Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

China’s Big Two Sessions Confirm Xi Jinping as China’s Pre-eminent Unrivalled Leader

The plenary sessions of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) -- China's version of a parliament -- and 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) -- China's top political advisory body -- that concluded on March 13 were, a

March 27, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy, China, Article, China, Xi Jinping, Taiwan, PLA, CPPCC, Two Sessions, Qin Gang

Japan sets up Military Base in Ishigaki Island to Deter China

Prof Rajaram Panda

Like many Asian nations, Japan that shares a historically ugly phase of relationship with China, now faces the heat from a muscular China, despite having a robust relationship in the economic domain. China’s ambitions to attain a great power status

March 24, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy, China, Article, Senkaku Islands, SIPRI, China threat, Ishigaki Island, collective self defence, Coast Guard intrusions, End of Pacifism in Japan

Salami Slicing, Fait Accompli and Buffers: What Next?

Lt Gen (Dr) Rakesh Sharma (Retd.), Distinguished Fellow, VIF

The contradictions are stark. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has often opined that relations with China are not normal, because India will not agree to any attempt to change the Line of Actual Control (LAC) unilaterally. Stating again

March 23, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy, China, Article, China, PLA, Aksai Chin, LAC, Tawang, buffers

Xi Jinping Tightens his Grip on the Security Apparatus

Jayadeva Ranade

Moving rapidly after the 20th Party Congress (October 6-12, 2022) approved his policies and endorsed him for a third term, Chinese President Xi Jinping has over the past year and a half further tightened his grip on the Party, the People's Liberation

March 09, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy, China, Article, Xi Jinping, Politburo, CCP, Party Congress, Ministry of Public Security, two establishments

Xi Jinping’s Leadership Appears to be Facing Opposition

Jayadeva Ranade

From the time Xi Jinping made his ambition for a third term clear, and for months before the 20th Party Congress (October 6-12, 2022), China’s official media has been publishing a series of articles highlighting the importance of safeguarding Xi Ji

March 06, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy, China, Article, Xi Jinping, CCP, PLA, CDIC, two safeguards, rectification campaign

Xi Jinping Preparing to Initiate another ‘Party Rectification’

Jayadeva Ranade

Since Chinese President Xi Jinping withdrew the stringent zero-Covid restrictions overnight and eased the campaign against China’s tech platforms, there has been considerable speculation in the international media to suggest that Xi Jinping had bee

February 21, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy, China, Article, Xi Jinping, CCP, Party Central Committee, two establishments, two safeguards, four consciousness, rectification campaign

Imperatives for Reconsideration of the Armed Forces Doctrines

Lt Gen (Dr) Rakesh Sharma (Retd.), Distinguished Fellow, VIF

Modern warfare dictates different Services and indeed different components of national power to be brought together intelligently to achieve unity of command and unity of effort. Modern warfare is also extremely complex, and no two wars can be stated

February 20, 2023 National Security and Strategic Studies, International Relations and Diplomacy, Defence, China, Article, China, CDS, Air dominance, Joint Doctrine, Service specific doctrines, Theatre Commands

US-Philippines Base Deal aimed to Check China

Prof Rajaram Panda

Introduction

The Philippines is on a diplomatic overdrive. There seems to be cracks in the ASEAN unity. The 10-member bloc is not in the same page on a host of issues. Cambodia is suspected to have succumbed to the Chinese temptation of e

February 17, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy, US, China, Article, ASEAN, military base, SDF, Spratly Islands, Palawan, medium-range missiles, VFA, EDCA, Marcos Jr.

China’s Systemic Mistreatment of its Religious Minorities

Rakshith Shetty

The Middle Kingdom and Its War against Religion: A Historical Perspective

When speaking to military students at Nankai University in 2013, Chinese professor Ai Yuejin said the following: “Do you know what the foundation for our nati

February 14, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy, China, Article, China, Buddhism, Dalai Lama, religion, Demography, Tibet, Xinjiang, Human Rights, Hans