Power Struggle between Xi Jinping and the Chinese Army | Ambassador Prabhat Shukla (Retd.)

Ambassador Shukla was among the very first people in the world to analyse and write about the on-going clash between President Xi and the PLA. Here, he brings the analysis up-to-date, discussing the removal of two key members of the Central Military Commission. One, the removal of Adm Miao Hua is a win for Xi; but the other, the removal of Gen He Weidong is a serious blow for him. Watch for a detailed discussion.

What happens in China matters to the world, and certainly to India. The world's second-largest country by size of population and economy is also uniquely opaque. But in recent weeks, headline after headline has emerged about a massive conflict between the supreme ruler of China, President Xi Jinping, and the all-powerful People's Liberation Army (PLA). Talk about Xi implementing a major purge at some of the highest levels of the PLA (including rumours of mysterious 'suicide') has swirled in global news cycles and reports. As always, China's government-controlled media neither confirm nor deny this. But this has a direct impact on the future of Xi, of China, the Chinese Communist Party, and certainly China's equation with India. So, what's really going on? Is Xi slowly and dangerously starting to lose power? Is he fighting back? Who is winning this epic battle? Until recently it was all but certain that Xi will remain President for life, 'the most powerful leader of the Chinese Community Party and of China after Mao', but these assessments seems premature today. At the heart of the question is also an India problem. Could it be that one of the key reasons for the fall-out between Xi and some of the most powerful generals in the PLA is the India question? Does Xi want a relatively peaceful solution with India while the generals are readying for deeper, more vicious conflict? One of the people who has spoken about this subject for years - often the only one talking about this for a long time - is Ambassador Prabhat Shukla (retd.). All his predictions about this conflict have now burst into international headlines. In this interview with Hindol Sengupta, Amb. Shukla - one of the most astute China-watchers in India - shares his insights on the growing political turmoil inside China and what it could mean for India and the Indo-Pacific region:

• Is Xi Jinping really losing power?

• What do the recent purges in the PLA signal?

• Could Xi’s fall trigger deeper instability within China?

• What does this uncertainty mean for India’s strategic position?

• How should India respond to a changing China and shifting global alliances?