Great Nicobar Project

Great Nicobar Project: Balancing National Security and Environmental Responsibility in Face of Looming Chinese Presence

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer a natural strategic advantage. Often described as “unsinkable aircraft carriers,” they provide an ideal platform for surveillance, deterrence, and force projection across the Bay of Bengal and beyond. With modern aircraft, naval assets, and refuelling capabilities, India can monitor vast maritime spaces from these islands.

UAE's OPEC Exit: Pivoting of China-Centric Energy Diplomacy and Changing Global Order

The exit suits the relative aspirations of both nations. UAE with its world-class port infrastructure, financial centers, and geographical position linking Asia, Africa, and Europe, is uniquely positioned to give a push to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This newfound independence of UAE makes it a perfect match for China’s preference for flexible bilateral relations over the rigid multilateral regional forums.

How Myanmar’s State has Hollowed Out: Need for Engagement With Nonstate Actors

Myanmar’s unfolding reality demands a fundamental shift in how it is perceived and addressed by the international community. Treating the country as a unified state under a single authority is no longer tenable, and policies built on that assumption will continue to fall short. The challenge now lies in adapting to a fragmented political order while seeking pathways toward stability and eventual reconciliation.

Myanmar Election: Lack of Consolidated Initiative Leads to Return of Military Rule

The external support by China and Russia lent support to the Tatmadaw, especially during the elections, and while ASEAN and western powers have refused to accept the legitimacy of the election, many of the immediate neighbours like India, Bangladesh, and Thailand prefer what they see as stability under the military, given their cross-border concerns.

More on Indo Pacific - China Watch

Use of Chinese vaccines in Sri Lanka questioned

Opposition parties in Sri Lanka have questioned the manner in which the Sri Lankan government has approved the use of the Chinese vaccines in the island nation, reported Colombopage

India seeks military disengagement at all friction points in eastern Ladakh with China for ties' improvement

India called on China to withdraw troops from all friction points in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and asserted that the disengagement alone will ease tension in the border areas

Sri Lanka to receive Chinese Sinopharm vaccine on 31 March

Sri Lanka is likely to get 600,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines from China on 31 March, reported Daily Mirror

Quad ‘democracies’ will hold Chinese ‘autocracy’ accountable for its actions: Biden

The Quad summit “got the Chinese attention” on their seriousness in holding Beijing accountable for its actions in the Indo-Pacific region, according to US President Joe Biden

Myanmar turmoil no hurdle for India in completing strategic Kaladan project

India has expedited work on its ambitious road infrastructure project -- Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project -- that opens a gateway to Southeast Asian countries in an attempt to counter the growing influence of China in the region

India's China policy needs change; build alliances, leverage democracy, suggests think tank

India's stance on China has to irreversibly change in the light of the recent developments, both bilateral and global

Sri Lanka signs $1.5 billion currency swap deal with China

In what seems a temporary respite for Sri Lanka’s dwindling forex reserve, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has signed a $1.5 billion currency swap agreement with China, reported Colombopage

Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka to get priority vaccination

Authorities in Sri Lanka will administer the Chinese-made Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines first to Chinese nationals living in the country

US, India to expand defence and security cooperation - with China in mind

As part of expanding global security cooperation between the world's oldest and largest democracies, India will intensify military cooperation with the US Central Command in Florida and with the US Commands in the Indo-Pacific region and Africa

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Delhi to discuss ‘pressing’ Indo-Pacific 'challenges'

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived here on Friday for discussions on cooperating to face “most pressing challenges” in the Indo-Pacific, an euphemism for China’a maritime muscle-flexing in the region

UK PM Johnson to visit India, discuss China threat

Calling the Indo-Pacific "increasingly the geopolitical centre of the world",  United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit India in April to ostensibly create a democratic counterweight to China

China says Quad reflects 'ideological bias'

China has accused the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), a four-nation grouping comprising Australia, India, United States and Japan, of "ideological bias and cold war mentality" and described it as a clique based on an ideology that is "detrimental to the border"

China steps up cyber-attacks after Ladakh disengagement

Indian government organisations such as Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) and National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) have reported that Chinese hackers have attempted to infiltrate the country's cyberspace after troops from the two neighbours disengaged from Pangong Lake in eastern Ladak

Sri Lankan flag on doormat: Colombo raises objection with Beijing

A controversy erupted in Sri Lanka on Friday when people in Sri Lanka noticed that Amazon, an online platform, was selling doormats with imprinted Sri Lankan flag on them, reported Colombopage

IMF closely monitoring Lanka’s $1.5 billion currency swap with China

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that they are “closely monitoring” the Sri Lanka’s recent currency swap deal of $1.5 billion with China, reported Colombopage