China’s absence at G20 meet in Arunachal upsets India

March 28, 2023

China’s absence in a G20 meeting held in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh has upset India. Sources said that New Delhi sees it as another action by China amounting to disregarding India’s territorial sovereignty and integrity. According to sources, China’s decision to skip the G20 conclave will further isolate it on a...

INDIA-JAPAN MUST EXPEDITIOUSLY EXECUTE INDO-PACIFIC PLAN TO COUNTER CHINA

March 24, 2023

Two important developments marked Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to India this week. First, India and Japan have vowed to work together more aggressively to strengthen cooperation in security, trade and technology. Second, the visiting Japanese premier unveiled a new plan for a free and open Indo-Pacific that “envisages...

To counter China, India & Japan unveil new Indo-Pacific plan

March 21, 2023

In a major development, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Monday, announced a new Indo-Pacific plan for a free and open Indo-Pacific aimed at countering China’s growing assertiveness in the region. The visiting Japanese PM Kishida announced the plan after...

NO MOVEMENT TOWARDS A THAW IN INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS

March 17, 2023

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in its annual report for 2022 has amply signalled that there is no movement in sight towards a thaw in relations between India and Pakistan. The report, on the basis of convincing evidence and instances, blames Islamabad for not creating a conducive environment that...

INDIA MUST BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS AS CHINA GIVES LOAN TO PAKISTAN

March 15, 2023

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has approved the rollover of a $1.3 billion loan to Pakistan. This is in addition to the $700 million that the bank had previously lent to the cash-starved country. Significantly, Pakistan’s external foreign debt amounts to $126 billion, out of which $30 billion is...

India, Australia to strengthen maritime security in Indo-Pacific

March 11, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Friday discussed maritime issues in the Indo-Pacific region amid the challenges resulting from China’s expansionist and aggressive agenda. “The Indo-Pacific, maritime security and mutual security and defense cooperation were discussed,” PM Modi said after formal talks with the Australian Prime...

China’s recent outbursts signal its plan to defame Quad

March 10, 2023

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attacked the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy, saying that it aims to “encircle” China with a regional version of NATO by forming “exclusive blocs” and is bound to fail. Since its formation, China has been criticising the US Indo-Pacific strategy as well as the Quad grouping consisting...

US’ Indo-Pacific strategy seeks to create Asian NATO: Chinese FM

March 8, 2023

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attacked the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy, saying that it aims to “encircle” China with a regional version of NATO by forming “exclusive blocs” and is bound to fail. Since its formation, China has been criticising the US Indo-Pacific strategy as well as the Quad grouping consisting...

Australia, Japan AND India Eye the Dragon in the Room

March 7, 2023

China’s “aggression and assertiveness” in the Indo-Pacific will be one of the key agendas during Australian and Japan Prime Ministers’ visit to India this month. While Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is scheduled to visit India from 8-11 March, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will be arriving in New Delhi...

Amid divergence on Ukraine, India succeeds in raising core issues

March 3, 2023

The G-20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting on Thursday was unable to come out with a joint communique due to sharp differences over the Ukraine conflict despite persistent efforts by host India to build consensus. So, the meeting, held under India’s presidency, adopted a Chair’s Summary and Outcome document. But amid all the...