By Minh Vu — Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) has attracted much attention because it was born out of Vietnam-U.S. bilateral engagement. However, as the university welcomes its first class in September, FUV will become more than just a diplomatic achievement.…
Andhra Pradesh creates a drinking water supply corporation; Gujarat tops investment potential rankings once again; Tamil Nadu doubles legislator salaries; calm restored in Nagaland and Tripura; and more. Center–State relations The central government will work with Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,…
By Sidhanta Mehra — In April 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration took what could potentially be a ground-breaking step in its ongoing devolution of power to India’s states: it announced that it would allow state-government entities — such as…
Uttar Pradesh presents the first Yogi Adityanath budget and starts to cancel expensive power contracts; Tripura blockaded for past week; Tamil Nadu moves for statewide rent control; President Mukherjee approves Maharashtra bill outlawing social boycott; and more. Center–State relations Six…
By Sanjay Pulipaka — Since June 16, Indian and Chinese defense forces have been facing off on the Doklam Plateau, close to the meeting point of the India-Bhutan-China border, known as the tri-junction. India, which argues that China is building…
In this episode we discuss power and conflict in Southeast Asia with Michael Vatikiotis. While inter-state conflict has been minimal in recent years, countries around Southeast Asia face challenges in the form of unresolved insurgencies, simmering ethnic conflicts, and illiberal…
By Murray Hiebert — Last September 14, while Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi was visiting Washington, President Barack Obama announced with considerable hoopla that the United States was lifting its remaining sanctions on Myanmar. Today, nearly nine…
By Gurmeet Kanwal — The joint statement issued at the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first meeting with President Donald Trump in June 2017 resolved to “expand and deepen the strategic partnership between the countries and advance common objectives……
By Tuneer Mukherjee — The recent decommissioning of the aircraft carrier INS Viraat leaves an enormous gap in the Indian Navy’s power projection capabilities. India’s sole remaining aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya will now serve at the vanguard, as evidenced this…
Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh are walking back their solar policies; renewed upheaval in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly; Tata Power and MIT test solar microgrids in Bihar; and more. Center–State relations Nothing critical to report this week. Nothing critical to…
By Sarah Watson — The release of the Central Statistical Office’s (CSO) quarterly report on the Indian economy sparked much concern over slower-than-expected growth in the fourth quarter of the 2016-17 financial year. But the report also contained sobering news…
The GST comes into effect nationwide; Maharashtra in a severe budget crunch; communal clashes in West Bengal; Karnataka launches an ambitious skills training program; and more. Center–State relations The nation-wide Goods and Services Tax (GST) went into effect at midnight…
By Geoffrey Hartman — The ongoing battle for Marawi City — the capital of Lanao del Sur Province on the island of Mindanao — between Philippine government forces and Islamic militants with links to the Islamic State of Iraq and…
