US, China and Diego Garcia’s suddenly uncertain future – Asia Times

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What might seem like the end of the last vestiges of European colonization in the Indian Ocean region could well be the start of growing tension between the United States, India, and China.

The British Indian Ocean Territory, which once belonged to Mauritius, will now become a part of the United Kingdom and Mauritius as a result of an agreement reached next October.

Navin Ramgoolam, the newly elected Mauritius government, ordered a review of the contract a month after because it did not provide enough compensation for the island’s unique inhabitants who had been forced to flee.

The Chagos Archipelago’s seven islands split from Mauritius in 1965, and Diego Garcia, the largest of them, was leased to the United States to building a significant, covert military center in the Indian Ocean.

However, the transfer is certain to occur, and it is already thought to be possible to convert the sun-soaked archipelago into a holiday destination similar to the Maldives, which is located about 500 kilometers away.

It’s possible to construct lavish hotels that will draw in high-spending travelers from all over the world. Diving, searching and so-called “eco-friendly” actions are already being touted on life sites referring to the Chagos Archipelago as a “new Island”.

But here lies the geostrategic issue. The UK has pledged to support Mauritius financially in order to build the islands, including a partnership to develop desperately needed infrastructure.

But, because Mauritius is a sovereign nation, it is difficult to think that China will not attempt to finance its own projects on the island, not just because Beijing wants to make the islands an appealing place for Chinese visitors.

That is exactly what has happened in the Island, where Chinese tourists are at the top of tourist arrivals names. China has made significant investments in developing facilities, including a bridge that connects the territories of Hulhule and Hulhumale with Male, the country’s capital. That building has sown political sway, which worries India, the Maldives ‘ traditional development companion and strategic alliance, for the long-term.

Because it lies along the ocean corridors through which its imported oil from the Persian Gulf walks, the Island is carefully essential to China.

With relatively innocent purchase projects, China would have a unique opportunity to observe US defense activities at Diego Garcia.

Diego Garcia would be very important in America’s security of its passions in the Indian Ocean and beyond in the event of a future fight, including a potential military conflict between the United States and China.

China, on the other hand, is&nbsp, rapidly expanding its political and economic, and thus also proper, effect in the Indian Ocean at the cost of the United States and India. And that is why alarms bells are ringing in Washington. &nbsp,

Republican US lawmakers criticized the American authorities for ceding control of the Chagos Archipelago after the deal was announced in October, warning that it would be” a revolution for Chinese interests.”

Rep. Michael McCaul, a member from Texas, and Idaho Senator James Risch, a senior part of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, were two of the people who spoke with them. These problems may become more vocal among the numerous well-known China eagles in his Cabinet as Republican Donald Trump approaches the White House.

According to the preliminary Britain-Mauritius agreement, the United States may keep control of Diego Garcia for 99 decades after the transfer.

However, there are already some parallels between Britain’s 1997 transfer agreement with China on Hong Kong, where Beijing pledged to uphold the rule of “one country, two systems” for 50 years before breaking the deal by enraging the once independent English town under its autocratic rule.

To be sure, Mauritius is not China. More than half of the island republic’s population is a product of indentured laborers hired by the British during the colonial era to work on sugar plantations, so relations with India have always been friendly.

Fast forward to the present, as China’s influence expands in the Indian Ocean and Beijing can be seen clearly as a gateway to Africa, where its Belt and Road Initiative and various deals involving the extraction of various natural resources are growing.

Xi Jinping, the president of China, traveled to Mauritius in 2018. At a&nbsp, grand ceremony held in Xi ‘s&nbsp, honor, the Chinese leader said that&nbsp, he looked&nbsp, forward to exchanging views&nbsp, with Mauritius “on bilateral relations and on international and regional issues of mutual concern”.

The first African nation to sign a free trade agreement with China, which was signed in January 2021, was a year later, and it has since had a significant impact on China.

According to&nbsp, the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, &nbsp, Mauritius’&nbsp, imports from China&nbsp, totaled&nbsp, US$ 993 million in&nbsp, 2023, &nbsp, while&nbsp, its exports to China, despite annual increases, &nbsp, amounted to&nbsp, a&nbsp, mere&nbsp,$ 26.32 million. &nbsp, China has also invested liberally in Mauritian finance, real estate, manufacturing and tourism.

That implies that Mauritius is becoming more and more diplomatically and economically connected to China, making it more profitable and diplomatically.

Outside powers have long sought after the Chagos Archipelago. When Maldivian and European seafarers visited the islands more than 500 years ago, it was uninhabited. The French brought in slaves from its possessions in the area and established coconut plantations on the larger islands.

In 1815, the British took control of the archipelago from Mauritius, the country’s former British colony. The British abolished slavery in 1840, but the coconut plantations remained. Prior to 1965, when Britain purchased the archipelago from Mauritius, the then-self-governing colony, nothing notable happened there.

Three years later, Mauritius was granted full independence from Britain, but with a significant caveat: The British insisted that it would not be able to secede from its territories. It eventually became known as the” British Indian Ocean Territory,” and it became clear why London pressed for the separation.

The agreement between Britain and the United States to convert Diego Garcia, the archipelago’s main island, into a formidable military base would leave the colonial state and give the country a lease on the land. At the same time, the entire population of the archipelago, then consisting of some 1, 000 people, was forcibly evicted and sent to Mauritius and the Seychelles.

Diego Garcia’s strategic location was obvious. It oversees vital shipping lines across the Indian Ocean and gives the US and UK access to East Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia in the event of war or another emergency.

Diego Garcia’s development was also in line with a brand-new US policy known as the” Strategic Islands Concept,” which prohibited military bases from being established close to the populous mainland areas where they could be exposed to anti-Western and anti-American opposition.

Diego Garcia was used to support US-led combat operations in Afghanistan and played an important role as a logistics base in both Gulf Wars in 1990 and 2003. More incontrovertibly, terrorist suspects who had been apprehended in Afghanistan and other locations were sent to Diego Garcia for a far-away “extraordinary rendition” ( extraordinary rendition ) treatment.

The original inhabitants of the archipelago, known as the Chagossians, have for years fought for the right to return home. These demands were repeatedly rejected by the British government.

However, an advisory from the International Court of Justice recommended returning the entire British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius in 2019. The Chagossians, now in second and third generations since their removal from the islands, are reputedly over 10, 000 in number.

The main issue is how Mauritius will govern the archipelago once it joins its republic, and how it will maintain a balance between its relations with China, the United States, and other Indian Ocean powers. Washington is concerned about Chinese expansion into the strategic and increasingly contentious maritime region, not just Washington.

India has always viewed the Indian Ocean as “its lake,” which is struggling to maintain good relations with the occasionally antagonistic Maldives and increasingly unpredictable Mauritius.

Anything can happen if the British leave their final possession “east of Suez,” as the saying goes. However, it would seem naive to assume that China will not attempt to influence the future of the Chagos Archipelago with its growing geostrategic interests in the Indian Ocean.

Bertil Lintner is a Thailand-based journalist, author and security analyst. His most recent book is” The Golden Land Ablaze: Coups, Insurgents and the State in Myanmar”, which can be purchased on Amazon here.

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ECDA-approved nannies offering infant care services to undergo checks, training before deployment

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OFFERING FLEXIBILITY&nbsp,

Three users – Edunanny by BUTLER, Kidibliss, and NannyPro Care – were appointed by ECDA to provide the plane’s service. &nbsp,

Working parents who are taking part in the childminding captain told CNA that while they value the agility, it also involves putting their faith in a caregiver.

” I think I’m more open to trying new things as a family, because with our current work situation, we needed some help and flexibility”, said family Nicholas Lee, who engaged a childminder from Edunanny by BUTLER. &nbsp,

” As long as it runs also, and I don’t have any problems with the business or the treatment that’s provided to my child, I may surely keep around”.

Kids can choose the days and hours that they need a sister depending on their work agreements and caring needs. Additionally, they will get regular reports on their child’s progress.

According to Mr. Poon Da Qian, founder and CEO at Edunanny by BUTLER, there is a need to give parents the confirmation that their child is being cared for. &nbsp,

He claimed that more than 120 parents have expressed interest in the childminding services, which the company has seen a high demand from Taiwanese parents. &nbsp,

What parents may believe from the childminders is a very personalized form of infant care that they can communicate with via WhatsApp, providing them with proper information on their child’s well-being and their infant’s development while they are at work.

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Will Trump’s ‘Polar Pivot’ spark a superpower clash? – Asia Times

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A” New Great Game” is emerging from Trump’s Greenland strategy, in which the ultimate strategic prize is command of this Arctic large.

This power struggle extends beyond land and ice to include essential raw materials, military supremacy, and shipping lanes in an exceedingly available polar region.

This automatic Danish province, which is not a member of the EU, has evolved from a distant island to the epicenter of contemporary geopolitical power as barriers fall. &nbsp,

Greenland is the world’s largest area, carefully located in the Arctic between America and Europe. Despite its small community of 57, 000, mostly Inuit, it holds huge political prominence due to its undiscovered energy potential, including oil, healthy gas, and essential minerals. Its close proximity to the developing transport routes in the Arctic and its position as a gateway for military operations and Arctic surveillance adds to its proper worth. &nbsp,

In 2019, former US President Donald Trump’s request to buy Greenland drew international interest, framing it as “essentially a huge real property deal”. Trump canceled a state visit to Copenhagen when Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized it as “absurd.”

His&nbsp, comment, including a post featuring a golden Trump Tower superimposed on a Greenlandic settlement with the message,” I promise not to do this to Greenland”! were broadly mocked.

However, these remarks highlighted deeper US proper emotions. Greenland has become a political prize thanks to its Pituffik Space Base remaining a key component of America’s ballistic missile early-warning program and area surveillance. &nbsp,

Trump’s renewed force highlights growing US concerns about Russian and Chinese Arctic effect. The automatic Greenlandic state ‘s&nbsp, interest&nbsp, in assistance with China, particularly in mine jobs, coupled with Russia’s military build-up in the region, has intensified US necessity to strengthen its relationship.

However, the Swedish authorities seemed caught off guard by Trump’s claims, leading Frederiksen to rush for a good framing of the disagreement. &nbsp,

Additionally, he has repeatedly stated his interventionist goals within a month, including the restoration of the Panama Canal and the acquisition of Greenland in the current Trump 2.0 period, under the banner of MAGA. These claims are strengthened by his near-absolute power in this next term. &nbsp,

In a January 7th hit conference—a several days before his inauguration—he did not rule out the use of military or economic force to achieve his goal, &nbsp, claiming&nbsp, it as important:” People don’t even know if Denmark has any lawful right to it. But if they do, they may give it up … We need it for national safety”. On his social media platform, he&nbsp, insisted: &nbsp,

” the Free World, have safety, security, durability, and PEACE! This is a package that has happen” .&nbsp,

For China, a US appearance in Greenland threatens its Polar Silk Road initiative and supremacy in essential raw materials, necessary for advanced technology. Moreover, the Arctic’s warming climate could reduce transit times for Asian trade with Europe, making control over the region increasingly valuable. &nbsp,

Accordingly, three potential scenarios emerge. &nbsp,

First, the US could take a diplomatic approach offering Greenland financial incentives, development packages and autonomy guarantees. The difficulty would be persuading Greenlanders that integrating with Washington would result in long-term advantages while overcoming Denmark’s resistance, which is rooted in history, national pride, and strategic concerns.

This would stifle China’s access to vital minerals and halt its polar expansion, leading to Beijing’s desire to develop stronger ties with other Arctic countries, particularly Russia. &nbsp,

Second, the US might use increased investment and direct aid to counteract political pressure, potentially isolating Greenland from Denmark. Washington might also put political pressure on Copenhagen, implying that Nuuk’s support for NATO and the Arctic Council is essential, and that this would undermine Denmark’s ability to maintain control.

This ostensibly reflects China’s strategy of growing influence, but it also raises the possibility of alienating European allies. It may also lead Beijing to increase economic ties with local authorities and mobilize diplomatic opposition, thereby destabilizing Washington. &nbsp,

The US asserting de facto control over Greenland’s strategic resources or military infrastructure without formal acquisition, bypassing Denmark entirely, and even threatening economic repercussions if Copenhagen rejects an American diktat is the most aggressive scenario. &nbsp,

This is not unusual because the US has historically justified interventionist measures under the pretext of preserving regional stability. While the foundational&nbsp, Monroe Doctrine&nbsp, aimed to prevent European interference in the Americas, the Roosevelt Corollary expanded its scope, legitimizing US intervention in the Western Hemisphere to uphold stability or defend its interests.

Due to this history, US pressure on Greenland is seen as a comprehensive strategic plan to safeguard its sphere of influence as well as a territorial ambition. &nbsp,

However, this could trigger an international backlash, particularly from the EU, which would be legally obliged to respond to any sort of hostility or sanctions against Denmark, giving the EU anti-coercion instrument, therefore, unexpected importance.

Yet, based on recent developments in January 2025, the European Commission’s response to such threats—while it constantly criticizes China over matters that don’t directly affect Europe—exposes both weakness and a lack of clear strategy. &nbsp,

Another issue is China. It might interpret US pressure on Greenland in three ways: as a part of a larger geopolitical containment plan, as a claim of dominance that challenges Beijing’s growing global influence, and as a case study for limiting its ambitions in areas like the South China Sea.

Consequently, while adhering to its non-interference principle, China might weigh the strategic implications of US actions, treating them as part of a broader struggle for global primacy. &nbsp,

In response, China could pursue two approaches, having ruled out inaction. First, it might consider taking bold countermeasures, such as strengthening military and economic ties with Russia and bolstering local opposition in Greenland with financial aid and investments. This development is very uncomfortable and precarious for Denmark, a significant US ally. &nbsp,

A more assertive position, even though less probable, warrants consideration. While China might formally designate Greenland as a Danish internal issue in accordance with its non-interference policy, it may struggle to ignore US pressure on the country. If Beijing responded with a better economic offer, it would stoke a serious geopolitical conflict.

Denmark would likely decline an offer to preserve Western alliances, but Greenland’s response might be less nuanced if China promised substantial infrastructure development and respect for their sovereignty. &nbsp,

Any attempt by China to find alternative solutions to Greenland as a direct threat to its national security and Arctic dominance in the US would seem to be. Sanctions and an increase in military presence would be among the best means of stopping it, according to Washington.

China would be at risk for reputation because such a proposal could be viewed as neo-colonialialism, especially if it rejects the indigenous people’s wishes or undermines Danish sovereignty. Furthermore, Beijing would struggle to defend its position on sensitive issues like Tibet, Xinjiang and Taiwan, where it monitors any movements for independence. &nbsp,

Nevertheless, the temptation is hard to resist: strong Chinese involvement would mark a historic shift reaching beyond Arctic geopolitics, challenging Western dominance and potentially altering the Arctic Council’s power dynamics. Russia might initially be appreciative of this development, but it will become more wary of Beijing’s growing presence. &nbsp,

Regardless of the outcome, these scenarios underscore Greenland’s emergence as a pivotal flashpoint in the broader US-China rivalry. The Arctic is a center for strategic resources, shipping routes, and military positioning, which pushes superpowers against international law and creates a more contentious geopolitical debate. &nbsp,

Trump’s push for Greenland could mark his” Polar Pivot”, a counterpart to Obama’s Pivot to Asia, yet focused on Arctic ambitions. For those who doubted Trump’s foreign policy vision, his attempt to redefine the Roosevelt Corollary—draped in protectionism, isolationism, and nationalism—offers a clear rebuttal.

If successful, it might even earn the title of the” Trump Corollary”. His approach is far from foolish, revealing a deliberate geopolitical plan hidden beneath the surface of his real estate rhetoric.

Republished with the kind permission of China-US Focus, 2025 ( www. chinausfocus.com ). Read the orignal here.

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Japan marks 30th anniversary of deadly Kobe quake

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“MEGAQUAKE” Government experts increased this week’s significantly higher chance of a significant “megaquake” along the underwater Nankai Trough over the next 30 times, to 75-782 per cent. For a shock could possibly have a damaging 8-9 scale disaster, cause colossal tsunamis, shoot several hundred thousand people and cause billions ofContinue Reading

EU’s Syrian refugees shouldn’t be forced to return home – Asia Times

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The experiences we had with Syrian migrant families in New Zealand were nothing short of devastating. These were not philosophical studies from distant but deeply personal accounts of torture, prison, and illegal killings—testimonies that laid bare the unbelievable suffering inflicted by Bashar al-Assad’s program.

Any lingering misperceptions about the government’s ability for cruelty within the supposed standards of the liberal world purchase were dissipated by the repression’s large savagery. The idea of Syria’s release from such oppression felt less like a chance and more like an unattainable desire at those times.

However, after nearly 14 years, that moment arrived when Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS), led by Abu Mohammad al-Golani, seized control of major Syrian cities, including Damascus. Refugees worldwide, including in Europe, celebrated this rotating stage, taking to the streets with their flags of unity and full of hope for their country.

For the thousands of Palestinian refugees in EU countries, this moment of triumph brings confusion. While some may experience a sense of happiness, they also face a pressing fresh query: What comes next for them as immigrants?

However, EU nations have responded by halting new hospital programs, signaling a change that has raised worries among some Syrians. Some people may want to rush and see how HTS operates before making a decision to return to their country.

Legislators in the Union are now in a significant predicament. If they encourage Palestinian refugees to bring their own families back home with aid packages, or if they permit volunteer resettlement on an individual basis?

For migrants in Turkey and Lebanon, where they face conflicts and limited options, the decision to return may be more clear. Yet, for those in EU countries, the condition is more difficult.

Immigrants in the EU have access to social services and processes to membership. Some have visited Europe for almost ten years and have benefited from welcoming people and welcoming policies. The decision between staying in the EU and returning to Syria is challenging and deeply personal for these migrants.

The EU’s determination to end asylum applications appears to indicate that Western governments are getting ready for a lot of mass repatriation. In a post-conflict earth, their recovery and the profit of its residents might be seen as priorities from their viewpoint.

The end of Assad’s government is truly good news, and temporary safety procedures for Syrians in Europe may now be viewed as successful.

Yet, the safety of returning migrants remains a major concern. Units, while now in power, has past links to groupings like Al-Qaeda and ISIS. It’s unclear whether HTS will support minority-friendly government or build a one based on political principles.

For organizations such as the Yazidis, Christians, Shias and Kurdish Syrians, the position remains precarious. While Assad’s demise offers hope for a more egalitarian and political coming, this perspective may be balanced against fresh conflicts and power challenges.

Subsequent clashes between Kurdish and Turkish-backed forces have heightened worries of more unrest and violence, particularly in areas that have already been devastated by war.

In a quickly evolving political environment with much guarantee of safety or justice, these minority areas, which have long been marginalized and caught in the crossfire of opposing factions, are now at risk of dislocation and harassment. Hopes and aspirations for a freed Syria are tempered by the terrible reality of a scattered and dangerous state.

In response to various conflicts, such as the Afghan problems, where many refugees were forced to return, the EU has recently halted refugee applications. But as we know, Afghanistan remains illegal, specifically for minority and ladies, who continue to face serious restrictions on education and employment. This law raises questions about whether Syria is really prepared to welcome its citizens back safely.

Another complication is that the European Union is now deeply burdened with the task of assisting thousands of Ukrainian refugees who are fleeing Russia’s continuing anger. This has put a lot of strain on Western institutions, straining resources, and putting the limits of public and political compassion for large-scale movement to the test.

The possible relocation of Syrian refugees could lessen this strain by lowering the social and economic strains posed by hosting displaced communities.

The main problem is to decide whether Syria, especially the sections governed by Units, will uphold the rights, surveillance and livelihoods of returning Syrians, particularly those from minority communities.

Considerable doubts exist about the organization’s ability to promote a truly diverse and democratic society due to its historical ties to fundamentalist ideologies and its current hold on parts of northwest Syria.

Discussions between EU foreign secretaries and the Jolani group in charge of HTS are continuing, indicating an effort to find common ground or build frameworks for assistance.

These discussions are fragile because they must strike a balance between political concerns, political concerns, and the wider implications of speaking with a group that is still viewed with suspicion by many in the worldwide community.

Despite these attempts, the prospect remains ambiguous, as the way Units may consider in shaping its management, enforcing the rule of law, and ensuring the safety of returnees is yet to be seen. The idea of extensive repatriation is currently both a social gamble and a humanitarian necessity.

The Union must reconsider its method of relocation if Units adopts a restrictive position equivalent to that of the Taliban. Until HTS allows democracy to grow and ensures the safety of all citizens, irrespective of their religion, nationality, or history, Syrian refugees should not be pressured to profit.

Ultimately, the EU must uphold its commitment to voluntary repatriation. Syrian refugees deserve the freedom to choose this potentially fatal course of action at their own pace. EU leaders should be aware that refugees are subject to forced displacement and that repatriation is a gradual process.

Syrian refugees should be given temporary protection and should work with other countries to ensure their safe return when necessary. The EU must continue to support those rights as an institution that was founded on human rights.

A crucial conundrum is at the center of this situation: while the EU can encourage repatriation and lay the groundwork through diplomacy, returning must always be voluntary, especially for those Syrian refugees who are currently residing in EU member states.

Dr Sheraz Akhtar lectures at Thailand’s Chiang Mai University. His research examines the social, economic, and educational development of refugee communities in host nations.

Canadian author and editor Patrick Keeney. His areas of interest are at the intersection of philosophy, politics, and the study of ideas. &nbsp,

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Saif Ali Khan: Man detained over knife attack on Bollywood actor

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Police in the Indian city of Mumbai have detained a man in connection with the knife attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, according to media reports

Khan was stabbed on Thursday night during a dispute at his home with an unexplained person. The artist is recovering after operation.

Initial studies suggest the harm may have been intended as a fraud after authorities seized CCTV footage from the writer’s mansion in Bandra, an upmarket district.

Is it still unclear whether the imprisoned person committed the crime.

A caregiver who works with Khan’s home to the police gave some information about the events that occurred that day, according to a statement released to the BBC.

The mother of the son of Khan claimed that when she was with the maid in the child’s room late at night, she first noticed the darkness of a man next to the bathroom door.

Ms. Philip reported that a man appeared, holding a long knife in one side and a sturdy thing in another, and warned the two against making any noise. He demanded 10m rupees ($ 115, 477, £94, 511 ), she said.

A fight immediately broke out, during which Ms Philip was injured. However, the maid fled the place.

According to the patient’s speech, Khan and his wife, artist Kareena Kapoor, rushed to the area after hearing the noise. She claimed that when Khan confronted him, the perpetrator used a knife to hit him before fleeing the house.

In the invasion, Khan sustained a number of injuries, including one to the neck.

Dr Nitin Dange of Lilavati Hospital, where Khan is being treated, said that when the artist arrived, he was bleeding from his neck with a knife part embedded. The piece was medically removed, and liquid leak was controlled. According to physicians, prompt medical care saved lives from severe spinal harm.

Dr. Dange claimed on Friday that Khan is “better then.”

” We made him wander, and he walked also. Looking at his guidelines, his wounds and all the other accidents, he is healthy to get shifted out of the ICU. He has to get some steps. He needs to get some sleep, and his action has been hampered for a week, he said.

The incident’s tool has not been discovered, according to deputy director of Mumbai officers Dixit Gadam, and they have filed a complaint based on the nurse’s account.

” The accused used the fire escape ladder to enter”, he said. ” The research is being conducted to ascertain how the attacker gained access to the house or how the door was opened.”

Khan, 54, is also a developer, who has appeared in many films and TV shows over the years. He is renowned for his quick wit and funny scheduling.

In Omkara, which he starred in in 2006 and received a lot of praise, his representation of the enemy was well-known. He has won several awards, including the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest human dignity, in 2010.

Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, both actors, are Khan’s sons.

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