Akash Sahu

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Mr Akash Sahu’s article ‘Myanmar’s junta is running out of time to make progress on Asean peace plan’ has been published in South China Morning Post on 03 September 2022.

As the government is squeezed by internal opposition and external isolation, the fear is that it will take even more drastic measures to stay in power, says Mr Sahu.

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• Published: 3 September, 2022

India can carve a niche as a capacity-builder in helping the southern Pacific countries meet developmental goals and tackle climate change.

• Published: September 02, 2022
• Issue Brief

Eastwards Ho? India’s Relations with the Indo-Pacific edited by E. Sridharan comprising 15 essays by renowned experts on Asian geopolitics, seeks to place India on the strategic map of the evolving Indo-Pacific region as an economic and geopolitical power. At the outset, the editor provides a succinct overview of economic integration in Asia, particularly of China with its neighbours reflected in a massive increase in bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements (FTAs).

• Published: September 2022
• Strategic Analysis

The Shan state of Myanmar is the largest producer of illegal drugs within the infamous Golden Triangle—a tri-junction at the Myanmar, Laos and Thailand borders.

• Published: July 28, 2022
• Issue Brief

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Mr Akash Sahu’s article ‘India-ASEAN Relations: The Need to Reconsider RCEP’ has been published by Fulcrum by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, on 22 July 2022.

There was no mention of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership when the foreign ministers of India and ASEAN met in New Delhi last month. India opted out of RCEP negotiations in 2019. New Delhi might want to reconsider its position.

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• Published: 22 July, 2022

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Mr Akash Sahu’s article ‘Why it’s so hard to quit Chinese steel’ has been published by ‘Pacific Forum’ on 4 May, 2022.

China’s hold over steel, particularly stainless steel, has increased radically in recent decades..But that is not the complete picture. Chinese companies also produce steel in Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia. Production has shifted to ASEAN countries with the onset of the US-China trade war to reduce dependency on China, but if Southeast Asia’s production of steel, an essential component in manufacturing, were controlled by Beijing, then regional value chains remain vulnerable, says Mr Sahu.

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• Published: 4 May, 2022

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Mr Akash Sahu’s article 'India–Japan economic ties key to regional stability' appeared on the East Asia Forum on 28 April, 2022.

Stronger India–Japan economic ties can help synergise their foreign policy, which is crucial to maintaining the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, says Mr Sahu.

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• Published: 28 April, 2022

A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the Philippines would be fruitful in not only strengthening the bilateral relations between the two, but also in adding heft to the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific.

• Published: April 01, 2022
• IDSA Comments

A larger exchange of defence business between India and Southeast Asia may consolidate India’s position in the regional security architecture, and also forge greater political alignment with important ASEAN partners.

• Published: December 29, 2021
• IDSA Comments

Research Analyst, MP-IDSA, Mr. Akash Sahu's article 'The strategic calculations in Manila seem to have found New Delhi willing in maintaining the regional Indo-Pacific balance of power' has been published in the Manila Times on December 23, 2021.

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• Published: 23 December, 2021