trump kim Courtesy: Wikimedia
14 June 2018

Trump-Kim summit is a realistic trade-off

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

41728042254_a6935b2139_k Courtesy: MEA Flickr
7 June 2018

Modi acts East, pivots to Indonesia

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.

Hambantota_Port Courtesy: Wikipedia
31 May 2018

The intensifying backlash against BRI

The high cost and political impact of Chinese-funded infrastructure in countries like Myanmar, Malaysia and Sri Lanka make it imperative for India to work with Japan to provide alternatives, to ensure that the region is neither bankrupted nor militarised by Chinese influence.

yaogan-16-long-march-4c-jiuquan-slc-20121125-2 Courtesy: Chinanews
31 May 2018

Pakistani satellites eye India

Pakistan is about to launch two military satellites in June with aid from China. It is pursuing its renewed space programme, using the same clandestine tactics it used for developing its atomic programme

sameer Courtesy: GLOBSEC 2018
31 May 2018

Snapshots from the GLOBSEC Forum

The GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum’s annual conference this year saw discussions on technology take precedence over geopolitics. Experts pointed out the gap between the adoption of digital technology and managing its risks

mahathir Courtesy: Reuters
24 May 2018

Mahathir’s Malaysian manoeuvres

Malaysia is in the eye of a different power game today. Fifteen years ago when Mahathir’s last tenure as prime minister ended, the United States loomed over the Asia-Pacific and Malaysia. Today it is an unlikely leader and Mahathir inherits a China-dominated Indo-Pacific and vexed internal politics. What changes in foreign policy will this entail?

US - North Korea Courtesy: Wikipedia
24 May 2018

Trump’s North Korea mission

A historic summit is scheduled to take place on June 12. Three participants—the two Koreas and the U.S.—were involved in effecting the rapprochement that has preceded it. And for once, China is playing catch-up. Here is how it came about

aashna-china Courtesy: Gateway House
14 May 2018

Gwadar: trade hub or military asset?

China’s ostensible intentions are to turn Gwadar port into a focal point of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. But the geography of the region is a major stumbling block in the realisation of these ambitions and raises questions about the project’s underlying motives

US-IRAN-2 Courtesy: Gateway House
10 May 2018

Trump’s Iran sanctions hit India

India may end up being the unintended victim of renewed U.S. sanctions on Iran. It will push up the price of oil and cost India billions of dollars annually