Private Sector Participation in Defence Production: Industrial Licensing and FDI Issues Notwithstanding positive developments over the last decade, certain grey areas in industrial licensing and FDI policy need further improvement to facilitate the private sector’s more meaningful participation in the Indian defence industry. Laxman Kumar Behera | January 27, 2012 | IDSA Comments
How Accurate is the NTI Nuclear Materials Security Index? While the project that produced the Report engaged some credible scholars from western universities and elsewhere, but the control and leadership exercised on the project by known non-proliferation activists may have sent a wrong signal to the non-western world. Rajiv Nayan , Ch. Viyyanna Sastry | January 24, 2012 | IDSA Comments
The New Year Saga: China Dampens Tibetan’s Celebration The Chinese New Year celebrations formally began on Monday, January 23. China has become 4710 years old as per its lunar calendar. This year will be known as the Year of the Dragon, which symbolises strength and prosperity. The New Year celebration is one of the longest and the principal festive season for the Chinese: the official holiday itself extends over a week or two. Tibet and Tibetans, however, have to wait a little longer for their New Year celebrations. Jagannath P. Panda | January 24, 2012 | IDSA Comments
Popular Demonstrations in Russia and Putin’s Return to the Presidency Putin is likely to overcome ongoing protests and return as President in the March elections, although his popularity could fall further if he fails to respond to the growing signs of discontent on significant issues relating to transparency and accountability. Nivedita Das Kundu | January 23, 2012 | IDSA Comments
Analysing the failed Coup in Bangladesh The failed coup indicates the penetration of Islamists and more specifically that of the Hizb ut-Tahrir whose main support base is among the educated youth, who are highly motivated and belong to affluent families in urban areas. Smruti S. Pattanaik | January 23, 2012 | IDSA Comments
Bangladesh survives yet another Military coup attempt Ever since the India-friendly Sheikh Hasina government came into office after sweeping the December 2008 general elections, her domestic opponents and their foreign patrons have been plotting the ouster of her government through undemocratic means. Rajeev Sharma | January 23, 2012 | IDSA Comments
China’s White Papers on Space: An Analysis China's space programme is not only an attempt to demonstrate technological or military superiority, but is aimed at achieving great power status. Ajey Lele , Gunjan Singh | January 20, 2012 | Issue Brief
Disaster Management in South-east Asia South-east Asia is the epicentre of frequent disasters of varying intensity. The damage to life and property caused by these disasters is comparable to that caused by war. Disasters disrupt the national economy and social development. Besides, the world has shrunk and news about the hardship suffered by the people is rapidly disseminated. As such, the management of disasters has become a key concern of governments confronted with an increasingly aware civil society and a shorter reaction time. Udai Bhanu Singh | January 2012 | Journal of Defence Studies
Chinese PM in Nepal: A short visit but a long trail? Wen Jiabao’s visit came about at a time when China is concerned about the ongoing political instability in Nepal and is looking for new political partners after the fall of the monarchy. Nihar R. Nayak | January 18, 2012 | IDSA Comments
Sikkim Earthquake: Perils of Poor Preparedness An earthquake of the magnitude 6.9 on the Richter scale occurred in Sikkim and the neighbouring states of West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar on September 18, 2011. The tremors were felt in five other Indian states, besides affecting neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and China. Although few lives were lost (111 in all) despite the high magnitude of the quake, primarily because its epicentre was in the remote and thinly-populated area of Mangan, significant lessons were learnt in its aftermath. Nina Khanna , Jayender Verma , B.K. Khanna | January 2012 | Journal of Defence Studies