India-South Korea Relations: A New Beginning South Korean President’s visit has initiated a common vision and a roadmap between the two countries based on political cooperation, open economic and trade environment and deeper cultural understanding. India’s growing emphasis on its ‘Look East Policy’ and South Korea’s ‘New Asia Diplomatic Initiative’ is pushing the relationship to one of ‘strategic partnership.’ Pranamita Baruah January 29, 2014 IDSA Comments
International Reactions to the Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh Unlike the major global powers which termed the polls “non-representative”, India – the closest regional ally of Bangladesh, recognised Sheikh Hasina’s victory despite a “record low voter turnout” and supported her in staking claim to form the next government. Rupak Bhattacharjee January 28, 2014 IDSA Comments
Maoists Look for Safe Sanctuaries and External Support The CPI (Maoist) is fully aware that a movement of this magnitude cannot sustain on its own for long without any external support; be it in terms of funding, weaponry, training, refuge or ideological support. Given India’s geopolitical location, it would come as no surprise if the CPI (Maoist), through its aggressive efforts, is able to garner substantive resources for its disposal. V.K. Ahluwalia January 27, 2014 IDSA Comments
Internal Security Trends in 2013 and a Prognosis The internal security situation in India reflected a marked improvement in 2012-2013 relative to previous years. This Issue Brief offers an assessment of the major trends in 2013 for Jammu and Kashmir, the land borders of India, Naxalism, the Northeast, terrorism and radicalism in India. It also offers a prognosis for the year ahead. Internal Security Centre January 24, 2014 Issue Brief
Malkangiri: The Tri-junction under Maoist Fire Compared to the worst Maoists-affected state of Odisha, in the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, the level of violence has come down substantially. In the coming years, Malkangiri and other south-western border districts of Odisha will continue to bleed because of the Maoist quest for safe havens in these districts during hot pursuit by the Chhattisgarh police. Nihar R. Nayak January 23, 2014 IDSA Comments
Syrian Chemical Weapons Crisis – The Challenges Alleged Use of CW – Joint Investigation The incidents of alleged Chemical Weapons (CW) attack which killed more than 1400 innocent civilians in Syria in August, 2013 has raised the… Continue reading Syrian Chemical Weapons Crisis – The Challenges H.R. Naidu Gade January-June 2014 CBW Magazine
Political Crisis in Thailand and Its Effects on Foreign Relations While the main purpose of the protest movement is to end Thaksin Shinawatra’s influence and expose corruption, the sense of animosity and mistrust towards other countries among the Yellow Shirts and Democrat Party supporters is the by product that is severely affecting Thailand’s external relations with the US, other key partners, and its overall position in Southeast Asia. Sasiwan Chingchit January 22, 2014 Issue Brief
Indian Companies – Need for a Clear Definition The Defence Procurement Procedure 2013, as also its earlier versions, does not define an Indian company. Some would argue that the answer is very simple: any entity registered in India under the Companies Act, 2013 or any other relevant statute and operating with a valid license, where such a license is required, qualifies as an Indian company, enterprise, institution or establishment. Amit Cowshish January 22, 2014 IDSA Comments
INS Vikramaditya – Deployment Options for India With the INS Vikramaditya’s arrival in India, it is time to undertake a dispassionate assessment of the ship’s possible uses and deployment options. The Indian navy would be well served if it considered employing the ship in a ‘soft power projection’ role – as a versatile asset to be used in diplomacy and regional outreach, disaster relief and humanitarian missions. Abhijit Singh January 21, 2014 Issue Brief
Governance in Northern Province of Sri Lanka: Stresses and Strains It is essential to codify the executive instructions for administering the northern province under some statutory rules issued at the provincial level with concurrence of the central government. The statutory rules should not leave any scope for cognizance of directives or advice from the provincial governor to the provincial officials. Gautam Sen January 21, 2014 IDSA Comments