A dissonance separates China and India on Tibet and on the border dispute. India considers the border, especially in the east, as a matter of nationalist pride, but it views Tibet from a strategic angle. For China, the border is a strategic issue, while Tibet is integral to Chinese nationalism. China has a limited understanding of how important the border has become in Indian nationalist imagination. India in turn fails to appreciate Chinese sensitivities on Tibet. This dissonance is at the core of the bilateral dispute. read more

For decades, India and China have battled terrorism and separatist insurgencies emanating from Pakistan. Both countries have common interests in containing this challenge. But their differing foreign policy objectives and the Sino-Pakistan alliance, which is designed to contain India, have resulted in divergent approaches and limited success in combating terrorism. India and China have worked on counter-terrorism through annual bilateral dialogue, annual military-level joint exercises, and at multilateral forums like the United Nations, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). China also holds periodic counter-terror dialogues with Pakistan. read more

When Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits India from May 19-21, the Sino-Indian territorial dispute will be on the top of his strategic agenda. Li will visit against the backdrop of the recent Sino-Indian stand-off at the DepsangValley in eastern Ladakh. In April, China’s border patrols transgressed 19 kilometres into India-claimed areas. The border intrusion was timed a month after China’s new President Xi Jinping took over in March and identified the territorial dispute as the first of his five-point formula for relations with India. read more

The presidential election in Iran, to be held on 14 June 2013, will significantly impact the country’s internal affairs. It is possible that the outcome will create domestic unrest and affect national stability. The outcome will also have implications for the entire region, and for emerging powers such as India, with economic and political interests in Iran. The election will be closely watched by the West. read more