Articles

AUKUS’s Nuclear Submarine Pact: Implications

Two strategic groupings – the Quad and AUKUS – are in the news that has caught world’s attention. While the Quad has been for been in existence for some time now, AUKUS is a recent construct. When in September 2021, Australia, the UK and the US....

March 20, 2023 National Security and Strategic Studies , Defence , Article , South China Sea , Taiwan , Strategic competition , AUKUS , defence spending , Nuclear submarine deal , USS Virginia

US- India & Indo-Pacific: Takeaways from 2022

Sweta Kumari, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

The year 2022 brought a series of geopolitical changes of global magnitude that were last witnessed somewhat in the Cold War period. The economic slowdown and the disruption of the supply chains that were triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic got furthe....

January 20, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Indo-Pacific , Article , India , South Korea , China , ASEAN , Indo-Pacific , QUAD , South China Sea , Taiwan , Japan , LAC , Russia-Ukraine conflict , IPEF , US Domestic Issues , CAATSA Waiver

Trilateral Web Conference on "Emerging Strategic Environment in the Indo-Pacific"

The Vivekananda International Foundation organized a trilateral webinar with the Japan Institute of National Fundamentals and the Prospect Foundation on 29 September 2022 on "Emerging Strategic Environment in the Indo-Pacific". After initial remarks ....

January 04, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Indo-Pacific , Conferences , South China Sea , India-China Border , Taiwan Strait , East China Sea , National Fundamentals , US-led Freedom

Japan upgrades its Defence and Security Posture

Prof Rajaram Panda Article

Introduction

In a dramatic departure to Japan’s exclusively defensive posture embodied in the pacifist post-War Constitution of Japan, the Fumio Kishida administration effectively abandoned on 16 December 2022 when it passed ammendments....

January 04, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Article , South China Sea , National Security Strategy , Taiwan Strait , opinion polls , regional peace and stability , Increased defence spending , missile firings , security burden sharing , NISA , peace clause

Assessing Vietnam Communist Party Chief Trong’s Visit to China

Prof Rajaram Panda Article

In a major diplomatic move following the precedent-breaking and historic third five-year term as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the recently concluded 20th National Congre....

November 11, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Article , South China Sea , Colour Revolution , international politics and diplomacy , Trong , Da Nang , Cam Ranh Bay , peaceful evolution , swing state

Tensions in Taiwan Strait must not be Allowed to Develop into a Regional/Global Crisis – Part II

Prof Rajaram Panda Article

In the context of understanding the developments in the Taiwan Strait, two aspects need to be highlighted as a spillover of Taiwan-China spat: fresh US arms sales to Taiwan and increase in defence expenditure of Taiwan by almost 14 per cent. First....

September 14, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Article , South China Sea , PLA , Natuna Island , defence spending , arms sale , incursions , microprocessors , air-to-air missiles , invasion scenario

After Djibouti and (suspected) Military Base in Solomon Islands, China now Eyes Ream Naval Base in Cambodia

Prof Rajaram Panda Article

China’s relentless drives towards power projection endeavours and to expand its strategic and maritime imprints look unstoppable. In South Asia, the much talked about String of Pearls by building ports in Gwadar in Pakistan, Chittagong in Banglades....

June 22, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Article , ASEAN , South China Sea , Djibouti , Solomon Islands , Hun Sen , Ream Naval Base , regional peace and stability , Dara Sakor , Gulf of Thailand , logistical support facility.

Initial Analysis of Leaked Video of Chinese War Preparedness Exercise in Guangdong

Jayadeva Ranade Article

The timing of the 'leak' of the video of a ‘War Preparedness Mobilisation Exercise’ convened by the Guangdong Province Communist Party Committee on May 14, 2022 is interesting. It is yet unclear whether the video was deliberately ‘leaked’ by ....

June 15, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Article , South China Sea , PLA , Guangdong , Drones , mobilisation , Pearl River Delta

Is Biden Serious about Defending Taiwan from the Chinese Threat?

Prof Rajaram Panda Article

Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine has dramatically altered the geopolitics of the world. When Russia’s Foreign Minister warned of the possibility of a nuclear war and Russian President Vladimir Putin placed his nuclear forces at an e....

June 07, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Article , QUAD , South China Sea , Taiwan , Sabre-rattling , NATO , One-China policy , flashpoint , international politics and diplomacy , strategy of denial , strategic ambiguity

Can there be a Policy Reversal under the New President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in the Philippines?

Prof Rajaram Panda Article

Introduction

In the presidential election held on 9 March, the Filipinos elected a new leader, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Popularly known as “Bongbong”, Marcos Jr. secured more than 56 per cent of the votes, which was more than double the tal....

May 24, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , Article , South China Sea , Diplomacy , International law , EEZ , Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Bongbong) , Robredo , Duterte , trilateral , fishing vessels , rule-based order