No Comments The Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress passed strong self-defence legislation on June 10th, 2021. President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order, promulgating the Anti-Foreign Sanctions law and brought it into immediate effect. Li Zhanshu, the chairman of the committee, said: “No one should expect China to accept any action that damages its […]
No Comments The crucial foreing minister meet of BRICS countries was held on June 1st. The meet chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar “reaffirmed the principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs of states” and the resolution of international disputes by peaceful means. This was the third time India presided over the BRICS meet […]
2 Comments United States Geological Survey geological survey estimates that Afghanistan may hold 60 million metric tons of copper, 2.2 billion tons of iron ore, and 1.4 million tons of rare earth elements (REEs) such as lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, and veins of aluminium, gold, silver, zinc, mercury, and lithium.
The USGS estimates the Khanneshin deposits in Helmand province will yield 1.1.-1.4 million metric tons of REEs. Some reports estimate Afghanistan REE resources are among the largest on earth.
China has won exploration rights for copper, coal, oil, and lithium deposits across Afghanistan, and there are reports that Beijing won the rights to develop a copper mine by bribing Afghan mining officials.
No Comments For the first time in history, China which was moving towards the East is turning to South Asia and the Middle East and trying to play a role in the Indian Ocean region.
China’s interest in Iran was bolstered by decades of Anti-American sentiments there.
China’s aim would also be to contain India’s presence in the Middle-East and cut its influence and relations with Iran.
A destabilized Afghanistan can have its effect on India as they can support terror organizations in Kashmir and aid forces who can indulge in hijacking, kidnapping, drugs trade and other anti-national activities.
For India the happenings in the Middle East, one in Iran and other in Afghanistan, will be a test to its geopolitical strategy.
No Comments China’s assertiveness bordering on bullying and expansionism gradually increased to convince the Quad countries to revive the dialogue in 2017
India in conjunction with USA and Japan becomes an eyesore for the CCP because for China to be the ‘middle-kingdom’, India has to remain the second-fiddle in Asia
Quad is geared towards the strategy of ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ (FIPO), and there is only one country in the region that stands out for flouting UNCLOS rules, building artificial islands, territorial water disputes with many countries
A Chinese mouthpiece’s article creates a scenario wherein India seems to be stuck in a zero-sum game- if it chooses Quad, it loses BRICS
Quad is conceptualized exclusively with Chinese expansionism in mind, and its impact on the participating nations. It has clear strategic interests and implications.
BRICS help voice concerns of those neglected by the USA led world order dominated by the developed world to the disadvantage of the developing world.
BRICS is guided by long-term, legitimate goal of making the world order fairer for the global south.
However, if push comes to shove, and India does come to a point where she has to choose between being part of only one of the two groups, India should choose the Quad.
