“Trump's shadow looms large over BRICS as Modi hosts Putin and Xi in Delhi.” The BBC ran this headline on September 11, just a day before the summit officially opened in New Delhi. Before the declaration was signed, before the leaders sat down to negotiate a consensus, Washington had already entered the story without being invited. BRICS leaders unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration on the first day of the summit. Illustration by The Geostrata Within days, Russia was

Beyond the diplomatic talks, policy briefings and economic discussions, a quiet layer of soft power was at work during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. India showcased its rich cultural heritage through arts, crafts and thoughtful diplomatic gifting to create an environment of warmth and mutual respect, making delegates feel welcomed. This was diplomacy meeting culture, where culture acted as an informal ambassador to build connections. It shows how connections extend beyo

For Mongolia, geography does not just act as a hindrance to its foreign policy. In fact, geography is where foreign policy begins, since the country lies between Russia and China and therefore has to engage both countries diplomatically. Yet closer engagement with either also carries the risk of dependence. Mongolia’s response has traditionally been to balance its two neighbours while cultivating a network of “Third Neighbours” beyond its immediate geography. Recent developme

For years, Ankara balanced its position on the agenda of air defence systems while being constantly tested by both sides. On one hand, it acquired the Russian-made S-400 Triumf long- and medium-range anti-aircraft missile system, and on the other, it continued its appeal to Washington about its interest in obtaining access to American F-35 Fighter jets. Illustration by The Geostrata The contradiction deepened as Ankara insisted on keeping the American F-35, while Washington i

The world has already discovered India's culture. India is still discovering what it can do with it. For thousands of years, yoga has been an inseparable part of India’s civilizational heritage. It is a philosophy based on harmony of mind, body, and spirit rather than a system of physical postures. Similar to Ayurveda, classical arts, spiritual traditions and indigenous knowledge systems, yoga is a model of a worldview that has been formative to Indian society and continues

Thirty years is a long time to have a relationship without showing up. Despite the absence of a prime ministerial visit between 1993 and 2026, India and Slovakia consistently strengthened their diplomatic, defense, and economic partnership. The lack of a high-level visit did not diminish the importance either country attached to the relationship, which continued to grow through sustained engagement across multiple sectors. Modi came to Bratislava in June, and commentaries soo

The study of food has always been traditionally approached from three angles: agriculture, public health, and local heritage. But in today's international system, food has become a potent resource for soft power and geopolitical chess. Governments increasingly use restaurants, trade agreements, and UNESCO heritage lists to project soft power, build nation-brands, and conduct public diplomacy. Illustration by The Geostrata Governments with an interest in shaping the overall im

Growing competition in outer space provides India with a unique opportunity to shape a narrative in which collaboration, rather than confrontation, drives space exploration. Recognised as a trustworthy and cost-effective spacefaring nation, India is now well placed to transform its technological advances into enduring international partnerships that contribute to scientific progress, economic growth, and sustainable development. Illustration by The Geostrata India's journey i

The growing ties between India and Vietnam have always been traditionally viewed in the context of hard power realpolitik in the Indo-Pacific geopolitical landscape. Activities such as joint naval exercises, defense lines of credit, and strategic alignments in the South China Sea are cited as classic examples of pursuing a balance of power. Yet framing this partnership solely as a reactive response to security pressures overlooks its deepest foundation, which is a shared civi

Think of CBAM as a carbon toll booth at Europe’s border. It applies a carbon tax to certain goods imported into the EU, ensuring that imported goods, particularly those at the greatest risk of carbon leakage, face similar carbon-related costs to those produced within the EU. The framework works in two steps. First, EU importers must measure and report the carbon emissions embedded in the goods they bring in. Then, from January 2026, they will be required to pay. Illustration

India is one of the fastest-growing energy markets on the planet, while being the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil and the second-largest importer. Yet for a country whose economy depends substantially on imported oil, the strategic reserves portray quite an alarming story, a vision where infrastructure has grown but not quite fast enough. Illustration by The Geostrata THE SCALE OF DEPENDENCE To understand why India’s oil storage matters, it is imperative to first

Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake - Napoleon Bonaparte The geo-political architecture of West Asia experienced a traumatic rupture in February 2026, when, in a joint military operation, the USA and Israel conducted airstrikes on Iran, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military and political actors in Tehran, plunging Washington and Tehran into a full-scale conflict. Illustration by The Geostrata Ignited by increasing rivalry bet

The US-Iran Ceasefire requires more investigation to show that Pakistan's alleged role as mediator is both exaggerated and misinterpreted. Islamabad presents itself as a diplomatic power, yet its actual work consists of serving as a liaison between major international players. The evaluation of ceasefire stability over the coming months requires this distinction between the two categories. Illustration by The Geostrata Pakistan’s conduct during the crisis was, by most ac

The collapse of the Islamabad talks after 21 hours of negotiations does not, on its own, determine whether the war will resume. What it does is confirm that the two-week ceasefire, expiring around 22 April, was never a diplomatic instrument designed to produce peace but rather a tactical pause in which both sides repositioned for the next phase of coercion. Illustration by Geopolitics Next Washington’s core demand, a binding Iranian commitment to abandon its nuclear weapons c

The combined US-Israel operations - Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion, followed by Iran's retaliatory attacks under Operation Truthful Promise 4, once again plunged West Asia into crisis. The ongoing war is projected to last for 4-5 weeks or longer, potentially exerting a significant impact on the global economy and supply chain resilience. The key motive behind the sudden escalation amid mediation talks under Oman remains unclear. Illustration by The Geostrata

Every year, millions of Muslims gather in Mecca for a spiritual journey of Hajj and Umrah , which is one of the largest and most influential pilgrimages. Geopolitically, religious pilgrimages have shaped civilisations and cultural connections. Hajj and umrah, along with spiritual essence, are tools of soft power for Saudi Arabia and not just an administrative responsibility. Illustration by The Geostrata Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and is a mandatory act once in

India, also known as Bharatvarsh, was the land that once stretched all the way from Kandahar and Ghazni in the northwest (present-day Afghanistan) to present-day Southeast Asia. A land that had flourished as a hub of knowledge, science, and culture turned into a region marred by nearly 800 years of continuous conflict. Illustration by The Geostrata Geography placed India at the crossroads of continents, commerce, faiths, and empires, from the bone-chilling mountain passes of

India is set to host two key summits in 2026, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) and the BRICS, assuming crucial geopolitical significance across the Indo-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. New Delhi’s active role in the BRICS underscores India's outreach to the Global South, working towards a multipolar world order. The QUAD, on the other hand, has a diversified agenda ranging from maritime security to developmental partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. Illustration by

The G20 Presidency was handed over to South Africa on 1 December 2024, a historic day that highlights the growing influence of emerging developing nations on the global stage. For the first time, South Africa is hosting global leaders under the G20 summit, providing an opportunity and platform to shape responses on digital infrastructure, global governance, climate and energy transition, with the Global South being at the core of the discussion. Illustration by The Geostrat

Southeast Asia’s geopolitics and cultural diplomacy have become essential tools in the 21st century for establishing relationships that go beyond political strategies and economic interests. The relationship between China, India, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is the best example to understand the point of culture in International Relations. Illustration by The Geostrata Southeast Asia has been considered where East and West civilisations met, India an