Articles By Claude Arpi
Is France India’s naval ally in the Pacific?
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 05 Jul , 2018
A close Indo-French collaboration can only be a win-win proposition. About a year ago, I attended a conference in Delhi; the topic was the Indo-Pacific, a fascinating topic, though at first I...
Recalling the great China-Russia friendship
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 25 Jun , 2018
Openness in China-Russia relations is valuable. The comprehensive strategic partnership suggests that both support each other back-to-back but maintain a positive attitude in developing relations...
3 new Tibet airports near border pose threat
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 21 Jun , 2018
On June 9, the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Tibetan Autonomous Region’s (TAR) government announced that Tibet will soon have three new airports. A communiqué said:...
Is China Changing? Religious practices in Tibet
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 19 Jun , 2018
In October 1950, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) entered Eastern Tibet with the objective of ‘liberating’ the region. The Tibetans, who for centuries had lived in beatific seclusion,...
The Legend of Zoru
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 17 Jun , 2018
Last month, India lost its most decorated general; Lt Gen Zorawar Chand Bakshi, known as Zoru to his officers and friends, passed away at the age of age of 97. Very few noticed. No tweets from the...
India and the Shangri-La Dialogue
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 14 Jun , 2018
The Modi Government has time and again showed adherence to the rules-based order in international forums. What Modi said at the Dialogue was the reiteration of this principle without directly...
New Airports on India’s Borders
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 12 Jun , 2018
On June 9, the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Tibetan Autonomous Region’s (TAR) government announced that Tibet will soon have three new airports. A communiqué said:...
China's Secret Story
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 08 Jun , 2018
Every year during the first week of June, the thoughts of millions turn towards China and more particularly the Tiananmen Square, where 29 years ago thousands of young students lost their lives...
'Red Flag River’ Diversion Project
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 06 Jun , 2018
A few weeks ago, I mentioned a new scheme for diverting part of the waters of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) towards the north and northwest of China. The project was spearheaded by Prof Wang...
Faithful among the Faithful - Interview of George Fernandes in New Delhi
By: Claude Arpi | Issue: Courtesy: http://claudearpi.blogspot.in/ | Date: 05 Jun , 2018
In March 2006, I had the privilege to interview him on his relation with Tibet and the Dalai Lama …and China. Soon after, he would not be well enough to answer questions. Most of the Tibetans I...
China woos the Tibetans
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 03 Jun , 2018
Govern the nation by governing the borders; govern the borders by first stabilizing Tibet; ensure social harmony and stability in Tibet and strengthen the development of border regions.” Thus...
A Better but Bumpy Border Road Lies Ahead
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 31 May , 2018
The Indian media likes to publish ‘scoopy’ news. It was recently the case with an article in The South China Morning Post which spoke of “large-scale mining operations on the Chinese side of...
Preparing for China’s Information Warfare
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 24 May , 2018
As Beijing intensifies the implementation of military/civilian doctrine, particularly media manipulation, India must stand prepared. Information will be an important part of any battle of...
The Beauties of Sikkim
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 22 May , 2018
A hundred years ago, a young French lady described thus her visit to North Sikkim: “Perched on a mountain slope, a humble monastery dominates the villagers dwellings. I visited it the day after...
Why India needs to keep a tab on the New Silk Road
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 18 May , 2018
Linking Xinjiang to south Asia seems to be a new dream for the leadership in Beijing. After focusing for years on Lhasa and southern Tibet, Beijing has decided to invest in the development of...
The guardians of the sacred land and the builders of happy homes
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 16 May , 2018
In the recent weeks, I often mentioned the mushrooming a new ‘model’ villages on the Tibetan side of the Indian border, mainly north of Arunachal Pradesh. This development has been linked...
A Dinner with the Third King of Bhutan
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 13 May , 2018
This month, India and Bhutan are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.On this occasion, I post a note written by Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India on January...
A new Xinjiang-Tibet-Nepal Highway?
By: Claude Arpi | Issue: Courtesy: http://claudearpi.blogspot.in/ | Date: 10 May , 2018
New developments in Western Tibet The development of Western Tibet (Ngari Prefecture) is going on in an accelerated manner despite the 2015 Nepal Earthquake, which delayed for at least 3 years,...
Importance of Sikkim as a border State
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 10 May , 2018
The Himalayan people may not represent a large or politically influential section of the population, but India’s security depends on them. It is, therefore, essential to empower local...
A Strange World
By: Claude Arpi | Date: 07 May , 2018
Remember some fifteen years ago, the book The Mitrokhin Archive II, written by Vasili Mitrokhin, a former KGB defector? It stated that India was “the model of KGB infiltration of a Third World...