Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) , a trade agreement linking ten ASEAN countries with five of their key Free Trade Agreement partners, is one of the largest trade blocs in the world. Illustration by The Geostrata The RCEP treaty is significant due to its representation of nearly a third of the world’s gross domestic product , encompassing a population of over two billion people and an estimated $5.2 trillion in total exports. Despite its scale and s

When the Paris Agreement was adopted in December 2015, it was seen as a rare moment of global alignment, as for the first time, 197 countries accepted a shared framework to respond to climate change while still keeping control over how that response would unfold nationally. It was significant for India because climate change had never been an abstract future risk, as it was already becoming evident in longer summers, erratic monsoons, dried-up farmlands, and increasing pre

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

A diverse country like India is home to states that differ sharply in income levels, population pressures, geography, and administrative capacity, giving rise to vast and uneven fiscal pressures that can't be fulfilled with a one-size-fits-all system. Illustration by The Geostrata Fiscal Federalism is at the heart of the Indian Economy, sustaining strong Centre-State relations and upholding political legitimacy. In this backdrop, the constitution provides a balance between th

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s sweeping electoral victory has inevitably triggered a familiar question in New Delhi’s strategic circles: what does a BNP-led Dhaka mean for India? Illustration by The Geostrata The concern is not hollow , as memories of strained ties during the earlier BNP rule remain fresh in the minds of experts and people alike. But geopolitics rarely allows countries the luxury of nostalgia. Today’s world, where alliances are changing at an unpreceden

The ocean has always represented a kind of duality for India: it has offered far-reaching opportunities while exposing subtle weaknesses. The extent of India’s maritime footprint, with 7,516 kilometres of coastline and more than 2.4 million sq kilometres of Exclusive Economic Zone, dwarfs India’s landmass. While the Indian Ocean Region holds strategic significance for India, it also represents the economic lifeblood of the world. Approximately 40% of the physical oil trade a

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 fighting spirit which the women folk of Iran have shown, will someday become a folk Lore to inspire character, consistency and credence. IRAN'S HISTORY - MESOPOTAMIA TO PERSIA AND TODAY'S CONUNDRUM Iran’s present-day struggle over women’s rights cannot be understood without looking far beyond the modern Islamic Republic. The roots of gendered control in Iran stretch deep into history, long before contemporary political Islam, and even before the formation of Persia itself

The map of the world represents more than the geography of land and water; it is a cartography of power that the historic aggressors hold. For almost two centuries, invisible lines have crisscrossed the globe, not just representing sovereign borders, but also demarcating “backyards” – zones where great powers are asserting the unspoken rule that “might is right”. Illustration by The Geostrata In 1823, a ghost was born in the United States of America that continues to haunt t

Myanmar represents far more than a neighbouring Southeast Asian nation to China; it is a strategically indispensable asset upon which Beijing has constructed an intricate system of economic, military, and political dependency. China, over the years, has increased its role in the nation, especially its hold in Myanmar, which has increased after the military coup of 2021. Illustration by The Geostrata The Chinese have made sure that Myanmar's dependency on them remains intact,

“Our lives don’t matter,” a Hindu farmer said in a reported account. "The situation is horrific," added a Hindu community leader, "we are not receiving any support from anywhere." Innumerable testimonies like these, along with chilling images that surfaced across Bangladesh of Hindu men beaten and set on fire by rabid mobs, have laid bare how a brutal, systematic persecution of religious minorities is taking place under the country’s current political dispensation. Illust

"Somewhere Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe's problems are the world's problems, but the world's problems are not Europe's problems” Dr S. Jaishankar (Indian External Affairs Minister) The world today has been confronted with the strange reality of trade protectionism and aggressive tariff policies, which stem from the thought of intrinsic economic development amongst multiple countries, starting with the US. What was earlier seen as protectionism and reignit

The lawsuit against Meta, filed by 42 states , points to a shift in digital transparency and accountability for big corporations and tech companies. As the misuse of social media platforms and their effects on mental health and behaviour of individuals comes to light, the lawsuit highlights the systematic misuse of resources and information by Meta to best suit their agenda. Illustration by The Geostrata The US Court Filings allege that Meta had purposefully hidden internal

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

Global heritage recognition has been regarded as an unquestionable honour for many years. The highest level of protection for a cultural site or tradition is thought to be a UNESCO designation, an international award, or widespread media coverage. Acknowledgement is celebrated as a combination of pride, validation, and preservation. Beneath this joyous story, however, is a more subdued and unsettling reality: rather than protecting heritage, global recognition frequently puts

What were once exclusively stopover areas to wait for a few hours are now evolving into micro-cities, where, during layovers, the experience can be a visit and a meeting place on the way to an onward journey. For decades, airports have been places to connect, move, and stay up to date with progress. However, the function of the airport is changing. An airport was an infrastructure that acted primarily as a way to efficiently move a passenger through security, to the gate, an

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

“Leaders like Ajit Pawar continue to earn respect even in their absence as their work speaks volumes”. 28th January was a business-as-usual day for the late Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar . A flight to his favourite karmabhoomi (workplace), Baramati, and addressing the people of his own constituency for the ongoing local body elections in the state. Yet, what wasn't thought of was that this would be the last and final take-off of Maharashtra's development

India occupies a strikingly paradoxical position in the energy transition game. It is simultaneously among the world’s fastest-growing producers of energy and one of the most inefficient users of its own generation capacity. Over the past decade, India has expanded its renewable energy footprint at an impressive pace, diversified its thermal base and articulated ambitious climate goals in tandem with the Paris Agreement. Illustration by The Geostrata Yet, these great feats co

In a striking affirmation of its green energy ambitions, India has officially reached a major milestone. 50% of the nation’s total installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, totalling 242.8 GW out of 484.8 GW. Announced by Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi , the achievement arrives a full five years ahead of the nation’s Paris Agreement target. Illustration by The Geostrata More than just a statistic, this feat is a signal to the world that India’s