Constantino Xavier @ConstantinoX Twitter profile

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

8 months

Delhi’s diplomatic prowess in full display today: crafting a G20 consensus declaration despite extraordinary geopolitical fissures. Something in there for everyone to claim as a win. After months of icy 🇺🇸 🇧🇩 relations, even President Biden and PM Hasina connected over a happy…

Ayanangsha Maitra

@Ayanangsha

8 months

Dhakai Jamdani - knitting success saga of Bangladesh at the global level. President Biden captured a selfie with Prime Minister Hasina and her daughter @drSaimaWazed in New Delhi.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

8 months

This by @quizzicalguy shows how much the West-centric historiography and ideology continues to weigh. Can one even consider the claim of India as the mother of democracy, or at least as one of the mothers? Scandal! Impossible! But good old Greece as the mother of democracy —…

Manimugdha Sharma

@quizzicalguy

8 months

This document opens with PM Modi’s statement in which he says that the country has “the distinction of being named as ‘Mother of Democracy’”. Who named it so? The current regime. Nobody else calls India the “mother of democracy”. If at all there is one, then it is ancient Greece.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

1. There are several reasons why India would have decided to invite Pres. Macron -- and I suspect one of them is to reward France for its political realism: Unlike other Western capitals, Paris has rarely if ever commented or acted on India's internal affairs. [thread]

Sidhant Sibal

@sidhant

4 months

French President Emmanuel Macron invited to be the chief guest at Republic Day 2024. This is the 6th time, a French leader will be the Chief guest at the grand parade in Delhi, which is the maximum any country has been given such honor. Reporting:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

2 months

1. For many Europeans this seems to have come as a big surprise or sound like a lame Indian excuse to keep working “with Russia against the West”… 2. This perception reflects a lack of knowledge about India’s strategic culture, which is often more familiar to/appreciated by…

Reinhard Bütikofer

@bueti

2 months

At #Raisina2024 , MFA #Jaishankar on #Russia : At lot of doors have been shut to Russia in the West. So Russia turns east. Other nations should engage with Russia to give them more options. India does. Russia won't allow itself to become a junior partner of China. #BlameTheWest

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

2 months

Cliché: India can’t become a global power until it gets its region right. Reality: India is already a global power and using that to reshape its region. India’s neighbourhood policy benefitting from econ & security partnerships in South Asia and Indian Ocean region: 🇯🇵 🇺🇸 🇪🇺 🇫🇷

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

7 months

We often proclaim things to be new when in reality they are just things that we did not know. India’s twin pillar policy for West Asia can be traced back to the late 1980s and is premised on crafting a strategic balance in the region to pursue its interests with the widest set…

Derek J. Grossman

@DerekJGrossman

7 months

India’s earlier staunch support of Israel is a bit undermined by today’s MEA statement advocating for a two-state solution.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

Elections in Bangladesh. A few (subjective) takes and (risky) predictions: 1. Any protests apart (even if violent over a few weeks/months), PM Hasina’s regime will remain steady in power with significant (even if declining) popular support — continuing one of Bangladesh’s…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

11 months

Myths in here: 1. India’s “unqualified” support for Hasina govt. 2. India-Bangladesh relations “unequal”. 3. India wants a “weak regime” to maximize leverage. 4. US “gave” India “opportunity to extend its sphere of influence” but now reclaiming it.

Bangladesh election 2024: What role will India play?

As Bangladesh prepares for its 2024 election, the spotlight is on India's role in determining the country's democratic future, amid growing pressure from the United States.

www.atlanticcouncil.org

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

8 months

And by “begun” I mean since 1947 — as I have documented previously: there is a long history of Indian leaders, from Nehru to Vajpayee, having made similar claims — about the ancient roots of Indian democracy.

Modi's 'mother of democracy' comment sparks debate, but he's not the first Indian PM to say so

PM Modi made the comment at the UN, but Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and P.V. Narasimha Rao have all expressed similar thoughts in the past.

theprint.in

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

2. This reflects a French approach to international politics which is not new, yet still distinct from the American, British or even German one. It also indicates an exceptional French *political* understanding of "strategic autonomy" which is largely congruent with India's.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

10 months

People sometimes ask me how I manage to live and survive in Delhi. I actually love my life in India. It has taught me to look at things differently. And yoga helps me to constantly rebalance, adjusting to new challenges. Like Indian foreign policy. #YogaDay

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

7 months

We are hiring! Come join an expanding team at CSEP in New Delhi. Searching for Fellows / Associate Fellows that are passionate about cutting-edge, evidence-based research to inform policies and decision-making on India’s growing regional and global engagements. All…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

9 months

We are small but slowly growing! So much happening on India's regional & global relations. So many opportunities to do focused research with policy impact for India's progress! Happy to announce some changes at CSEP Foreign Policy & Security Studies...

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

Much needed dose of realism on India in a rapidly changing region: @MohanCRaja on the old and new "South Asia." Reminded me of this by K Subrahmanyam (1986): “there is no justification for the sense of guilt some in India exhibit about our relationship with our neighbours. No…

C. Raja Mohan

@MohanCRaja

4 months

On India and a changing South Asia:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

Prashant Jha on India’s neighbourhood policy. Simply superb! Coordination between different actors / orgs > more synergies & balance between political, security and economic agendas. Much in here also explains 🇮🇳 policies re Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar.

The Modi-Doval-Jaishankar playbook for the neighbourhood

The new handbook involves shaping democratic verdicts when possible, including by turning a blind eye to democratic deficits if core interests are at stake

www.hindustantimes.com

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

b) cultural/identity: France (or Japan) respect India politically because they see India as an equal. They share a democratic paradigm: but "running your home is your business and I won't bring your issues up in our park walks unless you want to talk about it or ask for help."

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

Maldives-India crisis is a fine example of how domestic politics and foreign policy are increasingly connected -- in both countries. @nicoblar and I examined this trend in a recent chapter with cases on Nepal and the Maldives. Free access pdf:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

3. There are two ways to explain this. a) utilitarian/power: France (or Japan) respect India politically *only* because they need each other for geostrategic purposes. Paris would really love to... but refrains from lecturing, commenting or acting on India's internal affairs.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

4. My sense is Approach a) is currently driving US policy to India. Same in different degrees for British or German thinking about India these days. "We will engage you and overlook/override our values, bureaucracies, pressure groups." Delhi: OK, so you think you're doing us a…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

7 months

Foreign policy begins on the border: India-Nepal railway connectivity is finally becoming a reality. Unlocks economic benefits, transforms borderlands that were stagnant, political and security swamps for decades.

IndiaInNepal

@IndiaInNepal

7 months

Further impetus for 🇮🇳-🇳🇵 #India - #Nepal Development Partnership since the visit of PM @cmprachanda to India🇮🇳 (June 2023): 1️⃣ Kurtha-Bijalpura rail link operationalized; enhancing people-to-people #connectivity .

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

10 months

It was an honour to meet @PM_nepal_ Prachanda after his historic visit to India. Shared some of our CSEP research on regional connectivity #Sambandh Nepal and India are making their relationship truly special through new energy, road, railway & border connectivity links.🇳🇵🫱🏽‍🫲🏾 🇮🇳

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

11 months

Candid admission of something that many don’t see or choose to ignore: most of India’s foreign & security policies reflect continuity and cross-party consensus. Beware of “analysts” telling you that polices are all new, whether amazing or disastrous.

Rosy

@rose_k01

11 months

Rahul Gandhi - We would have handled situation wih Russia similar to what BJP did #RahulGandhiInUSA #RahulInUSA

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

10 months

India is acting East in both words and deeds: 1. Spells out its position on the South China Sea, little ambiguity left: 2. More than just declarations, has also begun to shape the military balance of power in the South China Sea.

India asks China to abide by SCS ruling Beijing calls null and void - Times of India

Foreign minister S Jaishankar and his Philippines counterpart Enrique Manalo, who together co-chaired a meeting on bilateral cooperation, underlined in a joint statement the need for peaceful...

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

5. One could therefore maybe speak of a growing inter-democratic alignment between France, India and Japan. And other middle, smaller powers. Doesn't mean that this will become a fissure point, at the expense of US-India relations which remain on a structurally convergent path.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

7. Yet: Pres. Biden cancelling his India visit for the Republic Day and Pres. Macron (likely?) coming instead has a symbolic meaning to it. I would not be surprised if this Indian respect for France's political approach to strategic autonomy was one factor that led to the…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

6 months

Some 30 years in the making, finally a reality! Another example of how India is connecting the region, embracing the strategic logic of economic interdependence.

The West Bengal Index

@TheBengalIndex

6 months

The new India-Bangladesh rail line will cut the distance between North-Eastern states and Kolkata to 500 km from 1,600 km. The Agartala-Akhaura railway project drastically improves connectivity between North East India and Kolkata as the distance is reduced to 500 km via…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

6. US is, in many ways, encouraging of stronger France-India and Japan-India ties. Part of its larger efforts to shape a favorable "Indo-Pacific" balance of power. And US remains the only indispensable power with both intent and capability to support India's interests in Asia.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

Watch this visit for an example of how India's neighbourhood policy prioritizes the strategic prize of connectivity over tactical politics. Power transmission lines Transportation links Pipelines and waterways Border infrastructure #BuildAround #FirstOrder #Interdependence

Sidhant Sibal

@sidhant

4 months

EAM Jaishankar meets Nepal PM Prachanda in Kathmandu

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

1 month

Maldives: India withdraws military, China upgrades defence cooperation. Nothing happens overnight: important to understand China's themes, tools and partners to build influence & leverage in South Asia. Replug of our report with regional case studies:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

8 months

China-India relations failed to normalize, so Beijing is back at poking Delhi in the neighbourhood. Chinese ambassador portrays India as obstacle to Nepal’s development. Also: lectures Nepal on how to run its economy, create “equal social structure” and accept the “BRI gift”.

Sidhant Sibal

@sidhant

8 months

In an unusually critical & open display of Wolf warrior diplomacy the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song says "India's policies towards Nepal & other neighbours are not so friendly". Vdo ctsy: Dainik news Nepal

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

I made similar points in this @BrookingsFP discussion on Modi's July visit to Paris. See also the different perspective from @tara_varma on how French govt is coming under pressure to change its approach to India. @GarimaMo @tanvi_madan @ConStelz

Modi’s visit to France and Europe-India ties | Brookings

On July 11, the Brookings Institution will host a webinar to discuss Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to France, the development of ties between India and Europe, and how the...

www.brookings.edu

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

8 months

The South Asia shuffle. Publicly insist all is well with China but privately admit you're growing increasingly concerned. Publicly insist you're unhappy with India but privately admit things are actually going well.

Jeff M. Smith

@Cold_Peace_

8 months

The ASEAN shuffle. Publicly insist all is well with China but privately admit you're growing increasingly concerned. Publicly insist you're unhappy with the U.S. but privately admit things are actually going well.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

26 days

This emotional “friend vs foe” binary is rather simplistic. Same warnings were made re Bangladesh after India’s CAA/NCR… yet the Dhaka-Delhi partnership deepened. Domestic politics and bilateral policy relations do not always intersect: they often proceed on parallel tracks.

Nirupama Menon Rao 🇮🇳

@NMenonRao

26 days

“Having learnt the art of diplomacy from Ashoka and strategy from Kautilya, it would be tragic for all concerned if Sri Lanka needs to apply the foreign policy theory of Rajamandala to find ‘friends’ elsewhere to protect itself against a ‘near foe’,”

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

2 months

Dreams come true! #GrandTamasha Thanks Milan for inviting me for this deep dive on India's neighbourhood policy. Delhi is trying to reintegrate the region and expand its sphere of influence -- which once extended from Suez to Malacca. Is it succeeding? I assess progress,…

Milan Vaishnav

@MilanV

2 months

New on #GrandTamasha : @ConstantinoX of @CSEP_Org joins me to reflect on India's "Neighborhood First" policy after a decade of BJP rule. We discuss the crisis in the Maldives, Bay of Bengal connectivity, India in the Middle East & much more:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

2 months

IMEC back in the limelight at Raisina Dialogue and with Greek PM in Delhi. Huge potential for EU-India connectivity partnership. Important to understand the interests driving India’s participation and challenges ahead:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

10 months

All Delhi’s eyes to the West on Washington this week but at CSEP our focus remains on ground zero, India’s immediate neighbourhood. Held our 16th Tiffin talk on “China in South Asia: implications for India and future research paths.”

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

1 year

They say India’s foreign policy does not promote democracy… But then here you have the amazing 10th batch of the GenNext Democracy Network which is run by the Indian Council For Cultural Relations for young parliamentarians and leaders from 75 countries.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

8 days

New CSEP paper with @_RiyaSinha ! We examine the potential of multi-modal, inland infrastructure connectivity *around* the Bay of Bengal. Beyond the maritime and coastal dimensions, India is giving the Indo-Pacific more (sub) continental depth: linking landlocked NER, BBIN,…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

9 months

“The logic of economic geography is beginning to unfold in India’s relations with most of its neighbours, except Pakistan.” Important piece on a region that is reconnecting. I would only add that — besides Japan, US, France — India now also coordinating more w EU, UK, AUS et al

C. Raja Mohan

@MohanCRaja

9 months

On India’s rising economic tide lifting all boats in South Asia:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

2 months

Shared today my story of leaving back Portugal to come to India as ICCR scholar in 2004 — and how scholarships matter for diplomacy and India’s global influence and interests. Recalled this from 2019 with late EAM Sushma Swaraj:

Dr. Constantino Xavier accepts ICCR Distinguished Alumni Award 2018

Brookings India Fellow, Dr Constantino Xavier pursued a Masters in Politics and studied International politics at the research level, at Jawaharlal Nehru Uni...

www.youtube.com

ICCR

@iccr_hq

2 months

Today, Dr. @constantinox , Fellow, @CSEP_Org & ICCR Distinguished Alumni Awardee, had an interactive session on “Role of ICCR and its Scholarship Programme" with the 36 IFS Officer Trainees of the 2023 batch and 02 Bhutanese Diplomats at ICCR HQs, Delhi.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

14 days

At Neemrana fort last month for the “India in Asia” @CSEP_Org conference featuring an opening address by S Jaishankar. #ActEast Good break from Delhi together with our growing Foreign Policy team! @_RiyaSinha @pramamurthi1989 @vedavn @anindita_sinh @Sanjay_1818 @ShivshankaMenon

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

2 months

EAM Jaishankar this month: "let me highlight the need for lateral land-based connectivity across the Indian Ocean region. These are essential to supplement and complement the maritime flows." Coming up, paper w/ @_RiyaSinha and options on how to do this:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

3 months

I write in @FinancialXpress on the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor (IMEC). Gaza war may delay but will not derail India’s connectivity strategy with the Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean. Political, economic and geostrategic factors at play.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

11 months

Studying China in South Asia and other regions: do watch this discussion with insights from @ShivshankaMenon @jabinjacobt @selinalcho @MareikeOhlberg @nivayau Thank you all 🙏🏽 We need more independent research to describe & compare China’s engagements.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

2 months

India’s new neighbourhood policy. Different perceptions of China in India (negative) and rest of the region (positive). The connectivity competition in the Bay of Bengal, stressing state capacity. A few highlights from the Grand Tamasha w @MilanV :

Fresh look at India’s neighbourhood first policy

Xavier observed that the view in India on China is at odds with how the rest of the region views the Asian power

www.hindustantimes.com

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

9 months

An honour to address the 63rd course of India’s National Defence College, with 120 participants including 37 foreign officers. I spoke on regional organisations & relevance in South Asia: India’s institutional innovations to correct the subcontinent’s connectivity gaps.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

6 months

The King of Bhutan begins his visit to India today. India-Bhutan ties are truly "special" and stand on their own strength. But it is impossible to ignore that there is also a changing dynamic as China moves closer, esp. after the Doklam border dispute flared up in 2017, and…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

10 months

I write with @karthiknach : India is playing out its green transition on different international chessboards. Growing diplomatic agility via multilateral, bilateral and minilateral frameworks to secure financing, tech & capacity to drive decarbonisation.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

11 months

On India and China in South Asia, @jabinjacobt and I share takeaways from our CSEP report. This will be a boxing match with multiple rounds. Nepal, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh are learning to make the best of it. Thank you Aditi Phadnis for the interview.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

8 months

Excellent piece by Prashant Jha. Relevant samples in here on the neighbourhood, where some always look (hope?) for Indian failures. There is also the opposite extreme narrative: that India is always doing it right and successful in the region. Important to leave politics…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

@horror06 @clary_co Chris, adding to Indrani's two cases: Sri Lanka 1980s. Entire intervention based on attempt to build a more democratic order. Since the 1950s. Still a factor today. Why? Not because of naive idealism or ideological proclivity (which we too often assume to be the case with Western…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

9 months

Always a pleasure interacting with High Commissioner Gopal Baglay. Shared our CSEP #Sambandh research on Sri Lanka and the neighbourhood. Important times ahead after the 🇮🇳 🇱🇰 vision statement on connectivity & prosperity: focus on maritime, air, energy, trade and p2p ties.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

1 year

Important: my account was hacked into & all content shifted. Please disregard any tweets/messages from the account "Constantinoeth_" below which I do not control. Have reported this and trying to regain access. I am on Twitter only here with my original username: @constantinox

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

Discussed some of my work on regional connectivity with the current and future practitioners of India’s diplomacy: Indian Foreign Service mid-career and trainee courses at @SSIFS_MEA . 🙏🏽 India’s future is being played out in the neighbourhood in more ways than one can imagine.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

8 months

Have known this city for 20 years and never seen its streets and parks so beautiful, neat, clean. Delhi ready to host the G20 summit, palpable sense of excitement in the air. Proud to be a Delhi resident.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

5 months

Delighted to announce two more members in our CSEP Foreign Policy team. Dr. Veda Vaidyanathan @vedavn , Associate Fellow. She brings in a wealth of knowledge on and fieldwork in Africa, including comparative research on India & China there. Welcome, Veda!

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

8 months

Hasina in Delhi. Macron and Lavrov in Dhaka. There are many, silent and under-appreciated ways in which India shapes the political balance in Bangladesh. US & EU positions re 🇧🇩 are increasingly out of sync with Delhi’s assessments and actions.

Bangladesh gears up to host Russia’s Lavrov and French President Macron as Sheikh Hasina plans G-20...

Dhaka's diplomatic calendar appearing hectic with high profile visits from Russian FM Lavrov & French President Macron. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina will also attend G-20 Summit in New Delhi.

www.thehindu.com

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

9 months

The last few weeks saw US & Aus open diplomatic missions in the Maldives. No, not “another defeat for India losing control over the neighbourhood” Reality: Would not have happened if India opposed. Welcome by India, indicative of rising comfort to coordinate policy in/on IOR.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

Expect more of this: Dhaka delivers. Delhi engages. Shared some views for this post-election analysis by @ShubhajitRoy :

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

11 months

Values never drive anything. But they sit in the back, influencing interests. During each journey, values can 1) facilitate, accelerate 2) complicate, delay Strong partnerships find ways to maximize 1) & minimize 2). India & US are learning to do this, will keep converging.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

10 months

Fieldwork and data always yield good research results. Good to see a Nepali thank thank invest in young talent for such important analysis on border connectivity with neighbours China & India. Congrats @Vijaykarna and team @CsifNepal . @akhanal @okaymahesh @amish973 @gelalbaba

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

9 months

“persistent Chinese narrative that India’s development assistance efforts in Nepal are in collusion with Western efforts (to undermine China)” Summary of our 6th Sambandh Policy Dialogue with @SwarnimWagle @VGokhale59 : Nepal non-aligned but not neutral.

Sambandh Policy Dialogue | Geopolitics, Infrastructure and Development in Nepal - CSEP

The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) hosted the 6th Sambandh Policy Dialogue on Regional Connectivity with Swarnim Waglé, Chair, Institute for Integrated Development Studies, and Vijay...

csep.org

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

2 months

India’s Quest for Global South: Challenges and Opportunities Summary of our 22nd tiffin talk with @MohanCRaja @ShivshankaMenon @malancha_1chakr @vedavn Some important ideas shared on how to pursue an India-centric research agenda on/with Global South:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

5 months

Thanks IDSA and @SujanChinoy for hosting us at this South Asia conference with experts from across the region. 1. Our paper illustrates with a few case studies different policy options for India to enhance inland linkages around the Bay of Bengal.

Manohar Parrikar IDSA, New Delhi

@IDSAIndia

5 months

Dr @ConstantinoX Fellow& Ms @_RiyaSinha Associate Fellow @CSEP_Org pointed out that disconnection of past 60 years is aberration, South Asia has always remained connected through multimodal links. Economics is driving force of connectivity.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

8 months

1. One reads this piece and gets the impression that… a) India just “got lucky” in the region. b) @DerekJGrossman may soon write another piece on how India has *lost* its neighbourhood to China (and why the United States must step in to “fix it”…)

India Is Pushing Back Against China in South Asia

Beijing’s attempts to encircle New Delhi are being systematically reversed.

foreignpolicy.com

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

2 months

Seeing some alarmist takes on India now having "lost" Nepal to China... Not really: with PM Prachanda in command, India remains engaged even while it prepares for different, long term scenarios. Shared my assessment with @bbcnepali @phanindraktm :

नेपाल विदेश मामिला: भारत र चीनका विश्लेषक नयाँ गठबन्धनको विदेश नीतिको झुकाव कता हुने ठान्छन्? - BBC...

नेपाली कांग्रेससँगको गठबन्धन तोड्दै प्रधानमन्त्री पुष्पकमल दाहाल प्रचण्डले नेकपा एमाले र राष्ट्रिय स्वतन्त्र पार्टीसहितका दललाई साथ लिएर नयाँ सत्ता समीकरण बनाएपछि नेपालको पछिल्लो घटनाक्रमप्रति बेइजिङ...

www.bbc.com

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

11 months

Great to reconnect with the ever-inspiring and dynamic @sujeevshakya after the tough pandemic years. And he has a new book! We need to deepen Nepal-India ties. #Sambandh

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

20 days

- How can India invest in Tibetan studies to further its policy interests? - Is the "Tibet question" settled or does India still have a "political obligation"? - What future for history and area studies at Indian universities and think tanks? @ChawlaSwati 's rich paper…

Centre for Social and Economic Progress

@CSEP_Org

20 days

1/4 CSEP hosted its 24th Foreign Policy and Security Studies Tiffin Talk on ‘Tibetan Studies in India: Past, Present and Future’ with @ChawlaSwati , Associate Professor. O.P. Jindal Global University.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

Why are reports of diplomacy’s death premature? And how will AI change the way diplomats operate? Fascinating piece by @ShivshankaMenon :

Diplomacy in a Changing World - CSEP

Shivshankar Menon explores the shifting tides of diplomacy. This piece examines the evolving landscape of international relations in a changing world.

csep.org

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

2 months

Lowy’s Global Diplomacy Index shows India with 11th largest network, now at 192 missions. Includes record number of new consulates opened since 2000s in South Asia. Reflects rising importance of sub-national diplomacy in India’s neighbourhood policy:

India’s New Consulates and Subnational Diplomacy in South Asia – South Asian Voices

India's new consulates and embassies are the most visible signs of its increasing subnational footprint across the region.

southasianvoices.org

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

7 months

Good news about India finally increasing the size of its diplomatic service, with 215 new IFS posts. This will help narrow the gap between global ambition and capacity. More human and financial resources required for India to protect and promote its expanding interests.…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

10 months

All flights lead North (East). @amish973 Still no direct flight from India to any Nepali airport other than Kathmandu.

Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal

@hello_CAANepal

10 months

Pokhara International Airport witnessed first international landing today as Sichuan Airlines A319 aircraft from Chengdu, China landed at 9:06 this morning. Discussions with the relevant parties are underway to establish regular flights in the future.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

10 months

#Sambandh brainstorming session yesterday to map India’s infrastructure links to the neighbourhood. The region is connecting fast and we need better analytical & visual tools to track the transformation. @eatheritz @okaymahesh @_RiyaSinha @ShivshankaMenon @jabinjacobt

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

7 months

@rohan_mukh No patience, just temptation... need to be stronger to avoid the trap!

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

6 months

Hold your horses! Significant chances that this TikTok ban may never get implemented, whether out of lack of will or capacity by the Nepali state. But it’s one more indicator of how Nepal is overcoming its naive enthusiasm for all things China: recalibrating its engagement with…

Geeta Mohan گیتا موہن गीता मोहन

@Geeta_Mohan

6 months

Nepal decides to ban Chinese app #TikTok for encouraging a tendency of hate speech, the government said. A Cabinet meeting on Monday took the decision to ban the app.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

9 months

Enjoyed this insightful discussion with Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice Chancellor during his significant visit to India. Clear signs that Berlin is committed to deepen the Germany-India economic partnership — now with a more political, strategic & European angle. @AmbAckermann

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

5 months

India’s climate diplomacy has been proactive & positive. It joined and created new climate clubs (ISA, CDRI), raised expectations. Now it must expand domestic capacity to strategize & coordinate action. Time for a special envoy? @karthiknach & I write:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

8 months

Lost count of Western policy predictions of how “history will be harsh” on India’s foreign policy choices. Used to be right as it was mostly the West that wrote India’s history. But no longer: archival turn in Indian IR, diplomatic & military studies is setting record straight.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

7 months

Launching soon: report co-edited with @karthiknach on India’s global climate strategy. How does Indian diplomacy navigate the fragmenting global governance architecture? Case studies on multilateral, minilateral, trilateral & bilateral tracks. Join us next week at Habitat…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

11 months

India and the European Union are now locked in to an inevitable and irreversible convergence process. Thanks for inviting me and congrats to the Young Leaders from both sides. They will be shaping this process, explore opportunities and navigate the challenges ahead.

Giulia Tercovich

@Giu_Ter

11 months

📣Today we kicked off the 2023 EU-India Young Leaders Exchange! 🇪🇺🇮🇳 Thank you to @EUAmbIndia @PriyaPoojary7 and @Constantinoeth_ for sharing their expertise and insights on the current priorities and challenges of the EU-India partnership. 🙏 @CSDS_Brussels @PatriziaCogo

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

9 months

“You can lean towards one side when you understand you can return from there and restore balance.” Ignore the title, read the full interview. So many sharp insights here by former Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque on how Dhaka should “play the game”.

Western powers want Bangladesh in their sphere of influence

en.prothomalo.com

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

9 months

Wishing Mahesh Kushwaha from Nepal all the best after his #Sambandh summer internship at CSEP. We were glad to host him here in Delhi, which needs to listen to more voices like his from the neighbourhood. Do follow his important work on Nepal’s citizenship & borders: @okaymahesh

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

7 months

I spoke to @suranjanasays on China’s Belt and Road Initiative in South Asia. The BRI has transformed the region and pushed India to deliver more, better and faster than ever before to its neighbours. BRI or not, China will remain a resident power in a competitive, growing and…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

3 months

Macron in Delhi announces French special envoy for IMEC. Shows that the initiative is far from dead. And that France sees India as a connectivity player an an indispensable part in its Indo-Pacific strategy.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

5 months

In 2021, @_RiyaSinha and I had argued for India's PM GatiShakti Masterplan to be first extended to neighbouring countries -- to accelerate cross-border connectivity and lift the region along. Glad to see this coming true now:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

11 months

“developing a missing cross-border railway link between India, Myanmar and Thailand will serve as a crucial multimodal connection between South and Southeast Asia” Read this important piece by @_RiyaSinha on IMT railway connectivity. #Sambandh 🚂

An opportunity and a challenge in Northeast

In the last few years, India prioritised enhancing railway development in Manipur and Mizoram, inching closer to the border with Myanmar.

www.hindustantimes.com

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

1 year

This 15th #tiffintalk was a real crash course on Xi Jinping, the CCP, 🇨🇳 political history! Superb presentation by @JosephTorigian on The “New” and “Old” in Xi Jinping as a Chinese Leader. Great discussion with a room full of China hands incl @ShivshankaMenon & Jayadev Ranade.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

11 months

China’s themes, partners and tools of engagement in South Asia. An understudied but increasingly important issue for India and its neighbours — who have very different perceptions of China. Join us for this report launch and discussion on June 15:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

7 months

@vasabjit_b In the neighbourhood at least, I can attest that it remains alive and kicking: a beautiful declaration of intent constantly betrayed by the practical exigencies of reality. Like most policy doctrines and visions.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

9 months

Proud that @NitikaNayar is moving on for her MA @SAISHopkins after 4 years with us, first as an RA to @d_jaishankar . She edited the #Sambandh Scholars Speak series and did superb research on India's diplomatic capacity in the region.

India’s New Consulates and Subnational Diplomacy in South Asia – South Asian Voices

India's new consulates and embassies are the most visible signs of its increasing subnational footprint across the region.

southasianvoices.org

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

10 months

Capital cities of two countries with a total of 1.6 billion people. Delhi: 28 million Dhaka: 22 million Direct daily flights: 3 #connectivity #sambandh

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

7 months

Lots of useful insights here to understand how India is changing. Thanks @SumanaSiliguri for the fine writing.

The IIC School Versus the JLF School of Indian English | Los Angeles Review of Books

Sumana Roy on how the vernacularization of the English language has affected Indian political and cultural life....

lareviewofbooks.org

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

6 months

What a good report launch this was! Dr. Ajay Mathur DG @isolaralliance supported our recommendations for a more strategic Indian climate diplomacy, including a special envoy for climate change. India is becoming a prominent international climate actor, and geopolitics is part…

Centre for Social and Economic Progress

@CSEP_Org

6 months

#ReportLaunch Our distinguished speakers joined by attending chapter authors launch the CSEP edited report "Tracks to Transition: India's Global Climate Strategy". The report details India's climate diplomacy across various frameworks. Read👇

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

8 months

Joint communique or not, and political noise aside, India’s presidency achieved its policy objective: Make the G20 a bridging forum between the Global North & Global South. Focus on development governance & finance for climate, health, education. 🇧🇷 & 🇿🇦 will push this forward.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

7 months

Coming up! @karthiknach Seven case studies by @azuramoyv @Jhalak_1707 @HanaChambers @siddharth3 @Aparna_R1 @pramamurthi1989 @ShayakSengupta @medhaprasanna @pjarkasellers @AxelNordenstam Launch next week:

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

3 months

Why is Macron in Delhi today? A few ideas:

Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

1. There are several reasons why India would have decided to invite Pres. Macron -- and I suspect one of them is to reward France for its political realism: Unlike other Western capitals, Paris has rarely if ever commented or acted on India's internal affairs. [thread]

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

3 months

Always a pleasure to meet and exchange ideas with Shri Suman Bery, Vice-Chairperson @NITIAayog 🙏🏽

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

6 months

My quick take for @FT @b_parkyn on US' DFC investment in Adani's port project in Sri Lanka: “reflects growing strategic trust between India and the United States to co-operate to offer alternatives to China’s Belt and Road Initiative” “part of a larger Indian regional…

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

4 months

Maldives-India. My comments in this piece by @JohnReedwrites on the link between foreign policy and domestic politics — in *both* neighbouring countries and India. Muizzu forced the crisis, doing what he could. And Modi responded they way he must.

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Constantino Xavier

@ConstantinoX

5 months

This question was asked in 1999, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2021 and many more times over the last 25 years. It will be asked again in future. And the answer remains the same: pace apart, US-India will keep converging for a long, long time. Pannu incident is just another confirmation.

Zorawar Daulet Singh, PhD

@Z_DauletSingh

5 months

The problem with the US India relationship is at two levels: 1) US has been behaving like a schizophrenic declining power unable to come to terms with the loss of its global supremacy. India, on the other hand, welcomes a multipolar world with several power centres and a…

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