Diplomacy

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the process of disengagement by border personnel had been “almost completed under verification” from both sides by Monday evening, indicating that no more troops were expected on the face off point at Doklam, which reverted to status quo ante June 16. … [Read more...] about Doklam standoff ends as India, China step back

However, sources in Kathmandu indicated that India was yet to display proactive diplomacy. On Thursday, Nepal’s Nayapatrika, reported that a telephone conversation between the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal was cancelled at the last moment recently. The news website cited Nepali Congress leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula as having confirmed that the Indian side had referred to Mr. Modi’s busy schedule while cancelling the pre-arranged telephone conversation. … [Read more...] about India says open to dialogue with Nepal, ties on upswing

The Chinese move against Hong Kong caught everyone off guard, according to a German government official with knowledge of the thinking in the Chancellery. That contributes to the dilemma Germany finds itself in. Merkel isn’t willing to join Donald Trump’s attacks, which include repeated references to Covid-19 as a “Chinese virus,” but she is aware the security situation in Hong Kong could deteriorate rapidly. Nobody wants a new Cold War, said the official, asking not to be named discussing internal strategy. … [Read more...] about Europe reaches a tipping point over China’s Hong Kong gamble

Here’s a bit of election history. In 2017, Oli’s party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) rode to power on a strong nationalist wave, following India’s undeclared border blockade to express its displeasure over the new constitution that it believed wasn’t inclusive enough. After a formal merger between his party and Prachanda’s Maoist party, Oli now heads Nepal’s strongest government in 30 years. If Indian pressure increases, there is a strong possibility that Oli’s nationalist position will trump all intra- and inter-party differences, eroding all nuances. Nepal could yet again be pushed towards China. As of now, Nepal’s strategic community and political leaders are at least wondering why China in 2015 agreed with India to allow the construction of a link road through the disputed Lipulekh. Is China telling us the full story? Does it consider its ties with Nepal independent of its ties with India, an Asia-Pacific … [Read more...] about Decoding the India-Nepal dispute | Opinion

"Pakistan Army is fully alive to the threat spectrum and will remain ever ready to perform its part in line with national aspirations," he warned.Both China and Pakistan which have occupied portions of the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir have aggressively opposed India's bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories last year. … [Read more...] about Trump offers to mediate between India, China; UN urges caution