The Chennai Centre for China Studies invites applications for its Winter Internship Programme. This internship offers students and young researchers an opportunity to engage with contemporary issues related to China, contribute to research discussions, and develop analytical writing on China-related topics. Interested candidates can submit their CV/Resume, a writing sample, and a 300–500 word abstract on a research topic of interest. To learn more about the internship program

Interpreting Realism: Shamelessness? Trump's recent ventures in Venezuela, Greenland and Canada have shaken the international rules based order and pushed the world to revisit the concept of sovereignty rooted in the realist doctrine. Although the proponents of realism may project realism as “common sense,” it may imply a different kettle of fish in some respects. The anarchical international structure presents a hierarchical world order wherein all state actors behave as p

(Commodore R S Vasan, IN (Retd), Director General, Chennai Centre for China Studies) Dear Readers, well wishers and our supporters, Greetings and good wishes from the Chennai Centre for China Studies (C3S). C3S is the only think tank in Southern India that focuses on all developments of China related issues and carries out in-depth analysis and disseminates the same on a regular basis. It is a great pleasure to extend my warm greetings and complements to the Research team of

Introduction As China prepares for the centenary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in 2027, the relationship between political control and military effectiveness deserves close attention. Xi Jin Ping’s purges raise questions about the strength of the PLA’s leadership, the progress of military modernization and its capacity to conduct complex operations. The Central Military Commission (CMC), chaired by Xi, embodies the principle that the Party controls the gun. The PLA

By Mariam Fathima, Research Intern, C3S Guided By Professor Ashik Bonofer Introduction In the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, Central Asia has emerged as a strategically significant region because of its central location in Eurasia and its vast energy and natural resource reserves. Once the centre of historical trade networks such as the Silk Road, the region has regained global attention as major powers seek to expand their strategic, economic, and politi

The Chennai Centre for China Studies (C3S) attended the 115th National Day celebration of the Republic of China (Taiwan) held at The Leela Palace, Chennai. The grand event was organised by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC), Chennai. The occasion brought together well-wishers, institutional partners, and friends of the TECC, marking a significant gathering of diplomatic, academic, and socio-political figures. The event was notably attended by several Members of P

By Leela S, Research Intern, C3S Guided By Col. Hariharan Introduction The China-Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir Economic Corridor (CPOJKEC), a $65 billion flagship project under the “Belt and Road” initiative, was first proposed in 2013 by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to Pakistan and officially launched in 2015. It further accelerated rapidly during President Xi’s visit to Pakistan in 2015, when both states agreed on the “1+4” structure of the corridor,

BY SHUBHI MALHOTRA & Dr. ADITYANJEE Introduction In the summer of 2026, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social a photograph of himself strolling alongside North Korean dynastic dictator Kim Jong Un at the Capella Hotel in Singapore, the site of their historic 2018 summit. The image was not a photograph of a new meeting. It was a nostalgic gesture; a piece of political messaging directed as much at Pyongyang as at Trump's domestic audience. Yet its meaning was unmistak

Dr. Lin Chia-lung Minister of Foreign Affairs ROC (Taiwan) The rules-based international order is under growing strain as authoritarian states seek to weaken its safeguards and reshape international rule to serve their own interests. Even the fundamental principles of peaceful settlement of disputes and prohibition against the threat or use of force, which are enshrined in the United Nations Charter, have been openly challenged and flagrantly flaunted. Today, the internatio

By Rose Abraham, Research Intern, C3S Guided By Commodore R S Vasan (Retd, IN), Director General, C3S Introduction This issue brief assesses the strategic logic underpinning India's alternative connectivity strategy, examines the opportunities and implementation challenges associated with these initiatives, and identifies policy measures that can enhance their effectiveness amid an increasingly fragmented and competitive geopolitical environment. Belt and Road Initiative and

By Vadehi Gupta, Research Intern, C3S Guided By Dr. Ashik Bonofer, Member, C3S Abstract In 2021, during the semiconductor shortage, it was unexpected that only a limited number of governments regarded it as a manageable market fluctuation. As the chip shortage intensified, automobile manufacturing plants in Europe and North America ceased operations, consumer electronics experienced multi-month delays, and defence procurement projects were postponed across various continents

By Mugdha Joshi, Research Intern, C3S Guided By Prof. Ramu Manivanan Abstract This paper aims to analyse the China-Taiwan relationship through different lens of technological statecraft in the case of semiconductor considerations. Taking into account frameworks of techno-statecraft, techno-economic statecraft, and techno-geopolitics, this paper takes apart the specific case of sub 7 nm semiconductor chips and establishes that Taiwan holds significant leverage over China in s

By Pruthvi G More, Research Intern, C3S Guided By Prof. Ramu Manivanan Abstract Traditionally, a nation’s Grand Strategy is evaluated by considering external indicators of power such as its overseas ports, navy or its investments abroad. However projection of power externally is possible only when the foundation back home is strong. For a long time now, China’s active rise has heavily banked upon “demographic dividend”. A huge and young workforce led it to gain the title of

By Patricia Cherlyn Introduction The growing partnership between China, Russia and Iran amidst the Iran war and the Ukraine war has been a concern for Western policymakers. The US and its allies currently face increasing security challenges from China, Iran, Russia and North Korea, as they defy the liberal international order, which was proposed and preserved by the US to maintain its status quo. However, these countries, termed as “the axis of aggressors” are seen as a thre

By Annunthra Rangan & Aditya Singh The current US-Iran confrontation can no longer be understood as a bilateral contest between Washington and Tehran. Six months into a war imposed on Iran on February 28, 2026, the conflict has widened into a broader struggle over the political and economic architecture of West Asia itself. Having failed to subdue Iran through military force, the United States has turned to an increasingly punitive campaign of economic strangulation, a form

By Arul Braighta, Research Officer, C3S. An occasional Paper is a single topic research summary of the knowledge surrounding an issue or a problem. It summarises the issue giving clear, concise, and complete information describing all facets of a particular issue including a detailed illustration in the form of images, data, and facts. It also includes recommendations for action and predictions on the future course of an issue. Introduction The global landscape of diplomacy,

Guided By Dr. Ramumanivanan Abstract Outer Space today has become one of the most important and strategic arenas of global politics, because today states depend on it for communications, navigation, intelligence, surveillance, financial institutions, and most importantly military coordination. A domain that was once a scientific exploration and an achievement towards mankind, became a domain of strategic statecraft and power projection where economic power, technological adv

C3S China Watch is a fortnightly bulletin offering news and analysis related to China from an Indian perspective. The newsletter is compiled by Team C3S. It has emerged as an essential brief for the research community, strategic affairs community, and China watchers from around the globe.

By Commander YVV Prasad, IN (Retd.) Part X of INDIA- CHINA SERIES INDIA AND CHINA : Lessons from Four Decades of Scientific, Technological and Industrial Transformation - Reflections on Science, Technology, Industry and National Capability for India's Next Leap: Strategic Insights for India's Future Development. Image Source: Gen Ai A Detailed Strategic Case Study Examining the Evolution of China's Diversified Energy Ecosystem across Conventional, Renewable and Emerging Ener

Read the full Issue Brief at this link: Annunthra Rangan is a former Senior Research Officer at C3S. The views expressed here are of the author's own and do not reflect the views of C3S.)