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
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: China’s border aggression presents a tactical challenge
Recent revelations about a possible loss of patrolling points on the Ladakh border to Chinese forces have put the government in a tight spot. The government may not wish to discuss it, particularly with the coming elections next year. But it must internally take measures to overcome any tactical weakness and try to persuade the Chinese to return the areas
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: India uses 'Neighbourhood First' policy to regain influence in Indian Ocean area
Jaishankar’s recent visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka shows India is ready to invest heavily in the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy to regain some of the lost influence over the Indian Ocean area and combat predatory challenges from China
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: China is investing in technology for survival, not global dominance
China is investing heavily in technology more for its own survival than due to international ambition. Chinese factories are now less able to produce low-cost goods for the world market because of rising costs and competition from countries like India and Vietnam. They have no option but to introduce automation and upgrade the quality of goods to meet the changing market demand for quality and prices.
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Military goals behind China’s investment plans in Nepal
China is ready to invest heavily in rail infrastructure in Nepal for future military use and also to dump Chinese goods at India’s doorstep as a means to weaken the Indian effort to reduce Chinese imports
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Are Chinese stocks poised for a recovery?
The opening up of the Chinese economy is expected to fire up Chinese stocks
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window | The global economy eyes China warily, as COVID’s spread poses potent threat
Global supply chains are at risk of getting disrupted as COVID’s spread in China is expected to lead to massive case numbers and deaths. Chinese rulers have a tough balancing act between protecting health and keeping the economic engine humming
POLITICS
The Eastern Window | What is China’s strategy behind incursions?
China fears India’s ability to pose an economic challenge. Keeping India on tenterhooks and forcing it to divert much-needed funds for military purposes fits into the Chinese game plan
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: US stepping up efforts to corner China in high-tech space
After barring American companies from supplying chip-making devices to China, the US is now asking other countries to do so. But it is difficult to stop Japan and other countries from doing business with the world’s biggest buyer of technology. The $600 billion semiconductor industry is turning into a battleground for the US and China
BUSINESS
Xi Jinping’s Saudi visit takes aim at US influence in the Middle East
China is wooing the countries in the Middle East in the hope of leading an anti-US power bloc and also obtaining their support in case there is a war in Taiwan. India needs to worry if Chinese President Xi Jinping manages to attract Arab investments in China Pakistan Economic Corridor
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: China, Russia looking for fissures in US-EU unity
The US is facing increasing resistance to its energy and other policies from Europe. France has mooted the idea of offering special subsidies to European companies to counter a similar move by the US. In the emerging scenario, the western will to counter China is weakened
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: COVID protests singe China, rulers look for scapegoats
Dozens of demonstrations have broken out against ultra-strict controls related to the Covid-19 pandemic in China. Will these protests be crushed with a heavy hand or lead to demands for democracy?
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window | New self-seeking world order may be good for India
International politics is now being driven by the self-interests of countries as old alignments are breaking apart. American dominance is eroding and China is not widely accepted. India has a unique leadership role as a country connected with both the east and the west
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Foreign investors may return as China eases COVID controls
China’s decision to roll back Covid-related controls may help revive the local economy and bring back some of the foreign investors who had shied away. Chinese leader Xi Jinping who used the control mechanism to enhance his power has no more need of it because he has won the third term as president
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Political chaos in Pakistan may throw up risks for India
Pakistan’s political and military establishments are under terrible pressure as Imran Khan is set to intensify his long march against the government after suffering a murderous attack recently. The emerging political chaos may induce the Pakistani government to raise the Kashmir issue and blame India for its troubles as it had done earlier
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Chinese tech stocks available at bargain prices, should investors bite?
Investors in Chinese tech shares, including Indian investors tapping the US market, are worried about the fate of these companies as they face stiff regulatory action by both the governments in China and the United States. There is no sign of these companies emerging from the political crossfire, although there is little doubt about their technological and business capabilities
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Dear Leader Xi and his minions
China is now run by a new set of leaders who are personally loyal to Xi Jinping, ending the Communist opposition to the personality cult system. Though the sliding economy is China’s biggest challenge, Xi remains obsessed with security threats coming from outside the country’s borders. What Xi’s attitude would do for investments and markets is clear from the 7.3 percent fall in the Hang Seng Enterprises Index on Monday, in the worst sell-off in decades
BUSINESS
The Eastern Window: Xi Jinping looks opposed to requests for policy changes in his 3rd term
China watchers are confident Xi Jinping would get a third term. But whether he is able to fill the top slots in the government with his loyalists will indicate the extent of his power and the Communist Party’s ability to recruit talent outside the charmed circle
