The Government’s Digital India initiative is taking concrete shape with each passing day. We take a look at the progress of this effort which plans to integrate and
synchronise all digital innovations to ensure timely execution with maximum impact
for a better future. India is achieving other milestones too. Courtesy IRCON, the
iconic Yal Devi Express between Colombo and Jaffna resumed services after 25 years.
Meanwhile, the world’s largest high-altitude telescope was installed in Ladakh. The
year 2015 began on a high note with Mr Barack Obama becoming the first US president to grace the Republic Day celebrations as chief guest. “Women Empowerment” was the theme and all-women contingents from the Army, Navy and Air Force marched by at the parade – a maiden initiative.

We revisit the Vishwa Hindi Sammelan in Mauritius, held successfully at the International Convention Centre. We travel to Africa as the prime minister visits Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa. We also take a look at the stellar performance of Indian athletes at the 2018 Asian Games.

In this issue of India Perspectives, we take a look at various international visits undertaken by heads of states to India and The prime minister's visit to several european nations. We also raise the curtain for the 11th Vishwa Hindi Sammelan in Mauritius.

The ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, held for the first time in India on January 25, 2018, marked a historic milestone on India’s diplomatic journey with ASEAN. In this issue of India Perspectives, get a glimpse of the successful proceedings of the summit as well as the grand Republic Day celebrations, with the 10 ASEAN heads of state as its guests of honour. In our travel section, we take you to the ancient monastery of Nalanda in Bihar, its ruins harking back to its glory as the world’s first residential education hub, and re-introduce you to the vibrant hues of Holi in its many incarnations across India. We pay tribute to late actor Shashi Kapoor in our cinema section, who made his way into millions of hearts across the world, and in our food section, tell you about four native Indian superfoods that are an essential addition to your kitchen shelf this season.

Bringing to India the leaders of all 10 member nations of ASEAN, the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to be held on January 25, 2018 marks the significance of India’s relations with the South East Asian grouping. Spotlighting the milestone, this issue of India Perspectives sheds light on the many events that have preceded the main celebration over the past year. We also look at the remarkable journey six women of the Indian Navy have undertaken aboard the INSV Tarini to become the first all-woman crew to attempt circumnavigation of the globe! In our travel section, we take you to Madhya Pradesh and chalk out an itinerary you can follow to soak in its vibrant spirit, and in our cinema section we pay tribute to iconic actor Vinod Khanna. Celebrating 100 years of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's literary masterpiece Devdas, we also tell you about the many Indian classical music festivals you must not miss across the country, and more.

From an idea in one man's mind to an event of international stature, the International Day of Yoga has only grown in stature over the last three years. In this issue of India Perspectives, we celebrate the invaluable gift of Indian tradition that is yoga, and peek at the celebrations across the world. We also feature women achievers across all fields who have made India proud, and tell you about the biennial Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, a key platform connecting Indian diaspora with the Indian government. We discuss the outcome of the India-UAE talks and give you a glance at our diverse art, culture and heritage including ragas, independent cinema and more.

The superstar of Indian cinema, Amitabh Bachchan, lends his voice to the cause of women’s rights in real life as well as through his films. In this issue of India Perspectives, we bring you a dialogue with the man who reigns supreme as an Indian cinematic icon. We also take note of the significant steps taken at the 6th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) which was held in the holy city of Amritsar in early December 2016, and discuss the outcome of the extensive talks held between PM Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart during former's visit to Japan in November 2016.

India hosted the 8th BRICS Summit in Goa where Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a peaceful, balanced and stable world. In this issue we do a review of the far reaching decisions taken at the BRICS and BIMSTEC Outreach Summits. Also, over the years India has nurtured close bonds of friendship with ASEAN nations. The relationship has deepened as the collaboration steps up across a range of economic and strategic issues. The next year will be a historic milestone in the ties between ASEAN-India as it will celebrate 25 years of dialogue partnership, 15 years of summit level interaction and five years of strategic partnership. We do a comprehensive review of the 25 years of India-ASEAN relationship. 

Other important reads are the stories exploring Khajuraho Temples, Great Rann of Kutch and Nagaland, and detailing the history of India’s coastal cuisine and the journey of Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn.

Visits by the Indian President, Vice President and Prime Minister to the African continent this year underline the nation’s commitment to partner in the ongoing resurgence of Africa. Under our Partnership section, we reveal how Afro-optimism is still the dominant sentiment with some of the world’s fastest growing economies humming and thriving in the African continent. Also, with India hosting the 8th BRICS Summit in October in Goa, interactions between the five countries of this young multilateral grouping will get a new rhythm as the member nations look forward to scale new benchmarks after the formal launch of two India-backed signature BRICS initiatives and chart out a roadmap for strengthening intra-BRICS engagement. Read more to know how over 800 illiterate women from 78 countries became solar engineers using sign language as they trained at the Barefoot College under the Indian Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to United States of America, Iran and Afghanistan in the months of May and June witnessed a number of advances on the foreign policy front. The Indian Prime Minister’s visit to USA signalled a new era in the India-US relations and built upon the progress achieved in providing new vigour and momentum to the strategic partnership between the two countries. PM Modi’s visit to Iran saw signing of a number of agreements including the pact to develop the strategic Chahabar Port where India would invest US$ 500 million. During Prime Minister’s visit to Afghanistan, the two countries inaugurated the Afghan-India Friendship Dam that marks a new phase in Afghanistan’s march to peace and prosperity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden visit to the Gulf’s most powerful economy, Saudi Arabia, the first by an Indian PM after six years, has put India- Saudi Arabian strategic, economic and energy ties onto a higher trajectory. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Saud and PM Modi had met in November 2014 on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Brisbane and thereafter, the two countries have been constantly trying to forge a dynamic relationship. Opportunities in areas like petroleum, renewable energy, infrastructure, defence, banking and agriculture were explored and deliberated upon during the recent trip.

The long-standing civilisational relationship between India and France dates back from the Mughal rule to the days when thousands of Indian soldiers defended French territory during the two world wars. The relationship was further strengthened by  the principled support of the French for India and its sovereign concerns in times of crises. Today, fighting climate change is an important part of the India-France bilateral agenda. On his second visit to India, the President of France, Mr Francois Hollande, inaugurated the secretariat of the Solar Alliance, yet another achievement from the Paris Summit, in Gurgaon. The focus is on delivering the goals and promises that have been set for 2020 and thereafter. Mr Hollande was also the guest of honour at the 67th Republic Day celebrations where India displayed its military might, cultural prowess and economic potential. In the Partnership section, we talk about the Memorandum of Understanding signed between India and France to share technical expertise on enhancing each other’s competency and skills. We also highlight the fact that it was the first time that foreign troops - French soldiers belonging to the crack 35th Infantry Regiment - marched in this year’s Republic Day parade.

As India gets ready to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, we take this opportunity to pay tribute to the renowned jurist
and visionary through this issue of India Perspectives. We trace the glorious legacy of the messiah of the downtrodden and highlight his contribution to
the Constitution of India through the Tribute pages. In the Milestone section,we talk about the Indian Constitution, the longest of any sovereign nation in the world, that provides a comprehensive and dynamic framework to govern and guide the nation, keeping in view India’s unique social, cultural and
religious diversity.

A new chapter in Indo-US relations was added with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States. At the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York, Mr Modi emphasised on the need for fast-track reforms and expansion of the United Nations Security Council. Another milestone moment in the history of India’s foreign relations was during the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit when Prime Minister Modi termed the island countries of the Pacific region as “Large Ocean States with vast potential”. As the fortunes of nations of the region are interlinked, he stressed on shifting the gravity of global opportunities. To boost business and economy, a FIPIC trade office will soon open in New Delhi.

India’s inclusion in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as a full-member at the Ufa Summit was a milestone that will provide an added impetus to its drive to scale up relations with its extended neighbourhood. Indian Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi’s visit to the BRICS and SCO summits in Russia and the five Central Asian states has further set the stage for lasting transformation of India’s multifarious relations with the strategically located and resource-rich region.

With hectic schedules and innumerable commitments likely to
assume greater significance in the years to come, yoga seems
to be the only advisable remedy

On the bilateral front, the SAGAR Yatra that comprised Prime Minister
Mr Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka
envisages a more proactive role by India in developing the economy of the Indian
Ocean region. On the anvil is another important venture – Project Mausam – that
looks at rekindling long-lost ties across the nations of the Indian Ocean. The
Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ initiative received a boost with the momentous
Aero India 2015 in Bengaluru, a show for Indian and foreign aerospace
companies. Meanwhile, Border Haats are being opened up to build Tripura’s trade
ties with Bangladesh.

By actively participating in major multilateral summits like the G20 meet in Australia,
ASEAN in Myanmar and SAARC in Nepal, India is showing the world that it is ready to be
an active player in the process for shaping a new global order. The Indian Technical and
Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, instrumental in spreading Indian technical
expertise globally, has completed 50 years of existence. In midst of these achievements, the
United Nations will turn 70 years “young-er” this year and its “Young@70” motto promises
a revitalised UN, strengthened and supported by emerging countries like India.

Reiterating faith in India’s strong economic and infrastructural potential, 
Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi recently launched the “Make In India” 
programme aimed at getting top global companies to target India as a 
manufacturing hub. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s India visit in September 
opened up a host of possibilities – economically, socially and culturally. We 
also look at the forthcoming SAARC summit in Nepal that aims to energise 
cooperation at various levels.
On Christmas, we present a few famous churches across the country. We also 
write about the festivals of Telangana, India’s newest state, known for being 
celebrated with pomp and fervour.

The launch of PSLV-C23, which put five overseas satellites in orbit, stands testimony to this fact. Read more on the feat in this issue..
This issue focusses on one of India’s progressive states, Arunachal Pradesh,
which recently got its first railway line and is aiming to achieve self-sufficiency
in foodgrain production.
We review the Ministry of External Affairs’ latest initiative,
an encyclopedia titled India-China Cultural Contacts which
provides an in-depth look at the history of India-China
relations.

A new era dawned as India saw its 15th Prime Minister being sworn in. Narendra Modi,
the first leader to get a landslide majority for the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on its own,
took oath on May 26, 2014 at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.

To celebrate India’s 68th Independence Day on August 15, we showcase five iconic
places associated with the freedom movement. This is an opportune time to explore India.
We trace the route of the Himsagar Express, one of the longest in India, highlighting the
best of monsoon indulgences at five railway stations en route. You get to experience the
beauty of India in a special photo feature focussing on her ‘colours’ – from pristine whites
of Jammu & Kashmir to lush green backwaters of Kerala and more.

In this edition, we take a look at how India’s strong relations with Sub-Saharan Africa received further boost in terms of growing business opportunities at the 10th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership. This issue also highlights India’s initiatives in Sri Lanka which include housing, humanitarian aid and medical equipment supplies and agricultural implements. On the occasion of International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on May 29, we talk about India’s peacekeeping efforts across the globe. 

We also have some visual gems in this issue:Radhanagar Beach at Havelock Island in the Andamans in India with its white sands and turquoise waters and the flora and fauna at the wildlife sanctuaries in Mudhumalai, Nagarhole, Wayanand and Bandipur in south India.

March heralds the arrival of spring and the festival of colours, Holi. In this issue, we have top Indian artists – Niladri Paul, Naresh Kapuria, Seema Kohli, Ved Nayar and Sudip Roy – sharing their unique rendition of this festival. Besides, we take an in-depth look at Good Friday, Easter and Lent which hold a lot of importance for Christians across India.

We focus on our infrastructural growth as we present a visual panorama highlighting the modern strides of Mumbai including the new Terminal 2, Monorail and Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

July-September 2018

April - June 2018

January-March 2018

October-December 2017

March - June 2017

January - February 2017

November - December 2016

Sepetember - October 2016

July - August 2016

May - June 2016

March - April 2016

January - February 2016

November - December 2015

September-October 2015

July-August 2015

May - June 2015

The flagship magazine of the Ministry of External Affairs , Government of India, India Perspectives, is printed in 16 languages and goes to 170 countries, disseminating interesting information about India's rich culture and tradition. It balances a unique visual appeal with informative and interesting articles that talk about how India is embracing contemporary trends in art and lifestyle, along with the new strides being taken in the fields of science and technology and space.

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