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

Pakistani exports to China witness 30% increase

Pakistan’s exports to China increased by 30% year-on-year in November 2020, improving trade balance between the two countries

Maldives, China to hold high-level talks tomorrow

The Maldives and China will hold a director-general level bilateral consultation on Thursday where the two nations would discuss, post-pandemic economic recovery, tourism among other issues to enhance the bilateral cooperation

China delayed loan to Sri Lanka expressway for 4.5 years: ex-minister

China delayed a loan for an expressway to Kandy for 4.5 years through the building contract was awarded to a Chinese contractor was re-confirmed during his time, former Sri Lanka Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella said

'CPEC is a transformational project for Pakistan'

Pakistani Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood has described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a transformational project, adding that there was a complete national consensus on CPEC's indispensability for the country's development efforts

India to deploy high-speed boats at Pangong Lake to thwart Chinese incursions

India will deploy boats with enhanced capabilities, including anti-ramming features, at Pangong Lake at eastern Ladakh, one of the border locations witnessing a dispute with China

China border situation sensitive, need for wider access highway, says Indian government to Supreme Court

India's Ministry of Defence, seeking expansion of road width in the Char Dham Highway project in Uttarakhand state, told the Supreme Court that situation on the ground at the India-China border has changed significantly this year and it has become imperative that men and equipment should move swiftly from army stations to the frontier

India's high-altitude readiness prompts China to go for emergency procurements

China is making last-minute efforts to make emergency procurements of high-altitude gear and clothing for its troops as they were caught unaware with India's readiness for the harsh winter atop the Eastern Ladkah heights that has been the bone of contention between the two Asian majors, Indian military intelligence officials say

China, Pakistan to enhance defense ties, expedite CPEC projects

Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fanghe visited Pakistan on Monday and met with Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa

Maldives launches marketing blitz in China to increase tourist traffic

In an effort to boost tourist arrivals from China, the Maldives launched two major promotional campaigns in China, Sun news reported

Nepal Airlines comes up with options to get rid of six Chinese aircraft

Nepal Airlines has submitted four options to the Ministry of Tourism to get rid of the six inefficient Chinese aircraft in its fleet, five months after its board of directors unanimously decided to stop flying them as they were worsening its losses

Nepal-China border closure affects northern villages

Residents of several settlements in the northern parts of Sankhuwasabha and Taplejung districts are having a tough time managing essential commodities and finding markets for their products due to the protracted closure of the Nepal-China border amid coronavirus threat

Experts debunk Chinese scientists' Covid virus India origin claim

Health experts in India have refuted a claim made by Chinese scientists in a preprint paper that suggests that the Indian subcontinent might be the place where the earliest human-to-human SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurred

Chinese defence minister puts off visit to Bangladesh

Chinese Defence Minister Gen Wei Fenghe has suspended his visit to Dhaka that was scheduled for this week

What led to Chinese defense minister's 'sudden' visit to Nepal

Just days after Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla visited Nepal, the Chinese state councilor and defense minister Wei Fanghe hurridly paid a one day visit to Nepal on Sunday, The Himalayan Times reported

Chinese stopover in Nepal militarily significant and politically symbolic

Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister Wei Fenghe on Sunday landed in Kathmandu for a daylong stopover during which he held a whirlwind of meetings with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, also the defence minister, President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Nepal Army Chief Purna Chandra Thapa before flying straight to Pakistan in the evening