The First India-US 2+2 Dialogue: An Assessment An evaluation of the non-negotiable elements of the CISMOA Boilerplate agreement does not show any element that will have any unavoidable security risks for India. G. Balachandran | September 14, 2018 | IDSA Comments
Caspian Sea Agreement and the International Energy Market The value of the Caspian energy reserve lies in its potential to add to global reserves of oil and gas, which, in turn, could bring down costs. Shebonti Ray Dadwal , Chithra Purushothaman | September 12, 2018 | IDSA Comments
Land Ahoy! Debarment Systems in Ministry of Defence start Coming of Age It is administratively easy and politically appealing to debar an errant entity, but the unintended consequences of debarment can be challenging to handle in high-technology areas such as defence Sandeep Verma | September 11, 2018 | Issue Brief
Power Trading and National Security Power trading across borders is not a new concept, even in the subcontinent. However, it has been sporadic and unstructured and often not in strict consonance with the requirements of national security. This article seeks to make out a case for using energy security and cross border power trade, as one of the ‘soft power’ tools to further our national security. Sanjay Mitra , Richa Misra | September 2018 | Strategic Analysis
The Current and Future State of India–Bangladesh Relations At the outset, we must remind ourselves that Indo–Bangladesh cooperation began in the battlefield of 1971. As a freedom fighter diplomat, one recalls with deep appreciation and gratitude the whole-hearted support we received from the Government and people of India during the critical days of our nationhood. We pay homage to those brave Indian soldiers who laid down their lives for our independence. We also pay tribute to the valiant war veterans who fought with us in our War of Independence. Syed Muazzem Ali | September 2018 | Strategic Analysis
India–Bangladesh Relations: An Indian Perspective The people of India and Bangladesh share close and multi-faceted socio-cultural, religious and linguistic ties spanning centuries. The two countries share the same values of secularism, pluralism and democracy, and the distinct honour of having their national anthem written by the same person—Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore. Bangladesh Jatiyo Kabi Nazrul, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Lalon Fakir, etc., are revered on both sides of the border. Their influence transcends political boundaries and inspires people in both countries. Harsh Vardhan Shringla | September 2018 | Strategic Analysis
Explaining Public Policy Choices: A Case Study of the First Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh This article employs the 3-i framework to explore the institutions, ideas, and interests that have shaped the Bangladesh government’s policy choices for implementing the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the first such plant in the country. The logic behind three choices—vendor country, reactor model, and spent fuel management—are analysed. A.S.M. Ali Ashraf , Md. Shafiqul Islam | September 2018 | Strategic Analysis
India’s ‘Act East’ Policy Towards the Two Koreas: Issues and Challenges The Narendra Modi government after coming to power in May 2014 initiated the ‘Act East’ policy to further enhance New Delhi’s engagement with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. However, India’s engagement with the two Koreas has not seen any significant improvement under the Modi government. North Korea’s isolationist policies and its involvement with India’s neighbouring countries with regard to the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies have proved detrimental for relations between New Delhi and Pyongyang. Ranjit Kumar Dhawan | September 2018 | Strategic Analysis
Look/Act East Policy, Roads and Market Infrastructure in North-East India The socio-politico-economic scene in India’s North-east region has guided certain aspects of the country’s domestic and international policy. The Act East Policy (AEP) of the government of India aims to build relations with the countries of South-East Asia, including trade relations, for which the north-east serves as the gateway. This article seeks to analyse the relevance of the policy: How is it grounded in the complex region of north-east India? In what way can it impact the region? Raile Rocky Ziipao | September 2018 | Strategic Analysis
Energy Security: How Decision-Making Processes in India’s Energy Bureaucracy Shape India’s Energy Policy Energy security has evolved to become strategically important for countries, such that the domestic availability of energy resources, coupled with the national energy demand, as well as import and export dependencies on energy resources, have important implications for a country’s economic growth, human development and strategic autonomy. This is especially important for India, which is heavily dependent on imports to meet its domestic energy demand. Niharika Tagotra | September 2018 | Strategic Analysis
