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Vietnam Continues to be Wary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
May 29, 2019 Brig Vinod Anand, Senior Fellow, VIF Commentary

The second BRI Forum of China held in April 2019 has received as much attention, if not more, as the first one held in May 2017. The fundamental objectives of the BRI remain the same, i.e., shoring up of domestic economy by exporting surplus industr....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Indo-Pacific , Commentary , Vietnam and BRI , Second BRI Forum , caution over BRI
What should be India’s Pakistan Policy in PM Modi’s Second Term?
May 28, 2019 Commodore Somen Banerjee Commentary

William Shakespeare had said, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”. Amidst jubilations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be sworn to bear his onerous responsibility for another five years. Since he has returned with full majority, ....

Keywords : National Security and Strategic Studies , Commentary , India’s Pakistan policy , dealing with Pakistan’s hostility
Modi Formula for New India
May 27, 2019 Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF Commentary

In his speeches, given after the election results were out, Prime Minister Modi has dwelt at length on the concept of New India. He said that while 2014-19 was devoted to denting poverty, the second term will address the task of building a ‘New Ind....

Keywords : Governance and Political Studies , Commentary , A New India , Modi’s India vision , Goals of new government
Algeria - Hankering for Democracy
May 21, 2019 Amb Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Commentary

It seems that time for long imposed dictatorships is on the decline. This is more so in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region where consequent to public protests and virulent demonstrations the well-entrenched strongmen had to submit and exi....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Africa , Commentary , people’s revolution in Algeria , Algeria’s democratic demands
The Sri Lanka Attacks and the Threat Within
May 21, 2019 Mayuri Mukherjee Commentary

The Easter Sunday carnage in Sri Lanka that killed more than 250 people1 last month caught many by surprise2. The island nation had been enjoying a period of relative peace and stability since the civil war came to an end with t....

Keywords : Terrorism , National Security and Strategic Studies , Commentary , Islamic Radicalisation , Sri Lanka terror attack , IS jihadi international
Pakistan: the IMF Bailout Agreed, the Hard Part Begins Now
May 20, 2019 Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF Commentary

The IMF and the government of Pakistan have agreed on a structural adjustment program of USD 6 billion for three years to stabilise Pakistan’s crisis ridden economy. This will be the 13th such IMF package since 1988. The agreement was reached after....

Keywords : Neighbourhood Studies , Pakistan , Commentary , Pakistan economic mess , IMF bailout to Pakistan
Chinese Companies Marching to Lead in Digital Economy
May 19, 2019 Dr Kamlesh Bajaj Commentary

Freedom of Expression Invoked by a Chinese Company Tik-Tok – Strange but True!
Byte-Dance, a Chinese company, is one of the most valued start-ups at $75 billion with investors that include Soft-Bank. It is reported to have been funded ....

Keywords : Technological and Scientific Studies , Commentary , Tik-Tok ban , Madras HC order , China’s digital Global reach
Sabotage Acts outside the Port of Fujairah – Implications for India
May 17, 2019 Rajesh Soami Commentary

On the morning of the 12th of May 2019, commercial ships were attacked outside the port of Fujairah in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Reports of the incident first emerged in pro-Iranian media outlets in the region. They initially claimed tha....

Keywords : National Security and Strategic Studies , Energy Security , Commentary , Blasts in the Fujairah port , Targeting maritime traffic , India’s oil import
Why Russia remains important for India?
May 13, 2019 Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF Commentary

India pursues an independent foreign policy. But given the pulls and pressures of geopolitical realities, it is not an easy task. There is often a tendency in India to focus on US and Japan while ignoring Russia. This will be counter-productive. Indi....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , Indo-Russian relations , balancing US , Russia and China
The Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation: An Assessment
May 13, 2019 Dr Teshu Singh Commentary

The Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF), titled as ‘Working together to deliver a Brighter Future for Belt and Road Cooperation”, held in Beijing, China on 25-27th April 2019 attracted wide international attention. It ....

Keywords : International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , Xi Jinping’s speech , Second Belt and Road Forum , BRI reforms
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