Harsh V Pant

Harsh V Pant

Professor of International Relations at King’s College London and Director of Research at Observer Research Foundation (ORF), New Delhi.
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Balancing Act: India’s Shifting Stance on Chinese Investment

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government tightened scrutiny of foreign direct investment amid security concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely curtailing China's economic influence. But as India aspires to become the world's third-largest economy by 2029 and a developed nation by 2047, it must grapple with balancing economic ambitions with security concerns and is beginning to cautiously accept Chinese investments in sectors such as electronics manufacturing to boost local production capabilities.

The Shadow of Modi and Xi: A Defining Element of the Summit

This week has been one of the most eventful in recent times in the chronicles of Indian diplomacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping signalled their intent to defuse tensions with their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia. This development has been preceded by South Block announcing that both sides had agreed to patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Will China’s actions live up to its commitments under the LAC agreement?

India and China have decided to bury the hatchet, almost and for now. As a result, there will be a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping today on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. In a major breakthrough that can potentially end the over four-year-long military standoff, the two neighbours have reached an agreement on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh "leading to disengagement."

Shifting Focus: Jaishankar Signals Pakistan’s Reduced Role in India’s Strategic Priorities

After generating days of excitement in the media, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit finally concluded with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar making a quick visit to Islamabad. For all the speculation about India and Pakistan, in the end, what the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the SCO will likely be remembered for is perhaps Jaishankar's sunglasses. In this age of intense social media scrutiny, a small clip, now viral, of Jaishankar sporting his sunglasses in style became symbolic of India's confidence in dealing with Pakistan. Hilarious though this might seem, all that is left of Pakistan in Indian foreign policy imagination today is decoding our diplomats' style and body language.

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