Shruti Pandalai

The narrative of ‘the return of geopolitics’ to the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) is gaining traction in the larger discourse of the Indo-Pacific, primarily driven by the anxiety over People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’s) expanding engagement in the region. The exacerbation of international tensions, amplified by the Sino-US rivalry, comes even as the Islands navigate intra-regional frictions, challenges of economic development, illegal fishing, climate change and issues related to self-determination and decolonisation. India’s renewed outreach to the PICs under PM Modi’s leadership has found wide appeal, as was visible during his visits to the Pacific Islands and his interaction with leaders via the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). Given this context, this monograph will attempt to briefly introduce the relevance of this contested geography to regional and extra-regional players. It will unpack the internal dynamics of regional tensions and examine the agency of PICs. It will expand on how China’s actions are redefining geopolitics in the region and discuss these contested narratives. Within this backdrop, it will also explore how Indian engagement has been perceived in the region and conclude with prescriptive options of steps India could take, including with regional partners, to anchor meaningful presence in the PICs region.

• Shruti Pandalai |
• 2026 |
• Monograph

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Shruti Pandalai's article, ‘Raisina Dialogue: A huge global geopolitical churn pushes India to be more agile’ has been published in Money Control on 01 April 2025.

Ms Pandalai’s review essay argues that ‘India is agile, looking for partners and possibilities recognising that fundamental changes are afoot in the global order and the churn is here to stay.’

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Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Shruti Pandalai's Op-ed ‘As Modi meets Trump, the premise and promise of US-India ties’ has been published in Money Control on 12 February  2025.

Ms Pandalai argues that PM Modi’s Washington visit is primed to create new avenues for cooperation, manage expectations and align ecosystems to ensure ties stay the course.

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Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Shruti Pandalai’s Review Essay ‘India’s Indo-Pacific Approach in 2024 and Vision for 2025: Building on Regional and Global Influence’ has been published in South Asian Voices on 31 December 2024.

India's 2024 Indo-Pacific strat focuses on the Quad, BRICS and diverse partnerships, while eyeing key priorities for 2025: tech edge, economic integration and neighborhood stability, says Ms Pandalai.

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• Haans J. Freddy |
• May-June 2024 |
• Strategic Analysis

Australia’s pursuit of strategic equilibrium has become the defining feature of its foreign policy in recent times.

• Shruti Pandalai |
• 26 April 2024 |
• Issue Brief

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Shruti Pandalai’s Oped ‘The Pacific Islands, an Indian counter to China’ has been published in the Hindustan Times on 25 May 2023.

Ms Pandalai writes on the significance of PM Modi’s trip to the Pacific Islands and why it matters for India’s G20 presidency and undo Pacific Vision.

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Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Shruti Pandalai's Oped ‘China is raising LAC heat as part of a plan’ has been published in ‘The Hindustan Times’ on December 23, 2022.

Ms Pandalai's Oped on the recent clashes in Tawang identifies the perils of the third country prism in India China ties and argues that in the absence of strategic trust, this constant testing of waters should worry not just India but our friends and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

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India can carve a niche as a capacity-builder in helping the southern Pacific countries meet developmental goals and tackle climate change.

• Shruti Pandalai, Akash Sahu, Shruti Sharma |
• September 02, 2022 |
• Issue Brief