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The Quad foreign ministers meeting, held in Tokyo on July 29, took a clear position against China’s coercive actions in the East and South China seas. The four ministers have done their bit by reviewing the progress of the grouping’s many initiatives and reiterating its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. For continued progress, the Quad now needs solid initiative from the top leadership – and a summit at the earliest.
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China and India both give great importance to their neighbours – the former through its Friendly Neighbourhood policy, the latter through Neighbourhood First. Although China has been increasing its influence in the region, narratives that say that India is losing out to China lack in-depth analysis. To deduce the future trajectory of China in South Asia, it is important to study both China’s and India’s relations with each of these countries, as also with each other.
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The 22nd India-Russia summit, held in Moscow on July 9 during Prime Minister Modi’s official visit, focused on expanding bilateral economic, energy, cultural and defense cooperation. It indicates the two nations’ commitment to adding substance and new momentum to their relationship. The long-delayed summit, which coincided with the NATO summit in Washington, should be viewed through the wider lens of a multipolar world.
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Comparing India and China’s defence forces reveals that it is more than just a numbers game. Increased defence spending and modernization with AI and quantum computing has given China a substantial edge over India’s military capability. India is working to close the gap with an energetic focus on indigenous procurement and expanding international exercises.
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China-centric global supply chains, the backbone of East Asia’s prosperity, are shifting out as tensions over tariffs and strategic contest between the West and China soars. Ganeshan Wignaraja, Professorial Fellow, Economics and Trade, Gateway House, discusses diversifying supply chains, the China plus one strategy, and the role of India as a supply chain magnet for its South Asian neighbours.
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The authors convincingly analyse the bewildering diversity, size and scale of the challenges of South Asia in a volume that is a rare treasure for those interested in deciphering the history, ethnic identities, colonial legacy, political economy, environmental risks, and geopolitical dynamics of the region.
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Prime Minister Modi’s third term began with India’s participation at the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Russia and the Outreach Session of G7 in Italy. India’s participation at both conferences highlighted New Delhi’s continuing preoccupation with great powers. How Indian diplomacy navigates ties between the West and BRICS will shape and decide its strategic autonomy in a multipolar world.
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Asian nations like Sri Lanka have seen a rush of Russian and Ukrainian tourists over the last two years. They discover salubrious climes and overstay their visas to start small businesses. It has helped Sri Lanka boost tourism after its 2022 debt default but also created economic problems for locals. It is necessary to identify trade-offs between economic benefits and security threats associated with extended-stay tourism.
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African National Congress (ANC) lost its long-held majority in the recent national elections in South Africa. While President Ramaphosa continues to be a pivotal actor in the new landscape, the political stakes have become higher as the new government sets about solving the dire economic issues that ordinary citizens face.
Courtesy: Hindustan Times
Since the military coup in 2021, fighting continues unabated in several parts of Myanmar, including the strategically important Rakhine state. The country’s internal problems can't be solved by the Myanmarese people alone. Experts in ASEAN and Myanmar's neighbours should be given the chance to offer solutions driven by their understanding of the history, national identity, diversity, challenges and potential of this country.