Asia News Agency (ANA) is the original and only diplomatic news consultancy in India and South Asia. It has been serving the India based diplomatic community since 1972 through its editorial services. Among its clients are Ambassadors and High Commissioners of almost all embassies and international organisations based in India.
News behind the News (NbN) is a weekly journal published by Asia News Agency. It is structured to suit the needs of the India based diplomatic community. It analyses week after week, key issues and developments talking place in respect of India’s polity, foreign policy, defence and economy.
Special Studies are prepared by Asia News Agency in partnership with Society for Policy Studies (SPS). These are in the nature of in-depth analytical backgrounders / desk reviews on topics of current interest to its clients.
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IRAN DROPS INDIA FROM CHABAHAR RAIL PROJECT: SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS
Iran has dropped India from the 628 km Chabahar-Zahedan rail project. The rail link is important for the Chabahar project that has geostrategic importance. Connected by sea lanes to ports on India’s west coast, Chabahar would form the fulcrum of India’s outreach to Russia and Central Asia, enhancing connectivity, energy supplies and trade.
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CONGRESS: REVOLT OF THE YOUNG LEADERS
Sachin Pilot’s revolt against the Rajasthan chief minister is the second by a youth leader. Earlier, Jyotiraditya Scindia successfully brought down the Madhya Pradesh government after defecting to the BJP. Both Scindia and Pilot were aspirants representing the youth in the party. Late fathers of both were senior Congress leaders. BJP will fish in troubled waters.
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A BADLY EXECUTED LOCKDOWN: SOCIAL-ECONOMIC COSTS
In terms of numbers, India is now at the third place, behind the US and Brazil. Even in terms of COVID deaths per million population, that is, the Crude Mortality Rate, India is doing worse than China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia and many other nations, including most of Africa. The study discusses the impact on poverty and consequently, the socio-economic costs.
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INDIA - CHINA: A CALIBRATED ECONOMIC POLICY RESPONSE NEEDED
Economists emphasise the dangers of a total import ban. There is a need to draw a clear line between goods that can be banned and the ones that can't be. Banning Chinese machinery or intermediate goods, for example, will hurt the Indian economy deeply. India needs to differentiate between low value and high value imports. In the long run, only a strong economy will counter China best.
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INDIA - CHINA AGREE TO DISENGAGE; NO GUARANTEE FOR PEACE
There are enormous disengagement challenges to India’s goal of restoring status quo ante as on April. These include China’s unpredictability and mutual lack of trust. The PLA will not give away its advantage positions easily. But unlike ASEAN, India has stood upto China’s hegemonic designs. India however, is trapped in reaction-mode to China’s aggression.
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A TWO FRONT WAR SCENARIO EMERGING
At this juncture, in the view of military experts, both India and China could be preparing for the worst-case scenario of a limited war or, in the case of India, even for two front war. The study examines China’s probable war plans, its strategic alignment with Pakistan, increased activity along the Pakistan border, the possibility of a two front war and India’s ability to handle it.
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INDIA’S STRONG MESSAGING TO CHINA: RELATIONS CAN ‘NO LONGER BE BUSINESS-AS-USUAL’
India, for the first time, strongly conveyed to China that the border build-up had a “larger context” and that PLA’s behaviour “this year” was a shift from the past. China is also not mincing words.
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INDIA - CHINA: INDIA’S FIRST MOVES ON THE DIGITAL FRONT
In a statement of intent, the government, opting for coercive diplomacy, has banned 59 Chinese apps. Citing “emergent nature of threats,” the government said they were engaged in activities “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity”, defence, security and public order.
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UNDER PRESSURE, BUT PM MODI WILL SURVIVE THE INDIA - CHINA STAND-OFF AS WELL AS THE COVID CRISES
These are exceptionally difficult times. But the two main issues that will have major political consequences for the government are the India - China border confrontation and the management of the Covid-19 crisis.
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DOMESTIC POLITICS IMPACT CHINA POLICY: BJP’S CHINA PERCEPTION
The domestic fallout of the border clash has not followed a single course. At one level, there is outrage over the deaths of soldiers. There have been protests over China made products even as the government took steps to make India inhospitable for Chinese businesses. The political reactions have generally followed the course of domestic polarization.
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DEBATE ON INDIA’S NEW CHINA POLICY AND ON A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CHINA’S STRATEGIC GOALS
The fierce border clash has sparked a debate on a fresh look at India’s China policy. A new policy would flow from many factors including an understanding of its neighbours’ strategic priorities and its perceptions; India’s own threat perceptions; learnings from the past; implications, including economic, of a change in course and related factors.
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INDIA - CHINA: INDIA MILITARILY MORE THAN A MATCH
The border remains tense with PLA reinforcing structures and forces at disputed areas, indicating it may not disengage. India remains firm with the armed forces given a free hand on the ground. Specialised high altitude warfare forces have been deployed along LAC. Experts believe the Indian Air Force has local advantage.
