Water is increasingly becoming scarce due to an increase in demand and a decrease in supply. The factor which is causing this widening gap includes rise in population, more water-intensive use, shortage of storage space, pollution and global warming. In Asia, China is in possession of the origin of most of the river system. As such, she has the advantage to use the water as she considers appropriate. Although there are international rules which govern the equitable sharing among riparian states, China wilfully ignores them. There is a need to address the issue collectively. The stakeholder countries need to force China to avoid stealing the water authorised to lower riparian states. A comprehensive plan needs to be made which should be acceptable to all stakeholder countries. Key words: riparian, water-intensive, equitable share

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact globally. It has changed the international system and crippled many economies. It is a legitimacy test of every government in the world to work together. But, after some initial progress, the world order has failed to address the issues of weaker and the poorest countries in Africa. Moreover, the unexpected rise of cases in the second wave has forced many countries (US, UK, France, and other European countries) to stockpile and stop exporting critical pharmaceutical commodities. Meanwhile, China is providing bilateral loans to African countries with undisclosed agreements. The vaccine nationalism and the West-China tug of war have left Africa alone with a health emergency, poverty, insurgency, terrorism, and political instability. The study analyses an unprecedented social and economic crisis in Africa and the response of the West and China across the continent. The new wave of Chinese foreign capital and the Western response to address African challenges has transformed their engagements with the power structure of the continent. In the context of the scramble of Africa in the twenty-first century, the research analyses how Beijing is exploring new opportunities in the time of the pandemic. The study also looks into the options for India-Africa development with mutual interests. Within this context, the article proposes how India's 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative can play an important role in addressing the African continent issues. Keywords: COVID-19, Africa, India, China, Geopolitics, and Health Emergency.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD), in its drive for Atmanirbhar Bharat, announced an embargo on the import of 101 items for the first time on August 09, 2020, followed by a second list of 108 items on May 31, 2021. From one of the largest importers of Military Systems, India is making bold statements by its approach, strategy, structure, and acquisition processes to change the order of things. Against this backdrop, this paper examines the impact of the recent ban on importing items on capability building and makes a thread-bare analysis to decode the agenda of reforms. An attempt has been made to appreciate the possible impact of reforms considering other policy interventions like the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP 2020), which will work in tandem for making India a Defence Technology Power. The policy analysis brings a critique of it, cautioning about the risks and makes its recommendations to make the policy execution robust so that India can emerge as a global manufacturing hub for military equipment.

China’s expansionist tendency is widely acknowledged. Its manifestations are manifold. Reactions and coping mechanisms are essential subjects of study. One may observe that China executes its expansionist agenda bio-technologically, territorially, and economically.

Kabul has fallen! The withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan has proved itself as a watershed moment in the history of international politics. The ascendancy of the Taliban regime 2.0 in Afghanistan is likely to make it a full-fledged failed state. This tumultuous development poses an unprecedented security threat to India’s security apparatus and its strategic interests and assets, stashed in the polity of Afghanistan. Last time, when the Soviets withdrew, the security of India was at its nadir, as Pakistan exploited the political space to India’s disadvantage. A similar threat looms large now in the aftermath of United States withdrawal and capturing of power by Taliban in Kabul. This article seeks to examine the possible fallouts of the United States military withdrawal and the advent of Taliban rule on India’s security. The Indian state is faced with a severe security dilemma in the evolving situation of Afghanistan. First, the two-decades old policy of relying upon the United States troops in Afghanistan could cost India’s security dearly if the pre-emptive diplomatic actions are not undertaken. Second, it deals with the challenge before the Indian diplomacy to do the phronesis, to keep its regional ambitions steadfast. Thus, deciphering India’s policy options in Afghanistan remains another focal point of the article. Key Words: India, Afghanistan, Phronesis, Taliban, Security