Nuclear Security Summit Process: An Indian Perspective The third Nuclear Security Summit will be held in The Hague, Netherlands in March 2014. This visionary nuclear diplomacy will be facing both old and new questions at its third meeting. The basic question relates to the future of the summit process, which has made a significant contribution to international security in a very short span of time. The summit process, however, may serve it better, and the strengthening of the regime must be continued through the next two summits. However, with or without the summit process, the nuclear security regime has to be strengthened. Rajiv Nayan | March 2014 | Strategic Analysis
Roadmap for Success of the Nuclear Security Summits and Beyond The Nuclear Security Summits are at a midway point but have not yet reached their full potential of eliminating weak links in the global nuclear security system. The first two summits, in Washington and Seoul, have had a beneficial impact by identifying common objectives, galvanising international action and reducing stockpiles of vulnerable nuclear materials. However, improving nuclear security governance is an important new issue. It could be introduced at the 2014 summit in The Hague and be a springboard for action at the 2016 summit in the US. Kenneth N. Luongo | March 2014 | Strategic Analysis
Nuclear Terrorism: Assessing the Danger This article attempts to make a realistic assessment of the danger of nuclear terrorism. While acknowledging the catastrophic consequences of an act of terrorism employing either an improvised nuclear device or a violent attack against a nuclear installation causing spread of lethal radioactivity, it also highlights the complexity of the challenges likely to be confronted by any would-be nuclear terrorist. Naeem Salik | March 2014 | Strategic Analysis
Need for action plan to counter KLO The recent violent incidents carried out by the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) in the sensitive eastern and north-eastern parts India have serious security implications. Conscious intervention of the centre in concert with the state governments of West Bengal and Assam and even Sikkim, as well as with cooperation of the Bhutan government is required at the earliest. Gautam Sen | February 28, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Shinzo Abe’s Visit to India: Reviewing the Strategic Partnership Japanese prime minister Abe realises that solely relying on the US-Japan security alliance might not serve national interest in the fast evolving regional security architecture. So the leadership is diversifying its options and strengthening cooperation with countries like India and Australia. Titli Basu | February 27, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Iran under Rouhani: From Confrontation to Reconciliation Rouhani’s presidency has injected a new tone in Iran’s foreign policy, marking a dramatic shift from Ahmadinejad’s policy of confrontation with the West. Rouhani’s policy towards the neighbouring countries has received strong support while his policy of engagement with Obama administration and the nuclear deal have generated intense debate. M. Mahtab Alam Rizvi | February 26, 2014 | Issue Brief
India’s Interim Defence Budget 2014-15: An Appraisal The 10 per cent growth in the interim defence budget although looks impressive from outside, it has a poor outlook on the modernisation front. Much of the hike in the interim budget is consumed by the increase in salary, leaving very little to meet the defence modernisation requirements. Laxman Kumar Behera | February 23, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Political Turmoil in Bangladesh Likely to Continue The BNP has urged the government to arrange for dialogue. The AL says the BNP must snap ties with the Jamaat before engaging in negotiation. The uncompromising attitude of the two leaders is the main hurdle to initiate concrete steps for resolving the ongoing political impasse. Many Bangladeshis feel that it would take at least another year to reach an agreement. Rupak Bhattacharjee | February 19, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Heavy Satellite Launch Vehicles: An Assessment This brief has carried out an assessment of the launch vehicles used globally for launching of heavy satellites into the geostationary orbit. This assessment is mainly based on the comparison of the various features of different launch systems and the characteristics of the propellants put in use. Ajey Lele , Parveen Bhardwaj | February 19, 2014 | Issue Brief
Maoist Finances: Sources, Methods of Collection and Utilization Citing IDSA Report, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, RSN Singh said in the Rajya Sabha recently that “…the CPI(Maoist) party has been collecting not less than Rs 140 crores annually from a variety of sources. Further, the possibility of certain front organizations of the CPI (Maoist) … clandestinely getting foreign funds cannot be ruled out.” P. V. Ramana | February 17, 2014 | IDSA Comments
