Xi Jinping with Saudi Monarch and Gulf leaders (Photo: Twitter)

China’s rise in the Middle East : A fallout of US 'pivot' to Indo Pacific?

Many rising powers including India, which the US is counting on along with Japan, Australia, South Korea to deal with China in the Indo-Pacific, have robust and strong  commercial ties with China which they can not easily jeopardize only because the US feels threatened by the rise of China. Even the European Union is economically entrenched with China and the EU would not upset China beyond a certain threshold.

Driving the future: India-China collaboration on EVs can be model for green mobility

One such opportunity lies in the realm of electric vehicles (EVs). Both India and China are on the cusp of transformative shifts in transportation, and the adoption of EVs could play a pivotal role in sustainable development and poverty alleviation in India. As India considers domestic EV manufacturing in collaboration with Chinese companies such as BYD, Leapmotor, and NIO, the potential for job creation, trade, and technology transfer is enormous. Chinese expertise in EV technology could help India meet its ambitious environmental goals while bolstering economic growth.

A positive shift in India-China relations can be a global changer

In such a scenario, closer engagement with Beijing, does not mean that New Delhi needs to abandon its call for open sea lanes and unhindered movement through the South China Seas, or its support to QUAD, or participate in the naval exercises in the Pacific, or disown His Holiness the Dalai Lama, or break trade and other contacts with Taiwan, to name a few. Each is critical to crafting India's foreign and security policy towards China, the ASEAN, and the Indo-Pacific. 

More on Indo Pacific - China Watch

China funds study on Nepal youth joining Indian Army's Gorkha regiment

China has given 12.7 lakh Nepalese rupees to a Kathmandu-based NGO to carry out a study on what motivates Gorkha community members to join the Indian Army

China enhances Pakistan's firepower with armed drones

China is helping Pakistan to boost its firepower by selling it state-of-the-art defence items, including armed drones, even as it is engaged with India at the borders in eastern Ladakh

'Positive vibes' from China for review of PPAs with IPPs with Pakistan

In another positive development,  Chinese authorities have also indicated to Pakistan’s top notches that they would also review the power purchase agreements (PPAs) of the independent power producers (IPPs) installed under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) umbrella keeping in view the rising circular debt and other power sector financial woes adversely impacting the country's economy, a senior top official at Power Division told The News

Pakistan to improve CPEC visibility

The Pakistan government has decided to improve visibility of the flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), days before foreign minister’s visit to Beijing where he will discuss new priorities of the country

Pakistan enhances security of CPEC

Pakistan Army has said that security of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been further enhanced. On Thursday, Major General Babar Iftikhar, director general of army's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations, said all formations deployed for the security of CPEC have been further equipped and become more active, reports Xinhua news agency

Tibetan-Chinese man arrested in Delhi suspected of working for Chinese intelligence

Nabbed in a crackdown on a multi-billion hawala racket operating in Delhi-NCR, Luo Sang, alias Charlie Peng, is suspected to be an agent of the Chinese intelligence service, the Ministry of State Security (MSS)

Pakistan awarding illegal gold, uranium mining contracts to China in Gilgit-Baltistan

Pakistan, in violation of international laws and defiance of its own Constitution, has given a free hand to Chinese mining companies to plunder natural resources in the occupied Gilgit Baltistan (GB) area

China suspends SriLankan Airline’s Colombo-Shanghai flight over COVID-19 cases

China’s civil aviation regulator has announced that SriLankan Airlines’ Colombo-Shanghai flight and two other airlines would be suspended after several passengers tested positive for COVID-19 on recent flights, Xinhua reported

Chinese Embassy tweets explanation to the Google map image ‘CHINA SW’ in Hambantota

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka has replied to reports about the google map image that had emerged in social media showing multiple buildings in Hambantota spelling out ‘CHINA SW’ saying that it was initially constructed to show ‘CHINA ❤️ SLK.’

Bangladesh in no hurry to trial Sinovac's virus vaccine

Bangladesh is in no hurry to start a late-stage human trial of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd, according to the country's top health officials

Indian tax officials conduct searches at premises of Chinese entities

India's Income Tax Department on Tuesday mounted a search at various premises of identified Chinese entities, their close confederates and couple of bank employees

Chinese firm to invest $300m to set up plasma fractionation plant in Bangladesh

The good news on the economic front has started to roll in once again, with the latest being China-based Oryx Biotech's announcement to invest $300 million to set up a plasma fractionation plant in Bangladesh

Bangladesh PM adviser, policymakers woo Chinese entrepreneurs

Salman F Rahman, advisor to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and policymakers have asked Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in the country and export products back to Beijing using the duty-free access facility

'Deception, disinformation part of China's game plan with India'

China's game plan for the stand-off along the Line of Actual Control with India in Ladakh will include a combination of pressure, deception, disinformation and continuation of its long-term expansionist policies

Is China manipulating Nepal?

Oli’s anti-India posture was seen to be at the behest of Beijing as India converted the unmetalled road into a strategic road through which the Indian Army and guns can reach the Tibet plateau early, a strategic development not to China's liking, writes Jai Kumar Verma