New Delhi, Sept. 23 -- The New Russia Sanctions Bill passed by the US Congress for 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian crude was viewed by cynics as a birthday present for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The add on was Senator Richard Blumenthal warning India and China like a kindergarten teacher's helper in a punk school.

President Donald Trump has signed the bill.

However, with Beijing indicating it doesn't recognize US sanctions on Iran and Russia, Trump is breaking traditional protocol by personally receiving Chinese President Xi Jinping on the airport tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on September 23.

Another emerging regional challenge - that seems to have gone quite unnoticed - is the operationalization of the Pakistan...