India’s Stance on the ‘Asian NATO’: Between ‘Status’ and ‘Security’ Dilemmas ‘Security’ and ‘status’ complexities are critical impediments for any state’s foreign policy; and India is no different. This article argues that as the China threat looms large, New Delhi will not be in complete repudiation of an ‘Asian NATO’ (or “Indo-Pacific NATO”), despite strategically refraining from being party to a definitive military alliance and an age-old non-alignment principle. However, India’s support will be contingent on the future trajectory of its ties with Beijing. Jagannath P. Panda January 2022 Strategic Analysis
Southeast Asian Defence Markets: Opportunities for India A larger exchange of defence business between India and Southeast Asia may consolidate India’s position in the regional security architecture, and also forge greater political alignment with important ASEAN partners. Akash Sahu December 29, 2021 IDSA Comments
The Biden Administration and the Future of ‘No First Use’ Although the ideas of nuclear arms control, nuclear security and nuclear disarmament have featured in several US official statements and joint statements with other countries, will US adopt the ‘No First Use’ policy, remains to be seen. Rajiv Nayan December 28, 2021 IDSA Comments
Various Facets of the ‘Traffic Light Coalition’ in Germany With few convergences among partners, the path of the “traffic light coalition” headed by Olaf Scholz is laden with challenges, but also offers spaces for positive action. With several new faces in key positions, its success would lie in maintaining continuity, and tweaking it to accommodate necessary changes when required. Swasti Rao December 23, 2021 IDSA Comments
Putin’s Visit to India: Launch of a Revitalised Partnership President Putin’s short but highly consequential visit to India and the launch of the 2+2 format have imbued new dynamism into the bilateral partnership. There might be a few areas of divergence between the two sides but spheres of convergence are much greater. Ashok Sajjanhar December 16, 2021 IDSA Comments
Pentagon Report and the Chinese Nuclear Forces Assessment The rapid increase in the nuclear forces of China, as revealed in the 2021 Pentagon Report, is a matter of serious concern. Several countries are undertaking exercises to ascertain the strategic and security implications of the feared expansion of the Chinese nuclear stockpile. Rajiv Nayan December 14, 2021 Issue Brief
Strengthening India–Vietnam Friendship Considering that the year 2021 marks the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam, the upcoming visit of Mr Vuong Dinh Hue, the current Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly, to India is likely to strengthen India–Vietnam relationship further. P.K. Chakravorty December 14, 2021 IDSA Comments
Intersecting Geo-economics and Geopolitics: Nord Stream 2 and Europe Nord Stream 2, a Russian undersea gas pipeline project that intends to deliver natural gas from Siberia to Germany, currently sits at an intersection of several geopolitical and geo-economic cross-currents that determine the economic security as well as the geostrategic balance of Europe. Swasti Rao December 10, 2021 IDSA Comments
China’s Inconsequential Bid to Sign Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty Showing readiness to sign the SEANWFZ treaty seems to be a low-cost, high-return proposition for Beijing. It could be a calculated symbolic gesture having no bearing on the region’s precarious security situation. Niranjan Chandrashekhar Oak December 09, 2021 IDSA Comments
India–Russia Cooperation in Indian Ocean Region, Arctic and Russian Far East India–Russia cooperation in the Indian Ocean and the Arctic, including the Russian Far East, could give strong thrust to their deepening engagement. However, there is a need for heavy lifting from both sides to achieve the desired potential. Anurag Bisen December 06, 2021 Policy Brief