The Shangri-La Dialogue, held in Singapore from May 31 to June 2, 2024, is a prominent annual forum that brings together defence ministers, military chiefs, and security experts from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a leading think tank on international affairs, the event provides a platform for high-level discussions on pressing regional security issues. This year’s dialogue was particularly significant, as it took place against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, ongoing conflicts, and the evolving global security landscape.
Tag: China
Is Winning Control of PoK Beneficial for India?
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) refers to the portion of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir that is currently under Pakistani control. The territory has been a source of tension between India and Pakistan since the two countries gained independence in 1947, and the disputed status of PoK has been a key issue in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The disputed territory was ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh, a Hindu king, but the region had a majority Muslim population. When the state of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India in 1947, Pakistan claimed that the accession was invalid and sent troops into the region.
Xi’s European Tour: Global Power Shifts and India’s Challenge
In these changing times, where every nation is trying to recalibrate its position according to its interests and the shifting power balances President Xi Jinping’s visit to France, Hungary, and Serbia has garnered observers of international politics their inquisitive seats of analysis. This comes when multiple conflictual clashes are building around the globe. The more than two-year war in Ukraine, the result of which seems to be elusive to the site, the Israeli siege of Gaza and its spillover effects in the region and the covert build-up of tensions between Israel and Iran distorting the current power status quo.
China’s Big Tech Dream: The Digital Silk Road
Digital Silk Road (DSR) is a crucial component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), symbolising China’s strategy to expand information exchanges and digital cooperation with emerging markets and developing economies. Launched in 2015 as part of President Xi Jinping’s flagship transnational infrastructural project, the DSR has become a significant part of Beijing’s overall BRI strategy, providing aid, political support and assistance to recipient states. The DSR aims to enhance digital connectivity in developing economies, challenging the West’s tech dominance in the developing world.
We are Shifting Towards a Multipolar World
The landscape of international politics is constantly changing and posing a serious challenge to the existing global order for the last three decades. The emerging role of the different middle powers is key to shaping the power dynamics and has reduced the relative power of the U.S. and opened up the scope for emerging economies like China, India, South Africa, and Brazil. Robert Gilpin, a scholar of the Realism school, opined that the global order is a dynamic reflection of shifting power dynamics among states, historically marked by conflicts and restructuring the power equations.
Chinese Cities Sink as Urbanisation Surges
The problem is not limited to China. Some of the major cities worldwide including Houston, Mexico City, and Delhi are facing similar challenges due to excessive water extractions and geological factors. Subsidence is one issue that affects areas with extensive mining activities, like the coal regions of Pingdingshan in northern China. Combating subsidence requires effective strategies. Tokyo successfully tackled the sinking by providing alternative water sources and banning well water use. In China, controlling groundwater extraction and implementing laws to prevent further subsidence are crucial steps.
Maldives’ Growing Proximity with China: Gain or Loss for India?
Since Mohamed Muizu became the elected president of the Maldives in September 2023, a series of anti-India sentiments has been sweeping the country. Evidently, the allegiance of President Muizzu’s clearly lies in China. President Muizzu has earlier given the deadline for withdrawing Indian troops from the country, which will be an eventual move, accepted by India. A few days earlier, the two maritime neighbourhood countries got into a spat after a reference from a Maldivian minister to call India a ‘bully’ of the smaller countries of the region. New Delhi reacted by reminding the amount of aid, $4.5 billion, that the Maldives accepts from India.
Israel Conducts Airstrikes on Iran Despite US Implorements to not Retaliate
According to a US official, Israeli Defense Force carried out an air strike on Iran on Friday, April 19, in retaliation to an Iranian attack last Sunday, April 14. The Iranian defense force has blocked three drones near the air base in Isfahan province. However Iran did not make any comment on who could be behind the attack and nor did Israel claim responsibility over the strike. The No large scale damage was caused by the attack, reported CNN. Sources said that Netanyahu government’s war cabinet has been planning for an attack since Monday which was hold back due to international pressure coming from allies like the United States and Gulf.
US Reports Reveal that China is Aiding Russia’s Military Expansion
According to an assessment by US officials, it is revealed that China is playing a significant role in the military expansion of Russia, particularly in its efforts in the war against Ukraine. China has been increasing its sales of various technology and equipment to Russia, which Moscow will use to build up its military arsenal. China has been the major supplier of microelectronics, machine tools, and other crucial technology to Russia. In 2023, around 90% of Russia’s microelectronics came from China, which is essential in the production of tanks, missiles, and aircraft. Additionally, over 70% of Russia’s machine tool imports came from China last year.
BRICS is the Cure for Bitterness between India and China
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) is one of the major platforms of the five emerging economies, aiming at promoting peace, security, inclusive development and cooperation. The platform represents 43% of the world’s total population and 30% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Since its establishment against the backdrop of the 2008 global financial crisis, as a potential alternative to G7 platform. The BRICS has grown substantially as an effective platform to articulate views of countries in the Global South as at least one country is present from every different continent across the region. Economy, being in focus point of the grouping, the initial decade of BRICS has advanced coordinated policy initiatives in the field of global economic governance.