Bin_Salman__Reuters_ Courtesy:
9 November 2017

Saudi purge: Arab Spring 2.0?

BY

The removal of 11 top ministers in the Riyadh government last week by the young crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, is a geopolitical upheaval, the implications are serious. Domestically, the kingdom is seeking to liberalise its conservative society and move away from oil-dependency – evident from the expected listing of its crown jewel Aramco. For India, which imports oil largely from West Asia, instability could cause a spike in prices, leaving less for its ambitious reforms. Globally, there is now space for new alignments – in the Great Power plays, in the Shia-Sunni rivalry, and in the war on terrorism.

2223080434_38c7f3dee1 Courtesy: Flickr
1 November 2017

Indian Chinese diaspora: from Calcutta to Toronto

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The 200-year-old history of the Indian Chinese population – currently 3,000 – in Calcutta and Bombay shows how the two civilisations were deeply connected. Buddhism and trade forged the link in the ancient past, but a forgotten aspect is the more recent, once vibrant Chinese presence in India. The bustling China Towns of yore fell silent after the 1962 India-China war that impelled the migration of the Indian Chinese to Canada, Hong Kong and Australia. Revisiting this period can offer many lessons in cultural assimilation and diplomacy in the more fractious present

FOREIGN201710181941000358955523131 Courtesy:
1 November 2017

The rise and rise of Xi Jinping

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For the last fortnight, the world has been captivated by the events of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which elevated Chinese President Xi Jinping to the status accorded to Chairman Mao. Xi Jinping has consolidated his position in the CCP, strengthened his hold over the country and provided a policy road-map for the next five years. 'Xi' Jinping Thought' is now enshrined In the Chinese Constitution just as firmly as was 'Mao Zedong Thought'.

Xi new Era Courtesy: Forex Repository
27 October 2017

Expectations from CCP’s new era of Xi

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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

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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

BY

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

image Courtesy: Stripes
12 October 2017

Xi’s PLA agenda: real reform or power gambit?

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Chinese President Xi Jinping’s reforms, some of which have been effected in the run-up to the 19th Party Congress, have served to both modernise the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and also strengthen his hold on it. They may also have resulted in adversely affecting the PLA’s combat efficacy

913860-ChinastockmarketAFP-1435858588-636-640x480 Courtesy: Tribune
5 October 2017

Learnings from Chinese outbound investment

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Beijing has its finger on the economic pulse of the country, demonstrating a responsiveness to criticism at home and abroad. It reveals a great deal about Chinese political priorities and societal changes, and offers a collective learning for investors and markets worldwide – and especially for India.

Djibouti - Title Card Courtesy:
3 October 2017

Djibouti’s ‘military base’ diplomacy

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Indian President Ram Nath Kovind leaves for Africa on his first foreign visit as president on October 3. His first port of call will be Djibouti, which occupies a strategic location in the Horn of Africa. The country has assumed significance for hosting multiple foreign military bases on its territory, the latest entrant being China. This infographic illustrates Djibouti’s ‘military base’ diplomacy.