China’s growing regional dominance is driving India to bolster its own economic, security and political ties in Southeast Asia. But unlike Beijing, New Delhi lacks the deep pockets or military might to pursue its “Act East” agenda alone.
India's leaders have long espoused secularism as a means of knitting together a diverse array of peoples and faiths. The current government's privileging of Hindu nationalism, however, risks unraveling the country's fabric.
Until New Delhi restores security in Indian-controlled Kashmir, the investment and migration Modi wants to foster in the region will not substantially materialize.
New Delhi's rejection of the deal's proposed terms won't keep China from pushing ahead with the massive Asian trade agreement, with or without India.
New Delhi did well to weather the global financial crisis and its aftermath. Now, it's facing another downturn that will test its ability to steer the economy to safety.
A landmark Indian Supreme Court decision due by Nov. 17 could advance a core goal of the Hindu nationalist movement at the cost of exacerbating Hindu-Muslim tensions.
With neither striving for a comprehensive solution to bilateral disagreements, Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping will settle for not rocking the boat when they meet this weekend.
New Delhi's refusal to budge on a series of Washington's bugbears means the capitals will have to iron out their differences before they can finally clinch a trade deal.
A partial trade pact between India and the United States appears imminent. Hammering out a more comprehensive agreement, however, won't be so easy.
Shoring up New Delhi's influence around South Asia is top on Narendra Modi's to-do list. Achieving success, however, will depend on fending off China and its Belt and Road Initiative.
