CHINA

CHINA

China shores up projects in Nepal, Myanmar under Belt and Road


China is shoring-up its connectivity projects with Nepal and Myanmar, including a trans-Himalayan network, a cross-border railway venture and an economic corridor under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Nepal-China Trans-Himalayan Multi-dimensional Connectivity Network, including the Nepal-China... More

China’s ‘new missiles’ threaten US presence in Asian waters


Chinese President Xi Jinping has elevated his country’s missile forces to a level where they pose an unprecedented challenge to the aircraft carriers and bases that form the backbone of American military primacy in Asia, a Reuters... More

China builds world’s first armed amphibious drone boat that can lead land...


China has built the world's first armed amphibious drone boat which military analysts said could be used in land assault operations and is capable of forming a combat triad with aerial drones and other drone ships. Built by... More

China moves to define ‘Belt and Road’ projects for first time


China is drafting rules for overseas investments to be considered part of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, according to people familiar with the matter, marking the first attempt to better define his signature policy. The plan,... More

At the Raisina Dialogue, the ‘Quad’ makes it amply clear that China’s...


When Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, speaking at the inauguration of the Fourth Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi between January 8 and 10, said that the “principle of might is right cannot be applicable to the... More

China warned to ‘assess and prevent risks’ when pushing belt and road...


Nearly half of 100 countries evaluated may not be a good fit for the “Belt and Road Initiative” because of weaknesses in financing and infrastructure – and Beijing should “assess and prevent the risks” before pushing ahead... More

Soft power needed to further improve Sino-Indian ties


The high number of top-level meetings between Chinese and Indian officials is a sure sign that relations are back on track after last year’s tense border stand-off. President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met... More

China using Buddhism to increase its influence in South Asia


In a bid to increase its influence in South Asia, China is slowly using Buddhism as a soft power. From rewriting sacred texts by introducing Chinese narrative to developing Buddhist pilgrim sites and controlling monasteries in its... More

Beijing redefines and recalibrates ties with Asia


When Professor Yan Xuetong, a leading strategic thinker in China and dean of the Institute of International Relations at Tsinghua University, told the media last month that China is seeing its best strategic opportunity since the Cold... More

COLUMN

The US’s ‘moral dilemma’ in Afghanistan

While the talks between the US and the Taliban indicate a possible ‘end’ of the 18-year long war in Afghanistan, other aspects of the war remain largely neglected and are even being systematically snubbed, aspects that very specifically highlight the in-human and immoral side of the war that the US has been fighting in the name of ‘fighting terror.’ As... More

Changing of the financial guard

After weeks of intense speculation over about his possible exit, Asad Umar resigned as the Federal Minister for Finance. Subsequently he refused the offer of joining the Cabinet and becoming the Energy Minister. For the record, Asad deserves kudos for husbanding Pakistan’s economy from what was essentially a no-hope economic situation. The irony of it was that Asad Umar... More

Afghan war moves from negotiations to offensives

Just when the negotiations were reportedly heading towards a withdrawal deal, the Afghan war has gone into a hardly unexpected spiral of fighting between the government troops and the Taliban. After the Afghan Govt.’s announcement of “Khalid Operation” against “the terrorists”, the Afghan Taliban have launched their own annual “Spring Offensive” to continue to push towards their conquest of... More

It is now or never!

Fighting corruption must be the priority in our country if we want to bring this nation back on the right path. The dismal state of our economy, the difficulties that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) faces, the deteriorated state of the institutions including the judiciary are, among other reasons, due to corruption that over the decades has been seeping into... More

Myanmar liberalisation program picks up speed

In recent weeksthe Myanmar government has continued to signal its intention toattract foreign investment in an effort to boost economic development in the last two years of its term in office. “Myanmar is truly open for business, and we are putting into place the reforms and the legal framework needed to reassure foreign investors that we do indeed mean... More

VIDEO-INTERVIEW

video

Exclusive Interview with Bhutan’s Prime Minister


“I will request PM Sheikh Hasina to support us with some (medical) specialists that will be an immediate help for Bhutan” Dr.Lotay Tshering Prime Minister of Bhutan Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Dr. Lotay Tshering, is set to visit Bangladesh on 12th... More

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HOLIDAY NOTICE

All offices of the South Asian Monitor will remain closed on 1 May, 2019 on the occasion of International Labour Day.

There will be no publication of the South Asian Monitor during the period.

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