Indian Ocean Perspectives: From Sea Power to Ocean Prosperity Long before the Atlantic and the Pacific became theatres for commerce and conflict, the Indian Ocean was home to considerable commercial and cultural intercourse. Most recent literature has, however, focused on maritime security and sea power while greater attention ought to be paid to economic development around the Indian Ocean. India’s plans for the development of the ‘Blue Economy’ augurs well for the region. Sanjaya Baru September 2019 Strategic Analysis
Actions Speak Louder than Words: China’s Consultative Peacekeeping in Africa Existing concepts (e.g. ‘non-interference’ and ‘pragmatism’) remain too vague to provide explanations for China’s increasingly assertive security policy. To avoid this pitfall, this article adopts a narrower focus on Chinese security policy towards Africa. Ivo Ganchev September 2019 Strategic Analysis
Theorizing EU-TRACECA Relationship in Eurasian Context This article contends that the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA) is European Union’s (EU) most visionary trans-regional connectivity project. It theorizes the EU-TRACECA relationship to show that the TRACECA represents different regional integration concepts, and that the EU scripted it invariably for the mutual benefits of its partner states. Conceptually optimistic, the article, nonetheless, discovers certain inextricable complications in the TRACECA’s real working for varying economic profiles of and mutual conflicts among its member countries. Mushtaq A. Kaw September 2019 Strategic Analysis
Geopolitics of Western Indian Ocean: Unravelling China’s Multi-dimensional Presence The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) is now attaining centrestage in the geopolitics of the Indian Ocean. Apart from France and the US, China holds significant interests in the WIO. China’s interests with the WIO states could be divided in four categories: dual-use infrastructure building, politico-diplomatic focus, connectivity-access and military activities. All four are interconnected and facilitate China’s desire to project power. For China, activities in the WIO serve the purpose of ensuring energy supplies, maintaining economic growth and securing military interests. Sankalp Gurjar September 2019 Strategic Analysis
Korea’s Para-diplomacy with States in India: An Analysis of the ‘Caravan Events’ In the arena of international relations nation-states have been regarded as the primary actors. However, the constituent units of nation-states have also become active in forging relations with the political units which are located outside the national borders through ‘para-diplomacy’. Since the 1990s the states of Indian union have been playing a significant role in India’s foreign affairs. The Narendra Modi government in New Delhi has also established a ‘States Division’ in the Ministry of External Affairs. Ranjit Kumar Dhawan September 2019 Strategic Analysis
The Geopolitics of the US-India-Russia Strategic Triangle The article deals with the state of play in the relationships between the United States, India and Russia. The focus of the article is placed on the geopolitical environment in which the three countries have been building their relationships in contemporary times. The author analyses the approaches of the US, India and Russia towards two geographical concepts of the Indo-Pacific and Eurasia. The situation in Afghanistan is examined through perspectives and interests of all three players as each of them is involved—though in a different manner—in the resolution of the crisis. Aleksei Zakharov September 2019 Strategic Analysis
CDS: A Pragmatic Blueprint Required for Implementation The blueprint for the operationalisation of CDS would require intensive deliberation to make sure that no aspect of its implementation is left unaddressed. Amit Cowshish August 30, 2019 IDSA Comments
Appointment of Chief of Defence Staff: A Historic Decision The decision to appoint CDS is an important milestone in India’s quest for complete integration of its defence forces; a significant step towards seamless coordination, better efficiency, and greater effectiveness of the national defence architecture in meeting the challenges of the 21st century. Amb. Sujan R. Chinoy August 29, 2019 IDSA Comments
‘No First Use’ is Not Sacrosanct: Need a Theatre-Specific Posture for Flexible Options Nuclear doctrines and postures are dynamic processes that evolve with the security environment. Twenty years after India’s nuclear doctrine was first drafted, the time is ripe for a comprehensive review and suitable revisions. A. Vinod Kumar August 27, 2019 Issue Brief
Hong Kong on the Edge The current impasse in Hong Kong poses the most serious challenge to the Chinese leadership since the territory’s integration with the mainland. The “One Country, Two Systems” arrangement appears to be at crossroads, set to be consigned to the archives well before its expiry date. G.G. Dwivedi August 27, 2019 IDSA Comments
