North America & Strategic Technologies

About Centre

The Centre tracks relations between India and the countries of North America. US and Canadian internal developments are also monitored to have a better understanding of their role as drivers of foreign and domestic policies. The large Indian diaspora in these two countries also serves as a bridge for strengthening bilateral relations.

The Centre also actively tracks and analyses trends in strategic technologies, with principal focus on critical technologies and their implications for national security. It addresses evolving threats in space security and cyber security, ensuring comprehensive research into these critical domains. The other mandate of the Centre is to undertake research on Biological and Chemical Weapons with a focus on studying the dangers of proliferation and terrorism.

A Missile in the Monkey’s Shadow?

Iran’s investments in space should not be viewed only through the narrow prism of a nuclear threat but as a nascent attempt to challenge the West’s technological domination.

Ajey Lele
January 31, 2013
IDSA Comments

India’s New Science Policy is about Innovation

STI 2013 envisages the creation of a word-class infrastructure for R&D and skill development as well as encouraging the scientific community by providing adequate opportunities and better career options.

Ajey Lele
January 09, 2013
IDSA Comments

The Indian Space Programme in 2012: A Review

While 2012 saw ISRO’s 100th space mission, its continued dependence on a single operational launch vehicle in the form of the PSLV has meant dependence on foreign launch services for heavier class satellites.

Radhakrishna Rao
January 02, 2013
IDSA Comments

The Existing Biological Threat: Evaluating the Seventh Review Conference of the BTWC

Bio terrorism is emerging more as possibility in the 21st century not only because of the changing nature of terrorism but also because of rapid growth in life sciences. These developments have been a concern for the BWC regime. In this backdrop the paper discusses the 7th Review Conference which was concluded in December 2011.

China to Launch Satellite for Sri Lanka: India’s Missed Opportunity?

India has much to learn from China with regard to using space as an ‘instrument of influence’ and also needs to expand the global footprint of its expertise.

Ajey Lele
November 16, 2012
IDSA Comments

Some takeaways from the Budapest Conference on Cyberspace

Even as imagined and real cyber security threats scale new heights, the story coming out of the recently concluded Second International Conference on Cyberspace in Budapest was one of a widening gulf between countries, notwithstanding the stated intent of bridging differences through dialogue.

Cherian Samuel
October 11, 2012
IDSA Comments

GSAT-10 is a success but ISRO needs to advance its Launch Capabilities

India’s inadequacies in the space arena are not limited to how much weight its launch vehicles can carry into space but also extends to the number of launches that ISRO can carry out in a year.

Ajey Lele
October 01, 2012
IDSA Comments

The Invisible War in West Asia

The two recent malware attacks on energy companies in West Asia are particularly worrisome since they represent a rapid escalation in capabilities and intent on the part of the perpetrators.

Cherian Samuel
September 07, 2012
IDSA Comments

Robot now, Human Later: America’s Mars Dream

The US will undertake a manned mission to Mars to once again demonstrate its supremacy as well as to demonstrate the limitations of China’s rise.

Ajey Lele
August 09, 2012
IDSA Comments

China Consolidates the Rare Earth Industry and Builds Strategic Reserves

China’s success in the rare earth industry is the result of both careful thought and consideration at the highest policy making levels which have constantly expedited reform in the industry.