Articles

Strengthening Ties: PM Sheikh Hasina’s Strategic Visit to India

Dr Anchita Borthakur, Research Associate, VIF Article

Introduction

On 21 June the PM of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina arrived in New Delhi for a two-day state visit at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi, thus becoming the first leader to pay a bilateral state visit to India following the conclusi....

July 09, 2024 Neighbourhood Studies , Bangladesh , Article , India , China , Bangladesh , Connectivity , Sheikh Hasina , Teesta River Project , Intra- Regional Trade

Neighborhood News Digest- 21 June 2024

Afghanistan

Senior TTP commander killed in Kunar, Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

The newspaper Dawn reported that Abdul Manan Ilyas, a senior commander of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known by his alias Hakimullah, was ....

June 21, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , economy , Maldives , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Bangladesh , Yoga , World Bank , Preferential trade agreement , Connectivity , Suu Kyi , TTP , EV , India Bangladesh , PML (N) , PPP , China-India , Climate adaptation , India-Myanmar , Loan , India Sri Lanka , Asian Development Bank , Kunar , Ahmadias , Nepal-Bangladesh

Achievements and Potential of Economic Cooperation Between India and Russia

Prerna Gandhi, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

India today is the fastest-growing economy in the world, with a strong outlook of 7-8 per cent growth rates for the coming decade. Russia, despite having become the most sanctioned economy in the world, has shown uncommon resilience and returned to p....

January 10, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , Russia , Article , economy , Connectivity , Payments , Russia in India , India in Russia , Act Far East policy

Neighborhood News Digest – 11 December 2023

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate to Iran FM: Govt is Inclusive- Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate reacted to the recent remarks of Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian regarding the formation of an inclusive government in A....

December 11, 2023 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , India , Pakistan , China , Parliament , Maldives , Iran , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Bhutan , sanctions , Nawaz Sharif , Indian Ocean , Taliban , Doha , SAARC , World Health Organization , GDP , UN , Farmers , UAE , Civil war , COAS , Connectivity , Education , Bangladesh Election , Awami League , Medicine , Sheikh Hasina , Humanitarian Assistance , Hydropower , Nepal-India , India-Myanmar , Indian Fisherman , Sri Lankan Navy , Debt-service payment , Chinese villages , NEPRA , Insulin , Defence bills , Inclusive , Heng , Seat Sharing

Neighborhood News Digest – 01 December 2023

Afghanistan

Delegation of Religious Scholars of Islamic Countries Arrives in Kabul- Tolo News

A delegation of religious scholars from Islamic countries led by Dr. Ali al-Qaradaghi arrived in Kabul on Thursday to meet with the....

December 01, 2023 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , India , Pakistan , US , Nepal , ASEAN , Maldives , Myanmar , Afghanistan , Climate Change , Bhutan , trade , elections , Punjab , Bangladesh , Imran Khan , Sri Lanka crisis , BRI , Sri Lanka elections , refugees , Manipur , Connectivity , Border Security Force , Laos , polls , PDP , ECP , Sustainable tourism , Gas prices , Israel-Palestine war , Project Portfolio Performance Review , Religious scholars , Assistance , Fiscal , Workers’ rights , Bangladesh border

Japan’s Engagement with ASEAN: Economic Dimension - Part I

Prof Rajaram Panda Article

Introduction

There are certain issues evolving in the Indo-Pacific region that are driving Japan to be drawn closer to the countries of the ASEAN grouping. The most striking example of the driver that pulls both Japan and the ASEAN closer....

November 14, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Article , ASEAN , Maritime Security , strategic partnership , Connectivity , Fumio Kishida , international politics and diplomacy , FOIP , Kamikawa Yoko , Japan-ASEAN Summit

Neighborhood News Digest – 01 September 2023

Afghanistan

Contract Signed for 7 Mines Worth More Than $6.5 Billion: Ministry – Tolo News

The acting Minister of Petroleum and Mines Shahabuddin Delawar speaking to the press at a contract-signing ceremony for the extracti....

September 01, 2023 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , Afghanistan , Climate Change , Bhutan , CPEC , G20 , Connectivity , Suu Kyi , India-Bangladesh , NUG , India- Sri Lanka , MCC , Human Trafficking , Mines , UK aid , Child Protection Compact , China map , Price hikes , Suicide bombing , Revolution

SCO is a platform for India to remain relevant in Eurasia

Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF Commentary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the 23rd summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on 4th July 2023 in a virtual format. This concluded India’s first-ever presidency of the SCO. The baton was passed ....

July 10, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , India , China , INSTC , Terrorism , Ukraine , BRI , Connectivity , Yuan , ruble

Central Asia: A Look Back at 2022 and Projections for 2023

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Background

The year 2022 has been challenging for the Central Asian region. In addition to the widespread anti-government protests resulting from the tumultuous internal socio-economic and political environment, the external impact of the....

January 04, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Russia , SCO , Protests , Central Asia , elections , Turkey , EU , reforms , Railways , Connectivity , CSTO , Ukraine Crisis , Karakalpakstan , Consultative meetings

The significance of the First Meeting of India-Central Asia NSAs

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Commentary

Introduction

On December 6, 2022, the National Security Advisors/Secretaries (NSAs) of India and Central Asian countries met for the first time in Delhi. The meeting was hosted by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and attended ....

December 15, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Commentary , INSTC , Afghanistan , Radicalism , Chabahar , Terror Financing , Counter terrorism , Connectivity