Articles

The Resurgence of M23 Rebel Group in Democratic Republic of Congo

Dr Shambhavi Anand, Research Assistant, VIF Commentary

February 12, 2025, marked an important shift in the activities of the M23 rebels. The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) turned grim after the M23 rebels resumed their offensive against Congolese government forces just two days after....

February 20, 2025 International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , US , China , UN , critical minerals , DRC , M23

India-US Ties in Trump 2.0: On a ‘’Trusted Partnership’’ Trajectory

Amb Ashok Sajjanhar Article

Introduction

India-US relations have been in a sweet spot since the last twenty-five years starting with the visit of US President Bill Clinton to India in March, 2000. There has been a bipartisan consensus in both India and the US regard....

February 07, 2025 International Relations and Diplomacy , US , Article , India , US , Trump , MAGA

Africa Now – (16-31 January, 2025)

OVERVIEW

This edition of Africa Now explores significant political, economic, and diplomatic developments across the continent. The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains volatile with rebels taking over the l....

February 07, 2025 India , US , China , Africa , BRICS , Syria , Egypt , Boko Haram , Algeria , ECOWAS , Canada , Kenya , Tanzania , VIF Africa Now , Mali , Nigeria , South Africa , Niger , Uganda , Zambia , Burkina Faso , Namibia , DRC , Portugal , Democratic Republic of Congo , Burundi , Ebola , WHO.

Neighborhood News Digest- 06 February 2025

Afghanistan

Balkhi: By Closing Chapter of War, We Want to Open New Chapter with US-Tolo News

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told CBS News that the interim government intends to establ....

February 06, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , China , Maldives , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Bhutan , CPEC , Bangladesh , Turkey , Tajikistan , Sheikh Hasina , Maldives-Ireland Relations , Global Environment Facility (GEF) , Urban Climate Resilience Project , Myanmar-Singapore Relations , Ta’ang National Liberation Army , TNLA , Reform Commissions , Power Generation

Neighborhood News Digest- 30 January 2025

Afghanistan

Akhundzada: We Do Not Fear Warnings from the West or East-Tolo News

Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Islamic Emirate, has stated that he has no fear of warnings from Western or Eastern countries. In ....

January 30, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , Maldives , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , election , Bangladesh , Awami League , TTP , Aid , ADB , Telecom , BNP , Electricity , Maldives-India relations , Maldives-China Relations , Fisherman issue , PECA , Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment 2024 , Arakan Army (AA) , Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).

Russia and India: The Need for a New Agenda for Cooperation

Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF Commentary

The global situation is likely to become even more uncertain and complex as President Trump begins to unfold and implement his radical policies. His repeated threats during the campaign for about the imposition of tariffs on imports from China and ot....

January 27, 2025 International Relations and Diplomacy , Russia , Commentary , India , US , China , Russia , World Order

Uncertainties Across the Horn of Africa: How the Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU is Reshaping the Region

Umang Bhansali, Research Assistant, VIF Article

The African continent grapples with numerous challenges, including political instability, economic challenges, and social unrest. Conflicts over resources, ethnic tensions, and governance issues exacerbate inequalities across the continent. In such a....

January 24, 2025 International Relations and Diplomacy , Africa , Article , US , China , Ethiopia , Djibouti , Africa , Trump , Egypt , Turkey , Somalia , Gulf of Aden , Horn of Africa , Red Sea , Somaliland , Berbera Port , Ankara Declaration , Al-Shabaab.

Neighborhood News Digest - 23 January 2025

Afghanistan

Muttaqi Meets Representatives of Türkiye, Iran, UN in Kabul-Tolo News

Cenk Ünal, the Turkish ambassador in Kabul, in a meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister, pledged his country's continued ....

January 23, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , China , economy , Maldives , Iran , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , trade , Bangladesh , renewable energy , World Bank , Dubai , UN , PTI , BNP , WEF , Forex , Türkiye , Rakhine State , Bhutan-Bangladesh , Myanmar- Thailand Relations

Neighborhood News Digest - 21 January 2025

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Rejects Trump's Claims of Dependency on US Aid-Tolo News

In response to Donald Trump's recent statements about the US sending billions of dollars in aid to Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate has state....

January 21, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , India , Pakistan , US , China , Maldives , Iran , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , elections , election , Bangladesh , Imran Khan , Ceasefire , IMF , PTI , Afghan refugees , Ishaq Dar , Myanmar-China Relations , Maldives-US Partnership , Universal Periodic Review (UPR) , Working Group , Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)

Close Encounters or Smoke and Mirrors? Lights of Transparency and Shadows of Legitimacy in New Jersey's Sky

Dr Julien Paret Commentary

In recent weeks, public discourse about extraterrestrial politics within the broader framework of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs)—commonly referred to as Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)—has suddenly transitioned from conspiracy (Roswell c....

January 17, 2025 International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , US , Russia , ISRO , Aliens , Extraterrestrials , Star Trek