Maldives Revisited This Occasional Paper is a brief first-hand personal account of the Tevents, discussions, decisions and the action taken in November 1988 by the Government of India to provide help to the Government of Maldives to quell an attempted coup. Arun Kumar Banerjee | | Occasional Papers
Analysing China’s Digital and Space Belt and Road Initiative The recently held second Belt and Road forum in April 2019 based on the theme “Shaping a Brighter Shared Future" gained considerable momentum in the world community. BRI has been an ever evolving concept that has changed considerably since its inception in 2013. It has generated a blend of optimism and consternation around the world. Ajey Lele | | Occasional Papers
The Need for Renaissance of Military History and Modern War Studies in India The paper makes a case for the need for a renaissance of military history, and modern war studies in India. There is a wide gap in knowledge base of contemporary military history and war studies in India compared to advances made at global level. P. K. Gautam | | Occasional Papers
Looking “East” Through India’s North East: Identifying Policy “Challenges” and Outlining the “Responses” This paper throws light on challenges like lack of infrastructure, crisis of insurgency, the disjuncture between the elites and the social base in the North East regarding the “Look East” policy, and the states' incapacities during the implementation process of this policy. Namrata Goswami | | Occasional Papers
Makran Gateways: A Strategic Reference for Gwadar and Chabahar The spirit of 'Connectivity', a salient motif in early-twenty first century international relations (IR), has provided an amenable context for a review of geo-determinism in IR theory and the defence of classical geopolitical models as analytical frameworks. No contemporary case study is perhaps more admissible in this regard than the scramble for connectivity leadership in Central and South Asia. Philip Reid | | Occasional Papers
Impact of Modernisation of Police Forces Scheme on Combat Capability of the Police Forces in Naxal-Affected States: A Critical Evaluation This occasional paper attempts to assess and analyse the impact of the MPF scheme on building police combat capability in affected States. Om Shankar Jha | | Occasional Papers
India and Bhutan: The Strategic Imperative Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemed aware about the nuances Pthat underpin India's cultural and political obligations in Asia. By making Bhutan as his first visit abroad followed by a visit to Nepal, he has effectively invoked the deeper imperatives to revitalize India's national interests. P. Stobdan | | Occasional Papers
Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: Trends and Challenges Pakistan's most critical foreign policy concerns in the last few years relate to the deadlock in relations with India and India's success in isolating Pakistan regionally and internationally due to its support for terrorism. The success of its peace overtures to Afghanistan are constrained by various complexities arising out of the unpredictable situation in Afghanistan and the role of external powers like the US, China and Russia in the ongoing peace process. Sumita Kumar | | Occasional Papers
Measures To Deal With Left – Wing Extremism/Naxalism The assertions by the Ministry of Home Affairs that the Maoist challenge could be dealt with in three years seems to be ambitious, given present-day the ground realities. If coordinated action is taken, perhaps, their challenge could be defeated in approximately seven to 10 years. A welcome development is that the various state governments and the Union Government have begun to evince willingness to deal with the issue. Doubtless, the Maoist challenge can certainly be defeated. P. V. Ramana | | Occasional Papers
The Acquisition of Rafale Aircraft: Facts and Concerns That Ought To Be In the Public Domain The acrimonious debate in the public space on the acquisition of Rafale aircraft has been primarily focused on a few issues. The debate does not inform the public about the long, arduous and complex nature of the programme and the joint effort invested in it. The uniqueness of this programme is also not in the public domain. It does not specifically inform the lay person as to the rationale for restricting the numbers to two squadrons, and carries on oblivious of the collateral effect it may have on future acquisition programmes. Vinay Kaushal | | Occasional Papers