BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: China’s stimulus move not enough to revive investor sentiment
China has taken some major steps like infusing massive funds in banks to kick-start the sluggish economy. But analysts say it may not be enough to encourage new investment
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: China launches new programme to expand influence in Indian Ocean countries
China is trying to buy influence in 20 odd Indian Ocean countries by financing development programmes. The idea is to use these countries as future bases for spying on India and possibly conduct covert operations at a later date
WORLD
The Eastern Window: Myanmar's civil war poses risks for India
Myanmar's insurgent groups are pushing away government soldiers from key military points including some near the Indian border. As Myanmar's military junta comes under terrible pressure, China is trying to use the opportunity to grow its influence. India needs to watch the Chinese moves very carefully
WORLD
The Eastern Window | China is seeking European alliances independent of the US
Under the new policy, China will allow visa-free entry for travellers from five European countries and Malaysia for business and tourism purposes for 15 days
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: A temporary reprieve for China after Biden-Xi meeting
There is no thaw in the cold relationship between the US and China after their respective presidents met recently. But business is pushing the two leaders to come to terms and get over the idea of decoupling. The leaders’ meeting also opened up channels of communication between the militaries of the two countries
WORLD
The Eastern Window: The Biden-Xi meet will decide if they can work together on world affairs
US President Joe Biden will try to persuade Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discourage Iran from possibly entering the Israel-Palestine war. But there is a limit to the extent he will succeed until the two powerful leaders sort out their own political differences
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Bhutan King seeks Indian support amid rising China threat
The King of Bhutan is expected to familiarise Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the rising Chinese pressure to settle the border dispute. There is a small but rising section in Bhutan keen to normalise relations with China, but Indian interests may be harmed if China has its way in boundary settlement with Bhutan
WORLD
Sheikh Hasina faces toughest political challenge in her 14-year rule in Bangladesh
Though weak and divided, the opposition in Bangladesh has managed to whip up serious resistance against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ahead of elections in January. She needs to come up with a spectacular solution to high inflation and other economic woes to overcome the political challenge
POLITICS
Implications of Sharif’s return go far beyond Pakistan
Nawaz Sharif is trying to become Pakistan’s prime minister for the fourth time. But that would depend on whether the military would keep rival Imran Khan locked up long enough. If successful, Sharif might try his hand at improving relations with India and please the US by involving Pakistan in the Iranian affair
WORLD
Many power games around Gaza war
Arab countries are angry about the continued bombing of Gaza. But they are unlikely to intervene directly because each country in the Middle East has some domestic reasons compelling it to stay out of the war. The only exception is Iran which is close to Hamas and resolutely opposed to the US
BUSINESS
Amid Israeli attack, Arab leaders fear Islamic uprising
Arab leaders want the end of the war in Gaza. They are worried about the rising wave of sympathy for Gazans in their own countries because it would erode their influence and control over the local population. At the same time, they do not want to take the responsibility of refugees from Gaza
BUSINESS
Israel-Gaza war moving towards a global conflict
The big issue in the Middle East is whether the war between Israel and the Gaza Strip would be a localised affair or suck in foreign players like Iran, the Hezbollah group and even the US. Large-scale killings of innocent civilians are unlikely to end soon
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: New Maldives President represents a diplomatic challenge for India
Maldives' new pro-China President might grant greater access to the Indian Ocean to Chinese vessels. But he has to be careful about upsetting India which is a close neighbour instead of pleasing distant China. Besides, Beijing which is battling an economic slide is no more in a generous mood
BUSINESS
Hard lessons for India from Canadian PM’s machinations
For the first time, India has been accused in the Western world of using an agent to kill someone on foreign soil. India has rejected the accusation by the Canadian Prime Minister, but it has kicked off a diplomatic row that will not go away easily. A lot will depend on which side the US takes
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: The surreal rise of Xi Jinping Thought and its many pitfalls
Amid a stalling economy and uncertainty about the country’s policies, China's ruling Communists are busy engaging millions of people in studying the thoughts of President Xi Jinping, who is being given a god-like image. This is surreal at a time when the defence minister has gone missing soon after the foreign minister at the time vanished in June
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Countering China’s BRI would lift India’s global status
The US wants to use the newly announced India, Middle East, and Europe Economic Corridor as a means to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The plan’s success would boost India’s global image. This is why India has a key role to play in the project in which 10 developed countries are invested
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Why so many countries are losing faith in the dollar
Political leaders controlling five different currencies are trying to not just reduce their reliance on the US dollar but also look for alternative trading mechanisms. It may not be easy to shake off the dollar’s dominance both as trading and reserve currency. But determined and strongly motivated efforts are being made to dislodge it
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: China’s dominance over South China Sea seriously challenged
The Philippines and Australia recently conducted a rare military drill to challenge China’s dominance over the South China Sea. This is of great importance to India which recently supported the Philippines’ claim over a part of the South China Sea, an important sea route.
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Pakistan politicians rake up Kashmir issue before elections
Pakistan’s new caretaker government is taking time off from its obsession to crush Imran Khan to rake up the Kashmir controversy. Two of the new appointments in the new government including the foreign minister are connected to the Kashmir problem
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Is the Chinese economy really a 'ticking bomb'?
The Chinese economy is in doldrums. But US President Joe Biden had political reasons for describing it as a “ticking bomb” after doing what he can to restrict its growth
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Pakistan wooing the US—Should India be worried?
Pakistan is trying to enter into a security pact with the US and shed its image as a camp follower of China. India has reasons to worry if the US agrees to sign an agreement and supply more military hardware to Pakistan. For the US, it is an opportunity to counter Chinese influence in Pakistan and Afghanistan
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: The implications of the disappearance of China’s foreign minister
The disappearance of China’s foreign minister for one month before he was removed from office has affected President Xi Jinping’s image as a strong leader in full control of the situation. Diplomats are assessing if this episode would affect China’s foreign policy
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Why the US secretly fears a thaw in the India-China relationship
A thaw in the disturbed relationship between India and China may appear theoretical at this time. But Western strategists are already worrying about an improvement in their relationship because that would negate US plans to contain China
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Sri Lanka speaks in two voices to please India, China
Several important milestones were crossed in the India-Sri Lanka relationship during the recent visit of the Sri Lankan President to New Delhi. Though India is generous in assisting the crisis-hit country, it must take careful steps to counter Chinese designs in Sri Lanka and the Indian Ocean region
