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How Critical are the Critical Minerals for Central Asia?
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Commentary

Why are Critical Minerals Important?
Critical minerals, with their unique and irreplaceable properties, are vital to modern technologies, industries, and national security. Their designation as critical stems from these properties but als....

June 25, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Commentary , China , BRI , C5+1 , clean energy , critical minerals , Rare Earth Minerals , Green energy , US-Central Asia
To Redefine War in Indian Context is Mandatory
Lt Gen (Dr) Rakesh Sharma (Retd.), Distinguished Fellow, VIF Article

In 1942 Quincy Wright wrote in A Study of War, that to different people war may have different meanings. While Brittanica Encyclopaedia states that war, in the popular sense, is a conflict between political groups involving hostilities of cons....

June 24, 2024 National Security and Strategic Studies , Defence , Article , India , China , Conflict , PLA , Ladakh , Kargil , NCW , Russia Ukraine war , Clausewitz
Neighborhood News Digest - 24 June 2024

Afghanistan
Islamic Emirate Welcomes Appointment of Nicaragua's Non-Resident Ambassador-Tolo News
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate welcomed the appointment of Nicaragua's non-resident ambassador to Afghan....

June 24, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , China , economy , Maldives , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , trade , Bangladesh , EU , IMF , United Nations , Labour , TTP , ADB , PML (N) , PPP , Nepal-India , Myanmar-Bangladesh , Bangladesh-India , SJB , US Agency for International Development (USAID) , Nicaragua , Azm-e-Istehkam , Nepal -China
Dealing with Pakistan: India’s Western Neighbour is No Longer a Strategic Priority
Amb Ajay Bisaria

India’s Pakistan policy has evolved over the last decade, from an attempted rapprochement in 2014-15, to a focus on stringent border management and counterterrorism. Even though India’s primary strategic challenge over the next decade would emana....

June 18, 2024 India , Pakistan , China , Counter-terrorism , POK , J&K , elections , LoC , Kartarpur Corridor , Reflections on PM Narendra Modi's Foreign Policy , Reflections on PM Narendra Modi's Foreign Policy , Cross-border Infiltration , Neighbourhood policy , Falling priority , No Talks with Terror , Zero-tolerance to Terrorism
PM Shahbaz Sharif’s Visit to Beijing
Amb D P Srivastava, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Commentary

Shahbaz Sharif concluded his five-day visit to China on 8th June. While China may be Pakistan’s most important foreign partner, the prime minister’s dash to Beijing on the eve of the budget session raises questions. Pakistan follows a July-June b....

June 14, 2024 Neighbourhood Studies , Pakistan , Commentary , Pakistan , China , CPEC , Balochistan , Gwadar , IMF , Shahbaz Sharif , Gen Asim Munir
Neighborhood News Digest- 12 June 2024

Afghanistan
Nadim in Russia: Afghanistan Demands Non-Interference from Other Nations-Tolo News
Nada Mohammad Nadim, Acting Minister of Higher Education, criticized foreign interference in Afghanistan's affairs during the Secon....

June 12, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , China , Russia , Nepal , Maldives , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , BRICS , Bangladesh , Doha , PTI , Budget , India-Bangladesh , PPP , India-Bhutan , Sri Lanka Presidential Election , Maldives-India ties , Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPCC) , Maldives -UK relations , Rakhine State , Bangladesh-Sri Lanka , Matarbari Power Plant , TNA.
Neighborhood News Digest- 10 June 2024

Afghanistan
Regional Contact Group Meeting on Afghanistan Held-Tolo News
The second round of the Regional Contact Group meeting on Afghanistan was held on Saturday in Tehran with the participation of special representatives fr....

June 10, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , China , Maldives , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Tehran , Bangladesh , Tourism , IMF , COAS , Budget , India-Bangladesh , India-Maldives , Nepal-China , India-Bhutan , India- Sri Lanka , Electricity , Bangladesh-Myanmar , Upazila Polls , Airstrike , Currency
Convergence of the Indo-Pacific with the Indian Ocean—Is a Maritime Centric Approach Enough? An Indian Perspective
Air Marshal Diptendu Choudhury (Retd), PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Article

This article examines China’s strategic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region through the lens of its “Zhōngguó” or “Middle Kingdom” dream of regaining its perceived historical dominance. It traces the deep roots of this aspiration in Chin....

June 07, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , Indo-Pacific , Article , US , China , CCP , Indian Ocean , Indo Pacific , Maritime Centric
Overview of India’s Trade Policy from 2014-2024
J S Deepak, IAS (R)

India’s trade policy through 2014-24 has seen both hits and misses, fortunately more hits than misses. Getting a permanent peace clause at the WTO for our food security schemes in 2014, walking out of the RCEP agreement in 2019, and focusing on FTA....

May 31, 2024 Economic Studies , India , US , China , trade , RCEP , WTO , Protectionism , FTAs , Reflections on PM Narendra Modi's Foreign Policy , Reflections on PM Narendra Modi's Foreign Policy
Why is the UK Courting Central Asia?
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Commentary

Background
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has prompted Western countries to play a more active role in Central Asia. In March 2023, US Secretary Anthony Blinken visited Central Asia, followed by German Federal President Steinm....

May 29, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Commentary , China , Russia , sanctions , Russia Ukraine conflict , Energy resources , Multivector foreign policy , Educational initiatives
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