all other factors of production would gain but land and natural resources seem to lose in terms of real returns to factor of production. Addressing issues related to factor movements and policies strengthening GVCs can bring about relatively higher growth and welfare, respectively, in the G20 nations as compared to other trade and industrial policies.
The article analyses the ex-ante effects of India’s possible alignment with G20 countries. The study considers G7, G12 and G20 countries as separate blocks. The study analyses India’s bilateral tariff and non-tariff liberalisation, free flow of factors of production, Global Value Chain (GVC) participation, output-oriented technological progress in manufacturing, transport and communication and the introduction of shipping technology in India. The study considers liberalisation in G7 standalone, G12 standalone, G20 standalone and also G20 comprehensive liberalisation. The study also considers India’s bilateral standalone liberalisation with G7, G12 and G20 countries separately using computable general equilibrium (CGE) analysis with the help of the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) 10 database. The overall results indicate that strengthening of GVC standalone in the G20 region may bring maximum welfare to the region. Further, the sectors which may gain the most seem to be grain crops, meat and meat products, textiles and apparel, etc., and in terms of factors of production, all other factors of production would gain but land and natural resources seem to lose in terms of real returns to factor of production. Addressing issues related to factor movements and policies strengthening GVCs can bring about relatively higher growth and welfare, respectively, in the G20 nations as compared to other trade and industrial policies.
The G-20 Opportunity for India
India Quarterly, Volume 79, Issue 4, Page 461-466, December 2023.
The forthcoming G-20 summit in New Delhi offers India the opportunity to represent the concerns and aspirations of the Global South even while serving as a bridge between the developed and the developing world. A large number of preparatory meetings have been hosted by India in several important domains such as finance, public health, climate change and the digital economy, among others. These promise substantive outcomes at the summit but the key will be practical follow-up. The summit is overshadowed by the sharp divisions among members over the ongoing Ukraine War. It will be a challenge for India to keep the focus on the urgent need for countries to work together on cross-national and cross-domain issues. The summit opens up an expanded diplomatic space for India and raises its regional and international profile.
The forthcoming G-20 summit in New Delhi offers India the opportunity to represent the concerns and aspirations of the Global South even while serving as a bridge between the developed and the developing world. A large number of preparatory meetings have been hosted by India in several important domains such as finance, public health, climate change and the digital economy, among others. These promise substantive outcomes at the summit but the key will be practical follow-up. The summit is overshadowed by the sharp divisions among members over the ongoing Ukraine War. It will be a challenge for India to keep the focus on the urgent need for countries to work together on cross-national and cross-domain issues. The summit opens up an expanded diplomatic space for India and raises its regional and international profile.
India’s G20 Presidency: An Opportune Time for Strengthening Global Health Agenda
India Quarterly, Volume 79, Issue 4, Page 498-513, December 2023.
Healthcare must be prioritised in multilateral platforms like the G20, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic from which the world is still recovering. India’s G20 presidency in 2023 is being hailed by various emerging economies and international organisations for its potential in espousing universal health coverage (UHC), digital health innovation, better healthcare architecture and service delivery as primary drivers in achieving robust healthcare systems in the twenty-first century. This leadership year of G20 gives a unique chance to boost sustainable growth in healthcare across the country, the developing world, and beyond. Therefore, this article aims to analyse the role of G20 in promoting global health as a vital agenda on its platform comprising the developed world, emerging economies and low- and middle-income countries. The article also seeks to review the health track priorities under India’s presidency and its potential for developing global health architecture in the forthcoming years. Last but not least, the article delves into the question of what are the challenges encountered by the G20 multilateral platform, along with some potential avenues for future cooperation.
Healthcare must be prioritised in multilateral platforms like the G20, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic from which the world is still recovering. India’s G20 presidency in 2023 is being hailed by various emerging economies and international organisations for its potential in espousing universal health coverage (UHC), digital health innovation, better healthcare architecture and service delivery as primary drivers in achieving robust healthcare systems in the twenty-first century. This leadership year of G20 gives a unique chance to boost sustainable growth in healthcare across the country, the developing world, and beyond. Therefore, this article aims to analyse the role of G20 in promoting global health as a vital agenda on its platform comprising the developed world, emerging economies and low- and middle-income countries. The article also seeks to review the health track priorities under India’s presidency and its potential for developing global health architecture in the forthcoming years. Last but not least, the article delves into the question of what are the challenges encountered by the G20 multilateral platform, along with some potential avenues for future cooperation.
Pursuing Profit: An Insight into the Notion, Ethics and Practices of a Trader as Depicted in the Ardhakathanaka
Indian Historical Review, Volume 50, Issue 2, Page 266-279, December 2023.
It is a general belief that when a person undertakes any business enterprise, he calculates profit as his ultimate aim. Profit is defined as the monetary gain made by a person by selling something for more than it costs him. As per the norms of the economic concept of medieval Europe, moral scruples such as greed and avarice were associated with the notion of profit. This in turn acted as a hindrance to pursue profit while undertaking the profession of business. In the sixteenth century, due to Calvinism, the life of business was given a new sanctity. In the context of India, we can anchor the fact that the calculation of profit was an integral aspect of the existence of the community of bania. This can be established with the help of a study of the Ardhakathanaka—an autobiographical memoir. It was written by Banarasidas in A.D. 1641 (V.S. 1698) when he was living at Agra. Banarasidas was a middle-class Jain merchant. While understanding the notion of profit, the present article looks into the aspect of whether religion acts as a restraint or promotes business as a profession. It enables us to seek an insight into the mercantile world of the early sixteenth and late seventeenth centuries. This was also the time when the Mughal Empire was in its heyday. The Ardhakathanaka is an invaluable contemporary source; hence, it has great historical value. Profit being an integral aspect of mercantile life, this feature is explicitly highlighted in the Ardhakathanaka. We get to know about the motives and methods employed by the bania community to earn profit. Despite providing immense, crucial information associated with mercantile life, historians have not highlighted this aspect of the Ardhakathanaka. The article is an attempt to draw the gaze of historians to a primary source providing vital first-hand information regarding the motives and methods in the pursuit of profit during the medieval period.
It is a general belief that when a person undertakes any business enterprise, he calculates profit as his ultimate aim. Profit is defined as the monetary gain made by a person by selling something for more than it costs him. As per the norms of the economic concept of medieval Europe, moral scruples such as greed and avarice were associated with the notion of profit. This in turn acted as a hindrance to pursue profit while undertaking the profession of business. In the sixteenth century, due to Calvinism, the life of business was given a new sanctity. In the context of India, we can anchor the fact that the calculation of profit was an integral aspect of the existence of the community of bania. This can be established with the help of a study of the Ardhakathanaka—an autobiographical memoir. It was written by Banarasidas in A.D. 1641 (V.S. 1698) when he was living at Agra. Banarasidas was a middle-class Jain merchant. While understanding the notion of profit, the present article looks into the aspect of whether religion acts as a restraint or promotes business as a profession. It enables us to seek an insight into the mercantile world of the early sixteenth and late seventeenth centuries. This was also the time when the Mughal Empire was in its heyday. The Ardhakathanaka is an invaluable contemporary source; hence, it has great historical value. Profit being an integral aspect of mercantile life, this feature is explicitly highlighted in the Ardhakathanaka. We get to know about the motives and methods employed by the bania community to earn profit. Despite providing immense, crucial information associated with mercantile life, historians have not highlighted this aspect of the Ardhakathanaka. The article is an attempt to draw the gaze of historians to a primary source providing vital first-hand information regarding the motives and methods in the pursuit of profit during the medieval period.
Law and spiritual sanctions: asserting the stability of pro anima donation charters in late tenth- and eleventh-century central Italy
Towards a Post-Colonial Eco-Cosmopolitanism: Reviving the Sense of Place in Uzma Aslam Khan’s Thinner Than Skin
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Synchronizing the Dalan, Chandal Aesthetics and Namashudrayan in ManoranjanByapari’s Autobiography Interrogating My Chandal Life
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