Jagannath P. Panda

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's piece ‘Making 'Quad Plus' a Reality?’ has been published in The Diplomat on January 13, 2022.

The piece argues that the concept of the “Quad Plus,” which has been in circulation for quite some time but remained abstract so far, becomes increasingly important in the current geopolitical scene, where post-AUKUS tensions are running high even among allies. How can the Quad Plus move beyond an abstract idea and consolidate as a regular political grouping?

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• Published: 13 January, 2022

‘Security’ and ‘status’ complexities are critical impediments for any state’s foreign policy; and India is no different. This article argues that as the China threat looms large, New Delhi will not be in complete repudiation of an ‘Asian NATO’ (or “Indo-Pacific NATO”), despite strategically refraining from being party to a definitive military alliance and an age-old non-alignment principle. However, India’s support will be contingent on the future trajectory of its ties with Beijing.

• Published: January 2022
• Strategic Analysis

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's piece ‘Kishida's Foreign Policy Manifesto in 2022 and Beyond’ has been published in Japan Forward on December 31, 2021.

The piece argues that Kishida’s political and diplomatic balancing in 2022 is going to shape Japan’s coming role in the regional security architecture, and the leader seems poised to rise, albeit cautiously, to the challenge.

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• Published: 31 December, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article ‘From Strategic to Absolute Partners: Prospects for US-India Ties in 2022’ has been published by Japan Forum for Strategic Studies Quarterly, Vol.91, January 2022.

The article argues that in order for increasingly engaged participation to bear results, India and the US must fundamentally fortify their financial, defence and diplomatic relations. This will require continued discourse between the two states to arrange and resolve differences, and all the more critically, an ability to make specific trade-offs to reap the benefits. As China prepares for its 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2022, the US’ plans to expand ties with India will only grow. With this in mind, it’s high time the two countries take the step to formalize and advance their partnership into a stable, secured and stronger that emerges to become an exclusive one.

• Published: 30 December, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's piece ‘Where will the China-India rivalry go in 2022?’ has been published by the ‘Responsible Statecraft’, an online magazine of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, USA, on 20 December 2021.

The piece essentially argues that however, as mutual distrust is at an all-time high between the two Asian powers, 2022 promises to be a year of careful diplomatic manoeuvring for both. As Xi Jinping prepares for an unprecedented third term in office, his focus on ensuring and rebuilding his strongman persona is only growing. Through the latest Land Border Law, Xi has legalized a new approach towards reinforcing China’s desire to find resolution to the boundary dispute on its own terms, unilaterally. As India, too, continues to be led by a nationalist government, backing down on common areas of conflict, especially in the western sector including in Galwan, remains a low possibility — while a spike in conflict is a significant concern.

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• Published: 20 December, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article "Can Putin Bring Out the True Potential of India-Russia Relations?’ has been published in ‘The National Interest’, on December 17, 2021.

The article argues that for India, as important as defense ties with Russia may be, they cannot help meet its China challenge while Russia continues to adhere to an equidistant equation with both New Delhi and Beijing.

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• Published: 17 December, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's featured article ‘Foreseeing the China-India Boundary Dispute: 2022 and Beyond’ has been published in China Brief (vol.21, issue 24), Jamestown Foundation, Washington DC on December 17, 2021.

The article argues that China’s growing insecurities and Xi’s need for absolute control will only boost its repressive tactics and expansionist maneuvers in the coming years, not just in 2022.

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• Published: 17 December, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's piece ‘What AUKUS Means to North Korea’ has been published in 38 North, Stimson Center, Washington DC, on December 09, 2021.

The piece argues that the opportunities for AUKUS are not limited to simply targeting or containing China. The entire realm of possibility ranges from military technology sharing and defense/intelligence cooperation to its potential to revitalize multilateral, rules-based cooperation. With such vast potential, AUKUS has the potential to impact North Korea’s risk assessment of the security environment in the region and influence its actions in the future. While the entire scope of influence of the alliance remains to be seen, it also brings about new challenges in trying to mitigate the arms race with Pyongyang and raises the potential for a rival alliance to solidify between China and North Korea.

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• Published: 9 December, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's article ‘Testing Indo-Pacific Partnerships: India's Deployment of Russian Missiles’ has been published by the Asia Global Online at the Asia Global Institute of The University of Hong Kong, on December 02, 2021.

The article analyses the decision by India to deploy Russia-supplied missile defense systems along its border poses a challenge for the US – whether to impose sanctions on its key security partner in the region. It argues that Washington must consider India’s key role in challenging China, both within and outside the emerging Quad framework, as the Biden administration considers a waiver of sanctions that US law would require for India’s weapons deal with Moscow.

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• Published: 2 December, 2021

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's piece 'Fumio Kishida and India-Japan Cooperation in ‘Northeast India' has been published by the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies on December 01, 2021.

The piece examines the question: What future does the India-Japan 'Strategic and Global Partnership' hold vis-a-vis their Northeast India cooperation ambitions under the new leadership of Fumio Kishida?

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• Published: 1 December, 2021