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Indian troops have started patrolling the <keyword id="23761332" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Demchok-sector" source="keywords">Demchok sector</keyword> in eastern Ladakh, marking a significant step in the recent <keyword id="23661926" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="disengagement-agreement" source="keywords">disengagement agreement</keyword> between India and China. The two countries have agreed to start coordinated patrols based on their respective perceptions of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in both the <keyword id="23634524" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="demchok" source="keywords">Demchok</keyword> and Depsang sectors. Patrolling in the Depsang sector is expected to commence soon, according to <keyword id="19908736" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Army" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Army">Indian Army</keyword> sources. This coordinated patrolling arrangement allows both sides to be aware of each other's patrol schedules, reducing the chances of accidental conflicts or misunderstandings in these sensitive areas. In a gesture of goodwill, the Indian and Chinese armies exchanged sweets at various border points on Thursday in celebration of Diwali. This symbolic exchange took place at Hot Springs, Karakoram Pass, Daulat Beg Oldi, Kongka La, and the Chushul-Moldo meeting point in Ladakh, reinforcing the message of <keyword id="20189963" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="peace-and-cooperation" source="keywords">peace and cooperation</keyword>. Ladakh Member of Parliament (MP) Haji Hanifa expressed optimism about the recent developments. "Those of us who live near the border know what war feels like. We desire peace along the border. We welcome the agreement between the two countries, but we want to see it implemented on the ground. <keyword id="23761946" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tensions-along-the-border" source="keywords">Tensions along the border</keyword> should be reduced through diplomatic means," said MP Hanifa. The recent disengagement follows a tense standoff that began in 2020, which significantly strained India-China relations. Chief of Army Staff <keyword id="22236978" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="General-Upendra-Dwivedi" source="keywords">General Upendra Dwivedi</keyword> noted that restoring trust along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) would be a gradual process to return to the April 2020 status quo. He emphasised the steps of disengagement, de-escalation, and buffer zone management as essential measures to ensure a peaceful border environment. In a recent statement, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong acknowledged the challenges of managing relations between the two neighboring nations. He noted that it was natural for India and China to have differences as neighbouring countries, but explained that the important thing was how to handle and solve these differences. The recent disengagement and coordinated patrolling efforts represent a hopeful turn toward stability and peace along the border. Both countries aim to work through their differences and establish a more secure and peaceful LAC, gradually easing tensions through diplomacy and collaboration. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian troops resume patrolling along LAC in Demchok as India-China border relations take a step forward

In a major <keyword id="22639726" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="diplomatic-breakthrough" source="keywords">diplomatic breakthrough</keyword>, India and China have struck an agreement to defuse tensions along the <keyword id="20140251" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Actual-Control" source="keywords">Line of Actual Control</keyword> (LAC), which have been ongoing since the deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley in 2020. The deal, announced just days before the <keyword id="21003379" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BRICS-summit" source="keywords">BRICS summit</keyword>, marks the first concrete step towards restoring peace between the two nations since the conflict began. It includes a structured patrolling plan and <keyword id="23643398" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="troop-withdrawals" source="keywords">troop withdrawals</keyword> aimed at preventing future confrontations in the <keyword id="20224053" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ladakh-region" source="keywords">Ladakh region</keyword>. Indian Foreign Minister <keyword id="20508657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="S-Jaishankar" source="keywords">S. Jaishankar</keyword> described the agreement as a return to pre-2020 conditions, effectively resetting the status quo along the contested border. Troops from both sides will be pulled back to avoid face-offs, while joint patrols will be carried out according to a mutually agreed schedule. This is a notable shift from the tense, militarised standoff that has gripped the LAC over the past four years, where tens of thousands of soldiers were stationed in extreme high-altitude conditions. A key feature of the agreement is the creation of a regular monitoring system to ensure compliance. Monthly review meetings will be held to track progress, signalling a long-term commitment to peace. This structured approach, involving both military and diplomatic channels, could lay the foundation for more robust confidence-building measures. The pact also carries significant economic implications. While India had increased scrutiny of Chinese investments post-2020, bilateral trade has continued to rise, with Indian imports from China surging 56% in recent years. Experts see this agreement as a crucial step toward normalising broader diplomatic and economic ties, potentially allowing stalled business projects to resume. Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Experts caution that this is just the first step in what will be a long road to lasting peace. As former Indian military commander Deependra Singh Hooda noted, “At least the impasse has been broken,” but further confidence-building measures will be critical. The resolution of this border dispute could pave the way for deeper cooperation between the two nations, especially in a global context where both India and China are key players in shaping regional stability. For now, the world watches to see how this agreement will unfold in the months to come.

India and China just reached a landmark agreement to de-escalate border tensions! Here's what happens now

<keyword id="22003705" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-traders" source="keywords">Indian traders</keyword> involved in <keyword id="22003703" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="border-trade" source="keywords">border trade</keyword> with China through the <keyword id="22003704" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lipulekh-pass" source="keywords">Lipulekh pass</keyword> in Pithoragarh district since 1992, have requested the central government to take up the issue of resumption of border trade through this route with Beijing. The trade route was closed rather suddenly after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019, forcing Indian traders to return from the <keyword id="22003706" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Taklakot-mart" source="keywords">Taklakot mart</keyword> in Tibet leaving behind their woollen products. Five years have passed but the route has not been opened, an organisation of border traders in Dharchula said. The traders who belong to the <keyword id="22005864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhotia-tribe" source="keywords">Bhotia tribe</keyword> started to raise their demand for reopening of the trade route through Lipulekh after China recently began the process of implementing a pact, in which it had agreed to open all 14 trade passes with Nepal. The implementation of the agreement inked by China and Nepal in December, 2022 began on May 25 this year, when China opened Piangi pass situated in Dolpa district of eastern Nepal, president of Bharat Tibetan Simant Vyapar Samiti, Dharchula Jeewan Singh Rongkali said. Three more passes along the Indo-Tibet border in the western region of Nepal that fall in the districts of Humla, Bajang and Darchula will be opened on June 20, 30 and 25 respectively, he said. "We have so far sent 22 applications to the government of India requesting it to take up with the Chinese authorities the reopening of the trade route through Lipulekh pass but have received no response so far," Rongkali said. According to Rongkali, Indian tribal traders from Dharchula alone have left trading items worth Rs 15 lakh in <keyword id="22005865" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="taklakot" source="keywords">Taklakot</keyword> Mart of Tibet at the time of closure of border trade in 2019, following the Covid-19 pandemic. "We have no information if our stored goods are safe or in a state of decay. They were stored in plywood covers at the time of closure of trade," Rongkali said. "We want trade with China to be resumed through Lipulekh pass but if for some reason it is not possible then the traders should be given 15 days' time to go to Taklakot to ring back their goods," he said. Goods of over 450 Indian tribal traders have been lying there for the last 5 years, he said. According to Rongkali, over 450 Indian traders used to supply essential goods to villagers of over 45 villages of western Tibet through this trade route since 1992. "Out of over 1.5 crore trade annually, we have paid lakhs of rupees towards customs duty and other taxes to the government of India," said Rongkali. China announced in the year 2022 that it will build trans Himalayan multi-dimensional connectivity with Nepal to restructure the road and communication network with that country, Rongkali said. "As China has not given permission to open our passes along the Indo-China border, we have an apprehension that the mart made for Indian traders in Gakkhu town of Taklakot could be handed over to Nepalese traders," said Rongkali.

Indian traders demand resumption of border trade with China through Lipulekh pass

<ul class="summary-list"><li>China's Xi Jinping negotiated a truce with India's leader, Narendra Modi.</li><li>They agreed to a patrolling arrangement on a disputed Himalayan border.</li></ul>At the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-hosts-brics-summit-defy-west-us-economy-china-dollar-2024-10">BRICS summit</a> in Russia this week, China's leader Xi Jinping and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shook hands for the first time in five years.The symbolic moment came after a deal was struck to resolve a long-standing feud between the Asian superpowers.In the lead-up to the summit, the countries announced they had reached a patrolling agreement that would reduce tensions along a disputed <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-china-buying-new-light-tanks-for-himalayan-mountain-warfare-2023-6">Himalayan border.</a>The dispute had led to deadly hand-to-hand combat in recent years, taking the lives of 20 Indian troops and at least four Chinese soldiers.After their meeting at the summit hosted by Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Xi and Modi said they would continue discussions on resolving the issue.<h2 id="997cee52-7fd6-4283-bf77-94e40a12b5cc">A setback for the US</h2>Some analysts believe it is a development that's unlikely to be welcomed in Washington, DC.The US has sought to recruit India to help it contain China's growing regional aggression alongside other members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a security pact that also includes Japan and Australia."So definitely, this is a setback for the United States of America's Indo-Pacific outlook, given the kind of rapprochement we are seeing in India-China relations, and particularly India, China and Russia coming together," Jagannath Panda, head of the Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs, told Business Insider."Putin, Xi, and Modi meeting definitely signals that there is a kind of understanding under the carpet that has happened, which is quite subtle," he said.It's an assessment echoed by Zhiqun Zhu, professor of political science and international affairs at Bucknell University."The thaw in India-China relations is a boon to both countries. This is particularly significant for China because India may now be less inclined to confront Beijing as part of Quad," Zhu told <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.voanews.com/a/india-china-deal-raises-questions-about-us-indo-pacific-strategy-/7838623.html">Voice of America. </a>"In this sense, the effectiveness of Quad would be diluted with a less enthusiastic India."<h2 id="baf534cf-4366-41b8-b9ef-d526ffe91fda">Competition between Asia's rival powers intensifies</h2>Tensions have been building between China and India for years.As the two biggest economies in Asia, the countries have long jostled for regional power, with the dispute over the Himalayan border a flashpoint that led to clashes in 2020, 2021, and 2022.Amid the stand-off, Chinese vessels have reportedly surveilled the Indian Ocean in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/india/another-chinese-research-vessel-spotted-off-india-fuelling-unease-2024-03-11/">what experts told Reuters</a> was a likely intelligence-gathering operation, while India has strengthened its security ties with China's chief global rival, the US.In 2017 India played a key role in restarting the Quad, an alliance designed as a bulwark against growing Chinese influence and aggression in the Asia-Pacific region.But India has long sought to balance its relationship with rival superpowers the US and China, and does not at this point want to tie itself too closely to either side, say analysts.In addition to being a member of the Quad Alliance, it is a founding member of the BRICS, an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-asia-countries-flaunt-russia-putin-diplomacy-relationship-brics-2024-9">association of non-Western economies </a>that China has sought to transform into an alternative global economic power base to the US.<div type="image" title="India-China border" height="683" width="1024" msid="114594056" hostid="261" sizebytes="158650"></div>"This explains why it remains part of multilateral groupings with contradictory goals," said Praveen Donthi, a South Asia analyst with the Eurasia Group in Washington, DC, pointing to both its membership of the US-aligned Quad and China-dominated BRIC group.The truce comes with China on the back foot diplomatically, said Panda, pointing to its damaged relations with Europe and the US after its support f<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-and-china-anti-us-coalition-is-growing-more-threatening-2024-9">or Russia's invasion of Ukraine.</a>"One could draw a conclusion at this point that probably the Chinese are more interested to rebuild the ties with India than the other way round," said Panda.He said there's also the possibility that Xi has reached an agreement with Modi behind the scenes for India to remain silent if China acts on its longstanding ambition to seize back control of Taiwan.Such a move would likely draw in the US and its other regional allies, who have pledged to help defend<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-taiwan-drone-swarms-uav-us-playing-catch-up-production-2024-10"> Taiwan's independence.</a>"I think China's bigger ambition and target is the Taiwan issue, and therefore they would not really like to continue the kind of tensions they were engaged in with India for the last three to four years," he said."Therefore, they would like to rebuild, and they would like to ensure that India does not react to the Taiwan issue so sensitively."In any case, its a setback in US attempts to include India in a deeper security alliance, he said."For a long time, the US has tried to develop security and defense ties with India," said Panda.For the time being, a truce suits both Russian and Chinese interests, Rahul Bhatia, an analyst at the Eurasia Group, said. But, he added, tensions remain.He said that though both parties have opened discussions about the border dispute, the underlying problem remains unresolved, and future flare-ups are likely.Donthi said the progress between the leaders could also be derailed if tensions between the US and China increase."This comes as a relief after four years of eyeball-to-eyeball troop deployment in the Himalayas. However, it's only the beginning," he said.

Xi undercut the West by negotiating a truce in China's long feud with India

<ul class="summary-list"><li>US lithium production is set to spike with new projects advancing in Nevada and California.</li><li>The expansion aims to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals and electric-vehicle batteries.</li></ul>The US is on the cusp of a lithium boom after years of laying the groundwork for an electric-vehicle supply chain that doesn't rely on China.Within the past month, the Biden administration has approved the Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron mine in Nevada and loaned $2.6 billion to the company developing Thacker Pass, another lithium mine in the state. A project in California's Salton Sea started construction earlier this year. The three sites, expected to come online between 2026 and 2028, would massively increase the US's lithium supply. Since the 1960s, only one site, Silver Peak, in Nevada, has operated in the country.The expansion is aimed at curbing China's control over the metals used in EV batteries and other renewable-energy technologies that countries need to decarbonize their economies. While most of the world's lithium is produced in Australia and South America, some two-thirds of it is processed in China, which also dominates EV-battery manufacturing. The US imports about 25% of its lithium supply from Chile and Argentina, but an analysis of federal data by the Atlantic Council found that it relied on China for about 70% of its lithium-ion batteries in 2023."If we're electrifying the transportation industry, you don't want to rely on any one country," Bernard Rowe, a managing director of Ioneer, which is developing Rhyolite Ridge, told Business Insider. "There was a recognition that there had to be domestic production."<div type="image" title="A customs officer holds powdery white lithium carbonate during an inspection at Shanghai İnternational Port on June 6, 2022." height="683" width="1024" msid="114817441" hostid="261" sizebytes="27062"></div>The Biden administration is encouraging US mining and manufacturing through a mix of loans, grants, tax breaks, and research and development programs — a lot of which was authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act. The incentives cover activities including extracting critical minerals like lithium; manufacturing solar, wind, and battery parts; buying EVs; and recycling components.Rowe argued that while the US alone can't meet the skyrocketing demand for lithium due to rising sales of EVs and battery storage, some of the supply has to be sourced domestically for national security reasons.Karl Friedhoff, a fellow for Asia studies at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, agreed. He said there's no world in which the US and its partners can quickly compete with China on critical minerals; China already has so much capacity that it sets global prices."The question then is, can the US and other partner countries create a supply chain that meets their basic requirements," Friedhoff, who's part of a project exploring how the US, Japan, Australia, and India can cooperate to shift supply chains away from China. "Can we supply our own batteries? Can we build our own battery technologies? Do we have enough rare-earth elements for defense?"Based on estimates from Ioneer and other lithium project developers, the US could produce more than enough supply for the 1.4 million EVs sold in the country last year, which accounted for 7% of the auto market.The Biden administration wants EVs to account for at least 50% of car sales by 2030, and states like California and Texas are quickly deploying more battery storage to help balance stressed power grids. In September, the White House said US lithium production was on track to meet one-fifth of global demand outside of China this decade.<h2 id="c11b28df-2899-481e-8b55-b52898315793">Some environmentalists, Native tribes are alarmed</h2>The lithium projects haven't been without controversy, however. The Center for Biological Diversity <a target="_blank" href="https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/blm-grants-final-approval-to-nevada-lithium-mine-threatening-biodiversity-cultural-landscapes-2024-10-24/?_gl=1*jmu4dt*_gcl_au*MTc3Mjg1OTA3Ni4xNzI5ODYzNzkz">has threatened to sue the Biden administration</a> over its permit for Rhyolite Ridge, arguing that the project could drive an endangered wildflower to extinction. The Western Shoshone Defense Project, which works to protect the Western Shoshone peoples' native homelands, says the mine threatens local water sources and culturally important sites.<div type="image" title="A Tiehm's buckwheat plant in Esmeralda County, Nevada, grows beside where the Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron mine is planned." height="682" width="1024" msid="114817435" hostid="261" sizebytes="82450"></div>Thacker Pass faced similar opposition, but a federal judge last year dismissed a lawsuit from three Native tribes who argued that the mine's construction near a sacred site along Nevada's border with Oregon violated the law, <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/lithium-mine-tribes-climate-energy-lawsuit-nevada-7a65eee7d78d93a1e44e3f8e10445143">the AP reported</a>.Rowe said Ioneer redesigned the Rhyolite Ridge mine to limit its footprint in the critical habitat of the endangered wildflower, Tiehm's buckwheat. He said Ioneer would also monitor the pollinator population and adopt dust-control strategies. The Biden administration, in issuing the permit for the mine, said it would not jeopardize the flower's survival.Some companies are working on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lithium-mining-electric-vehicles-climate-crisis-2023-5">direct lithium extraction techniques</a> that don't involve open-pit mining or large evaporation ponds and therefore could require less land and water and produce less toxic chemical waste. Controlled Thermal Resources is developing such a project in the Salton Sea, where lithium-rich brine is already being used to power geothermal plants.Tapping the US's newly discovered lithium resources likely hinges on the new extraction techniques, which currently cost more than traditional methods and still haven't been used commercially. The US Geological Survey this month estimated that there's enough lithium underneath southwestern Arkansas to meet the projected global demand for car batteries in 2030 nine times over.Actually extracting that lithium, including from brines left over from oil and gas production in the region, depends on whether the direct extraction techniques are viable, USGS researchers said.

The US is on the cusp of a lithium boom to loosen China's grip on EVs

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US military may be forced to confront a Chinese invasion of Taiwan without top allies.</li><li>Japan, Australia, the UK and Canada are likely to provide no military forces to counter China.</li></ul>If the US decides to defend Taiwan from Chinese invasion, it may have to do so alone.Several of America's biggest allies are unlikely to commit troops to save Taiwan, either because they lack the military capability or don't want to risk all-out war with an increasingly formidable China, according to a new <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3108-1.html">report</a> by the RAND Corp..For Japan, Australia, the UK and Canada, aid "would be confined to diplomatic support for Taiwan and endorsement of likely US sanctions on China," concluded RAND, an American think tank, which surveyed experts in the four nations. If this proves right, it means that any military response to a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-missing-how-china-could-seize-taiwan-without-invading-experts-2024-5">Chinese invasion</a> would be limited to American forces."Our respondents believe that the US will receive logistics and materiel support from other countries, but its forces will have to go it alone in responding to an invasion by China," Rafiq Dossani, a RAND senior economist who co-authored the study, told Business Insider. However, there was more support in Japan and Australia to commit their navies to assisting an American-led effort to break a Chinese blockade of Taiwan.That Canada, for example, might not be able or eager to rush to Taiwan's defense isn't a surprise. But for Japan, whose security would be gravely affected by a Chinese takeover of Taiwan, the issue is more complicated."Despite its military power, commitment to the region, and US backing, Japanese pacifism (both popular and constitutional) and the fear of a retaliatory attack by China are likely to limit Japan's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-arming-taiwan-against-china-invasion-but-it-could-backfire-2023-11">military support for Taiwan</a>, perhaps only to logistics and supplies," RAND said. "Any support that they would offer to a US-led military response would likely be limited to logistics and materiel support."The goal of the RAND study, which was sponsored by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was to examine how America's medium-sized allies may deter or mediate a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-taiwan-drills-looked-like-rehearsal-for-invasion-us-admiral-2024-5">conflict between China and Taiwan</a>, a democratic island that China's communist leaders consider a breakaway province. The US is highly dependent on its regional allies like South Korea and Japan for basing, but the prospect it would have to fight without their ships and troops against what's likely to be a larger Chinese force may tarnish its deterrent power.Researchers classified Japan, Australia, the UK and Canada as "middle powers," which RAND defined as nations "that are not small but lack the sheer size and influence to significantly disrupt the global order." The study excluded nations that already faced a risk of direct conflict with China, the US and their respective allies. India and South Korea were also excluded "because those countries have declared that they will not play a mediating role in a cross-Strait conflict."RAND sent questionnaires to 49 diplomats, defense officials, policy analysts, business executives, journalists and legislators in the four nations. The various responses shared "remarkably common" views about a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-doesnt-have-military-power-invade-taiwan-experts-csis-us-2024-1">China-Taiwan war</a>.What is especially striking is the pessimistic self-image. The British experts, for example, felt that "the UK's distant location and weak military assets, in addition to its trade dependence on China, lead to limited UK interest in defending Taiwan militarily."Nor do the four US allies believe that Beijing fears them enough to refrain from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-missing-how-china-could-seize-taiwan-without-invading-experts-2024-5">attacking Taiwan</a>. "Our respondents thought that China views these four middle-power countries as too weak militarily to take on China on their own and as marginal players in a US-led coalition," the report found.On the other hand, America's top allies don't <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-trying-boost-its-economy-is-china-preparing-war-taiwan-2024-5">share</a> <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/red-flags-tell-us-when-chinas-ready-to-invade-taiwan-2024-4">American fears</a> that a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-military-china-missile-problem-getting-worse-2024-5">massive Chinese military buildup</a> and Chinese leader <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/xi-claim-us-trying-trick-china-invaded-taiwan-divide-allies-experts-2024-6">Xi Jinping's</a> avowed determination to "reunify" Taiwan with China are steps toward war, but rather may be nationalistic posturing. "According to our respondents, China's main goal is to legitimize its current domestic political system (i.e., the rule of the Chinese Communist Party)," the report said. "To accomplish this goal, China must be seen within as a great power, preeminent in Asia, and able to achieve high economic growth. An invasion of Taiwan would jeopardize such perceptions and thus be deemed an unacceptable risk relative to the status quo."<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-taiwan-seals-would-fight-a-chinese-military-invasion-2021-12">Taiwan's military</a> is not inconsequential, with nearly 200,000 active-duty soldiers, anti-ship missiles and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-taiwan-could-use-sea-mines-to-stop-chinese-invasion-2024-3">mines</a>, and soon F-16 fighters and submarines. But this is a fraction of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-showed-how-easily-no-notice-it-can-surround-taiwan-2024-6">China's military</a> might, and Taiwan would probably need outside assistance to repel an invasion or <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-missing-how-china-could-seize-taiwan-without-invading-experts-2024-5">break a blockade</a>. While the US would provide the bulk of such a relief effort, allied contributions would be vital, as would unfettered use of bases in Japan and Australia.To American hardliners already resentful that some <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-didnt-scare-nato-defense-spending-putin-did-experts-2024-2">NATO nations </a>aren't spending enough to defend Europe, the reluctance of its allies may smack of cowardice, and stick the US with the burden of Pacific security. But this may also reflect military and geographic reality. Canada's small military could muster only a token force for Taiwan's defense. Britain's shrinking armed forces, which already have European commitments, would struggle just to dispatch a small carrier task force 6,000 miles to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-ax-attack-philippines-south-china-sea-grab-territory-experts-2024-6">South China Sea</a>.Though <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aukus-plans-for-new-submarine-base-amid-increased-undersea-competition-2023-5">Australia</a> is a Pacific nation, and has diesel-electric submarines and F-35 stealth fighters, it still lacks the ability to project and sustain military operations 5,000 miles away in Taiwan.But the biggest question mark is Japan: Okinawa is about 500 miles from Taiwan, Japan has territorial disputes with China over various islands in the East China Sea, and the Japanese military is rated among the 10 most powerful in the world. Furthermore, Japan's territory and the US military bases it hosts will be essential to any <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-plans-turn-taiwan-strait-into-drone-hellscape-against-china-2024-6">US effort</a> to counter China.Yet if Japan, Australia, Britain and Canada are reluctant to confront China, there are actions they can take to help Taiwan. RAND recommends that they create a joint plan for trade sanctions to deter China from attacking Taiwan. In addition, the four middle powers could play a role in mediators to prevent a Taiwan war from happening."Indeed, middle powers might be the only ones that can play a mediating role in such a conflict if tensions between the great powers were to escalate," the study noted. "However, as of this report's writing, no middle power has enough influence over both great powers to play such a role, even in coalition with other middle powers."Which means these middle-ranked nations need to build up their capabilities, military and otherwise. "To build credibility with both great powers, the four middle powers need to rebuild and bolster their strategic autonomy, material power, and commitment to the Asia-Pacific region."The study also implicitly raises questions about how much the US can count on its NATO allies for support outside Europe. While NATO nations did send small contingents during the Afghan war, confronting China is different."I think that NATO should take seriously the possibility of European middle powers preferring not to be involved in a conflict in which their adversary does not directly threaten their national security," Dossani said."Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.twitter.com/@mipeck1">Twitter</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mipeck/">LinkedIn</a>.

In a Taiwan war, the US could find itself fighting China without its top allies

<ul class="summary-list"><li>India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Russia to visit its president Vladimir Putin. </li><li>It's a visit that risks annoying India's ally the US. </li></ul>When India's prime minister arrived in Moscow on Tuesday, he greeted Russia's famously chilly president, Vladimir Putin, with an exuberant bear hug.It was a move likely <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/modi-putin-russia-india-relationship-not-worried-us-biden-mad-2024-7">to rile the US, </a>India's most important geopolitical ally, which has placed pressure on New Delhi to loosen its ties with Russia over Putin's invasion of Ukraine.But Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fear of China — a key Russian ally — means that he's willing to risk American anger to keep Putin close."New Delhi sees Moscow as an important buffer in their relationship due to Moscow's strong ties with Beijing," Sarang Shidore, an analyst at the Quincy Institute, told Business Insider."It is not in Russia's interest to have China and India at loggerheads, so it could, to a degree, act as a restraining agent."<h2 id="0ad4840d-1eb0-4f3e-a27c-3953a5a682f0">India ignores US pressure to cut Russia ties</h2>During the Cold War, the Soviet Union was among India's most important allies, with the Kremlin providing military support during India's clashes with Pakistan.They've remained close ever since, but the relationship is being tested anew in the fallout from the Ukraine war.The US has attempted to persuade India to take part <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-nations-general-assembly-biden-narendra-modi-india-82c9273cf3143cf16e9da23c3dd48170">in its campaign to isolate</a> Russia over the Ukraine invasion — but with little success."Russia is one of India's oldest strategic partners, and New Delhi wants to maintain this relationship regardless of Russia's diplomatic isolation following the war in Ukraine," Rahul Bhatia, an analyst at the Eurasia Group, told BI.India has increased its purchase of Russian goods, including oil and fertilizer, at reduced prices after the US imposed sanctions on Russia.It continues to buy Russian armaments, with around <a target="_blank" href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/more-than-60-70-of-india-armed-forces-equipped-with-russian-origin-weapons-indian-envoy/articleshow/76903811.cms?from=mdr">70% of its weapons systems believed to be Russian</a>-made, and its military reliant on the Kremlin for spare parts and upgrades."Taking a hardline position against Russia could have both economic and security ramifications for India," said Richard Rossow, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.<h2 id="a68bd311-605c-44db-97ac-44c2056c27c0">China's threat to India increases</h2>The threat from Chinese leader Xi Jinping is another key factor in Modi's determination to ignore US pressure and retain good ties with Putin.China's regional might is growing, and it's menacing India, Asia's other major economic power.In 2020, a long-simmering border dispute resulted in deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese troops. China ha<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-produces-vast-undersea-maps-submarine-warfare-report-says-2024-1">s bolstered its presence in the Indian Ocean</a>, and the two are jostling for influence in countries in the region.China has built stronger ties with Russia in the wake of the Ukraine invasion, hoping a Russian victory<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/xi-china-putin-russia-frenemies-limits-power-sphere-influence-2024-7"> will damage US power and enhance its own global</a> might. And it's this friendship Modi's seeking to drive a wedge between."There is a real chance of future conflicts, and India would prefer to avoid Russia exporting advanced military hardware to China," said Rossow.Some Indian analysts believe that China poses a greater threat to Russia than NATO in the long term and that India can exploit those differences."The Russia-China 'alliance' may be short-term in nature, and that historical conflicts between the two, such as over their long border and under-developed natural resources in Russia's east, will resurface and trigger renewed tensions," said Morrow.But for the time being, Russia's new "no limits"<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-china-no-limits-partnership-yuan-bank-loans-sanctions-2024-2"> partnership has got Modi worried</a>, and he'll likely be hoping for a swift end to the Ukraine war. By maintaining good relations with Putin he's hoping he can contain the fallout."The war does not at all benefit its interests. The war also opens the door to legitimizing violations of territorial integrity, and endangers a principle that New Delhi has backed strongly," said Shidore.

Fear of China is behind India's exuberant display of friendship with Vladimir Putin 

<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> is well positioned to be a driver of greater wealth, according to a <keyword id="22444977" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-wealth" source="keywords">global wealth</keyword> report by <keyword id="19896306" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Boston-Consulting-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Boston Consulting Group" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Boston Consulting Group">Boston Consulting Group</keyword> (BCG). In 2023, India generated roughly $590 billion in new <keyword id="22367734" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-wealth" source="keywords">financial wealth</keyword>, marking its largest increase in the history. India will add about $730 billion annually to the overall growth of the region through 2028. The report says <keyword id="19894886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="keywords">China</keyword> and India are positioned to drive global <keyword id="20231223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wealth-creation" source="keywords">wealth creation</keyword>, "Notably, China and India are positioned to drive wealth creation, having collectively generated $588 billion in financial wealth in 2023. India is expected to add about $730 billion annually to the overall growth by 2028," said Yashraj Erande, India Leader Financial Services, BCG. Financial wealth in the Asia-Pacific region grew by only 5.1% in 2023, predominantly due to a slowdown in wealth creation in China. However, the report anticipates a significant increase through 2028, with the Asian region likely to contribute nearly 30% of new financial wealth by 2028. The report also observed that global net wealth registered a growth of 4.3% in 2023, following a decline of 4% in 2022. Much of this growth was due to a rebound in the financial market, as financial wealth, a subset of global net wealth, rose by almost 7% after a 4% decline in 2022. Looking ahead, the report estimates that $92 trillion of financial wealth will be created over the next five years. It also noted that Generative AI (GenAI) will play a crucial role in the digital transformation of <keyword id="21006652" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wealth-managers" source="keywords">wealth managers</keyword>, with use cases along the entire value chain. "The financial wealth market has seen an uptick in the last year since its slump in 2022. The trajectory has been fairly well but not as good as it was between 2014-2021. For the wealth creation market to go back to its previous era the condition should continue to be favourable" added Erande. The report also highlighted that financial wealth in North America and Western Europe bounced back in 2023. Supported by strong equity markets, North America was among the fastest-growing regions, accounting for over 50% of all new financial wealth in 2023. The recovery was not as strong in Western Europe, where financial wealth rose by 4.4%. "Wealth creation resumed in 2023--but even so, wealth managers cannot afford to stand still. To capitalize on growing global wealth, industry players, among others, will need to set a clear digital transformation strategy and leverage GenAI to manage costs and improve client experience," said Michael Kahlich, a managing director and partner at BCG and a co-author of the report. The report stated that the most remarkable growth dynamics emerged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE is currently the world's seventh-largest booking centre and is expected to surpass the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man as the sixth-largest by 2028. Hong Kong's anticipated rise to become the top global financial hub was stalled by a temporary but significant slowdown in Chinese inflow. Singapore now appears to be in a position to challenge Hong Kong's rise over the long term. Switzerland remains the largest booking centre worldwide, growing in line with its historical average of 4.8% and gaining the most wealth in absolute dollar terms. However, Switzerland and other European cross-border booking centres, including the UK and Luxembourg, are growing at a slower pace than Singapore, the UAE, and the US. This shift is occurring mostly because of a stronger demand for geographic diversification, reflecting a continued surge in wealth generation in Middle Eastern and Asian markets.

India and China to drive new wealth creation globally, Asia to contribute 30% of new wealth, says BCG report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Elon Musk made a surprise visit to China, meeting officials and striking a deal with Baidu.</li><li>The deal brings Tesla a step closer to introducing its self-driving features in cars sold in China.</li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>'s surprise visit to China appears to have paid off.The billionaire unexpectedly traveled to Beijing over the weekend, meeting with high-ranking officials and striking a deal with the Chinese search giant Baidu.The whirlwind visit came just a week after the billionaire decided not to make a planned trip to India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla">Tesla</a>-related "obligations."Instead, Musk with Premier Li Qiang, China's second-highest-ranking politician, in Beijing to discuss the rollout of Tesla's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-fsd">Full Self-Driving technology</a> in the world's biggest auto market. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-29/tesla-clears-key-china-fsd-hurdle-with-baidu-mapping-deal">Bloomberg</a> reported that the electric-vehicle maker was expected to get the green light for the tech in China, citing an unnamed source.Approval of FSD software could help boost Tesla's sales in China, which have slumped amid steep competition from local rivals and suffered elsewhere from rising anxiety about EVs.<div type="image" title="Elon Musk stepping out of a minibus." height="1998" width="3000" msid="109696562" hostid="261"></div><h2>'Golden opportunity'</h2>The partnership with Baidu revolves around mapping and navigation functions for Tesla's autonomous-driving software.Bloomberg reported that Baidu's lane-level navigation and mapping was likely to let Tesla make its autonomous-driving services available in China.Such a move could be a much-needed boost for Tesla, which has lost its market leadership in the world's largest EV market.Tesla has had difficulty keeping up with a brutal price war against Chinese suppliers. In 2023, it lost its title as <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-byd-tesla-electric-car-ev-race-2023-11">the world's top EV seller</a> to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-16/byd-s-smart-car-features-include-drones-and-in-car-video-games">BYD</a>, which is also planning to release its own autonomous-driving technology.China's sluggish economy and property-market woes have also dampened consumer demand and made some wary of big-ticket purchases.Approval for FSD could have a significant impact on Tesla's revenues, given it charges $8,000 in the US for it or $99 a month for a subscription.In an interview with Bloomberg TV, the Wedbush analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HcPMxl_UWo">Dan Ives</a> said of the deal, "This could open up FSD in China, which I view as unlocking what could be, really, the golden opportunity for them."Chinese authorities also said Tesla's cars made in the country now passed data-security requirements. In 2021 Beijing cracked down on the use of Teslas by state personnel over <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-tesla-ban-military-government-personnel-2021-3">security concerns</a> posed by the vehicles' cameras. <h2>Musk's battle plan</h2>Musk's China visit came amid tough times for Tesla.The EV maker reported its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-stock-tsla-quarterly-earnings-call-report-live-updates-2024-4">first decline in quarterly revenue since 2020</a> in its earnings call last week, missing Wall Street's already-low expectations. The revenue drop represented the first major decline since the pandemic disrupted vehicle production and deliveries.Telsa has also been <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-layoffs-job-cuts-2024-2">laying off 10% of its workforce</a>, or about 14,000 employees, and has had to recall recently launched Cybertrucks.Despite the miserable earnings, the company's stock jumped after the news that Tesla's long-awaited <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-investors-cheaper-cars-soon-musk-said-earnings-stock-up-2024-4">cheaper EVs</a> were coming soon. Musk didn't give many specifics on the new vehicles, such as exactly how much they'd cost or when they'd be available, but it was enough to soothe nervous investors.The stock surge confirms that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-meta-earnings-prove-power-of-musk-word-despite-promises-2024-4">Musk's promises still have meaning</a> for many investors. Tesla is set to rise again by close to 10% when trading begins on Monday.The combined might of China's car makers is a formidable adversary, but Musk's visit shows he's coming out fighting.Tesla didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Elon Musk comes out fighting as China throws Tesla a lifeline

South Asia is a treasure trove of diverse landscapes, cultures, and histories. Here, we’ll explore the beautiful countries that share borders with India: <keyword id="12266" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nepal" source="Orion">Nepal</keyword>, <keyword id="6356598" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhutan" source="Orion">Bhutan</keyword>, <keyword id="3001" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan" source="Orion">Pakistan</keyword>, <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="Orion">China</keyword>, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, as well as the maritime border with Sri Lanka. Each of these nations offers unique experiences and breathtaking beauty. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Nepal: The Himalayan Jewel" comment="subhead" text="Nepal: The Himalayan Jewel">Nepal: The Himalayan Jewel</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Nepal" msid="110382276" hostid="261" sizebytes="187574" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Majestic peaks of the Himalayas await adventurous souls in Nepal.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Located in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, Nepal is a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers alike. The towering peaks, including Mount Everest, the highest point on earth, draw trekkers from around the globe. Beyond the mountains, Nepal is rich in cultural heritage with ancient temples, monasteries, and vibrant festivals. Highlights: Trekking in the Annapurna and Everest regions Exploring the historic Kathmandu Valley Visiting the birthplace of Buddha in Lumbini <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Bhutan: The Land of the Thunder Dragon" comment="subhead" text="Bhutan: The Land of the Thunder Dragon">Bhutan: The Land of the Thunder Dragon</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Bhutan" msid="110382305" hostid="261" sizebytes="132570" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Bhutan&amp;#39;s spiritual serenity&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Bhutan, known for its serene landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is a country that measures success by Gross National Happiness rather than GDP. The country's lush valleys, towering cliffs, and pristine forests make it a haven for nature enthusiasts. Highlights: Witnessing the breathtaking architecture of Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) Experiencing vibrant festivals like Tshechu Exploring the capital city, Thimphu, and its impressive Dzongs <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Pakistan: The Land of Ancient Civilizations" comment="subhead" text="Pakistan: The Land of Ancient Civilizations">Pakistan: The Land of Ancient Civilizations</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Pakistan" msid="110382361" hostid="261" sizebytes="63724" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Step back in time amidst the ancient ruins of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Pakistan is a country of stunning landscapes, from the peaks of the Karakoram Range to the arid expanses of the Thar Desert. It's also home to ancient archaeological sites, bustling cities, and a rich tapestry of cultures. Highlights: Visiting the ancient ruins of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa Trekking through the beautiful valleys of Hunza and Swat Exploring the vibrant city of Lahore with its Mughal-era landmarks <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="China: The Middle Kingdom" comment="subhead" text="China: The Middle Kingdom">China: The Middle Kingdom</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="China" msid="110382391" hostid="261" sizebytes="160816" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Great Wall stands as a testament to China&amp;#39;s enduring history and grandeur.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>China, one of the world's oldest civilisations, shares a long and complex history with India. It offers a vast array of landscapes, from the Great Wall stretching across arid deserts to the serene beauty of its countryside. Highlights: Walking along the Great Wall Exploring the Terracotta Army in Xi’an Experiencing the vibrant culture and modern marvels of Beijing and Shanghai <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Bangladesh: The Land of Rivers" comment="subhead" text="Bangladesh: The Land of Rivers">Bangladesh: The Land of Rivers</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Bangladesh" msid="110382434" hostid="261" sizebytes="77384" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Sundarbans, where the mystical allure of the Bengal tiger awaits.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Bangladesh is characterised by its lush greenery, numerous rivers, and rich cultural heritage. It’s a country where the simple, rural life offers a stark contrast to its bustling cities. Highlights: Exploring the Sundarbans, home to the Bengal tiger Visiting the ancient city of Paharpur Experiencing the lively capital, Dhaka, with its vibrant markets and historical sites <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Myanmar: The Golden Land" comment="subhead" text="Myanmar: The Golden Land">Myanmar: The Golden Land</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Myanmar" msid="110382468" hostid="261" sizebytes="94416" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Bagan&amp;#39;s golden spires paint a mesmerizing skyline across ancient plains.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Myanmar, with its golden pagodas, rich history, and diverse ethnic cultures, is a country that captivates travellers. From the serene shores of Inle Lake to the bustling streets of Yangon, there's much to discover. Highlights: Marvelling at the thousands of temples in Bagan Cruising on the Irrawaddy River Visiting the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Sri Lanka: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean" comment="subhead" text="Sri Lanka: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean">Sri Lanka: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="Sri Lanka" msid="110382497" hostid="261" sizebytes="193556" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Serene beaches and lush tea plantations define Sri Lanka&amp;#39;s tropical paradise.&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>While Sri Lanka doesn’t share a land border with India, it lies close by in the Indian Ocean. This island nation is known for its beautiful beaches, lush tea plantations, and rich cultural heritage. Highlights: Relaxing on the pristine beaches of Bentota and Mirissa Exploring the ancient city of Sigiriya and its rock fortress Taking a scenic train ride through the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya The countries bordering India each offer unique experiences and landscapes, making South Asia a rich and diverse region to explore. Whether you’re seeking the serenity of the Himalayas, the cultural richness of ancient civilisations, or the natural beauty of lush landscapes, these neighbouring countries have something special to offer every traveller.

India's stunning neighbouring countries that you must visit

<ul class="summary-list"><li>India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi had his power pegged back in elections this week. </li><li>It was also the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in China. </li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/narendra-modi-won-already-seeing-cost-him-allies-cabinet-funding-2024-6">Narendra Modi's strongman ambitions</a> suffered a setback this week.His Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party fell<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/narendra-modi-win-bjp-india-election-explained-2024-6"> short of the landslide victory </a>many had predicted in the Indian elections.As Modi becomes India's prime minister for a third time, his party will have to enter into a power-sharing agreement with alliance partners.It's a chastening lesson from the Indian electorate for Modi, who, while boosting India's global standing, has been accused of stoking division and weakening India's democracy.On the same day as the Indian election results, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.state.gov/on-the-35th-anniversary-of-tiananmen-square/">the world marked the 35th anniversary </a>of the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, which saw a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing.In the decades since, China has slid back into Maoist-style authoritarianism.The events this week highlighted how the competition between India and China is about more than raw power. It's also a competition between two very different political ideologies.<h2 id="6acd91a8-36b3-408f-85c1-259d5944f4e0">India is a flawed but thriving democracy</h2>India is the world's largest democracy. Its first elections were held in 1951-52 after it gained independence from Britain. Free elections have been held in nearly every election cycle since, with a coup in 1975 briefly threatening India's democratic status.It is a rare bright spot in a world where democracy seems to be in retreat. Even in the US, the global champion of democracy, former president Donald Trump is accused of launching an attempt to cling to power illegally after losing the 2020 election.<div type="image" title="Indian voters" height="683" width="1024" msid="110819479" hostid="261" sizebytes="88454"></div>"India isn't a perfect democracy but it is still a role model for developing nations, large or small. And given trends in some Western democracies, I would have to say that there are several things they, too, should be learning from India," said Jabin T. Jacob, an expert on India-China relations at Shiv Nadar University, India.India's democracy, though, faces a stern test under Modi, say critics. Global democracy watchdog <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-56393944">Freedom House in 2021</a> downgraded India's democratic status, saying Modi's Hindu nationalist movement had menaced journalists, attacked Muslims, and corroded civil liberties.Jacob said this week's results showed India's democracy remained resilient despite the pressures, while dealing a blow to a leader seen to have overstepped his authority."We have just seen an election in which the Indian electorate decided that their interests are best served by power shared more evenly among a set of political formations that represent diverse interests and aspirations. That is the essence of democracy," he said."The Indian electorate is a very mature one, and it has always intervened in a timely fashion against authoritarian tendencies in its rulers."It's unclear whether Modi will now double down on the nationalism he's championed or seek a more moderate path based on economic reform.<h2 id="c1fe728e-200a-4edb-8d77-94ea6111c952">China's rise comes at a high cost</h2>There are those in India, though, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/daa87f88-ae0e-11e3-974d-00144feab7de">who have been astonished</a> at the speed and efficiency of China's rise to economic superpower status.China has become the world's second-largest economy, and the lives of millions of ordinary Chinese people have been transformed. Though India has made huge economic progress under Modi, it still lags behind.<div type="image" title="China high speed rail" height="644" width="1024" msid="110819477" hostid="261" sizebytes="117068"></div>"Perhaps the greatest challenge democracy faces in India is that is has failed to deliver the kind of sustained economic development enjoyed by neighbors like China over the last four decades. It has also failed to eliminate extreme poverty," wrote Chatham House <a target="_blank" href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/04/democracy-india">analyst Gareth Price in 2022.</a>But with prosperity in China, has come reduced freedom.Since Tiananmen Square 35 years ago, China's Communist Party has rolled back many of the freedoms its citizens once had.Its current leader, Xi Jinping, has imposed a draconian surveillance state and is considered <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-xi-jinping-ai-wreak-havoc-america-world-economy-2024-6">China's most authoritarian ruler</a> since Mao Tse Tung.Dominic Chiu, an analyst with the Eurasia Group, told Business Insider that China's system had given it an economic advantage — but at a cost."China's one-party rule in the reform era enabled consistent long-term policymaking and economic planning," he said. "This benefited China's economy immensely when the leadership decided to liberalize markets, privatize industries, and open the country up to foreign investment." But, he said, China's repressive one-party system was also deterring investors. And with China's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-falls-out-of-love-with-natural-diamonds-industry-struggles-2024-6">economy experiencing a steep </a>downturn, this poses a serious problem for its future growth.<h2 id="ebafe111-fa5e-49b8-95d3-f92a674d0da2">China and India vie for dominance</h2>Having achieved economic superpower status, China is now seeking to assert its power more aggressively both regionally and internationally.Tensions with India are increasing. In 2020, clashes along the countries' Himalayan border resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese.<div type="image" title="India-China border" height="683" width="1024" msid="110819475" hostid="261" sizebytes="158650"></div><a target="_blank" href="https://uk.news.yahoo.com/modi-mission-assert-indias-global-123002908.html">Analysts told BI</a> that building stronger alliances to counter Chinese aggression will be one of the core aims of Modi's third term.And its commitment to democracy hands it an important advantage, said Jacob."India's democratic status is critical for its international standing. It is an opportunity to develop a model of economic and political development that is both equitable and democratic and thus distinct from the aggressive capitalism of the US or the authoritarianism of the PRC," he said.In 2021, India entered<a target="_blank" href="https://uk.news.yahoo.com/modi-went-straight-reelection-needling-103142130.html"> into the "Quad" partnership </a>with democracies the US, Japan, and Australia, to counter what is perceived as growing Chinese aggression in the Pacific and Indian Ocean.It's a political alliance that would've been more difficult to broker if India was ruled by an authoritarian government,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/democracy-and-the-us-india-relationship/"> say observers.</a><h2 id="b9b7d5ac-0c25-43f4-adf2-9128d9242020">Competing nationalist visions</h2>Some analysts, though, say that the competition between India and China is not, at its core, about competing political systems but about competing nationalist visions.According to this interpretation, both Xi and Modi are committed to restoring what they see as their nation's rightful place at the top of the global order.But in his quest to strengthen India, critics are warning Modi not to undermine the commitment to democracy and pluralism they believe is at the heart of its post-independence success.Jacob said those in India jealous of China's economic might should look more closely at the reality."Indians who argue against democracy using the China comparison clearly don't understand anything about the reality of China and the Chinese people," he said.

The competition between India and China is about more than raw power

The European Union's plan to impose a tax on the <keyword id="435302" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="carbon-pollution" source="Orion">carbon pollution</keyword> emitted to make goods imported from countries like India and China has sparked a debate at the United Nations climate conference in Dubai, as poorer countries argue that the tax will harm livelihoods and economic growth. Known as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the tax wants to set a price on the carbon emitted to make energy-intensive products like iron, steel, cement, fertilizers and aluminium in non-EU countries. The <keyword id="6355123" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="eu" source="Orion">EU</keyword> says this creates a level-playing field for domestically-manufactured goods that have to adhere to stricter green standards and also reduces emissions from imports. But other nations, particularly developing countries, are worried this would harm their economies and make it too expensive to trade with the bloc. "CBAM's sole aim is to prevent carbon leakage" elsewhere in the supply chain, European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said at a press conference at COP28. He said the tax is crucial for funding and achieving the bloc's climate goal of slashing emissions 55% by 2030. A recent study by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development found that a tax of USD 44 per tonnes of carbon emitted would slash pollution from the supply chain by half. It also estimated that rich countries would make USD 2.5 billion from the tax, but poorer countries might lose up to USD 5.9 billion. The EU already caps emissions from industries that operate within its 27 countries and lets them buy "allowances" if they exceed their carbon pollution limits. Without a <keyword id="78459" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="carbon-tax" source="Orion">carbon tax</keyword> on imports, the fear is that the EU's emissions cap will push industries to other nations outside the bloc that have looser rules around greenhouse gas emissions. Countries like the United States and Canada are also considering their own versions of a carbon tax, which some worry could "overwhelm" developing countries. India's government is one of those strongly opposed to the idea. India's former steel secretary Aruna Sharma urged the government to continue to oppose the tax but said industries do need to invest in lowering their carbon footprint for both exports and domestic goods. Other nations could also take a hit. Mohamed Adow, the founder-director of Power Shift Africa, an independent think tank based in Kenya, called carbon taxes a "trade weapon" that could negatively affect Africa. The tax could "lead to a loss of trade revenue amounting to at least USD 25 billion for the continent," he said. "This issue is a significant concern in international climate politics. It's not going away, and lives are at stake," said Li Shuo, director of China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute. There's also a technical concern: Vaibhav Chaturvedi, a research fellow at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water in New Delhi, said that under the UN climate change rules, countries cannot dictate how others should reduce emissions. Carbon taxes go against that rule, he said. Trade and climate policy experts say many developing countries fear being shut out of Western markets because they won't be able to clean up their businesses fast enough. They also worry about being caught in conflicts between China and the West, with China seen as the primary target of the EU's carbon tax. But K R Raghunath, founder of clean energy solutions company KIS group, said that even though a carbon tax could be "painful" for some countries in the short-term, it will still have a positive impact because it will reduce planet-warming emissions. "It will be good for everyone in the long run," he said. "Ultimately, everybody has to reduce their carbon emissions."

Carbon tax turns into climate fight at COP28

India was the fourth largest military spender globally in 2023 with an expenditure of USD 83.6 billion, behind the US, China and Russia, according to a report by an independent international think-tank. The report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shared on its website in April also said the "rise" in global military spending last year can be attributed "primarily to the ongoing war in Ukraine and escalating geopolitical tensions in Asia and Oceania and the Middle East". The military expenditure went up in all five geographical regions, with major spending increases recorded in Europe, Asia and Oceania and the Middle East, it said. The report comes amid ongoing conflicts in various parts of the world such as the ones involving Israel-Hamas, Iran-Israel, Russian-Ukraine besides volatility in the Red Sea region. "World military expenditure increased for the ninth consecutive year in 2023, reaching a total of USD 2443 billion. The 6.8 per cent increase in 2023 was the steepest year-on-year rise since 2009 and pushed global spending to the highest level SIPRI has ever recorded," according to the report. The <keyword id="21404979" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-military-burden" source="keywords">world military burden</keyword> -- defined as military spending as a percentage of global gross domestic product (GDP) -- increased to 2.3 per cent in 2023. Average military expenditure as a share of government expenditure rose by 0.4 percentage points to 6.9 per cent in 2023 and world military spending per person was the highest since 1990 at USD 306, it added. With military expenditure of USD 83.6 billion in 2023, India was the "fourth largest spender globally". Indian spending was up by 4.2 per cent from 2022 and by 44 per cent from 2014. The increase in India's military spending was "mainly a result of growing personnel and operations costs" which made up almost 80 per cent of the total military budget in 2023, the <keyword id="20911352" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SIPRI-report" source="keywords">SIPRI report</keyword> claimed. "This aligns with the government's priority to strengthen the operational readiness of the armed forces amid ongoing tensions with China and Pakistan. In comparison, capital outlays to fund military procurement remained relatively stable at around 22 per cent of the budget in 2023," it said. A total of 75 per cent of these outlays went towards equipments produced domestically, which was the highest level ever and up from 68 per cent in the previous year. The continued shift towards domestic procurement reflects India's goal of becoming self-reliant in arms development and production, the think-tank said in its repot fact sheet shared on its website. The Indian Army has maintained that deployment of its troops and other elements along the LAC is "extremely robust" and "balanced". The eastern <keyword id="21271073" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ladakh-border-standoff" source="keywords">Ladakh border standoff</keyword> erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong Lake area. The ties between India and China nose-dived significantly following the clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, it provides data, analysis and recommendations based on open sources to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. The Stockholm-based think-tank monitors developments in military expenditure worldwide and maintains the most comprehensive, consistent and extensive publicly available data source on military expenditure, according to its online portal. The US military spending was USD 916 billion in 2023, which was 2.3 per cent more than in 2022 and 9.9 per cent more than in 2014, the report said. The US remained by far the largest spender in the world, allocating 3.1 times more to the military than the second largest spender China. "The biggest percentage increase among all US military spending categories in 2023 was for 'research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&amp;E)". The Stockholm-based think-tank also said in its report that Ukraine was the "eighth largest spender" in 2023 after a spending surge of 51 per cent to reach USD 64.8 billion. This gave Ukraine "a military burden of 37 per cent and represented 58 per cent of total government spending". "Ukraine's military spending in 2023 was 59 per cent the size of Russia's. However, Ukraine also received at least USD 35 billion in military aid during the year, including USD 25.4 billion from the US. Combined, this aid and Ukraine's own military spending were equivalent to about 91 per cent of Russian spending," the report claimed. According to the report, Russia's military spending increased by 24 per cent to an estimated USD 109 billion in 2023. "China, the world's second largest military spender, allocated an estimated USD 296 billion to the military in 2023, an increase of 6 per cent from 2022. This was the 29th consecutive year-on-year rise in China's military expenditure. China accounted for half of total military spending across the Asia and Oceania region. Several of China's neighbours have linked their own spending increases to China's rising military expenditure," the Stockholm-based think-tank claimed in its report. In 2023, the 31 <keyword id="20763732" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NATO-members" source="keywords">NATO members</keyword> accounted for USD 1,341 billion, equal to 55 per cent of the world's military expenditure, the report said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/google-pixel-8a-may-be-more-expensive-than-its-predecessor-as-per-a-new-leak/articleshow/109499394.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/google-pixel-8a-may-be-more-expensive-than-its-predecessor-as-per-a-new-leak/articleshow/109499394.cms" target="_blank">Google Pixel 8a may be more expensive than its predecessor, as per a new leak</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/best-smartphones-under-25000-in-india/slidelist/109529634.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/best-smartphones-under-25000-in-india/slidelist/109529634.cms" target="_blank">Best smartphones under ₹25,000 in India</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/webstories/at-17-indian-chess-prodigy-d-gukesh-becomes-youngest-challenger-for-world-championship/slidelist/109492021.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/webstories/at-17-indian-chess-prodigy-d-gukesh-becomes-youngest-challenger-for-world-championship/slidelist/109492021.cms" target="_blank">At 17, Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh becomes youngest challenger for World Championship</a>

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