COMMENTARIES
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China's Signaling Under President Xi Jinping
Prashant Dikshit · 06 Nov, 2017 · #5388 · Commentary
China's President Xi Jinping has now emerged supreme. The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China consolidated his authority not just for five years but in, a certain view, for life. Normally, a reappointment of a head of stat...
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India-China Border Agreements: Political Negotiation Needed
Amit Ranjan · 06 Nov, 2017 · #5387 · Commentary
The border disputes between India and China have their roots in the colonial history of the geographical area. Whenever there is a stand-off on the border, historical records are (re) interpreted to express or refute claims territorial claims of...
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Maritime Matters
Short Sea Shipping in Bay of Bengal Takes Baby Steps
Vijay Sakhuja · 03 Nov, 2017 · #5386 · Commentary · Column
Last week, a consignment of motor vehicles was shipped from Chennai Port in India to Mongla port in Bangladesh onboard a roll-on roll-off (RoRo) cum general cargo vessel. Ashok Leyland Limited chose to use the sea route which takes five days in...
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Regional Economy
19th Party Congress: Understanding the Economics in Xi’s Speech
Amita Batra · 30 Oct, 2017 · #5385 · Commentary · Column
A big event this October was President Xi’s address to the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). While marking his attainment of cult status, Xi’s speech, as widely reported, is also a definitive statement of China&rsq...
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J&K Focus
J&K: Operation 'All Out' and Prospects for Winter
Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain · 26 Oct, 2017 · #5384 · Commentary · Column
The third quarter of 2017 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been characterised by the marked success of Operation All Out; a reduction in the quantum of violent incidents; and an overall stabilisation of the situation, which has permitted the g...
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Will the US' Pressure on Pakistan Deliver Results?
Sreejith S Nair · 24 Oct, 2017 · #5383 · Commentary
The US-Pakistan relationship has been strained over the last six years. It took an unyielding shift with the announcement of US President Donald Trump’s Afghanistan policy, which comprises four pillars and also touches upon Washingto...
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Strategic Space
Meaningful Disarmament, Not Unnecessary Distractions
Manpreet Sethi · 24 Oct, 2017 · #5382 · Commentary · Column
The annual General Debate of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly provides a good forum for countries to reflect on relevant developments in the past year and to spell out their priorities or vision of action for the next year. In perfor...
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Maritime Matters
Plastic Litter: The Challenge at Sea
Vijay Sakhuja · 10 Oct, 2017 · #5381 · Commentary · Column
A number of innovations and initiatives that are shaping the oceans and seas can potentially help ensure that these water bodies remain environmentally and ecologically stable. These range from greener and efficient vessels propelled by solar an...
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Dateline Colombo
Monuments Over Mortality?
Asanga Abeyagoonasekera · 09 Oct, 2017 · #5380 · Commentary · Column
At the time of Renaissance, a not-so-tall statue of a brave young underdog warrior David, standing just over 5m tall and weighing 6 tons, mesmerised the world. This masterpiece was set into stone with a hammer and chisel by Michelangelo. O...
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The Future of US Troops in Afghanistan: Assessing Potential Roles
Rajat Ahlawat · 09 Oct, 2017 · #5379 · Commentary
In his new strategy for Afghanistan, US President Donald Trump recently decided on increasing the number of American troops in the country. He said a hasty withdrawal would create a power vacuum for the terrorists, which would pose a serious thr...
