NEWSLETTER
On the auspicious occasion of China's Spring Festival celebrations on January 22, 2025 at The Rooftop Trident, Mumbai, the GSCF team unveiled the inaugural edition of their newsletter ArthaShastra to the Consular General and the Deputy Consular General of the People's Republic of China in Mumbai Mr. Kong Xinhua and Miss Wang Awaei respectively.
ArthaShastra
January 2025 | Volume 1 | Issue 1
The newsletter covers our on-ground learnings on India's China story. Our learnings are shared through:
1. The meetings and events the team attended.
2. Articles published in the international media.
3. An interview with a former PhD student, Rajeev Balakrishnan, who studied at China Agricultural University in Beijing. His interview sheds light on why he chose China to pursue his doctoral studies, Chinese academic culture of inclusivity of Global South students, information on Chinese scholarship, and whether language was a barrier for him while studying.
4. Media comments and book recommendations.
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April 2025 | Volume 1 | Issue 2
The second edition of our newsletter, ARTHASHASTRA delves deeply into the silver lining in global political chaos and disorder. The two Asian giants, India and China make attempts to rewire their strained economic ties. Arthashastra provides evidence on “how” the rewiring is happening to “how” the rewiring can be explored.
Our learnings are shared through :
(1) Researched articles providing on-ground perceptions of China in India;
(2) An interview with an Indian Sinologist, Mr. Nishith Shah, Founder and Principal of India-China Academy.
(3) A GSCF-facilitated event at an Indian educational institute highlighting how people-to-people exchanges can still be positively explored amid potential political realignment.
(4) Comments in South China Morning Posts.
(5) Book Recommendations - Choices by Shiv Shankar Menon
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April 2025 | Volume 1 | Issue 3
The third edition of our newsletter encapsulates the core mandate of The Global South Convergence Forum. One, to provide a platform for the voices that shape the nations of the Global South. Two, to enable and facilitate people-to-people exchanges amongst the Global South nations.
Our mandate is reflected through the pages of this edition in:
1. The high cost of doing business in India and the reforms it demands - by Dr. Natasha Agarwal and Paresh Batra
2. International links.. to local things - In conversation with a micro Indian importer
3. Unlock your business potential in the Global South
4. Development without aid - by Xu Jin and Li Xiaoyun
5. India cannot afford to lose its plot while chasing Chinese investment - by Natasha Agarwal
6. Ghana's economic journey: The need for hope - by Henry Telli
7. Recommended Reads - The End of Poverty and the Taming of Inequality - by Li Xiaoyun
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October 2025 | Volume 1 | Issue 4
The fourth edition of our newsletter explores why and how the Global South must come together—especially now, as geopolitics continues to shape how land, labour, capital, and enterprise interact both within and across borders. From diplomacy and economics to business and wildlife conservation research, this edition brings together stories, and research insights that span continents, highlighting the growing connections from India to Africa to China.
Our mandate is reflected through the pages of this edition in:
1. The "Bengaluru Declaration" - Notes from a South-South conversation that refuses to wait - by Dr. Sammy Wambua
2. Two evenings, one story - Celebrating India-China friendship
3. Global South knowledge infrastructure - From local roots to vocal bonds - by Dr. Natasha Agarwal
4. Highways rising, trucker drivers leaving - A veteran reveals why growth isn't enough - In conversation with a micro Indian road transporter
5. Dragon - Elephant tango for a brighter Global South future - by Dr. Natasha Agarwal and Paresh Batra
6. Launching: Hands-on Silicone Mould-making workshop - From ideas to industry
7. Integrating the Global South through BRICS - by Dr. Natasha Agarwal
8. Recommended Reads - The Silk Road Rediscovered - How Indian and Chinese companies are becoming globally stronger by winning in each other's markets - by Anil K. Gupta, Girija Pande, Hariyan Wang
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