China

While the new Chinese large language model has shaken up the world, hitting at the base of leaders such as ChatGPT, India remains in the background, not being able to create a proper ecosystem for innovation

As the two Asian giants India  navigate a fragile détente, the re-election of Donald Trump adds a new dimension to the geopolitical chessboard. While New Delhi and Beijing seek to stabilize relations, Washington’s evolving China strategy raises critical questions about India’s balancing act between the two powers. Will India emerge as a bridge, a battleground, or a decisive player in the shifting global order?

India has engaged with the Taliban at the highest diplomatic level since 2021, signalling a shift in strategy to safeguard trade, aid, and regional influence

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s inaugural overseas visit to India since assuming office showcases classic diplomacy, marked by mutual agreements and concessions. He faces the dual challenge of addressing the nation’s economic and social inequalities while managing complex regional dynamics

The island-nation is grappling with a crisis that stems from years of  economic mismanagement, entrenched corruption, and political instability. The unprecedented 2022 protests, known locally as the Aragalaya movement, brought about the resignation of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, effectively ending the Rajapaksa family’s two-decade-long political dominance. The new president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has taken a pragmatic approach to ties with New Delhi

Over time, the country has expanded its influence in India by engaging journalists, organisations with Marxist leanings, think-tanks, and even Bollywood, to shape narratives and gather intelligence on key sectors like defence, space, nuclear capabilities, and information technology

The churning in Dhaka is an opportunity for China to strengthen its foothold in the region. India will have to mitigate this as the ouster of Sheikh Hasina has put paid to the benefits it enjoyed under her leadership

By deferring repayment of the $50 m treasury bill of Maldives for one more year, India has shown that it’s a friend, not a master of its neighbour. But as China is involved, it needs to draw red lines for the future

In a surprising volte-face, President Mohamed Muizzu reached out to India in a bid to thaw ties. Is Maldives becoming a “swing state” buffeted by India-China’s strategic maelstrom in the Indian Ocean?

India’s talks with Afghanistan pose both challenges and opportunities. As China’s influence grows and the Taliban seeks to establish its presence in Delhi, India must navigate these complexities with élan