The world's attention is on the new Taliban and the imminent announcement of an inclusive government in Kabul, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar
Backing New Delhi's quest for a permanent seat in the UNSC, Rouhani asked why India, a nation with population of 1.3 billion, was not a member of the powerful club.
Internal strife and tribalism is endemic to Afghanistan, notes Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
India owes Iran around $8.8 billion primarily on account of crude oil imports.
Swaraj expressed satisfaction over the agenda of the inaugural dialogue while giving the details of the deliberations.
Tehran plans to lift exports by 500,000 barrels per day
Pak seeks US help to ease tensions with India.
Warning companies eyeing business deals with Iran, United States President Barack Obama has said that they can take such a move at their own peril as America and its allies would come down like a "ton of bricks" on those that violated sanctions against Tehran.
Saudi Arabia has severed diplomatic ties with Iran following attacks on the kingdom's embassy and consulate in the Islamic Republic over the execution of a Shiite cleric.
Invoking India's "civilisational ties" with Iran, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew in to Tehran on Sunday on a two-day visit, saying his talks with the Iranian leadership would provide him an opportunity to advance the "strategic partnership" between the two countries.
The Chabahar port, says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar, 'can be the first significant footfall in an Indian variant of the 'Belt and Road' initiative.'
After taking receipt of 15,000 eggs instead of the 1,500 they wanted, Norway's team at this month's Pyeongchang Winter Olympics may have a pretty limited menu
The United States had warned that it could invoke sanctions against the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project in future, Sharif said without giving details.
The United States wants India to wait for a final nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers before actively engaging with Tehran.
'There is perfect coordination between them,' Vice-President Hamid Ansari said when Rediff.com asked what differences he had noted between Raul Castro and his elder brother. 'Commandante (Fidel Castro) remains the undisputed leader of the revolution.'
Some of the big moments of the sporting world from 2010-2019!
The French president said that peace should be maintained in the region and peoples' rights should be protected.
US crude is now more than 17 per cent below its opening price at the start of the month and Brent is down more than 16 per cent.
The oil cartel's decision to maintain the production ceiling at its 2016 level, despite the recovery of the world economy, will ensure shortfalls in supply and high oil prices in the foreseeable future, warns Ambassador D P Srivastava.
Modi will hold several bilateral meetings with the leaders of the SCO member countries including China's Xi Jinping.
OPEC agrees to keep pumping as oil glut fears persist.
>Putin's last-minute intervention with PM salvages $5.43 bn pact.
Security will be a consideration, as would protocol, but given Modi's penchant for the unconventional, it should not come as a surprise if he indeed decides to attend the ceremony in Kabul, says Ramesh Ramachandran.
He said countries should work for promoting open and inclusive cooperation for win-win outcomes.
The Al Qaeda, the Islamic State or Daesh, as it is also called, will continue to exploit the fault lines and the many contradictions in the approaches of different countries, says Hardeep Puri.
'I believe one of the most critical issues is the common threat we face from Islamist radicals and the continuing and unimpaired financing of Al Qaeda, the 'D' Company, the Haqqani network, the LeT and the Jaish-e-Muhammed.'
'A top Russian diplomat, Ambassador Alexander Aksenyonok told me in Sochi, Moscow is keen on a political settlement in Syria "as early as possible -- which is also our exit strategy",' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Iran signed a $3 billion deal with Boeing, backed Qatar against the Saudis, scored a big victory in Syria and reached out to Hamas. Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar examines how the Qatar versus Saudi Arabia standoff is quickly changing alignments in the Middle East.
From being on the verge of war and violence, West Asia has actually got a sudden reprieve. Seema Mustafa explains
Those scheduled to attend the five-day WEF Annual meeting, beginning January 21, include more than 40 heads of state or government, including those from the UK, Australia, Japan, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Brazil, Italy, Mauritius, Republic of Korea and Switzerland, WEF announced on Wednesday at a press conference in Geneva.
