Commentary

In his book The Revenge of Geography, American scholar Robert Kaplan says the fact that China is blessed by geography is so basic that it is often overlooked in conversations about China’s growing economic and geo-strategic assertiveness.

It would be interesting to see how the new restructured Central scheme announced in the Union Budget for exporters and trading agents, and good on paper, unfolds in the coming days and what it holds in store for exporters and other trading agents

Russia hosted a six-nation conference on Afghanistan’s future in Moscow two weeks ago which saw participation from India, Iran, Pakistan, China and Afghanistan. 

A great deal has been spoken about India’s demographic dividend. By 2020, it is said, India will become the youngest country in the world, with its population’s median age at 29.

Located in the Sindh town of Sehwan, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is among Pakistan’s best-regarded Sufi shrines. It is associated in popular culture with the haunting voice of Reshma, 

As it assumes the BRICS presidency in 2017, China’s strategic partnership with Brazil – its fellow member in the bloc – comes into focus. Although the nature of China’s ties with the member nations in the BRICS group has been a subject of much deliberation, the country’s strategic partnership with Brazil is a seldom discussed issue.

Silencing both critics and skeptics, Modi had categorically stated that “relations between the two countries cannot be determined or be even remotely influenced by incidents related to individuals.”

India recently announced that it will welcome the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader who has lived in exile in India since 1959, at an international conference on Buddhism in the state of Bihar in March. Ignoring protests from the Chinese government, India will also allow the Dalai Lama to visit the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as part of its own territory and calls South Tibet. 

Asia’s rapid ascendance in the global hierarchy has reflected in the priorities of the White House for the last decade and a half. Successive US administrations, despite getting bogged down with multiple crises in various parts of the world, have kept a firm eye on Asia as a rising China has challenged American superiority in the Asia-Pacific.