Shruti Pandalai
India’s Defence Budget: Trends Beyond the Numbers
In the larger scheme of things, fiscal prudence is a good trait and the reduction in deficits desirable, yet an overtly ambitious approach of reducing deficits into a number game may lead to developments that may hurt us not only in the security arena but in economic growth as well.
Who Sets the Agenda? Does 'Prime Time' Really Pace Policy?
At a time when the country is seeing crises - political, social and moral, the role of the media is rising in perception as never before. But how much does 'prime time' in the era of 24 hour news coverage actually impact policy? This monograph unpacks the perceived influence of the media in specific foreign policy episodes and argues that while it has introduced accountability and real-time responses to issues, it still has not been able to establish long term policy impact.
Enduring Legacy of 1962: Cementing the Conflict of Perceptions in Sino-Indian Ties
Fifty years since the 1962 war, India and China have moved on to become world powers with engagement and competition characterizing their relationship in keeping with the rules of realpolitik.
Don’t Shoot the Messenger: The ‘Un-Social’ Strategy
The raging controversy on social media regulation post the violence in Assam has left the government in a losing perception battle. It is time to engage with the new media and exploit its potential to communicate strategically and not shoot the messenger
Lessons from 2011: The New Media Revolution is a Strategic Asset
What was new in 2011 was the idea of a new media revolution: the convergence of various forms of media—television, social, and online networks which, when combined together, became a powerful weapon in the hands of the common man.
The Olive Branch from Pakistan, in its Time of Crises
India’s recent encounters with Pakistan show surprisingly warm diplomacy, with an open declaration from Islamabad of “mending the trust deficit.” This upswing in relations however comes with no guarantees.
The 2011 Mumbai Serial Blasts and India’s ‘Resilience’
With India’s security apparatus once again standing exposed and the security overhaul envisaged after 26/11 being still a work in progress, it is time for some harsh introspection.
al Qaeda: Beyond Osama-bin Laden
The death of Osama bin laden, is not the end of al Qaeda. It may disable it, but will not kill ‘al Qaeda the idea or movement’. We need to remember that bin Laden and al Qaeda articulated a political grievance which will not disappear with his elimination. The 'war of ideas' is still on.
China Entices Myanmar as India Struggles to ‘Look East’
India must revitalise, implement and act on infrastructure and economic development projects in the North East to build its relationship and harness the energy potential in Myanmar.
