The founder of the Shillong Chamber Choir, who was deeply influenced by western classical music, experimented with different sounds and musical cultures to fashion out a uniquely new sound.

We must ask ourselves why we are not on the cutting edge of soft power like Korea with K-Pop, China with TikTok, or Japan with anime.

One must visualise the circumstances in which Nehru was placed. The luxury of simplified hindsight, as we often use it, blinds us.

Instead of celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are in the midst of an armed coexistence.

This is not the time for geopolitical jousting or the drawing of swords.

India will not rely solely on the ballast of a strong strategic partnership with the United States as she charts her future course in Asia.

Can diplomacy organise itself more effectively so that outcomes take into account the interests of these largely silent multitudes that comprise women?

Taking a page from our inherent capacity to adjust and be flexible, India should practice a little unemotional pragmatism.

Crowdsourcing support can become a process where new ideas are mined and become part of a policy package for difficult relationships.

Public diplomacy is a buzz word that has been around for decades, but today it is well ensconced with a significant other – social media.

Narendra Modi’s focus should be on establishing good chemistry with Donald Trump, reassuring the latter that India is a reliable partner democracy for the US.

The government needs to be more open, creative and clear in its communications with the wider world, instead of the conservative, secretive and dull methods that are currently the norm.

In the aftermath of Uri and the surgical strikes, atavistic calls for revenge blurred the focus on terrorism as the enemy of peace and development, as well as efforts to seek a settlement of outstanding issues with Pakistan through dialogue.

The idea of a shared space is the best way to respect our histories, our traditions of peaceful engagement, the cultural geographies we inhabit — all with blurred and indistinct boundaries and interrelated contexts of meaning.

Two recent books on the Chinese absorption of Tibet have received little attention in India although they have interesting revelations to make on the recent history of the region

Lateral entry into the MEA is a good idea, but this must be done in a considered and calibrated manner

Modi’s visit to China has held no surprises but this in itself need not disappoint. A mature relationship is in no need of them.