China’s ever increasing defence budget The Excelsior 14 Mar 2024 China last week released its annual budget as part of its National People’s Conference, the country’s rubber-stamp legislature. There was an increase of 7.2% for defence over the previous year. Defence expenditure has witnessed a steady rise since Xi Jinping became President of the country in 2013. The budget […]
The big brother syndrome E TV English 13 Mar 2024 China faces tensions with almost all its neighbours. It has disagreements with Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and even the small Sultanate of Brunei. Disputes stem from either shoals and islands in the South and East China Seas, Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) or on alliances with the […]
Pakistan is no longer a priority for India The Statesman 12 Mar 2024 PM Narendra Modi congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on being appointed PM with a formal message mentioning, ‘Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.’ A similar trepid response flowed from Pakistan. Sending congratulations is a diplomatic nicety conveying recognition of the new […]
India’s defence Aatmanirbharta advances; Many more roads yet to travel ET News 05 Mar 2024 Addressing the 41st DRDO conference in Oct 2019, General Bipin Rawat, then army chief, stated, ‘India is one of the largest importers of weapons and ammunition, and after 70 years of independence, it is not a very proud statement to make.’ He added, ‘We […]
Growing India-Taiwan ties benefit both The Statesman 05 Mar 2024 In mid-February, India and Taiwan signed an agreement on migration and mobility, enabling Indian workers to seek employment on the island. Taiwan faces shortfall of workers in the fields of manufacturing, construction and agriculture. The industries, number of jobs, expertise necessary, language skills and recruitment procedures have yet to […]
The China syndrome The Excelsior 05 Mar 2024 There were a multitude of comments concerning Indo-China ties in recent days. Addressing the INDUS-X summit in New Delhi, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, stated, ‘India is giving a face-off to our neighbour in almost all fronts we have with them, wherever there is a mountain pass, we are stationed there, and […]
A changing Kashmir The Excelsior 01 Mar 2024 The PM visited Jammu last week and launched projects worth Rs 32,000 crores. There is no doubt that launching projects is now a national pass-time especially as elections draw close. They would have to stop with the imposition of the ‘election code of conduct.’ How many projects will ultimately be implemented […]
Pakistan never ceases to amaze observers The Statesman 27 Feb 2024 Pakistan never ceases to amaze. This was evident in their recently concluded elections. Polling results were delayed by days to select candidates shortlisted by the Rawalpindi cliché of generals. Mobile communication services were shut down on security pretexts but in reality, to enabling rigging. All efforts at sidelining Imran’s […]
The world is losing interest in Ukraine First Post 25 Feb 2024 As the Russo-Ukraine war enters its third year, news from the front is missing from daily newspapers. Gaza has pushed Ukraine onto the back pages. Casualty figures in Ukraine are ignored, while those of Gaza grab attention. The UN Security Council no longer passes or even attempts […]
Trump has Europe concerned The Excelsior 24 Feb 2024 The battle for the US Presidency is well under way. Donald Trump has almost got the Republican nomination under his belt. However, his legal troubles are far from over. His first amongst four trials is scheduled to commence in end March, which could impact his political future. The world, especially […]