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Change and uncertainty have marked geopolitical equations in the East Asian segment of the Indo-Pacific in the last six months. India-China relations changed visibly for the better while the U.S.-China trade war became more polarised. The Quad remained inert as did negotiations on the proposed Code of Conduct for the South China Sea. An analysis of some of the major trends
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Religion is an important component of the soft power countries use in their foreign policy. Yet, no Indian government has given Islam adequate prominence, especially in its interactions with South-East Asia, where the majority of people are Muslim
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Ambassador Neelam Deo, Director, Gateway House, was interviewed by BloombergQuint reacting to the news of postponed India-U.S. 2+2 talks between the Ministers of Defense and External Affairs. Watch the interview and read the accompanying article, here.
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As India hikes import duty on 29 Products , we need to be concerned about the measures to curb IT exports as they are more significant than single commodities, says Neelam Deo, Director, Gateway House.As India hikes import duty on Read more
Courtesy: Gateway House
Border regions and communities, some of them far from the heartland, constitute India’s first line of defence, a critical link in its national security. India’s 15,000-km borders touch seven neighbouring countries: Afghanistan (abutting Gilgit), Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Bangladesh, Myanmar. Border regions have their own local dynamics, often shaped by subnational and religious identities that do not necessarily align neatly with political borders. Some also serve as flourishing corridors for illegal smuggling of goods and humans. Technology plays an important role in better protecting borders, but in some cases it has made borders obsolete. Despite their importance, border regions do not receive the full attention of the Indian mainstream, except when border tensions arise.
Courtesy: Sameer Patil
With India distracted in the Kashmir Valley, the critical border region of Ladakh has become a target of Chinese attention. Beijing appears to be exploiting Buddhist sectarian rivalries as it did in Tibet
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The June 12 summit was characterised by give-and-take as opposed to the one-way approach practised by earlier U.S. administrations. All countries welcomed the agreement and there is hope that this realism will enable the United States to address other contentious issues too
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Prime Minister Modi’s visits to South East Asia last week were major steps in furthering the goals of India’s Act East Policy even as major power rivalries unfolded in the region. Most significant was the visit to Indonesia, a low key Asian power but one that India can partner to enhance its regional stature.
Courtesy: Gateway House
Pakistan’s upcoming general election is an example of a slow-motion coup without the accompanying violence as the military deposes an inconvenient prime minister with a more pliable candidate
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A report published by the IEA and the World Economic Outlook (WEO) claims that electricity reaching every Indian village is “one of the greatest achievements in the history of energy.” Our Energy and Environment expert, Amit Bhandari, spoke to SBS Radio (Hindi – Read more