September 15, 2021

China’s Vaccine Diplomacy Requires Sophistication

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, and through the period of the development of vaccines, China has made numerous commitments to provide vaccine to developing countries across the globe. According to “China COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker”, as on […]
August 24, 2021

Vietnam is fast emerging as an important US Foreign Policy Destination

US’ commitment to Southeast Asia is firm and is best demonstrated by two back to back visits. Earlier this month Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visited Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines, and now Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Singapore […]
August 19, 2021

Mekong-US Partnership and Vietnam

The second Mekong-US Partnership (MUSP) Ministerial Meeting was held on August 3, 2021 in virtual format and was co-chaired by Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The ASEAN Secretary-General was also in attendance. There […]
August 4, 2021

Vietnam’s New Leadership and Diplomatic Priorities

Last week, during the first session of the 15th National Assembly in Hanoi, Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Pham Minh Chinh were officially sworn in as Vietnam’s President and Prime Minister respectively for a five-year term. President Phuc assured the legislators […]
July 24, 2021

US Navy is Building a Ghost Fleet

The US Navy is building a Ghost Fleet comprising unmanned surface combatants. In 2019, it announced that ten new unmanned corvette-sized ships measuring 200-300 feet length and displacing about 2,000 tons will be ordered over the next five years. These […]
June 23, 2021

US China sabre rattling in South China Sea continues unabated

Three recent military incidents in the South China Sea are indicators that China’s intentions to pursue coercive strategy has continued unabated. First, the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) startled the Malaysian Air Force (MAF) after 16 Chinese military aircraft including fighter […]
June 23, 2021

‘Group of Seven’ promotes alternate to Chinese Belt and Road Initiative

There is consensus among the Group of Seven or the G7 members- United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France and Japan – that time has come for forging a partnership for building a “values-driven, high-standard, and transparent” physical, digital, […]
May 27, 2021

Bright Future for Vietnam-US Relations under Joe Biden

It is now four months since President Joe Biden assumed office as the 46th President of the United States and his Administration has taken keen interest in improving bilateral relations with Vietnam. On their part, the Vietnamese side has conveyed […]
April 21, 2021

Developments at Whitson Reef: What lies before Vietnam and ASEAN?

China has been at the receiving end of International criticism after more than 200 of its fishing vessels were detected anchored in Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying defended and clarified that the Chinese boats […]
March 12, 2021

Vietnam practices deft diplomacy amid strategic dilemmas

US President Biden signed the interim National Security Guidance early this month which notes that Russia “remains determined to enhance its global influence and play a disruptive role on the world stage”, and identifies China as “the only competitor potentially […]
February 25, 2021

Biden Administration’s Policy on South China Sea and Engagement with Vietnam

The South China Sea issue will remain a high priority for the Biden Administration and there is low likelihood of any letup by the US military. Despite Chinese assertiveness, Vietnam is unlikely to gravitate towards the US to counter China, […]
December 10, 2020

ASEAN Chairmanship: From Vietnam to Brunei Darussalam

In the midst of COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented challenges, Vietnam handed over Chairmanship of the ASEAN for 2020 to Brunei Darussalam. The South China Sea contestations will remain a high priority for leaders in Brunei.  The year 2020 has perhaps […]
October 13, 2020

Changing Approach of Major Powers in the South China Sea

The article looks at how a unanimous approach has been evolving among the major powers in  the South China issue and the military operations by the US and its strategic partners can exacerbate tensions beyond the region. At the recent […]
September 29, 2020

European Powers Knock on UN Doors to Uphold Order at Sea

Are European attitudes towards both China and Taiwan shifting? The article attempts to shed light on this and some of the other aspects in the context of European powers approaching the United Nations over China’s expansive claims in the South […]
September 18, 2020

International Response to China’s Military Buildup and Reclamations in South China Sea

The article discusses how China’s military buildup and reclamations in the South China Sea is leading to the emergence of new coalitions and partnerships and whether the Five Eyes (Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) will work […]