WORLD
Anthony Blinken to visit China to calm frayed nerves
The US Secretary of State will attempt to lower tensions and prevent the ongoing rivalry from turning into a conflict.
WORLD
Why Modi’s first state visit to the US has so much riding on it
There is little doubt that Modi’s forthcoming state visit to the US will be one of the major events in the Indo-US diplomatic calendar. What the visit actually achieves will be known once the hype dies down.
INDIA
India, Egypt set to ratify strategic partnership during Modi’s visit to Cairo
The two countries may sign agreements on security and defence, trade and investment, renewable energy, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.
WORLD
For Nepalese PM, gains of successful India visit dissipate on protests by opposition parties, SC ruling on Citizen Law
To add to this, Prachanda will find it hard to undo the land boundary issue created by former PM K P Sharma Oli. Also, while he has vowed to maintain equidistance with both India and China, it remains to be seen how he will achieve this feat.
WORLD
PM Modi addressing a joint session of US Congress shows the bipartisan support for India
Modi’s visit to America will give the Indian leadership another opportunity to show its strategic independence in an atmosphere of growing bipolarity.
WORLD
Pakistani establishment out for vengeance against Imran Khan, plots his political downfall
Part of the strategy is to pave the way for ex-PM Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan. The other is to break the PTI by encouraging desertion of senior party figures to create the space for a “minus Imran” formula.
WORLD
India takes 'virtual' way out on SCO Summit amid strained relations with China and Pakistan
India is also holding G20 Summit in September, and a virtual SCO Summit in July will allow the Chinese and Russian Presidents to avoid travelling to India in quick succession.
TRENDS
Prachanda’s angle: The Nepalese PM plans to take up a host of issues during India visit
The Communist leader has been holding consultations with former prime ministers and other senior leaders of his country to prepare for the India visit, which will be his first external trip during his latest stint as PM.
BUSINESS
What Erdogan's victory means for Turkey and the world
The Turkish president's latest victory will signal that strongmen around the world can continue to rule and be re-elected despite efforts by America to get them defeated.
WORLD
Imran Khan’s use of street power against Army boomerangs, may disqualify from elections
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the government was considering banning Imran Khan’s party in view of the coordinated and preplanned attacks carried out on military installations on May 9 following Khan's arrest.
INDIA
Modi’s PNG visit highlights scramble for influence in the Pacific
Although the islands are mostly small in size, it is their extended Exclusive Economic Zones—about 200 to 230 miles -- as well as their location that enhances their strategic importance.
INDIA
PM Modi’s Australia visit aims to enhance trade and security ties amid growing China aggression in Indo-Pacific
Both India and Australia will look at exploring ways to take relations to the next level and identifying new areas of complementariness.
WORLD
G7 Summit: PM Modi meets Volodymyr Zelensky, whose time may be running out
Zelensky will soon have to show tangible gains by reclaiming Ukrainian territory from Russian control. Else, his western backers may develop war-fatigue and tell him to go for a negotiated settlement and end the conflict.
WORLD
Split screen diplomacy: China seeks to assert Central Asian hegemony with a parallel summit as G7 kicks off in Japan
The summit of China and five Central Asian countries, who are core members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, could also be a signal for regional rival India, which as the current chair, is scheduled to host the SCO summit in Delhi in July.
WORLD
G7 Summit unlikely to make material progress on N-disarmament
Russia has threatened to use nuclear weapons if Ukraine crosses Moscow’s “red lines.” But observers feel that apart from statements against the use of nuclear weapons, the G7 leaders will not be able to take a collective step towards disarmament.
WORLD
Moves and countermoves: The Taiwan chessboard is seeing a lot of activity in the runup to the Hiroshima G7 summit
The Ukraine war’s impact on supply chains, the US debt crisis, the slowdown of the European economy, and China’s need to rejuvenate its economy may see the temperature in the Taiwan Strait lowered for now. Then again, tensions may continue to simmer.
WORLD
Turkey president Erdogan faces toughest political challenge in May 14 election
Russia will be among the countries that will be worst-affected if Erdogan loses.
WORLD
PM Modi’s state visit to the US will give clear trajectory to the expanding Indo-US bilateral ties
While the Indo-US partnership has strengthened in many areas, and the two are seeking newer areas of cooperation, India has not shied away from holding different views from Washington on many crucial issues.
POLITICS
Imran Khan’s arrest: Pak plunges into further chaos
The army has tried to sideline Imran Khan several times in the past. By arresting him, the army may not be able to silence his voice and end the popular support he enjoys. Khan’s relentless attack on the govt for its failure to check rising food and fuel prices has made him very popular.
WORLD
Chinese foreign minister meets US ambassador, days after ignoring calls from US
Qin Gang met Nick Burns in Beijing on May 8, 2023. The foreign minister said it is imperative to stabilise Sino-US relations after a series of "erroneous words and deeds" put ties into a deep freeze. Relations between the two have been strained over the Taiwan issue.
INDIA
India, Pak observers term Bilawal Bhutto’s visit to India a diplomatic disaster
Bhutto tried to downplay the import of the terrorist attack in J&K leading to the death of Indian security personnel, arguing that Pakistan was also a victim of terror, and so, India and Pakistan were in the same boat. Experts tore into that logic.
INDIA
Indo-US strategic trade talks: Foreign Secy Vinay Kwatra to travel to US this month
This comes amid scepticism on India’s reliability as a strategic partner to the US, especially in its fight against China for domination in the Indo-Pacific.
INDIA
Why a uni-dimensional view of Indo-US ties?: Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal
In a response to a series of articles critical of India in the US press, the former Foreign Secretary has said that the relationship benefits India as much as it does the US, and one should not imagine otherwise.
WORLD
India’s neutral stance on China disappoints American commentator
In an article for Foreign Affairs entitled ‘America’s bad bet on India’, former State Department advisor and India expert Ashley Tellis noted that New Delhi would not side with Washington in its disputes with Beijing.
