Asia

Explainer: Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
Analysis, Asia, Featured, National

Explainer: Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

The religious minorities, viz., Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Hindus, from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014, because of persecution or were afraid of being persecuted on account of their faith, the CAA-2019 offers a route to Indian citizenship. The core objective is not to revoke citizenship but to grant it to specific religious minorities facing historical and ongoing persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.The CAA's commitment to upholding principles of religious freedom and equality, within the secular fabric of India, underscores its humanitarian imperative to offer sanctuary to those who have endured persecution based on their religious identity. (This explainer was first published by CIHS, New ...
Hindus in Pakistan: A Saga of Systematic, Chronic and Shocking violations of religious freedom
Analysis, Asia, Featured

Hindus in Pakistan: A Saga of Systematic, Chronic and Shocking violations of religious freedom

Summary: Human rights and religious freedom conditions continued to deteriorate at an unprecedented rate in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan during 2019-2020. Pakistan’s widespread violation of human rights and its tolerance of human rights violations by non-state actors demonstrate a blatant disregard for its obligations under international human rights norms. As a result, Pakistan remained on the U.S. State Department’s list of Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, for its “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom” against its religious minorities including Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and Shia Muslims. (U.S. Department of State, 2018; Pompeo, 2019). But despite rampant human rights violati...
India-Oman Strengthening Bilateral Relations
Asia, Featured, Middle East, World

India-Oman Strengthening Bilateral Relations

Whereas there has always been people-to-people interaction between India and Oman, dating back 5,000 years, diplomatic relations were first established in 1955, and in 2008 the relationship was upgraded to a strategic alliance. Oman is expanding its clean energy corporation with India to promote its renewable sector. ACME India Ltd. has also sealed an agreement for the development and commercial production of a green hydrogen and green ammonia production plant at the port of Duqm in Oman.Given that both countries share the Indian Ocean region and have similar strategic objectives regarding trade routes and marine security, an important factor is the type of bilateral diplomacy. The diplomatic projects that both countries have started, signifying the depth and dedication of the relatio...
Multilateral Naval Exercise ‘Milan’ 2024: An Analysis
Asia, Defence & Security, World

Multilateral Naval Exercise ‘Milan’ 2024: An Analysis

The nine-day mega naval exercise will involve the participation of over 50 countries with around 14 new nations participating in this for the first time. India's Milan Exercise not only does promote multilateral partnerships with like-minded nations but also, promotes the indigenous push under their ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ policy. 'Milan' 2024 would be an important benchmark towards getting more active partners from various conflict zones. Indian Navy has stated the importance of this year's Milan Exercise by highlighting the need to strengthen regional cooperation and maritime security, foster interoperability and have a good understanding between various nations while providing a platform for sharing best practices with expertise. India recently kicked off the multilateral Naval ex...
Understanding Japan’s Economic Quandary and Its Effect on India
Asia, Featured, World

Understanding Japan’s Economic Quandary and Its Effect on India

Japan's economy is plagued by demand deficiency that has persisted due to various factors, including low consumer spending and restricted credit flow stemming from banking sector troubles. The reluctance of Japanese economic policymakers to embrace aggressive monetary measures can be attributed, in part, to lingering trauma from past economic bubbles and subsequent busts. As a key trading partner and investor, Japan's economic slowdown could potentially dampen demand for Indian exports across vital sectors like automobiles, electronics, and machinery. Japan's recession could also possibly lead to a reduction in its investments in India, thereby impacting job creation and economic growth.  Japan encountered an unexpected economic setback, slipping into recession due to weak domestic...
Indonesia Elections | Impact On Democratization, Economy and the Neighbourhood
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Indonesia Elections | Impact On Democratization, Economy and the Neighbourhood

Prabowo Subianto (centre) is the favourite to win the elections with Ganjar Pranowo (right) and Anies Baswedan (left) being the runner-ups. The outcome of these elections holds significant implications for Indonesia's democratization, its economic development and the neighbourhood. Under Prabowo's administration, uncertainties loom over the continuity of Jokowi's initiatives, such as the relocation of the national capital and the ambition to transform Indonesia into a global hub for battery manufacturing. Ganjar's foreign policy stance is pragmatic, focusing on fostering economic partnerships and regional stability. Anies's foreign policy outlook diverges from the traditional approach and prioritises building strategic partnerships based on shared values such as democracy, human rights...
UPI’s Global Leap: India’s Digital Diplomacy Unfolds
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UPI’s Global Leap: India’s Digital Diplomacy Unfolds

The global expansion of UPI is a landmark moment for India, showcasing its digital payment prowess and marking its emergence as a global power in technology and diplomacy.The expansion of UPI's global footprint is a strategic move that opens up new avenues for trade and tourism, facilitating smoother financial transactions for travellers and businesses. As UPI becomes a global facilitator of transactions, it carries with it the hopes and aspirations of a nation that is determined to lead through technology, innovation, and shared prosperity. In the last week of January, social media buzzed with viral content featuring India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demonstrating the digital payment system at a local roadside shop while enjoying a "cutting chai" with France's President Emman...
#PakistanElections Choosing Between the Devil and the Deep Sea!
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#PakistanElections Choosing Between the Devil and the Deep Sea!

In its 75-year history, there is seldom an example of a free and fair election in Pakistan. Even in the previous election, there were multiple reported incidents of booth capturing by the army. The arrest and detention of Imran Khan didn't reduce his popularity or demoralize the cadre as the army had assumed. On the contrary, it just infused his cadres and supporters to fight with much more enthusiasm. With around 220 million people in politically unstable situations, easy availability of weapons and desperate economic situation is a recipe for anarchy. It will be a disaster not only for itself but for the neighbouring countries as well. 2024 is the election year for the whole world. The majority of the democracies enter the pool with India and US being in focus. Nearly 1 billion p...
Foreign Aid Allocation: A Peek at Modi’s Foreign Policy Through Economic Assistance 
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Foreign Aid Allocation: A Peek at Modi’s Foreign Policy Through Economic Assistance 

Among all the aspects of the budget, foreign aid can give some key insights towards the priorities of the government regarding its foreign policy. Bhutan is set to be the top recipient of foreign aid with ₹2068.5 crores followed by Nepal with ₹700 crores. This is in continuation with the current government's neighbourhood-first policy. While Sri Lanka and Africa have seen an increase in their share of aid, there is a marked decrease in the economic assistance provided by India to the Maldives and Afghanistan. Interim budget for the year 2023-24 was announced by Nirmala Sitharaman. Being a year of general elections, this is just a stopgap budget, with the full budget announced by the next elected government. Interim budget is a budget that has been more often misused by most governm...
Analyzing India-France Relations In Light of Macron’s Visit
Analysis, Asia, Europe, Featured, World

Analyzing India-France Relations In Light of Macron’s Visit

The Indo-French partnership has reliability, continuity and synergy, resulting in not just strategic cooperation, but also strong socio-cultural ties between the two. The power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific are a matter of grave concern, as both India and France are well aware that it is the increasing presence of the Chinese, which is posing a serious threat to the freedom of navigation in the region. France is concerned about the threat to its EEZ by which its supply chains lead to inevitable Chinese dependency. However, with the Indian assurance of scaling up the scope and efficiency of its indigenous supply chain mechanisms, the Chinese monopoly can collapse over some time. India needs to keep in mind that France, is neither Russia nor the USA, as it has limited strategic influence...