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
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Bangladeshi voters express dissent with low turnout
A majority of Bangladesh’s voters have expressed dissatisfaction towards the government by refusing to turn up at the polling booths. Though Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is sure to retain power, she has not been able to avoid criticism about the suppression of democratic rights.
WORLD
The Pakistan military will call the shots in forthcoming elections and dictate foreign policy
Pakistan’s military has set out to control the nation’s foreign policy as well as its dealings with foreign investors. The result will be a serious curtailment in the powers of the civilian government after the February 8 election. India also has reasons to worry about the increase in the Pakistani military’s powers
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Elections in Taiwan and the US will be crucial to China’s foreign policy in 2024
China has reasons to worry about the return of a pro-independence political party to power in Taiwan and the increase in anti-China sentiment in the US election. It is also closely watching the 2024 elections in India and Pakistan
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
