Posts

The China-US Reapproachment

                          The China-US Reapproachment For years, the story of America and China was mostly about fighting: heavy taxes on each other’s goods, bans on technology, and angry speeches. Lately, the mood has changed. The two countries are talking more and shouting less. In this post, we look at what happened, why it is happening, and whether it will last. How we got here The two biggest economies in the world spent years in a trade fight. Each side put heavy taxes on the other’s products, so things cost more and businesses on both sides got hurt. Things began to soften in October 2025. After the two leaders met in South Korea, they agreed to a one-year pause in the trade fight. The US agreed to lower some of its taxes on Chinese goods, and China agreed to hold off on limiting the supply of rare earth minerals. These minerals are used to make phones, cars and many other things. Leaders visiting each other Th...

Foreign University Campuses in India: How NEP 2020 Can Grow India's Soft Power

  Foreign University Campuses in India: How NEP 2020 Can Grow India's Soft Power Introduction For many years, Indian students have packed their bags to study in the UK, the USA, Canada, or Australia. Now the picture is changing. Foreign universities are coming to India. This is a big shift, and it is closely linked to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In this post, I look at what NEP 2020 says about internationalisation, how foreign campuses are coming up, and how all this can strengthen India's soft power. What is Internationalisation of Higher Education? Internationalisation means bringing a global outlook into education. It can include: Students and teachers moving between countries Joint degrees and research projects Partnerships between universities Foreign universities opening campuses in another country For a long time, India mostly sent students abroad. NEP 2020 wants India to also attract the world. What Does NEP 2020 Say? NEP 2020 clearly suppo...

The Balochistan Freedom Struggle: A Fight for Autonomy and Identity

The Balochistan Freedom Struggle: A Fight for Autonomy and Identity Balochistan, a resource-rich yet underdeveloped province of Pakistan, has been at the center of a long-standing freedom struggle. The Baloch nationalist movement, which seeks greater autonomy or complete independence from Pakistan, has been fueled by historical grievances, economic deprivation and political marginalization. This blog explores the origins, key issues and the current state of Balochistan freedom struggle. The southwestern province of Balochistan remains one of Pakistan's major security challenges due to a long-standing armed rebellion demanding independence for the resource rich region. The latest incident in the ongoing violence involved the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the most powerful rebel group in the area bordering Iran and Afghanistan, hijacking a Train. On March 11, armed militants detonated explosive on railway tracks to halt the Jaffar Express, a train carrying over 400 passengers on...

Holi: The Soft Power Diplomacy

 Holi: The Soft Power Diplomacy Holi, the vibrant festival of colors, is not just a cultural or religious celebration-it is a significant instrument of India's soft power diplomacy. Rooted in mythology and traditions, Holi has transcended its geographic boundaries to become a global phenomena, symbolizing inclusivity, joy and unity. This festival has become an essential tool for India to projects its cultural influence, strengthen diplomatic relations, and enhance its global outreach through soft power. Holi as a Cultural Export India's cultural richness has always been a key component of its soft power. Festivals like Holi serve as a global cultural ambassadors, promoting the country's traditions beyond its borders. Today, Holi is celebrated not just in India but across the the world-from the United states and the United kingdom to Australia and the Caribbean. The growing participations of international communities highlights how India's cultural diplomacy is shaping g...