Author: Grace Tsoi

Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: Commemorating Tribal Fortitude And Inclusivity
World

Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: Commemorating Tribal Fortitude And Inclusivity

SYNOPSIS The celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Ulihatu Village embodies a profound tribute to the tribal community's resilience and valour that is epitomized by the legendary figure Bhagwan Birsa Munda. As the first sitting Prime Minister to grace Ulihatu, Prime Minister Modi embarks on a transformative journey, unveiling the visionary Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra and the Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PM PVTG) Mission. These initiatives signify a comprehensive approach toward achieving the saturation of government schemes and uplifting particularly vulnerable groups. The release of the 15th instalment under PM-KISAN, alongside transformative development projects, underscores the commitment to holistic progr...
<strong>Strained relations with Philippines and Vietnam hurt BRI</strong>
World

Strained relations with Philippines and Vietnam hurt BRI

The ongoing tussle between China and the Philippines has escalated to another level, making the Belt Road Initiative (BRI) its casualty. Vietnam too is losing interest in the mega project. The disputes over maritime territory in the South China Sea have already led China’s relations with these countries to deteriorate, urging them to ally with the US to counter Chinese hegemony. The brewing tension is creating major hurdles for the BRI, which is China’s geostrategic venture for economic and military expansion. China had decided to fund three railway lines totalling 551 km as a part of the BRI plan. However, the Philippines blamed China for delaying the release of the pledged funds and left the BRI. “We can’t wait forever and it seems like China isn’t that interested anymore. So, our go
Xi Advocates Peaceful Resolutions But Covertly Align With World’s Most Destabilizing Entities
China

Xi Advocates Peaceful Resolutions But Covertly Align With World’s Most Destabilizing Entities

A discernible pattern is emerging in Chinese foreign policy, one that raises concerns about global stability: Chinese leader Xi Jinping appears to publicly advocate for peaceful resolutions to international conflicts while covertly aligning with some of the world's most destabilizing entities. In the Middle East, Beijing has taken a vocal stance in calling for an end to hostilities between Israel and Hamas. It purports to adopt a balanced approach toward the warring factions. However, in practice, the Chinese government is indirectly supporting Hamas, which, in turn, fuels acts of terrorism. Xi's position on the Gaza conflict mirrors his stance on another global flashpoint, the Ukraine conflict. In both cases, Beijing professes principled neutrality and even launches peace initiatives ...
<strong>Xi government censors praise for Li Keqiang to supress criticism</strong>
China, Politics

Xi government censors praise for Li Keqiang to supress criticism

Beijing government’s decision to censor the praises showered on the deceased former premier Li Keqiang showcases the insecurity and intolerance being shown by the Xi Jinping-led government toward criticism. While some Chinese citizens did take an explicit dig at Xi implicitly while praising Li, the development restated the fact that censorship of all forms of media continued to remain at its peak during Xi’s rule.           It is almost impossible to criticise the China Communist Party (CCP) leaders, especially Xi, as such attempts generally lead to imprisonment or enforced disappearance. This has led Chinese citizens to devise ways to circumvent the censors and use innuendos and related cartoon characters on social media to express their op
China busy destroying democracies via electoral manipulation
China

China busy destroying democracies via electoral manipulation

After troubling the world with COVID epidemic China is now busy destroying democracies in other countries. Recently Taiwan has alleged that China has its ways to botch-up elections in many countries to get a desired result that favors the dragon. The tactics comprises military pressure, controlling fake propaganda running media, forcing its own narratives on others, and manipulating opinion polls to affect elections. Not just Taiwan we have seen similar attempts being made by China during the elections in Nepal, Maldives, and Canada. Today China despite being 9,000 miles away from Canada is interfering with its elections by giving money to its leaders and media to run its own storyline. There are enough proofs against China for deliberate electoral manipulations. While Canada Premiere ...
The American debate on Israel
Asia

The American debate on Israel

US support for Tel Aviv isn’t a surprise. But this support is qualified. And that shift reflects a churn within America and the world In March 2006, two of America’s foremost realist scholars, John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, wrote an essay in the London Review of Books. Titled ‘The Israel Lobby’, the essay put forth a straightforward hypothesis. The United States (US) had offered more assistance to Israel than to any other country after the Second World War. This often ran against America’s own strategic interests and moral compass. So why did Washington DC do it? Mearsheimer and Walt argued, “The explanation is the unmatched power of the Israel Lobby.” They noted the lobby’s influence both with the executive and on Capitol Hill, its narrative dominance in the public sphere inclu
Benjamin Netanyahu’s Prospects for Politics Could Be Ending
Asia

Benjamin Netanyahu’s Prospects for Politics Could Be Ending

Rather than bolster Benjamin Netanyahu in a “rally around the flag” effect, the October 7 attack on Israel has destroyed his standing with voters. Netanyahu's political career, which has fundamentally reshaped Israeli society, may be effectively finished. On its face, Hamas’s October 7 brutal attack on Israel might have been expected to shore up support for longtime right-wing prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Instead, polling suggests that Israelis overwhelmingly blame his government and would vote for the opposition if elections were held today. Josh, aka Ettingermentum, is a graduate student and prolific political analyst whose Substack has quickly become among the most widely read of its kind. In the following interview, he joins Jacobin’s Luke Savage for a far-r
Asia

“Worried and fearful”: Businesses are alarmed by China’s decision to modify the state secrets legislation.

Draft revision submitted to top legislature at a time of rising geopolitical tensions with US and its allies There have been calls for clarity as the move deepens fears about the risks of doing business in China China on Friday began the legislative process of revising its state secrets law for the first time in a decade amid rising geopolitical tensions with the United States and its allies. A draft revision of the Law on Guarding State Secrets was submitted for deliberation to the country’s top legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), which is holding a five-day session in Beijing until October 24. While the details are lacking, the revision is believed to be extensive. It will add fresh clauses to affirm the ruling Commun
Tensions Escalate In Taiwan Strait
World

Tensions Escalate In Taiwan Strait

As tensions continue to escalate in the Taiwan Strait, the international community has been engaged in extensive discussions and analysis regarding the potential for an imminent military assault on Taiwan by the Chinese communist regime. This evolving situation has raised concerns and prompted experts and policymakers to closely examine the dynamics at play in the region. Observers and analysts who are closely monitoring these developments believe that while the possibility of an immediate military attack on Taiwan cannot be ruled out entirely, it is unlikely that Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping would opt for such a course of action in the near term. However, they are quick to caution that the CCP's covert warfare capabilities pose a more insidious and potentially devas...
Does Xi Jinping face difficulty as a result of China’s latest military purges?
China, World

Does Xi Jinping face difficulty as a result of China’s latest military purges?

They were trusted and favoured by Xi Jinping. Now, they seem to be vanishing. In recent months, the disappearances of several high-ranking Chinese officials have sparked intense speculation over whether Mr Xi is embarking on a purge, particularly of those linked to the military. The latest person who appears to have fallen from grace is defence minister Li Shangfu, who has not been seen in public for some weeks now. While his absence was not seen as unusual at first, scrutiny intensified when a top US diplomat pointed it out. A Reuters report later said General Li, who used to oversee arms procurement for the People's Liberation Army (PLA), was being investigated over military equipment purchases. His "disappearance" comes weeks after two top officials in the Ro...