Articles by Amit Kumar

China’s critical minerals export ban falls short

The latest data on imports and consumption of gallium and germanium suggests that Beijing’s weaponisation strategy only led to a price spike, but did not hurt the US’s industrial consumption amid their efforts to diversify. Ultimately, dominance built on a genuine capability differential is key to export controls achieving their desired result, say researchers Amit Kumar and Pranay Kotasthane.

Amit Kumar, Pranay Kotasthane

21 Apr 2026

Why China’s finances are weaker than they seem

While China has outlined an expansionary macroeconomic strategy, researcher Amit Kumar dives into the fiscal data that show the severe limitations of China’s fiscal capacity, such as a declining national budget revenue and high debt burden.

Amit Kumar

19 Mar 2026

The Dalai Lama’s succession and the geopolitics of faith

As the Dalai Lama prepares for succession, China is gearing up for a battle over spiritual authority and political legitimacy. Outside Tibet and India, only Bhutan, Nepal and Mongolia have significant Tibetan Buddhist followings — but their responses to Beijing’s claims are likely to vary widely, says Indian researcher Amit Kumar.

Amit Kumar

11 Aug 2025

Made in China or spent in China? Beijing’s impossible balancing act

As growth slows and trade tensions persist, China faces a hard choice: double down on manufacturing dominance or transform into a consumption-driven economy. It cannot be both, says Indian researcher Amit Kumar.

Amit Kumar

01 Jul 2025

Is India warming up to Chinese investment?

China’s investments in India, historically underwhelming, have dropped further with India’s fears of China’s “opportunistic takeovers”, says Indian researcher Amit Kumar. But a more favourable Indian public discourse towards Chinese investments and the potential for win-win benefits could turn things around.

Amit Kumar

02 Dec 2024