Bose, beyond the ‘Mystery’ Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has featured prominently in the news—and hence the public consciousness—only from time to time. As was often the case earlier, the recent prominence he has been given has been confined largely to the classified files concerning him and the mystery surrounding his death—reported or real. Although public and media activism can be credited for the pressure built up which led to the partial declassification of files, it is time now to go beyond these limited aspects of the life and times of a personality as great as that of Bose. Amba Pande | July 2016 | Strategic Analysis
Why India matters, by Maya Chadda Few issues have drawn as much attention and have been debated as intensely as the rise of India. There has been a plethora of literature that almost dissects various factors that have contributed to India’s rise and what the future holds for the country. Will India emerge as a major player in the international system? Will it be able to compete with a rising China as an Asian power? These are some of the questions that have confronted scholars of international relations and security. Smruti S. Pattanaik | July 2016 | Strategic Analysis
The Dalai Lama and Tibet’s Future In an ominous way the Dalai Lama recently threatened to terminate the over 400-year-old spiritual lineage of his position, saying that Tibetans no longer require the authority of the Dalai Lama and it would be a shame if a ‘weak’ person succeeded him. In 2011, he also gave up his political authority in favour of an elected leader among Tibetans living in exile. Seemingly, the motive for these measures was to forestall any alternative plan by Beijing to appoint a successor after him and challenge the authority of such an appointment if Beijing does so. P. Stobdan | July 2016 | Strategic Analysis
India’s relations with Indonesia, by Navrekha Sharma and Baladas Ghoshal The process of active collaboration between the practitioner and the scholar can sometimes result in desirable policy outcomes. The book under review is one such commendable initial attempt. Ambassador Navrekha Sharma retired from the Indian Foreign Service (IFS); her assignments included Joint Secretary (JS) South (1999–2001) and Ambassadorial posting to the Philippines and Indonesia. In fact, she had two postings in Jakarta, first as Minister-Counsellor (1993–1996) and later as Ambassador (2006–2008). Udai Bhanu Singh | July 2016 | Strategic Analysis
Prisoners of geography: ten maps that explain everything about the world, by Tim Marshall Maps, world atlases, and travel books have always been invaluable sources of geographic knowledge. These sources, and their pedagogical significance, are a powerful tool used by geopolitical actors to control territories, peoples, and discourses. Thus, world leaders, even leaders of weak nations, are acutely aware of their geography’s importance. This is crucial in the assessment of a state’s geopolitical strengths and weaknesses in relation to its national progress and survival. Necati Anaz | July 2016 | Strategic Analysis
The Decision to Intervene: First Steps in India’s Grand Strategy in the 1971 War One of the most popular anecdotes of the 1971 war is Field Marshal Manekshaw’s tale of how he restrained an impatient Indira Gandhi from ordering an unprepared Indian army to march into East Pakistan in April. The Field Marshal’s prowess as a raconteur fully matched his military skills but exceeded his grasp of the political and diplomatic dimensions of the grand strategy shaped by Indira Gandhi and her advisors. Chandrashekhar Dasgupta | July 2016 | Strategic Analysis
India and SCO – Future Prospects SCO will need to assume responsibility for providing security in Afghanistan in the aftermath of the withdrawal of ISAF forces. Ashok Sajjanhar | June 30, 2016 | IDSA Comments
Potential Defence Cooperation between Papua New Guinea and India The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) is preparing to undergo a major expansion programme. India can assist in enhancing and developing PNGDF’s capabilities without coming into conflict or competition with the Australian interests. Sanjay Badri-Maharaj | June 28, 2016 | IDSA Comments
Political Upheaval in Brazil An early and decisive conclusion to the political crisis in Brazil and also a finality in the position of Rouseff vis-a-vis the presidency appear unlikely. Gautam Sen | June 28, 2016 | IDSA Comments
PSLV launches 20 Satellites in a Single Mission For India, at this point in time, ISRO developing expertise with multiple launch technology is more important from the commercial perspective. Ajey Lele , Tushar Shrivastav | June 28, 2016 | IDSA Comments
