Titli Basu

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Titli Basu’s article 'Sino-US Disorder: Power and Policy in Post-COVID Indo-Pacific' has been published in Journal of Asian Economic Integration 2(2) 159–179, 2020.

Great powers have invested in order-building projects with competing visions of political values and ideologies. How the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shapes the balance of power and order are debated. The pandemic will reorganise the international system and power structures. Situating the Indo-Pacific project in this backdrop, this article critically analyses the debates, discourses and nuanced divergences that are shaping the Indo-Pacific puzzle in the power corridors of Washington, Tokyo and Delhi, in addition to mapping Beijing’s approach to Indo-Pacific. With new realities in play, the India-US-Japan triangle will feature as one of the key building blocks of Indo-Pacific to deliver on the shared responsibility of providing global public goods.

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• Published: 1 September, 2020

With Chinese unilateral efforts altering the maritime status quo on the one hand and lack of progress on denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula on the other, Japan is revisiting its strategic options.

• Published: August 20, 2020
• Issue Brief

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Titli Basu’s article 'Will Japan Pursue Strike Capability in Lieu of Aegis Ashore?' was published in ‘The Diplomat’ on July 28, 2020.

Is it time to rewire Japan's National Security Strategy with strike capability? Following the monumental decision to cancel the deployment of Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system, the central debate consuming the Japanese security thinking is straddling between missile defence and strike capability, or what is called “enemy-base strike”. Going forward, there are challenges in terms of seeking not just Japanese public understanding on strike capability within the scope of exclusively defence oriented posture and Article 9 of the pacifist constitution, but also manage regional concerns over “normalisation” of Japan. Any possible policy shift in Tokyo will raise fundamental questions on the spear and shield nature of the alliance. Furthermore, it will have implications for America’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

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• Published: 28 July, 2020

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Titli Basu’s article, ‘Securing Japan from Chinese ‘Predatory Economics’’ has been published in ‘The Diplomat’ on July 17, 2020.

One of the key questions in Japan’s national security debate is how to manage China’s ‘predatory’ geo-economics? The article critically analyses where does Tokyo stand in terms of crafting an effective economic security strategy?

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• Published: 17 July, 2020

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Titli Basu’s article ‘Calling out “expansionism”: The Modi Way’ has been published in ‘The Interpreter’ (Lowy Institute) on July 08, 2020.

This article evaluates Prime Minister Modi's messaging from Ladakh within the template of ‘vikasvaad’ versus ‘vistarvaad’ (development versus expansionism).

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• Published: 8 July, 2020

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Titli Basu’s article titled 'Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Post-COVID-19' has been published in 'Australian Outlook' (Australian Institute of International Affairs) on May 22, 2020.

COVID-19 arrived amidst fierce US-China strategic competition, an eroding European project, fractured global economic governance architecture, contested hyper globalisation, and intense techno-nationalism. While mismanagement of COVID-19 led to China’s Chernobyl moment, it also exposed corrosion in US leadership. While the pandemic has exacerbated a new wave of economic nationalism, isolationism is not an option. Balancing domestic interests and leading multilateralism and global cooperation in the post-COVID-19 world will define Abe’s legacy.

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• Published: 22 May, 2020

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Titli Basu’s article 'The US-Japan Security Treaty at 60' has been published in 'Australian Outlook' (Australian Institute of International Affairs) on April 22, 2020.

With intensifying Sino-US strategic competition and the changing nature of threats emanating from China, from influence operations to global pandemic, the great power management strategy of Washington will continue to depend on its alliance with Tokyo in order to constructively shape Beijing as a responsible power that respects international rules and norms, writes Dr. Basu.

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• Published: 22 April, 2020

Whether Abe can turn the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic into an opportunity to demonstrate decisive leadership will define Japan’s future course, as the resilience of the economy and good governance is at stake.

• Published: April 12, 2020
• Issue Brief

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Titli Basu’s article 'US-Japan-India: Risks and Rewards in the Indo-Pacific' was published in Global Asia Vol.15 (1) January-March 2020.

The US, Japan and India have articulated their respective visions for the Indo-Pacific. With elevated 2+2 and ministerial-level US-Japan-India discussions, they have co-ordinated their forward thinking while navigating the risks and opportunities that this maritime super-region presents. However, it is important to note the ambiguities and subtle gaps in each stakeholder’s interpretation of the Indo-Pacific as they tap into collective capabilities in pursuit of common strategic interests.

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• Published: 31 March, 2020

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Titli Basu’s article titled, ‘Abe Can’t Afford to Mishandle Japan’s COVID-19 Response’ has been published in ‘The Diplomat’ on March 11, 2020.

The article argues that chronic political corruption, struggling economy, and now governance deficit in managing the corona virus outbreak is shaping up to be Prime Minister Abe’s toughest challenge yet. This may very well intensify the political discourse on post-Abe Japanese leadership, both within the LDP and across the political divide.

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• Published: 11 March, 2020