Articles

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

VIF Neighbourhood News Digest - October 14, 2022

Afghanistan

Uzbekistan President Suggests Forming Intl Group to Coordinate with Kabul: Tolo News

Speaking at the 6th CICA Summit Astana 2022, the president of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, suggested the establishment of an i....

October 14, 2022 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Russia , economy , Afghanistan , Climate Change , sanctions , Ukraine , military , Human Rights , Floods , Connectivity

VIF Neighbourhood News Digest - October 13, 2022

Afghanistan

Imposing Sanctions Does Not Benefit Kabul, Washington: Islamic Emirate: Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate reacted to the new sanctions imposed by the US on the members of the Islamic Emirate, saying that such sanctions....

October 13, 2022 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Russia , economy , Afghanistan , sanctions , UNHRC , Ukraine , military , Human Rights , Floods , Connectivity

VIF Neighbourhood News Digest- October 10, 2022

Afghanistan

Intelligence Head Wasiq Meets Deputy CIA Head in Doha: Source: Tolo News

A source from the Islamic Emirate confirmed that a delegation of the Islamic Emirate met with US officials in Doha on Saturday. The source sa....

October 10, 2022 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , economy , Sri Lanka , USA , Taliban , United Nations , Floods , Connectivity , Nepal-India , Internal Politics

Reflections on the Visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India

Amb Pankaj Saran Article

The State visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in September 2022 is an opportunity to reflect upon one of India’s most important relationships in the region. This was Prime Minister Hasina’s fourth official bilateral vi....

September 22, 2022 Neighbourhood Studies , Bangladesh , Article , Pakistan , Connectivity , Awami League , Sheikh Hasina , river waters

Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s Visit to India

Amb Ranjit Rae

In this episode of VIF Podcast, we discuss the major highlights of the Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s visit to India. Ambassador Rae says that the visit strengthens the bilateral ties between India and Nepal and Joint Vision Statement....

April 29, 2022 Neighbourhood Studies , Nepal , India , Nepal , India-Nepal relations , Connectivity , Podcast , Sher Bahadur Deuba , Hydropower , Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project

What Can BIMSTEC Deliver That SAARC Could Not?

Prof Rajaram Panda Article

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa hosted the 5th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit in a “hybrid mode” from 28 to 30 March 2022, marking the grouping’s 25 years of existence. As....

April 07, 2022 Neighbourhood Studies , Article , BIMSTEC , port development , Security , BRI , Humanitarian aid , Connectivity , junta , foreign exchange crisis , Gotabaya , prosperity