POLITICS
The Eastern Window | Can the US isolate China in Southeast Asia?
The US is presenting itself as a ‘protector’ of Southeast Asian countries like Singapore and Vietnam from China’s aggressiveness. But it cannot replace China's economic heft
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: US remains politically aggressive towards China, but ready to soften trade rules
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has assured China that investment restrictions would be limited to security areas and not affect the broader Chinese economy. The US is clearly trying to enhance cooperation in business areas while continuing with its aggressive stance towards China on political and security issues
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: SCO meet to advance India’s multipolarity game
Under India’s presidency of the SCO, heads of eight countries will discuss international issues at an online summit on Tuesday. It will be an opportunity for member countries to reassess their relations with Russia after President Vladimir Putin survived the mutiny in his security apparatus
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: US readying India to share some of the burden of decoupling with China
The US might want India to play an even greater role as the Russian mutiny has thrown up the possibility of major changes in the Ukraine war
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: High unemployment among Chinese youth poses a serious challenge to Xi Jinping
China’s claim of recovering from the economic slide seen during the Covid pandemic years has proven to be false. Official figures show a serious downturn in different economic segments. But what poses a serious political challenge is the record level of joblessness among the young population
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: US backs Japan’s chip war against China
Japan has now joined US efforts to decouple China from the global technology supply chain. The idea is to slow down China’s arms manufacturing. But China is responding by pouring more money into semiconductors and arms manufacture. It has also banned US-based Micron, which counted China as its third biggest market. India is closely watching the evolving situation.
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Elon Musk joins rising chorus against Biden’s China policy
Elon Musk and Jamie Dimon are among those directly challenging the Biden administration’s move to decouple from China at the economic level. The CEOs are concerned about their future business, but they may also influence US policy because the interest of American workers and consumers are at stake
POLITICS
The Eastern Window: Is Pakistan heading towards yet another military dictatorship?
The military is cracking down on Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and instigating desertions from its cadre. But the army is also fighting with its back to the wall after its reputation has been besmirched by accusations and mob attacks on its installations. The question is whether the army will organize a coup and seize power
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: An expanded BRICS will be a challenge to US hegemony
BRICS is due to play a key role in oil politics with six crude producing nations including Saudi Arabia seeking its membership. This is among the efforts being made to reduce US influence in world affairs with China and Russia playing a key role. Efforts include an attempt to create a BRICS currency to ditch the US dollar
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Political turmoil may hit Pakistan’s link with China
The possibility of the military imposing martial law in Pakistan appears imminent as its reputation has suffered a beating. China is watching closely and even preparing for a change of guard
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Internet nationalism targets foreign brands in China
Global brands have come under severe attack by nationalistic Chinese in one of the world’s biggest markets. This is partly the result of the rising bitterness and trade war with the US. But western companies are compounding the situation with PR mistakes
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Why pretend to keep the US at arm's length?
India may adopt a neutral stance to meet short-term goals like getting cheap Russian oil, but in the long term, India’s future will be best served by closer alignment with the western hemisphere
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Tightrope walk for India at SCO meet
India is hosting the meetings of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation which represents 40 percent of the world population and diverse political ideologies. The big question is whether this will provide an opportunity for India to reduce tensions with Pakistan and China and also preserve its non-alignment on the Ukraine issue
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Is Bhutan warming up to China?
The Bhutan King’s recent visit to New Delhi helped to further strengthen the ages old bond between the two countries. But a statement by Bhutan’s Prime Minister in late March seemed to boost China’s position on the Doklam issue, raising serious concerns in India
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: How to stop Myanmar from acting as China’s spying arm
There is strong evidence that China is building a spying station at the Great Coco Islands in Myanmar to watch the Indian military base. The question is how to stop Myanmar from cooperating with China, given its dependence on Chinese trade and investments
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Does Putin have a plan to counter the US?
Russian President Vladimir Putin is exploring ways to challenge the US with the help of friendly countries like India, Iran, and China. But he faces several hurdles as Europe has sided firmly with the US. The moot question is the outcome of the Ukraine war which will determine Russia’s position in the world
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: China’s influence on Nepal ebbing after government change
The recent change of government in Kathmandu has resulted in a weakening of Chinese influence over Nepal. But the question is whether the new government will last long enough for India to rebuild its lost influence
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Xi Jinping’s road to Moscow is deep and dark
China’s Xi Jinping is visiting Moscow to try his hand at resolving the Ukraine crisis. Though chances of success are limited, any progress would enhance his image as a peacemaker. The US is expected to block any possible success although Xi is possibly the only foreign leader who can influence Russia’s Vladimir Putin
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Saudi-Iran deal shows failure of American diplomacy
China has persuaded old rivals, Saudi Arabia and Iran, to shake hands and has expanded its influence as a dealmaker. This means a loss of influence for the US which will try to scuttle it. For India, it is going to be a difficult ropewalk
POLITICS
The Eastern Window: What to expect from China’s ‘Two Sessions’
Though criticised for being the government’s “rubber stamp”, the ongoing Two Sessions of the Chinese parliament is a time for the government to speak its mind on the economy and international affairs. Several new appointments including that of the Premier are expected over the next week
WORLD
The Eastern Window: India must play a more active role in the Ukraine peace process
Whatever its outcome, Russia would emerge as a diminished power from the Ukraine war. This would affect India’s interests in several ways. The West has come to accept India’s neutral stance and its refusal to condemn Russia. It would welcome India’s role in the peace negotiations instead of allowing China to step in
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Bankruptcy may weaken Pak-China link against India
The biggest threat for India is the collusion between the militaries of China and Pakistan along the Indian border. But this link might now weaken as Pakistan faces bankruptcy and China is reluctant to bail out its “all-weather friend”. The tipping point would come if the IMF asks Pakistan to restructure its loans taken from China because Beijing is unlikely to agree to it
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: This is what China thinks about Indian policy
A Chinese expert has predicted that the animosity between India and China would continue for at least 10 years. He does not think the border confrontation is the cause for the differences. It is India's leanings towards the US and the upcoming 2024 elections that are to blame for it. Curiously, he does not mention Pakistan
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: The Kafkaesque mystery of the Chinese balloon
The US has shot down a Chinese balloon hovering in its airspace. The incident raises a number of intriguing questions
