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
A Review of India-Japan Defence Technology Cooperation While broad agreement at the top leadership level has been easy to achieve, negotiations relating to defence equipment and technology cooperation have proved to be difficult, shaped as these are by a complex interplay of variables like cost-competitiveness, technology transfer and domestic politics. Titli Basu | August 31, 2018 | IDSA Comments
China’s vulnerability, India’s opportunity India must jettison the attempt to maintain a balance between China and the US and instead take advantage of China’s internal and external vulnerabilities to gain an upper hand in the asymmetric power equation that has developed. Abanti Bhattacharya | August 27, 2018 | IDSA Comments
Modi’s Tour of Africa Revitalises Relations Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent tour of Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa increased to 26 the number of African countries visited by very senior leaders, thus contributing to a significant reduction in India’s visibility deficit in the continent. Ruchita Beri | August 21, 2018 | IDSA Comments
Examining the Feasibility and Affordability of Raising the Share of Defence Expenditure to Three Percent of GDP The Brief argues that MoD’s total allocations should be considered for any discussion on defence expenditure since the official defence expenditure does not capture all the expenses that the government incurs on national defence efforts. Laxman Kumar Behera | August 20, 2018 | Issue Brief
The Need for a Mid-Term Review of the 13th Defence Five Year Plan The Defence Planning Committee needs to activate its ‘Plan and Capability Development’ Sub-committee and task them to review the 13th Defence Plan in a time bound manner. Vinay Kaushal | August 14, 2018 | IDSA Comments
Pakistan Elections and India Whenever a civilian government has attempted to improve relations with India, it has either had to backtrack on promises made or the Pakistan Army ensures that, through its actions at the LoC and inside J&K, these promises stand scuttled. Deepak Kapoor | August 08, 2018 | IDSA Comments
New Delhi’s Options Post the Publication of the NRC in Assam The best way forward for India is to initiate talks with Bangladesh and seek a mutually acceptable political solution for the issue of illegal immigrants. Pushpita Das | August 02, 2018 | IDSA Comments
