Foreign Relations

U.S. President Donald Trump has defended his administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act's wartime powers to rapidly deport over 200 alleged members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang linked to kidnapping, extortion, and contract killings. The deportation proceeded despite a court order by Judge James Boasberg blocking it, with the administration arguing that the judge lacked the authority to intervene. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump justified the action by comparing the rise in immigration to wartime conditions, emphasizing the deportees were "bad people" now incarcerated in El Salvador. During the same flight from Florida to Washington, Trump also reaffirmed his commitment to imposing tariffs starting April 2, despite market disruptions and economic concerns. He stressed his stance on reciprocal tariffs, stating, "They charge us and we charge them," and confirmed additional tariffs on autos, steel, and aluminum.

The Eastern Window | Why China is a threat to India-Maldives ties

China has stepped up its political actions in the Maldives as an anti-India politician came out of prison and the “India out” campaign picks up steam

The emerging world in 2022: threats and possibilities

The emerging world will witness threats of competing hegemonic forces resorting to acts of violence and counter-violence in coming days. Ongoing movements for equality, justice and sustainability will continue to give us signs of hope 

Despite complex global power equations, India and Russia will maintain good ties in 2022

Despite the positive signs in India-Russia ties, one must be careful not to overestimate their significance when considered alongside some long-term trends in international affairs such as the relations of the US and its closest challengers China and Russia 

The Eastern Window | Why is Xi intensifying military aggression amid economic challenges?

A simple explanation is that Xi has emerged as a very strong leader and does not need to worry about immediate political repercussions for his decisions. But prominent voices also say he faces challenges from within the Communist Party

Taliban Captures Afghanistan | What it means for India

Despite a foreign policy setback and national security concerns, India will have to rework its engagement strategy in Afghanistan. This will not be easy, but New Delhi does not have any option 

Has China’s chequebook diplomacy put it on the back foot?

China is often brazen about its ways and seldom cares to clear its stand. It is also unmindful of the enormous suffering it has brought the world. From here, if there is a course correction, it is one born out of necessity 

Indian sailors at the receiving end of China’s high-handedness

In spite of all the pandemic-related angst and anger against Beijing, the current crisis has not triggered any geopolitical rhetoric for censoring China or redesigning regulating agencies

EU-China investment deal may push India to revisit its EU strategy

Liberal access to the RCEP-integrated Chinese economy was too attractive an offer for the EU to decline. The EU-China investment deal and the Brexit trade agreement may push New Delhi to reformulate its EU strategy with an FTA at the core

Challenges for India’s external engagements in 2021

Geopolitically, India’s relevance in the Indo-Pacific has been established in 2020.  External policy choices resulting from domestic economic stress and tensions with China will shape India’s role in Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region in 2021

Foreign Affairs | Winter has come on US-Iran ties

There are many winters’ tales about Iran and the United States, but unlike William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, none of them are either comic or romantic

The world's a key beneficiary of strong India-US ties, says Narendra Modi

While giving immense importance to the economic, political and strategic relationship between the two nations, Modi stressed upon the role of India Inc and expatriate population has in the ties.

Oil-for-food scam: CIC dismisses RTI query on report

The Paul Volcker Committee was set up by the UN in April, 2004 to probe corruption and fraud in its oil-for-food programme in Iraq, in which name of former External Affairs minister Natwar Singh allegedly figured as a beneficiary.