Articles

Global Developments and Analysis: Weekly Monitor (10-16 June)

Economic

Gold harder to find – industry body

The gold mining industry is struggling to maintain production growth as finding deposits of the yellow metal has become more difficult, according to the World Gold Council (WGC), ....

June 28, 2024 CPEC , Taliban , Gaza , Covid-19 International Daily Scan , Zelensky , Russian Gas , Unmanned Hellscape , China nuclear arsenal , Cyril Ramaphosa , Swiss Peace Conference

Between Isolation and Engagement: The Afghan Taliban’s Diplomatic Dilemma

Dr Angana Kotokey, Research Associate, VIF Article

Introduction

With the Afghan Taliban back as the new rulers of Kabul since August 2021, the regime has found itself caught in a diplomatic conundrum—maintaining isolationism on the one hand and engaging bilaterally with its regional ne....

June 13, 2024 Neighbourhood Studies , Afghanistan , Article , Afghanistan , Taliban , Engagement , Isolationism

Global Developments and Analysis: Weekly Monitor (08-14 April 2024)

Economic

What overcapacity? China says its industries are simply more competitive

The last day of U.S. Secretary Janet Yellen’s trip to China coincided with the strongest retort yet from Beijing officials over her claims tha....

April 25, 2024 North Korea , Philippines , Taliban , Turkey , Covid-19 International Daily Scan , Myanmar military , Ukraine War , Yoon , Yellen , Olefins , Russian Metals ban , Iran Attack , Biden-Kishida

Interaction with Delegation from the UNAMA

On 19 April, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) delegation led by Ms Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Afghanistan and Head of the UNAMA visited the Vivekananda International Fo....

April 24, 2024 Neighbourhood Studies , Afghanistan , Interaction , Afghanistan , Taliban , UNAMA

India’s Strategic Diplomacy: Navigating India’s Engagement with the Taliban Regime in Afghanistan

Dr Angana Kotokey, Research Associate, VIF Article

Following the visit of an Indian delegation to Afghanistan in March 2024, there was much speculation across academia as well as policy circles on India’s relations with the present government in Afghanistan, as India embarked on expanding its engag....

April 19, 2024 Neighbourhood Studies , Afghanistan , Article , India , Afghanistan , Taliban , Relations , People-to-People connections , Strategic concerns

Neighborhood News Digest - 08 April 2024

Afghanistan

Taliban erects Kandahar Mosque walls amid potential ISIS threat to Hibatullah Akhundzada-The Khama Press

According to local media reports, the Taliban is constructing security walls or T-walls around the Eidgah Mos....

April 08, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , China , economy , Maldives , Australia , Sri Lanka , Bhutan , BRICS , India-Nepal , Saudi Arabia , Bangladesh , Taliban , World Bank , Mount Everest , Drone attack , India-Myanmar , Maldives-India relations , Sikh , Foreign Debt , Brazil-Bangladesh , 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council , Hibatullah Akhundzada , Non-Hydro

Neighborhood News Digest - 02 April 2024

Afghanistan

CNN: ‘Taliban’s Pashto chauvinism helps ISIS-K’ recruitment from other ethnic groups-The Khama Press

Edmund Fitton-Brown, a senior adviser to the New York-based Counter Extremism Project, told CNN that ISIS-K....

April 02, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , China , economy , Maldives , Sri Lanka , Bhutan , Bangladesh , Taliban , Cyber Security , Remittances , Inflation , UN , Civil war , PTI , Nepal-China , Nepal-India , Myanmar-India , Katchatheevu island , India-Out Campaign , Historical Artefacts , Omar Ayub , Visa-Free entry , Anti-Defection Law

Neighborhood News Digest- 06 February 2024

Afghanistan

Posting of UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan against UN Law: Mujahid- Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that the appointment of the UN special envoy for Afghanistan—a vacancy approved ....

February 06, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , Maldives , Iran , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Bhutan , India-Nepal , Bangladesh , Taliban , Arakan army , Tourism , Islamic Emirate , India-Bangladesh-Myanmar , Climate , Thailand-Myanmar , Maldives-India relations , International Monetary Fund , Online Safety Act , Presidential Impeachment , Sita-Ram , EC

Neighbourhood News Digest - 01 February 2024

Afghanistan

China quietly expanding influence in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan – The Hindu

While most of the world treats Afghanistan's Taliban government as a pariah, China is growing diplomatic and economic links — and Kabul....

February 01, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , India , Pakistan , US , Nepal , Parliament , Maldives , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Foreign Minister , Bhutan , sanctions , elections , Bangladesh , Taliban , BRI , al-Qaeda , Inflation , Emergency , PTI , TTP , junta , Universities , Myanmar Coup , medical evacuation , China influence , UNFAO , Gurkha , Ashoka Pillar

Neighbourhood News Digest- 31 January 2024

Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s neighbours reluctant to prioritize Afghan women’s rights, says ICG-The Khama Press

In a recent report, the International Crisis Group reports that regional authorities are not inclined to emphasiz....

January 31, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , India , Pakistan , US , China , Maldives , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , elections , Bangladesh , Balochistan , Taliban , Assam , demonetisation , Imran Khan , IMF , US-China , Nepal-India , BNP , Maldives-India relations , Indian Fishermen , International Crisis Group , Foreign Secretary Kwatra , National Debt