Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
14 March 2024 | 23:07 SAST
3 minute read

The recently concluded National Congress in China drew significant attention to the nation’s economic outlook, particularly amidst concerns of a potential downturn. Despite China’s sustained growth over recent years, experts have long predicted an eventual slowdown. Discussions during the Congress centred on addressing these challenges and charting a path forward.

With a growth rate target set around 5%, some analysts deemed it ambitious, given structural conditions and mounting issues such as high youth unemployment and a cooling property market.

“Some analysts have argued that it was a very ambitious growth rate to put forward, particularly because, you know, it was based on the idea that China needs to grow, and it needs to basically develop and have more domestic consumption in its market,” says Foreign Policy Analyst Sanusha Naidu from the Institute for Global Dialogue.

To mitigate the risk of an overheating economy, the key focus areas are international investment to facilitate slower and more sustainable growth.

Key considerations include boosting domestic consumption, navigating external investments, and defining industrial strategies for the coming years. To mitigate the risk of an overheating economy, slower and more sustainable growth is necessary, Naidu notes.

In anticipation of upcoming national elections, India’s Modi government is taking proactive measures to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) and mitigate its potential influence on electoral processes. Recognising AI’s role as a potential disruptor, authorities aim to curb the spread of misinformation and deepfake content.

Concerns abound regarding the misuse of AI in shaping public opinion and disseminating false narratives.

““Part of the reason that we’re looking at countries like India wanting to regulate that market because it can be used and manipulated in election campaigns. And of course, what then happens is that it creates confusion amongst the electorate. It creates a level of instability. It can lead to conflict. It can lead to all kinds of election instability issues. It can create violence and so forth,” Naidu says.

The proposed regulations seek to hold tech companies accountable for the responsible development and deployment of AI tools, particularly in the context of election campaigns and social media platforms.

By addressing the threat posed by AI-generated content, India aims to safeguard the integrity of its electoral process and prevent the proliferation of misleading information that could incite unrest or undermine democratic principles.

Meanwhile, the Maldivian government has recently demanded the withdrawal of Indian troops from the country.

“This whole question about Maldives actually is based on the relationship that the current president has had with China. He came into power in September, and he used it as an election ticket, to say that when he comes into power, he will remove Indian security personnel deployed in the Maldives to patrol the vast maritime border,” Naidu explains.

India’s longstanding military presence in the Maldives has contributed to maritime security efforts in the Indian Ocean region.

The move reflects broader geopolitical tensions, with India and China vying for influence in the strategically vital Indian Ocean. As Maldives navigates its evolving foreign policy landscape, neighbouring countries, including Sri Lanka, face similar considerations amid growing Chinese assertiveness.

“And so, this bilateral relationship between China and Maldives, you know, has been a bit of a thorn in the side of India because of the Indian Ocean rim and the influence that India likes to project in the Indian Ocean rim. And then, of course, you have other countries like Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is also kind of leaning towards the, has leaned towards China. And this becomes a nervous tick for India because it means that they have to start thinking about how to deal with the different dynamics that are unfolding in the Indian Ocean rim,” Naidu says.

Listen to the Asia-Pacific Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.