Non-Traditional Security

No posts of Books and Monograph.

Where Hawks Dwell on Water and Bankers Build Power Poles: Transboundary Waters, Environmental Security and the Frontiers of Neo-liberalism

Hydropower development clearly has a significant role to play in the closer integration of different parts of the Himalayas and in facilitating downstream benefits throughout South Asia. However, the neo-liberal approach to infrastructure-led growth frequently overlooks the significant social, economic and political issues associated with this model of development in the region. Furthermore, the ongoing securitisation of water constrains the terms of debate under the guise of a unified national interest and enables large-scale dams to be constructed without due process.

Nations without Borders: Climate Security and the South in the Epoch of the Anthropocene

The standard narrative on modern geopolitics is being re-scripted. Previous ingredients that made up the literature on high politics such as securing resources, rivalries over the control of territory and war plans are increasingly being replaced instead by concerns about the ‘mundane’ politics of global energy plans, food systems, infrastructure and city design. Meaningful geopolitics in the time of climate change, in other words, would now have to grapple with the inescapable urgency for sustaining key ecological, biological and atmospheric indicators at the planetary level.

The ‘Sir Creek’ Dispute: Contours, Implications and the Way Ahead

Sir Creek, the 17th and last drainage branch of the river Indus, is a meandering riverine feature approximately 92 km (50 NM) long in the low-lying marshy region of Rann of Kutch. The Sir Creek boundary dispute between India and Pakistan is rooted in differing interpretations of the 1914 resolution passed by the Government of Bombay (GoB) or Bombay Residency.

Experiences from the International Rhine Water Management

Germany, located in Central Europe, has access to different national and international river basins and lakes, including the Rhine, Elbe, Danube and Lake Constance. Precipitation in Germany differs between comfortable amounts in the Alpine region (1500–2000 mm/a) to moderate amounts in the central and northern regions (600–800 mm/a). In brief, the geological conditions are in favour of successful groundwater storage.

Global Governance Debates and Dilemmas: Emerging Powers’ Perspectives and Roles in Global Trade and Climate Governance

The growing international influence of so-called emerging powers has had a major impact on global governance, leading to new challenges for established and emerging powers alike. This contribution outlines the expectations of established powers and the debates on the state of global governance in the field of International Relations, as well as the positions and policies of emerging powers.

The Legal Regime of the Arctic and India’s Role and Options

The Arctic Ocean is melting. Essentially, this means that new sea routes will open up for international navigation, and large resources, especially oil and gas, lying underneath the frozen ice will become more accessible and exploitable. Therefore, in the emerging contemporary debates concerning the Arctic, two important questions are raised: what is the legal regime that applies to navigation in new shipping routes that will open up with the melting of Arctic ice and what is the legal regime that governs the exploitation of the vast oil and gas resources?

The Arctic and India: Strategic Awareness and Scientific Engagement

A global temperature rise is being experienced earliest and most intensely in the Arctic region. The changes are worrying but the commercial interests are equally enticing. The Arctic is witnessing the convergence of the geophysical, the geo-economic and the geostrategic in strange and dramatic ways, making it a paradox and an antithesis. For India, the Arctic is distant when it comes to economic interests and near when it comes to climate change.

Russia’s Strategic Concerns in the Arctic and Its Impact on Japan–Russia Relations

Russia places a high strategic priority on the Arctic from a security perspective, in view of the need to secure the Northern Sea Route as well as develop natural resources in the region. While large-scale snap military inspections were taking place in Russia’s Far East in July 2013, five Chinese navy vessels passed into the Sea of Okhotsk—the first such instance in history.

Russia’s China Policy in the Arctic

This article discusses the type of partnership Russia pursues towards China in the Arctic. Through evidence, the author finds that while Russia may be aiming for an overall strategic partnership, Arctic developments on the whole conclude on a pragmatic approach. Russia needs assistance to develop the Arctic and an eastward diversification is opportune. Russia’s energy development in the Arctic indicates an emerging strategic co-operation with China, but policies towards Beijing concerning the Arctic Council and the Northern Sea Route prove to be more pragmatic.

Arctic: The Next Great Game in Energy Geopolitics?

As global warming and melting of the ice is making the Arctic increasingly accessible, the region’s hydrocarbon riches are attracting international interest. Thus far, despite the presence of vast untapped energy and mineral resources, the Arctic is not considered a geopolitical hotspot. In fact, many of the Arctic states have dismissed the possibility of conflict over the region’s spoils due to the collaborative governance model that has been established.

China’s 13th Arctic Expedition

Chinese scientists successfully carried out tasks at the North Pole onboard their first domestically built polar ice-breaker Xuelong 2.

Bipandeep Sharma
November 10, 2023
IDSA Comments

Current Issues in Climate Change

The problems caused by climate change have been recognised as one of the greatest concern of this century. The subject is futuristic, relevant and multi-disciplinary with many stakeholders. The matter encompasses not only the health of the planet itself, but also that of nations and individuals.

Ladakh’s Vulnerability to Flash Floods: Adaptation and Mitigation Measures

Ladakh's ecological balance has been disrupted due to climate change, altering weather patterns and water flow, which are leading to frequent perilous floods.

Ravinder Singh
September 18, 2023
IDSA Comments

South America’s ‘Lithium Triangle Countries’ and Green Transition

The Latin American countries of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile have emerged as the lithium bank to fuel green transition.

Priyanshi Agrawal
August 17, 2023
Issue Brief

India’s Arctic Endeavours: Capacity Building and Capability Enhancement

India needs to adopt a whole-of-nation approach, involving industry, academia, and think tanks, to build a comprehensive institutional base on Arctic issues.

Anurag Bisen
July 27, 2023
Policy Brief

The Ukraine Crisis and India’s Fertiliser Security

India has taken policy initiatives to ensure fertiliser security and mitigate challenges arising out of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Norway’s Priorities for its Arctic Council Chairship 2023–2025

Given the ongoing geopolitical contestations and the current state of Norway’s relations with Russia, Norway may not be able to fully realise the ambitious agenda for its upcoming presidency of the Arctic Council.

Improving Global Food Security: The Impact of the Black Sea Grain Initiative

The Black Sea Grain Initiative has played a vital role in bridging the demand and supply gap and providing a degree of stability to the growing global food insecurity.

Richa Kumaria
March 27, 2023
Issue Brief

Clean Energy Transitions in Vietnam: Opportunities and Challenges

Even as Vietnam has Southeast Asia's largest installed solar and wind power capacity, coal will continue to be the country’s primary source of energy till 2030.