North America & Strategic Technologies

About Centre

The Centre focuses on issues related to strategic technologies that have a potential impact on national security. Its main focus is on critical technologies and space technologies. The Centre is engaged in tracking and trend analysis of issues related to Space Security and Cyber Security. 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. The Centre is responsible for the publication of the CBW Magazine – a bi-annual magazine which covers a wide range of issues related to Chemical and Biological Weapons.

Kalam-NSS Indian-American Energy Initiative

The Kalam-NSS Indian-American Energy Initiative is being conceptualized by individuals with experience in the field of space technologies as well as policy planning.

Ajey Lele
November 09, 2010
IDSA Comments

Non-lethal Weapons and Crowd Control

There is a need to appreciate the medical, social and ethical consequences and liabilities of the use of non-lethal weapons before putting them to use.

Ajey Lele
September 03, 2010
IDSA Comments

Convention on Cluster Munitions

Over the years, a broad pattern regarding the states’ response to various arms control and disarmament agreements is becoming visible. Particularly, states which do have peaceful borders and do not envisage any military threats to their security are usually found opting for various disarmament ideas.

Ajey Lele
August 04, 2010
IDSA Comments

Successful launch of PSLVC15

The PSVLC15 launch has enhanced India’s capability in the field of cartography and space reconnaissance and demonstrated its capabilities in the small satellites market.

Ajey Lele
July 16, 2010
IDSA Comments

Bhopal is also about security

Spilling of gas from a chemical factory can happen either because of accidental release or sabotage. In this era of terrorism such threats need to be reviewed on a much broader canvas.

Ajey Lele
June 21, 2010
IDSA Comments

China’s Experiments with Weather Modification: A Cause for Concern

Weather patterns in a neighbouring state can be affected by experiments conducted on own territory. China needs to clear suspicions that have been aroused by its weather modification actions.

Ajey Lele
October 12, 2009
IDSA Comments

Space Technology and Soft-Power: A Chinese Lesson for India

India should engage space have-nots at a different level, going beyond technological and commercial interests.

Ajey Lele
October 05, 2009
IDSA Comments

Moon Mission Malfunction

It is a dream project not only for India’s space research organization (ISRO) but for all Indians. With the successful launch of the Moon Mission, ISRO had put India into the bracket of deep-space achievers. The world took serious note of India’ space programme when in October 2008 ISRO successfully launched its satellite Chandrayan-1 towards the moon. If the 1998 Pokharan nuclear tests had helped India demonstrate its ‘hard power’ status, the success of the moon mission indirectly played a significant role towards establishing the ‘soft power’ credentials of the country.

Ajey Lele
July 20, 2009
IDSA Comments

India Finishes Destruction of its CW Arsenal

This destruction of CWs under the watchful eyes of international inspectors by strictly following a declared roadmap could be said to be a feather in the cap for India’s overall disarmament and arms control efforts.

Ajey Lele
May 21, 2009
IDSA Comments

Iran Enters the Space Arena

One year ago, in February 2008, Iran launched a sounding rocket into outer space to mark the opening of its first space centre. This rocket essentially belonged to the ‘category’ of instrument-carrying crafts. Such crafts are designed to take measurements and perform scientific experiments during their sub-orbital flight. Within a year, on 3 February 2009, Iran successfully launched its first domestically manufactured satellite "Omid" (Hope), which was carried into space by the home-built Safir-2 space rocket.