Three years ago, Kathmandu was caught in the crossfire of Washington-Beijing tensions over the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a multi-million American grant for Nepal. While the United States warned of reviewing its overall ties with Nepal should Kathmandu fail to ratify the MCC-Nepal Compact from Parliament, Beijing referred to the grant as a “Pandora’s box.” … Read more
Watch: What’s strategic autonomy and why is it important for India? In this episode of Realpolitik, Stanly Johny explores the complexities of India’s foreign policy and its balancing act between the U.S. and Russia. Since independence, all Indian governments have adhered to strategic autonomy in various forms—non-alignment, multi-alignment, multi-engagement, or multi-directional foreign policy. Today, the … Read more
Anchored in the heart of colonial San Salvador, a towering and expansive library was inaugurated this week by President Nayib Bukele, the latest sign of China‘s growing influence across Central America. With the Chinese ambassador at his side, Bukele toured the seven-story building, erected at a cost of $54 million paid for by China. The … Read more
Chinese President Xi Jinping, fresh off his meeting with President Joe Biden, courted Indo-Pacific leaders in a flurry of meetings on Thursday at a time of intensifying competition with the United States. Xi held individual talks with the leaders of Mexico, Peru, and Fiji, and he planned a later session with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio … Read more
China has lashed out at media reports alleging a man who was arrested on suspicion of espionage was gathering intelligence for Beijing, labelling the claim a “political farce”. UK police said over the weekend that they had arrested a man in his twenties at his home in Edinburgh for spying, with the Sunday Times reporting … Read more
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, shakes hand with Chinese Premier Li Qiang upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention centre for the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, on Sept. 9, 2023. | Photo Credit: AP G-20 Summit | China backs New Delhi Declaration’s focus away from ‘geopolitics’ China, which had strongly opposed in … Read more
The United States expects to elevate its diplomatic relations with former foe Vietnam to the top level as President Joe Biden travels to Hanoi in a week, in a move that may irk China and with unclear business implications. Fearful of the potential reaction from its much larger neighbour, Vietnam had initially expressed caution about … Read more
Pacific Island state of Palau has been under intense pressure from China to snap diplomatic ties with Taiwan. A confirmation to this effect came from none other than Palau President, Surangel Whipps Jr himself when he said that Palau was under China’s pressure to switch recognition from Taiwan to China. The Pacific island nation of … Read more
KUALA LUMPUR: The Chinese government’s top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, on Tuesday urged Asian countries to remain “vigilant” over the risk of U.S. strategy stoking geopolitical competition in the South China Sea and other parts of the region. Beijing and members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) should work together to … Read more