Metro, Mumbai and the middle class
The building of the Mumbai metro means different things to the government, the city, the youth, the middle class, and other stake holders
Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Courtesy: Sameer Patil & Shah Maieen
The Rohingyas and India’s difficult choices
A recent trip to Cox’s Bazar showed that despite numerous health, social and security challenges, the Rohingya refugees are reluctant to return to Myanmar. India will have to walk a tightrope, keeping in mind humanitarian, security, and geopolitical priorities
Courtesy: Gateway House
Myanmar: Resisting Chinese Primacy
While most Asian countries studied by Gateway House are moving toward greater dependence on China, Myanmar is moving in the opposite direction. For decades, China has been one of the few countries willing to do business with Myanmar, sanctioned by Read more
Courtesy: Pakistan Times
Pakistan’s risky experiment of mainstreaming extremism
As Pakistan prepares for general elections, its Army is working to bring terrorist and radical religious groups into the political mainstream. Its leisurely response to recent anti-blasphemy protests by the Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool group and release of terrorist mastermind Hafiz Saeed are a part of this strategy
Courtesy:
The rise and rise of Xi Jinping
For the last fortnight, the world has been captivated by the events of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which elevated Chinese President Xi Jinping to the status accorded to Chairman Mao. Xi Jinping has consolidated his position in the CCP, strengthened his hold over the country and provided a policy road-map for the next five years. 'Xi' Jinping Thought' is now enshrined In the Chinese Constitution just as firmly as was 'Mao Zedong Thought'.
Courtesy: Hindustan Times
Key takeaways from Xi’s work report
Amidst the grand messaging and visual splendour of the 19th Party Congress, Xi made some telling pronouncements. He sent out a stern warning to separatist elements, threatening the country’s unity, and emphasised “ecology” and “environment” over “economy” and “market”. Over and above it all, the Chinese Communist Party that he rejuvenated emerged the real ‘hero’ in the epic story
Courtesy: South China Morning Post
19th Congress is CCP dominance on display
At the Chinese Communist Party’s 19th Congress, President Xi Jinping will surely consolidate and project his power within the Chinese Communist Party. But, there are other crucial elements to be observed and studied beneath the obvious grandeur of the Congress, such as, how it has retained its longevity and tenacity, how it commands loyalty and ideological compliance, and how change gets institutionalised. This week-long event will yield important clues
Courtesy: Stripes
Xi’s PLA agenda: real reform or power gambit?
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s reforms, some of which have been effected in the run-up to the 19th Party Congress, have served to both modernise the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and also strengthen his hold on it. They may also have resulted in adversely affecting the PLA’s combat efficacy
Courtesy: Tribune
Learnings from Chinese outbound investment
Beijing has its finger on the economic pulse of the country, demonstrating a responsiveness to criticism at home and abroad. It reveals a great deal about Chinese political priorities and societal changes, and offers a collective learning for investors and markets worldwide – and especially for India.
Courtesy: Pinterest
The Kurdish referendum: more than nationalist rhetoric
The Kurdish issue is far more complex and sophisticated than the simplistic nationalist rhetoric, made fashionable by Europeans-- and which all actors in the game feel compelled to employ and have us believe