Our weekly newsletter, analysing global stories from an Indian lens
In Focus
Escalating Unrest in Balochistan
Protests in Balochistan intensified after the arrest of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), during a violent raid on a peaceful sit-in in Quetta. The crackdown sparked shutter strikes across Gwadar, Turbat, and Quetta as protesters demanded justice for forced disappearances and state atrocities. The government accused the BYC of inciting violence, while activists condemned Pakistan’s use of excessive force to silence dissent. The unrest follows a deadly Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attack on the Jaffar Express that killed 53 people, with critics accusing Islamabad of exploiting insurgent violence to dismiss legitimate grievances.
India rejected Pakistan’s claims of interference, urging Islamabad to focus on resolving the Baloch people’s demands instead of scapegoating external actors. Balochistan, the crown jewel of China's USD 62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is increasingly becoming its Achilles' heel due to rising insurgent attacks targeting Chinese nationals and infrastructure. Baloch dissenting voices view China as complicit in Islamabad's exploitation of Balochistan’s resources.
More Stories
Japan-ROK-China Trilateral Talks
Foreign ministers from Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and China held their eleventh trilateral meeting in Tokyo on 22 March. The meeting was a chance, in part, to brainstorm ways to confront shared troubles such as falling birthrates and natural catastrophes, but also an opportunity to address regional security issues such as the advances in missile technology by North Korea.
The meeting laid the groundwork for a trilateral summit later this year, signaling improved diplomatic ties despite historical and ongoing territorial disputes. Japan's Foreign Minister Iwaya condemned Russia’s war on Ukraine and warned against unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in the region, referencing China’s assertiveness in East Asia. For Japan, hosting the talks represents a diplomatic achievement, while South Korea and China seek common ground amidst growing U.S. trade tariffs and regional uncertainties.
India will be watching this situation closely, given its implications for regional security, and its broader Indo-Pacific strategy. While Japan and India continue to strengthen partnerships in the region to counterbalance China's assertiveness, they are also carefully engaging and recalibrating ties with China amid uncertainty around the US' approach to China.
Trump-Putin Dialogue: Ceasefire Hopes Amid Ukraine Conflict
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a 30-day halt on attacks targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure during a phone call on 18 March, signaling a potential step toward ending the war. Interestingly, the two sides also discussed potential for cooperation in the Middle East "to prevent future conflicts." While Trump expressed optimism about progress on ending the war in Ukraine, critics view his approach as appeasement, raising concerns among European allies about the implications for NATO and Ukraine's sovereignty.
India is likely to welcome the eventual shift in global attention and resources from the European theater to the Indo-Pacific.
Sudan Civil War: Implications for Regional Stability and Trade
Sudan’s army reclaimed the presidential palace in Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking at least a symbolic victory in a civil war that has devastated the nation since April 2023. With over 28,000 dead and millions displaced, the conflict has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, exacerbated by famine, disease, and widespread infrastructure collapse.
Fighting is expected to continue as the army tries to defeat remaining RSF units. A full army victory in the capital could solidify the territorial division that divides the country: RSF in most of the Darfur region in western Sudan and parts of the south; and the military in eastern and northern Sudan. Prolonged fighting could further destabilize East Africa, with potential spillovers into neighboring countries like Chad and South Sudan, already burdened by fragile borders and refugee influxes.
The crisis has contributed to the reduction in vessel traffic at key Red Sea ports, including Port Sudan, as shipping firms hesitate to dock due to security concerns. This disruption is compounded by attacks on commercial shipping by Yemen's Houthi militia, which have forced many vessels to reroute around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing transit times and operational costs. This has also pushed actors like Iran and Russia to capitalise on the situation in Sudan and seek strategic assets along the Red Sea.
Turkey: Ä°mamoÄŸlu's Arrest Sparks Nationwide Protests
The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Ä°mamoÄŸlu, a likely presidential challenger to ErdoÄŸan in 2028, has triggered mass protests across Turkey, with citizens denouncing the move as politically motivated. Despite bans on gatherings, unrest has spread nationwide, echoing the 2013 Gezi Park demonstrations and highlighting growing discontent with democratic backsliding.
The government's crackdown, including detentions and forceful dispersals, risks further inflaming tensions, while international observers warn of destabilization in a key NATO ally straddling Europe and Asia.Â
