Asian countries may feel reassured by the US having its hands full with the recurring instabilities in the Middle East and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
But, having overthrown regimes in Latin America and the Middle East, why would Washington draw the line at Asia, asks @chietigj.bsky.social.
In recent weeks Pakistan has struck major cities in Afghanistan including Kabul and Kandahar, as well as Bagram airbase. The Taliban have responded by targeting Pakistan directly.
Read @chietigj.bsky.social's latest analysis for Chatham House. https://bit.ly/4suXuCE
Having overthrown regimes in Latin America and the Middle East, why would Washington draw the line at Asia?
(4/4) Asia may feel reassured by the US having its hands full with instabilities in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Trump’s ‘Donroe Doctrine’. But it would be a fallacy to believe that Asia is safe from the United States’ never-ending mission to proselytize and preserve its primacy.
(3/4) Meanwhile, #China and #India have little appetite or ability to stand-up to US belligerent behaviour when it does not threaten their core interests. If Beijing and New Delhi cannot defend key partners in the Global South, their ambitions to be leaders or voices of the Global South ring hollow.
(2/4) But in reality, there has been more continuity than change in US foreign policy with a proclivity to maintain primacy and bending the rules to achieve this. While every leader will criticize its predecessor for getting bogged down in never-ending wars, they cannot resist getting into the same.
(1/4) The Trump administration’s recent actions have been framed as a break from the past. Trump’s disdain for allies; lack of respect for global norms and institutions; and abjuring a value-driven foreign policy distinguishes Trump from his predecessors.
My article in @thediplomat.com discusses what the United States' recent decapitation of #Iran’s leadership following the earlier abduction of #Venezuela’s leader means for Asia. A summary of the key points in the comments: @chasiapacific.bsky.social thediplomat.com/2026/03/amer...
With conflict in the Middle East, renewed hostilities between #Afghanistan and #Pakistan have fallen off the radar. But this conflict has strategic significance far beyond the borders of both countries. My @chathamhouse.org ‘Expert Comment’ discusses this: www.chathamhouse.org/2026/03/afgh...
As #India embarks on a year of summits – having hosted the #AIImpactSummit last week, hosting the #BRICS Summit later this year and possibly the #Quad Summit – my article in @foreignpolicy.com looks at India’s ambitions to be a ‘voice’ of the #GlobalSouth. foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/25/i...
@chasiapacific.bsky.social
A pleasure discussing the outlook for #Bangladesh at the UK parliament following the recently concluded election, which saw Bangladesh revert to democratic rule. An honour to see a few prominent faces in the audience! Thanks to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association for inviting me.
India's Modi government may conclude a trade agreement with the US, but its relationship with the Trump administration has been scarred by a year of hostility and tariffs, writes @chietigj.bsky.social for @chathamhouse.org.
"It remains to be seen whether Bangladesh can move on beyond the politics of protest, the politics of revenge which have plagued the country for decades."
@chietigj.bsky.social on Bangladesh's first election since the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina, via @france24.com ⤵️
My interview on @france24.com discussing today’s monumental election in #Bangladesh: @chasiapacific.bsky.social, @chathamhouse.org youtu.be/xNN3p-ZRu7o?...
Last chance to register for tomorrow's webinar on #Bangladesh with Jon Danilowicz (former US Deputy Chief of Mission, Dhaka), Shehreen Amin Bhuiyan (Assistant Professor, University of Dhaka) and Joseph Allchin (former Bangladesh correspondent, Financial Times). www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/o...
A momentous few weeks for #India's trade liberalisation efforts with an agreement with the #EU and joint statement with the #USA. Quoted in several publications. In this interview for @france24.com (from 4 min) I discuss these developments in a broader geopolitical context: youtu.be/_mVZ01X0A00?...
A pleasure to chair a discussion with the lead negotiators of #India-#UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Nidhi Mani Tripathi (Indian High Commission) and Lyle Wilton (UK Department for Business and Trade) sponsored by the Confederation of Indian Industry. @chasiapacific.bsky.social
Ahead of the election in #Bangladesh join me on 10 Feb for a webinar with Jon Danilowicz (former US Deputy Chief of Mission, Dhaka), Shehreen Amin Bhuiyan (Assistant Professor, Dhaka University), Joseph Allchin (former Bangladesh correspondent, Financial Times): www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/o...
A pleasure to be quoted in a UK parliamentary committee report on the #India-#UK trade agreement after giving evidence to the House of Lords last year. I discuss how the broader geopolitical context has shaped the trade deal and the bilateral relationship: publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld...
(4/4) But earlier assessments of India and the US having a special or privileged relationship have faded. New Delhi is likely to host the Quad Summit with Trump visiting India. But within 12 months India will also host the leaders of Russia, the EU and China. Strategic autonomy is in full swing!
(3/4) Beyond the positive optics, the deal signifies how India-US relations remains "sticky" given institutionalised and people-to-people linkages. Personal relations matter. This reset has been facilitated by the recent appointment of Sergio Gor as US ambassador to India.
(2/4) There are several ambiguities. Only a handful of Indian refineries can process Venezuelan heavy crude. While Indian private companies stopped buying Russian crude, state refiners continued their purchases. On the trade deal, what is the status of agriculture, which was a key sticking point?
(1/4) The deal entails the US reducing tariffs on India from 25% to 18%, plus the removal of additional 25% tariffs for India's purchase of Russian crude. In exchange, India will buy $500 billion worth of US product and stop buying Russian oil, which will be substituted with US and Venezuelan crude.
After the "mother of all trade deals" was concluded last week between India and the EU, we now have the "father of all trade deals" between #India and the #USA. A few observations in the comments along with a @chathamhouse.org ‘Expert Comment' I wrote last year: www.chathamhouse.org/2025/08/trum...
India is hoping a new democratically elected government in Bangladesh will help improve bilateral relations. But identity politics in both countries could derail progress, writes @chietigj.bsky.social for @chathamhouse.org.
It was great to be back at Japan House last night for our event on Japan's role in the #GlobalSouth.
Many thanks to our speakers Rebecca Nadin @odi.global, Ken Jimbo, @chietigj.bsky.social and Ben Bland, and to Japan House London for hosting us!
An important week for the #EU-#India relationship as both sides conclude the "mother of all trade deals". I discuss this with The Economist, BBC, and France 24, among others. Here is my interview with Deutsche Welle: @chathamhouse.org, @chasiapacific.bsky.social youtu.be/Tsno-n0Ez5I?...
While trade negotiations have taken years, the EU–India relationship is finding newfound urgency as the US challenges the rules-based international order.
Read @chietigj.bsky.social's latest analysis⤵️
(7/7) The real action in India’s relations with Europe often takes place at the bilateral level. European states do not speak with one voice. As long as this remains the case, the EU-India relationship will remain secondary to New Delhi’s relations with individual European states.
