China

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

The overall market cap of Indian equity markets has grown beyond the Hong Kong market to become the fourth largest in the world. This is a time to be cautious and keep the faith of investors with diligence

Maldives’ astute president Mohamed Muizzu is trying to evolve his own narrative by cutting down the overwhelming influence of India, while wooing China and cultivating Islamic countries

While a fleeting meeting between PM Modi and President Jinping has led to some hope of a thaw, the fact is that China considers India as its long-term strategic competitor and will keep the cauldron boiling always

By Suryansh Vardhan I...