BUSINESS
Biden in a tight spot over ceasefire proposal for Gaza
As the death toll mounts in Gaza, Western governments are pushing for a ceasefire. But they are unable to obtain guarantees from Hamas about releasing abducted Israelis, and from Israel to stop the killing of civilians
BUSINESS
The new government must try to better ties with our neighbours
The election results leading to a coalition government have raised questions about whether India would tweak its foreign policy. Though major policy shifts are not expected, the new government may consider improving relations with immediate neighbours
BUSINESS
Did China achieve its objective by conducting a war-like drill near Taiwan?
China conducted a war-like military drill near Taiwan, but it does not seem to have rattled Taiwan. China was also trying to send a message to the US to stop supporting Taiwan if it wants Beijing’s help to resolve the Ukraine issue
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: China, Russia join hands to dare the US
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin have not only bonded more tightly, but they have come together to challenge the US in the economic and military spheres. Xi is clearly taking serious economic risks to meet his strategic and geopolitical goals which include weakening US influence in the world
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: India displays muscular diplomacy amid spats with different countries
India is dealing with diplomatic spats with the US, Canada, Germany and Maldives in an assertive manner. Though this posture has raised India’s status in the world, it is not enough to resolve complicated disputes that require delicate backroom negotiations and not public spats
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Can Xi Jinping really persuade Europe to be less dependent on US?
China’s President Xi Jinping is visiting Europe with a bag of goodies to expand its influence and persuade France and other European countries to reduce their reliance on the US. Whether or not he will succeed will be visible in the kind of deals that French President Macron enters with him
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Falling Yen, possible Yuan devaluation: What next?
World markets are anxiously watching the Japanese regulators and the US Federal Reserve as the Yen is falling continuously and there are signs of a possible devaluation of the Chinese Yuan. The question is whether it would affect broader markets and other countries, including India
BUSINESS
Is the US really working for de-escalation in the Middle East?
The US is siding with Israel in the conflict with Iran. The US has also blocked the move for statehood of Palestine. Arab states like Saudi Arabia do not support Iran. This is making it easy for the US to isolate Iran and Palestine
POLITICS
The Eastern Window: Suspense deepens over the Middle East after Iranian attack
Even as the world watches the emerging Middle East situation with bated breath, it is the political leaders of Iran and Israel who will decide the course of the conflict based on their personal political compulsions. India has called for de-escalation, joining several other countries on this issue. As expected, US President Joe Biden has taken a clearly partisan stance in favour of Israel
WORLD
The Eastern Window | Myanmar's descent into civil war: implications for India
With the military junta in Myanmar coming under increased attacks from armed rebels, there is a possibility of the junta collapsing. The Indian government is under pressure to review its pro-junta policy and build communication lines with democratic forces and rebel groups
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Xi Jinping tries to charm US CEOs as foreign investment slides
The Chinese President is directly lobbying American business as foreign investments have slipped drastically. China is also worried about the potential of Donald Trump getting re-elected. Trump has already threatened to impose harsh tariffs on Chinese cars and other goods
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: What prompted the US to finally allow the UN vote for ceasefire in Gaza
The US has withdrawn its protection of Israel allowing the UN to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Biden administration is trying to save itself from blame as thousands are massacred in Gaza, particularly at a time when it is preparing for the next election.
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Modi tries to wean Bhutan away from China
India has doubled its assistance to Bhutan during Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Thimphu. But will this stop Bhutan from conceding sensitive areas in Doklam near India’s border to China
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window | China deploying robots at scale to tackle product quality, labour shortage issues
The 2023 World Robot Conference revealed that China’s 'robot density' has risen to 392, up from 140 in 2018 and 68 in 2016
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: India set to counter China’s drive towards Indian Ocean
The government’s decision to establish a second naval base in Lakshadweep is part of a larger objective of countering China’s influence building in the Indian Ocean region. The issue has become complex as the Maldives has responded by announcing plans to build a base for surveillance drones 750 km away
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: China's 2024 budget estimates deflate stimulus hopes
The Chinese premier's work report did not hold out any decisive moves to address the concerns of investors over the sluggish economic growth and low consumer demand
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Japan searching for a balance between national security, economic ties with China
Japan is taking steps to cut down its dependence on China for strategic reasons. But it faces resistance from the private sector which is closely intertwined with Chinese companies and regards market-based relationships as an essential part of business. Tokyo is trying to find a balance between market reality and national security. In some ways, India’s situation is similar to that of Japan
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Putin set to get re-elected as sanctions fail to damage Russia
The Russian economy is growing amid the Ukraine war, exposing the limits of Western economic sanctions. India and China have played a key role in supporting Russia in the past two years. Russian President Vladimir Putin appears set to win the next election in March
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window | PM’s unique outreach to the Muslim world: Is the tide turning?
Strapline: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to UAE and Qatar was a game-changing development because they took extraordinary steps to prove their friendship towards India. The inauguration of a temple in Abu Dhabi and the release of Navy veterans in Qatar are significant moves. India is now rivalling China for influence in the Middle East at a time when the region is undergoing major changes
WORLD
In a rare defiance, Pakistani voters have rejected the military’s power game
Though Imran Khan’s supporters have won the election, Pakistan’s military is looking for ways to keep them out of power and hoist Nawaz Sharif as prime minister. The army is taking a huge risk
WORLD
The Eastern Window: China ready to challenge Japan to become the world’s biggest auto exporter
Japan’s position as the world’s biggest auto exporter is being seriously challenged by China which has achieved a sharp increase in exports. Two important reasons, the Ukraine war and the growth in New Energy Vehicles, are helping China’s quest for the No. 1 slot
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Will the Chinese government's desperate efforts to prop up its free-falling stock markets succeed?
Over $6 trillion worth of valuation have been wiped out of the Chinese stock markets in the past three years. The government has taken a series of measures to stop the rout but they did not have much effect because the Chinese economy is going through a troubled period. A $278 billion rescue package has been announced but there is little hope of a market recovery
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: The Middle-East is now a powder keg waiting to explode
The root of the problem in the Middle East is the ongoing slaughter in Gaza. US strikes on Houthis demanding a stop to the carnage will not help
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Taiwan election proves to be a loss of face for Chinese leadership
Taiwan’s election results are a vote against China’s plan to merge the island region with the Chinese mainland. It is a major loss of face for China which might consider new ways to curb Taiwanese aspirations for complete independence. However, it is unlikely to use military force in the near term
