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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
Tajikistan: Another Victim of Chinese Belligerence in Central Asia
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Introduction
Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, China has shown increasing irredentist tendencies. From the South China Sea to its South and Central Asian neighbours, Chinese territorial encroachment has created fissures in b....

August 12, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Russia , Central Asia , Kazakhstan , military base , Tajikistan , Kyrgyz Republic , Debt Trap , Pamir , Land grab , irredentism
Coronavirus: China’s New Diplomacy
Dr Teshu Singh Article

As on 15April 2020, the total number of coronavirus cases are 1,986,936, with 125,953 deaths worldwide. The origin of the virus remains unknown. It is widely believed that virus jumped species and is traced to the “wet market” in Wuhan. It is bel....

April 18, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Article , US , China , South China Sea , Xi Jinping , Europe , HDFC , Wuhan , India-China relations , BRI , Coronavirus , COVID-19 , Pandemic , PPE , CDC , Debt Trap , 20th Party Congress , API , Neighbourhood
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