Focus: Indian Ocean Rim | 24th April 2024
Indian Ocean Region (IOR) state of Kenya has a professional standing military that has been engaged in several operations including peace keeping and counter-terrorism for many years. However, last week in a major setback Kenya’s military chief, Francis Ogolla, died in a helicopter crash in the western part of the country, one year after he […]
Focus: Indo-Pacific | 17th April 2024
The last week turned out to be a watershed in the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific region with Japan and USA deciding to take their strategic partnership to an unprecedented level in the backdrop of Chinese expansionism. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida travelled to Washington last week for a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, […]
Indian Ocean Rim | 10th April 2024
India’s trade ties in the Indian Ocean Region got a leg up with the conclusion of FTA with Oman, which will be India’s second free trade pact in the region after UAE. The FTA will be signed after the Indian general elections. India made a strong statement through its presence at the 30th remembrance of […]
Focus: Indo-Pacific | 3rd April 2024
India in a significant move expanded its strategic and defence partnerships with 3 SE Asian states – Singapore; Philippines and Malaysia during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s trip to these countries where he engaged with slew of decision makers including top leadership. This happened as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered his government to strengthen […]
Focus: Indian Ocean Rim | 27th March 2024
African powerhouse and key Indian Ocean Region state – South Africa is heading for a showdown with the USA following the differences that have surfaced over the last two years on the Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas conflict. A bill would call on the US government to comprehensively review US relations with South Africa has been […]
Focus: Indo-Pacific | 20th March 2024
Last week witnessed beginning of a unique partnership between India-USA-South Korea with launch of a trilateral dialogue to bolster cooperation in areas of semiconductor supply chains, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence and quantum computing that could create of group of like-minded democracies amid China’s soaring ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. On the other hand China […]
Focus: Indian Ocean Rim | 13th March 2024
India has close and longstanding relations with Mauritius, an island nation in the Western Indian Ocean, anchored in shared history, demography, culture and strategic partnership. Mauritius is in fact a key anchor for India’s Indian Ocean Region outreach. To underline strong ties, Indian President is visiting Mauritius this week where she is the Chief Guest […]
Focus: Indo-Pacific | 6th March 2024
Tensions are escalating in the South China Sea (SCS) region between China and Philippines. Over the past weekend China has accused a top Philippine envoy of “reckless speculation”, hitting back at the official’s claim that Beijing was using economic coercion against Manila in their dispute over SCS. The Philippines’ top envoy in the United States […]
Focus: Indian Ocean Rim | 28th February 2024
India and its oldest strategic partner in West Asia – Oman held their strategic dialogue this week to keep momentum in ties close on the heels of Sultan’s visit to New Delhi and Oman’s decision on India specific zone in the Duqm port. In a special concession for certain African countries including Tanzania, India has […]
Focus Neighbourhood: Pakistan, India swap lists of prisoners and nuclear installations
Pakistan, India swap lists of prisoners and nuclear installations The News | 1st January Pakistan and India have exchanged their lists of prisoners and nuclear installations and facilities. The move follows up on years-long agreements between the two arch-rivals who have fought numerous battles since their independence in 1947. Both nations, who parted ways after ousting […]