Whose Chicken Neck and Whose Vulnerabilities

Bangladeshi National Citizen Party’s leader Hasnat Abdullah has rhetorically threatened to cut off India’s north-eastern states by cutting off India’s Chicken’s Neck, i.e. the Siliguri Corridor, while downplaying India’s contribution in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The Siliguri Corridor is the narrow land strip linking India’s northeast to the mainland. For decades, the Siliguri CorridorContinue reading “Whose Chicken Neck and Whose Vulnerabilities”

World Needs Skilled Workforce – India Best to Make Good Shortages – Win-Win for Both

Since the war with Ukraine, Russia is grappling with a major labour shortage in its industrial hubs and plans to bring in up to one million foreign workers, including Indians. The shortfall could widen to 3.1 million workers by 2030, says the Russian Ministry of Labour. To address the gap, the ministry wants to increaseContinue reading “World Needs Skilled Workforce – India Best to Make Good Shortages – Win-Win for Both”

Putin Visit – Significant Outcomes – Global Signalling of Reinforced Strategic Autonomy

As the world remains mired in wars, sanctions, and Trump tariffs, India and Russia played cool and moved substantially forward on constructive engagement in multiple disciplines. Bonhomie and mutual respect was displayed when Prime Minister Modi received President Putin at the base of the aircraft ladder and then drove him in his “made-in-India” Toyota Fortuner while Putin’s high security, specially flown-in, “Aurus Senat limousine” remained standing by. Putin’sContinue reading “Putin Visit – Significant Outcomes – Global Signalling of Reinforced Strategic Autonomy”

2026 outlook: India set to rise amid a turbulent world

As we come to the end of the year 2025, we have seen the ongoing trend of chaos, conflict, and, at times, confusion in the geopolitical arena. The war in Ukraine continues, with a possible closure in 2026. Much to European angst, Vladimir Putin, the “Wizard of the Kremlin”, continues to stand steadfast and call the shots in his ownContinue reading “2026 outlook: India set to rise amid a turbulent world”

USA vs Chinese Air Power – Is China Catching Up?

China has just become the first country to fly what it calls a sixth-generation fighter aircraft. China’s PLA Air Force (PLAAF) is already good and improving quickly, but it is yet not a match to the air combat capabilities of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), according to the Pentagon’s 2024 annual report on Chinese military power. The report mentions that ChinaContinue reading “USA vs Chinese Air Power – Is China Catching Up?”

Rise of The Samurai – Japan is seriously boosting its Aerospace to counter China

Pacific military balance is tilting in China‘s favour, says the new “Defence of Japan 2025” White Paper, a Defence Ministry annual document. Tokyo released the paper in early July with findings that the international community is facing its greatest risk of conflict since World War II. The paper pointed to Russia, China and North Korea as primary regional security threats. The report also foundContinue reading “Rise of The Samurai – Japan is seriously boosting its Aerospace to counter China”

Lessons from Operation Sindoor: Key Areas of Military Modernisation

India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, without qualification, acknowledged some tactical errors on Day 1 of the Indian Air Force (IAF) campaign of Op Sindoor. He was giving an interview to two international media houses. In what is seen clearly as a deliberate and calculated interview, on the sidelines of the Shangri-LaContinue reading “Lessons from Operation Sindoor: Key Areas of Military Modernisation”

China the Fastest Growing Maritime Power – Time to keep a Track and Act

In 1980s Deng Xiaoping, and later by subsequent leaders of the People’s Republic of China, the country has been opening up to the world, developing on the basis of a market economy with “Chinese characteristics”. The economic growth and consequent trade required the country to once again look to the sea. Without ceasing to beContinue reading “China the Fastest Growing Maritime Power – Time to keep a Track and Act”

Morale in the Boots – Xi’s Continuous Purge of PLA Generals – Corruption or Insecurity?

The purge saga in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues. The latest names of senior military officials, as tweeted by Jennifer Zeng, a writer, reporter & China expert, who reportedly have been removed from their posts are, Wang Haijiang, Commander of the Western Theatre Command; Wang Peng, Minister of the Training and Administration Department ofContinue reading “Morale in the Boots – Xi’s Continuous Purge of PLA Generals – Corruption or Insecurity?”

Military and Security Developments in China – India Needs to Build Conventional Capability

As China seeks to achieve “national rejuvenation” by its centenary in 2049, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders view a modern, capable, and “world-class” military as essential to achieving its revisionist aims (changing the current status quo) and overcoming what Beijing sees as an increasingly turbulent international environment. This is the guiding principle charting China’s national, economic, and military strategy. It is thus importantContinue reading “Military and Security Developments in China – India Needs to Build Conventional Capability”