Great Nicobar Project

Great Nicobar Project: Balancing National Security and Environmental Responsibility in Face of Looming Chinese Presence

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer a natural strategic advantage. Often described as “unsinkable aircraft carriers,” they provide an ideal platform for surveillance, deterrence, and force projection across the Bay of Bengal and beyond. With modern aircraft, naval assets, and refuelling capabilities, India can monitor vast maritime spaces from these islands.

UAE's OPEC Exit: Pivoting of China-Centric Energy Diplomacy and Changing Global Order

The exit suits the relative aspirations of both nations. UAE with its world-class port infrastructure, financial centers, and geographical position linking Asia, Africa, and Europe, is uniquely positioned to give a push to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This newfound independence of UAE makes it a perfect match for China’s preference for flexible bilateral relations over the rigid multilateral regional forums.

How Myanmar’s State has Hollowed Out: Need for Engagement With Nonstate Actors

Myanmar’s unfolding reality demands a fundamental shift in how it is perceived and addressed by the international community. Treating the country as a unified state under a single authority is no longer tenable, and policies built on that assumption will continue to fall short. The challenge now lies in adapting to a fragmented political order while seeking pathways toward stability and eventual reconciliation.

Myanmar Election: Lack of Consolidated Initiative Leads to Return of Military Rule

The external support by China and Russia lent support to the Tatmadaw, especially during the elections, and while ASEAN and western powers have refused to accept the legitimacy of the election, many of the immediate neighbours like India, Bangladesh, and Thailand prefer what they see as stability under the military, given their cross-border concerns.

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Tonga's 'debt trap' illustrative of China's strategic stakes in South Pacific

The debt problem facing Tonga sheds light on the intricate nature of economic reliance and the broader geopolitical landscape in the South Pacific. Concerns regarding geopolitical control in a strategically significant region and the sustainability of debt have been highlighted by China's growing influence, not just in the region but beyond stretching to South Asia

US could play a larger role in shaping Bangladesh's future trajectory

This visit was strategically important for both the US and Bangladesh. For the US, it was an opportunity to solidify its presence in South Asia at a time when the region is becoming increasingly important in the broader context of US-China competition. Bangladesh, situated at the crossroads of South and Southeast Asia, plays a crucial role in the Indo-Pacific region.

Indian states have growing stake in a Free and Open Indo Pacific

India’s ties with South Korea, Japan and Taiwan which have grown in recent years have become even more important in the context of the current geopolitical and economic situation in the Indo-Pacific. India would also want to be one of the beneficiaries of the China+1 strategy being followed by many companies in East Asia. 

Pakistan needs to play a larger role in the geopolitics of the Indian Ocean

The evolving Indo-Pacific strategy, led by the United States, has added a new layer of complexity to the geopolitics of the Indian Ocean. As the U.S. and its allies seek to counter China's influence in the region, India has emerged as a key partner in this strategic framework. However, this realignment has implications for regional stability, particularly for Pakistan

The Quad remains relevant in upholding Indo Pacific security

Quad does create an overarching arc of stability in the region, checking the expansion capacity of Beijing, which will in turn boost India’s regional ambitions that are mutually aligned with the Quad’s objectives.

Modi visits to Brunei, Singapore show India's commitment to Indo Pacific engagement

Modi marked a new chapter in his strategic geopolitical moves over the past few months since the start of his third term with visits to the region and to Ukraine. All these marked a new frontier for India’s power projection while sending a clear message to allies and adversaries that New Delhi has its own bargaining chips in pursuance of its strategic neutrality while ensuring the best returns for its national security and international interests.

With increased militarisation, is a PLA demobilisation possible in Ladakh?

Vacating the Kailash Range without linking it to PLA withdrawal from Depsang-Demchok was a strategic blunder, proving how easily China cons our negotiators. Our political hierarchy wouldn't know how poorly this decision was viewed by our units/soldiers

How China-inspired democratic model empowering Sri Lanka's local communities

Sri Lanka’s TEPES and PEC share many similarities with China’s whole-process democracy. Both nations are working closely to exchange experiences and collaborate on the implementation of these systems in Sri Lanka.  

‘Axis of Upheaval’: China, Russia-led coalition threatens West-led global order

First, Russia is engaged in a war that marks Putin's point of no return in his effort to undermine NATO and the West—particularly the U.S.—pursuing a long-term confrontation. To better position Moscow for this conflict, Putin has effectively doubled down on relations with like-minded partners - China, Iran, and North Korea.

US sanctions three Chinese companies for aiding Pakistan’s ballistic missiles programme

China-based  Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Company, Universal Enterprise Limited, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited (also known as Lontek) are sanctioned for having “knowingly transferred equipment and technology” to Pakistan, which is not a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) group, Miller said.

China-Bangladesh relations in an uncertain environment: Regional stakeholders need to see cooperative opportunities, not adversarial challenges

The intensification of geopolitical competition in the Bay of Bengal region may affect the healthy interaction between China and Bangladesh. Bangladesh, strategically located at the crossroads of South Asia and Southeast Asia, is a significant factor in the geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape of the Bay of Bengal. 

Why China is playing the name game with India on Arunachal Pradesh

The historical manipulation of Tibet's relations with Monyul is a front that China plays against India on the China-India border dispute over the Indo-Tibet border. China has misinterpreted the history of Tibet's relations with Monyul to assert its territorial claim in the region.

India ‘will never be formal ally’ of US but can have ‘strongest’ ties as allies on global stage, says US diplomat

“One of the hardest things to keep in mind is that India is also a great power and it has its own beliefs, its own interests”, he said.

Quad foreign ministers warn of terrorists using new technology, demand action against Pakistan-based terror groups

Recalling the 26/11 Mumbai and the 2016 Pathankot terrorist attacks. they called for “bringing the perpetrators of these attacks to justice without delay”.  This explicit mention of terror attacks on India, purported to be engineered from Pakistani soil, is seen as a strong backing by Quad partners of India's stand on cross-border terrorism which New Delhi says is promoted and supported by the Pakistani State. 

Can India counter the Chinese challenge in the Indo Pacific?

China's rising military and economic involvement in the region provides India with a strategic challenge to formulate a foreign and security policy blueprint for the Indo-Pacific.