Han Zheng, Member of the Politburo Standing Committee of China Courtesy: Chen Zhengbao, Liu Xin
11 January 2018

Han Zheng, apparatchik with qualifications

Han Zheng is soon to run the world’s second largest economy. While he has the wherewithal for the task, he has limited autonomy granted him by President Xi Jinping

admin-ajax Courtesy: Flickr
30 November 2017

Diplomatic dimensions of Rohingya crisis

No easy solutions to this refugee problem are emerging despite the considerable international attention it has drawn. India has taken a pragmatic stand despite anxiety about deepening China-Myanmar ties

Xi new Era Courtesy: Forex Repository
27 October 2017

Expectations from CCP’s new era of Xi

Xi Jinping, who became the first leader since China’s modernisation to have his name inscribed—during his tenure—in the Chinese Communist Party’s Constitution, will fine-tune and popularise Deng Xiaoping’s famous phrase, ‘Socialism with Chinese Characteristics’, to suit a new era. He has adhered to Party rules while subtly subverting long-standing traditions

xi giving speech Courtesy: Hindustan Times
23 October 2017

Key takeaways from Xi’s work report

Amidst the grand messaging and visual splendour of the 19th Party Congress, Xi made some telling pronouncements. He sent out a stern warning to separatist elements, threatening the country’s unity, and emphasised “ecology” and “environment” over “economy” and “market”. Over and above it all, the Chinese Communist Party that he rejuvenated emerged the real ‘hero’ in the epic story

chinese congress Courtesy: South China Morning Post
17 October 2017

19th Congress is CCP dominance on display

At the Chinese Communist Party’s 19th Congress, President Xi Jinping will surely consolidate and project his power within the Chinese Communist Party. But, there are other crucial elements to be observed and studied beneath the obvious grandeur of the Congress, such as, how it has retained its longevity and tenacity, how it commands loyalty and ideological compliance, and how change gets institutionalised. This week-long event will yield important clues

_MG_8960 Courtesy: Western Naval Command
28 September 2017

China in IOR: ‘peaceful rise’ no more

China has expanded its presence in the Indian Ocean Region. President Xi Jinping has abandoned Deng Xiaoping’s conciliatory posture for an aggressive, money-fuelled search for super power status

A Biluchi Soldier and Hindu Trader of Sindh Courtesy: Archive.org
24 August 2017

The making of Bombay’s mini Sindh

Many of the Hindu Sindhi refugees who fled to India post Partition succeeded in rebuilding their lives afresh, their native entrepreneurial spirit enabling them to rise up from the destitution that displacement caused. Ulhasnagar, Thane district, which was a refugee camp 70 years ago, is a microcosm of how the community rehabilitated itself--with the help of a well dispersed and generous Sindhi trading network

34008747860_3f9afe01d5_o Courtesy: Mint
17 August 2017

India’s public sector banking at 70

Government ownership of the Indian banking system has brought upon it a host of governance issues in the seven decades since independence: the Non Performing Asset crisis is a symptom of this, and clear indication that the system needs restructuring

old photos bombay Courtesy: Live Mint
15 August 2017

Bombay, Karachi, linked by sea and refuge

The 70th Independence Day for India and Pakistan – August 15 and 14 respectively – is a reminder of how Partition displaced 15 million people, causing untold hardship. What is less known is that the cities of Karachi and Bombay have had a shared colonial history and economy: the parting of ways left one bereft of a host of spirited citizens, who went on to rebuild their lives in the other

Pintrest Courtesy: Pinterest
14 August 2017

The demographics of modern India

Modern India stands tall on August 15, 2017: over the past year, it has been seen as the fastest growing major country, macroeconomic stability has been re-established, and the GST implemented. Why, then, are so many stressing that India desperately needs reforms to its labour laws to keep the momentum going?