Big Block of 4 - Samvada World

G20 Summit 2023 – Its Importance for India and the World

8Sep

By Anhad JakhmolaNo Comments

Analysis, Big Block of 4, Featured, World

G20 Summit 2023 – Its Importance for India and the World

India has the world's attention today and perhaps is its biggest opportunity to leave its mark on the world stage. While India has been vocal about its rise, it is its approach towards growth that has the world's attention. While China has faltered in the role of the leader of the Global South, India has continued to assert itself as a viable, straightforward and honest alternative that is trustworthy. There are disruptive forces, both internal and external, that will try to hamper India's progress but it will ace this test despite all odds. The G20 this year will be an important session in terms of understanding global events and getting around the usual business of international competition. The location happens to be in one of the most important nations in the world today; Indi...

Chinese ‘Spy Ship’ at Hambantota – A Security Nightmare for India & South Asia

21Aug

By Viswapramod C1 Comment

Analysis, Asia, Big Block of 4, Defence & Security, Featured

Chinese ‘Spy Ship’ at Hambantota – A Security Nightmare for India & South Asia

China docked its 'spy ship' in the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka for several days. Despite India’s reluctance and insistence against this decision, Sri Lanka allowed the ship to be docked, buckling down under Chinese pressure. This move has several tactical and strategic consequences on the South Asian region and especially on India’s influence in the region. China exerted its pressure on Sri Lanka and has been successful in sending across the perception of its strategic dominance in the region through this Spy Ship in India’s naval backyard. Though the official sources in the Sri Lankan government said that this was just a balancing game being played, in order to accommodate the Chinese, it’s quite evident that China did not want to lose face by not being successful in this g...

Why India needs to up its game in the Indo-Pacific region

10Aug

By Viswapramod C1 Comment

Analysis, Asia, Big Block of 4, Featured, World

Why India needs to up its game in the Indo-Pacific region

The geostrategic weight of the 21st century rests in the Indo-Pacific, and India would be geo-politically, geo-strategically and geographically sitting at the crossroads of Eurasia, North East Asia, and the Asian continent to dominate the region.Americans believe that the Indo-Pacific region is economically the most dynamic region which stimulates the growth and development in the region to become a Geo-economic power house of the world.The EU identifies the need to work with the Indo-Pacific on a competitive scale, which would enhance the strategic ties and would help build partnerships to contain the global hegemony by any single superpower.India needs to bring out its own policy white paper on the Indo-Pacific region focusing on its national interests and national security prioriti...

Epoch Thinkers, Apex Strategists: Ambedkar and Savarkar – Part 1

21Jul

By Balaji Subramanian1 Comment

Asia, Big Block of 4, National

Epoch Thinkers, Apex Strategists: Ambedkar and Savarkar – Part 1

Part 1 (This is the first article in a 2-part series on Dr BR Ambedkar and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar) When India got its independence in 1947 in terms of diplomacy, national security, and the economy, India was in dire straits. And to further compound this problem, the new leader of India was to be the mercurial and quixotic Jawaharlal Nehru who had no understanding of national defense nor did he practice a cogent foreign policy. However, Bharat was blessed with Dr Bheem Rao Ambedkar and Vinayak Damodar Veer Savarkar, two-man of great vision and foresight when it came to matters of national defense and geopolitics. Both men were practical with their approach when it came to foreign policy. Ambedkar believed in laying the groundwork of a strong infrastructure that will allow us s...

Explained: China’s New legislation that arms the CCP government against Foreign sanctions

14Jun

By SamvadaWorld StaffNo Comments

Analysis, Asia, Big Block of 4, Featured, World

Explained: China’s New legislation that arms the CCP government against Foreign sanctions

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 own interests. The Chinese government and people resolutely oppose any sanctions and interference." Rationale behind the new legislation The US had imposed multiple sanctions on China, beginning with the ban on Chinese technology giant Huawei and ZTE equipment, on cotton from Xinjiang, and investment in Chinese companies. Sanctions have been imposed due to the crackdown in Hong Kong, and the UK has even passed a re...

BRICS Foreign Ministers reaffirm commitment to multilateralism, democracy, non-interference in internal affairs of others

2Jun

By SamvadaWorld StaffNo Comments

Big Block of 4, Featured

BRICS Foreign Ministers reaffirm commitment to multilateralism, democracy, non-interference in internal affairs of others

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 after 2012 and 2016. China and Russia crucially reiterated the importance they attach to the status and role of Brazil, India and South Africa in international affairs and supported the aspiration of these BRICS members to play a greater role in the UN. The Joint Statement issued at the end of the meeting reaffirmed the "sole authority of the UN Security Council" for imposing sanctions and called for further consolidation and strengthe...

The Great Game over Rare Earth Minerals in Afghanistan

29May

By Chandrashekar TS2 Comments

Analysis, Asia, Big Block of 4, Featured

The Great Game over Rare Earth Minerals in Afghanistan

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. America and NATO Troops are going to withdraw from Afghanistan this year. Soon ...

$400 Billion Iran-China Treaty and US Troop withdrawal from Afghanistan – How worried should India be?

3Apr

By Chandrashekar TSNo Comments

Analysis, Asia, Big Block of 4, Featured

$400 Billion Iran-China Treaty and US Troop withdrawal from Afghanistan – How worried should India be?

Iran has signed a 25-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China worth $400 Billion with investments in various sectors 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 ot...

Quad versus BRICS: Is it Either-Or for India?

26Mar

By Isha TripathiNo Comments

Analysis, Big Block of 4, Featured, National

Quad versus BRICS: Is it Either-Or for India?

China’s assertiveness bordering on bullying and expansionism gradually increased to convince the Quad countries to revive the dialogue in 2017India 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 AsiaQuad 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 countriesA Chinese mouthpiece’s article creates a scenario wherein India seems to be stuck in a zero-sum game- if it chooses Quad, it loses BRICSQuad is conceptualized exclusively with Chinese expansionism in mind, and its impact on the participating nations. It...