Talk series on Global Issues to Watch in 2021 By Prof C Raja Mohan

NIAS, The National Institute of Advanced Studies, conducted the seminar, Global Issues to watch in 2021, as part of its online lecture series. The Department of International Studies, Political Science and History, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) was a part of this event along with various other institutions such as the Goa University, Pondicherry University and Kristu Jayanti College. The guest speaker of the session was Prof. C Raja Mohan. Prof. Suba Chandran, Dean, School of Conflict and Security Studies delivered the introductory remarks. The welcome address was given by Dr Shailesh Nayak, Director, NIAS. This was followed by a deeply insightful talk by the speaker himself. Prof. C Raja Mohan identified and spoke at length on eight broad trends that dominate the present global scenario: geopolitics, economics, migration, the pandemic, China-US relations, climate change and technology. He emphasized on the dynamics that are at play in the three regions of the world: Indo-Pacific, West Asia and South Asia. He assessed the long-term impact of COVID-19 on International Relations, the changing distribution of power where China has been able to bounce back from the pandemic as other countries still struggle to get a grip on the outbreak. He then spoke about the US-China relations as a crucial variable that will determine the course of world politics in 2021—with Biden taking over the Presidency. Prof Raja Mohan also threw light on the future of economic globalization as he opined that the drastic changes undertaken under the Trump administration are unlikely to change as successive administration also believes that economic globalization has not been advantageous to the American labour and the middle-class. According to him, climate change will be a major issue for the 46th President. Joe Biden has appointed former Secretary of State John Kerry as a special envoy to address the issue of climate change which is a threat to the entire humanity. Prof Raja Mohan further pointed out that India’s stance on climate change has evolved gradually. India and China will be on centre-stage in transitioning from energy based on fossil fuels to clean and green energy. He briefly spoke on the role played by Silicon Valley in international politics as the tech firms are growing more powerful. He concluded his talk by speaking on the geopolitics of four regions: Indo-Pacific, Eurasia, West Asia and South Asia. The talk was followed by an interactive and fruitful Q/A session with the audience. The lecture was informative and insightful to understand the issues that 2021 holds. The session came to an end as Dr Manoharan N, Associate Professor, Department of International Studies, Political Science and History, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) delivered the concluding remarks followed by the vote of thanks. Report compiled by Jogita Rajbongshi and Yaqoob Saleem MA (International Studies)