Ajey Lele

With the successful sixteenth flight of the PSLV-C16, the “feel good” factor has returned to ISRO which was buffeted by failures and controversy over the last year.

• Published: April 25, 2011
• IDSA Comments

On the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s space flight, the space scenario appears to be at a crossroads. Because of the economic and other geopolitical compulsions, major powers are found trading cautiously.

• Published: April 20, 2011
• IDSA Comments

This article evaluates the opportunities associated with The Hague Code of Conduct (HCoC) for India. HCoC is a stand-alone agreement against ballistic missile proliferation. Since the 1974 Pokharan nuclear tests it has been tricky for India to get into the non-proliferation mainstream. The success of the 2005 Indo-US nuclear deal is a first step towards global acceptability of India's non-proliferation and disarmament policies. Now, it is important for India to start supporting the international norms which do not affect their strategic programmes.

• Published: March 2011
• Strategic Analysis

In recent years, Iran has come to acquire a significant place in the West Asian region with the ability to influence regional politics. For India, relations with Iran are vital. In the changed strategic environment, both India and Iran have been working towards improving their bilateral relations. However, there are several challenges, especially for India, in this regard. If the Iran-US confrontation intensifies, for example, India may find it difficult to pursue a smooth relationship with Iran.

• Published: January 2011
• Strategic Analysis

The 21st century may not hold the same strategic logic of the 1960s and 1970s towards discovering outer space. Over a period of time, particularly after the end of the Cold War, space appears to have lost some, if not all, of its strategic significance. During 2004, the then US president, George W. Bush, had argued that the 21st century moon exploration initiative by the US should be viewed as part of a journey and not a race. Mostly, the peaceful voyage of global activities in space got a jolt when China conducted an anti-satellite test (ASAT) during January 2007.

• Published: January 2011
• Strategic Analysis

ISRO needs to conduct a thorough enquiry particularly because failure in a time-tested and launch proven “stage one technology” is undesirable.

• Published: December 28, 2010
• IDSA Comments

Sarkozy’s speech at ISRO was an interesting mix of issues relating to geostrategic significance, business, and collaboration in science and technology.

• Published: December 07, 2010
• IDSA Comments

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.

• Published: November 09, 2010
• IDSA Comments

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.

• Published: September 03, 2010
• IDSA Comments

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.

• Published: August 04, 2010
• IDSA Comments