The Belt and Road Initiative was all over the news a couple of years back. It seemed to be the only game in town. It was touted to be the instrument that will propel China to superpower status. However as time passed, the concept got into problems in the execution phase. The term debt trap is now almost synonymous with the BRI. In any case the principle of debt trapping came to light through BRI deals going sour. Naturally, the Chinese have caught flak due to their usurious financial deals. Amidst all this the corona struck and paralysed progress on BRI projects for a variety of reasons. Today, BRI hardly finds mention in a newspaper in any significant manner. Most of the projects are languishing despite all the propaganda of its success by China. Some are cancelled, many are scaled down and many countries want to renegotiate terms with China. In this episode, Aadi and I discuss various aspects pertaining to the BRI.
The Pakistani FM to BBC: War would be suicidal. Pakistan has already started negotiating with a gun to its head! Welcome home Wing Commander Abhinanadan. Well done. You flew into the Valley of Death and survived. India is proud. Sincere condolences to Air Marshal Waseem Ud Din on the loss of his son Shahaz Ud Din under most unfortunate circumstances. He was incredibly brave to continue his mission when others had turned around. Paradigm Emerged A lot has happened since Balakot. Some in focus some out. Some hyped. Some diffused. Time to sum up the situation and see where things are heading. Militarily it is called Review of the Situation. I will do it journalistically so that the intellectual western media understands it. They might or not buy our story. Incidentally it is not a story. It is not for sale. This is real live action. Nuclear exchange receding. Not ruled out. A fundamental paradigm has emerged. India’s fight is ag...
Interesting discussion Sir, gives me idea to ruminate on how useful have been our own mega industrial projects for the local people, especially in the tribal belt.
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