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Debt Trap
Pakistan’s Deepening Crisis and Budget
Amb D P Srivastava, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Article

Pakistan’s Finance Minister Dar presented the budget for FY 2023-24 on 9th June. Pakistan follows July to June budget cycle. There does not appear to be any serious attempt by the PDM government to address the serious economic crisis the country fa....

June 16, 2023 Neighbourhood Studies , Pakistan , Article , Imran Khan , IMF , Debt Trap , defence budget Pakistan
Neighborhood News Digest – 08 June 2023

Afghanistan
Russian Foreign Minister reiterates country’s support for inclusive government in Afghanistan – The Print
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reiterated Russia’s support for an inclusive government in....

June 08, 2023 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , China , Russia , Nepal , Afghanistan , Bhutan , USAID , Imran Khan , energy , Tourism , World Bank , Debt Trap , Budget , ADB , India-Bangladesh , India-Maldives , Heatwave , India-Sri Lanka , Akhand Bharat , Online Security
Is Taming the Dragon Possible in Central Asia?
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Commentary

Background
Due to its proximity to China’s western region and abundant natural resources, the Central Asian region is crucial from a geopolitical perspective. With the demise of the Soviet Union, China established a significant political ....

February 28, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Commentary , Russia , SCO , Protests , Kazakhstan , Corruption , BRI , illegal immigrants , Debt Trap , Leasing Land , Ukraine Conflict , Anti-China Protests , Cultural Invasion
Neighborhood News Digest – 27 February 2023

Afghanistan
Afghan Assets Made $70 Million in Interest: Mehrabi – Tolo News
Shah Mohammad Mehrabi, Central Bank supreme council member and board member of the Afghan Trust Fund in Switzerland, said that the $3.5 billion fund--i....

February 27, 2023 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , China , economy , Iran , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , FATF , Uzbekistan , Bhutan , elections , Bangladesh , Taliban , Imran Khan , Tourism , refugees , Healthcare , Debt Trap , Inflation , Pakistan Economy , women rights , Education , Ukraine War , Defence and Security , HRW , Bhutan Economy , Foreign Reserves , Bhutan-India , China-Nepal , Afghan assets , Interest rates , Politics. Japan , UAE-Maldives , Russia. India , PM Dinesh Gunawardena
China’s Export of Wealth – Options for India within Hybrid Battle space
Abhishek Das Article

Prologue
China’s rapid growth in last couple of decades since Deng Xiaoping started economic reforms in 1978 followed by the restructuring of its economy by Premier Zhu Rongji in 2001 when China joined WTO; helped generate disproportion....

October 02, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Article , India , China , Hybrid Warfare , BRI , Debt Trap , Hybrid Battle space , Haiwai , Hybrid options
Sino-Tajik Relations: An Unequal Partnership
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

The narrative about the ‘peaceful Rise of China’ is ironic. China has border disputes with all its neighbours. Some of these issues have been addressed, while some still exist. For example, its border dispute with India is a critical issue affect....

August 17, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , China , Article , India , SCO , Afghanistan , military base , Soviet Union , Tajikistan , Debt Trap , Xinjiang , Badakhshan , Uyghurs , Border Dispute , Chinese Belligerence , investment and trade , Pamir Region
China-Central Asia Relations
Amb Ashok Sajjanhar

Since the Soviet disintegration, Chinese activities in Central Asia grew leaps and bounds. China has penetrated deep into economic and strategic spheres of these countries with its ambitious Belt and Road projects. However, with the increasing Chines....

May 17, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , China , China , Russia , Central Asia , BRI , Debt Trap , Oil and Gas , Military Exercises , Sinophobia , Podcast , Railways and roads
Local Perception of China's Growing Role in Central Asia
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Introduction
China's relation with its Central Asian neighbours has been complicated. Even though Beijing maintains good relations with most Central Asian governments, rising anti-Chinese sentiments among the local populace have proved ch....

October 10, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , China , Article , Protests , Kazakhstan , Corruption , illegal immigrants , Debt Trap , Demonstrations , Anti-China , Leasing Land , Detention Camps , Sinophobia , Kyrgystan
China's Debt Trap in Central Asia
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Background
Chinese interest in Central Asia is multifold. Firstly to secure its northwestern region of Xinjiang, which shares a direct border with three Central Asian countries; Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Xinjiang is home to....

October 01, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Corruption , Tajikistan , BRI , Debt Trap , Loans , AIIB , Predatory lending , Anti-Chinese sentiments , Credits , Territorial claims
China’s Expanding role in Afghanistan
Dr Yatharth Kachiar Article

As the United States plans to confront China in regions such as Indo-Pacific, it ingenuously is paving the way for Beijing’s rising influence at the heart of the Eurasian continent, i.e. Afghanistan. China’s primary aim in Afghanistan is to ensur....

September 23, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Neighbourhood Studies , Afghanistan , China , Article , India , Pakistan , US , China , Afghanistan , Belt and Road , Taliban , Debt Trap , Terroism
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