EU–China and EU–India: A Tale of Two Strategic Partnerships More than a decade has passed since the European Union (EU) signed strategic partnerships with China (2003) and India (2004). The EU’s ‘honeymoon’ with China was over within a few years while cooperation on truly strategic issues with India is yet to emerge. The core of both these relationships is still economics. Gulshan Sachdeva | July 2014 | Strategic Analysis
The Limits of ‘Hybrid Governance’ in Afghanistan The following commentary argues that the strategic and structural solutions proffered by advocates of ‘hybrid’ governance—encompassing elements from distinctly different ideological backgrounds or schools of thought—ignore or fail to address certain inherent shortcomings in their approach that are counter-productive to the ongoing and long-term statebuilding and peacebuilding projects in Afghanistan. The following study elucidates some of these shortcomings. Srinjoy Bose , Nishank Motwani | July 2014 | Strategic Analysis
Addressing Violent Extremism: Lessons from Sri Lanka In the years since the hostilities in Sri Lanka ended in 2009, the understandable international focus on the evidence of war crimes by both sides has diverted attention from certain other questions that emerge from the 26-year conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan government. Here I briefly explore three general questions that have arisen not only in Sri Lanka but also in many other modern conflicts, including those characterised by what is variously called asymmetric warfare, violent extremism or terrorism. Adam Roberts | July 2014 | Strategic Analysis
Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Bangladesh: A new beginning? While the visit was proposed as a good will visit, some of the issues that have been bedeviling bilateral relations came up for discussion particularly, from the Bangladesh side, the conclusion of Teesta and the ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA). The EAM assured Dhaka that New Delhi would conclude the LBA and is already in the process of building a consensus on Teesta. Smruti S. Pattanaik | June 30, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Why Non-Alignment has greater relevance in Modi’s India The global thrust on economic integration has certainly accrued greater space to India that the non-alignment actually stands for. It allows India to reach out to both the US and China without fear of taking sides and draw in the benefits from both of manufacturing, investments, trade and commerce. Abanti Bhattacharya | June 29, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Kashmir: Finding Lasting Peace India continues its elusive search for peace in Jammu and Kashmir(J&K), in the face of Pakistan’s proxy war and dissatisfaction among some sections of the youth in Kashmir Valley. Vivek Chadha | June 26, 2014 | Policy Brief
FDI in Defence – Revisiting the Conundrum The proposal to relax the present cap on FDI in defence has expectedly drawn sharp reactions. Those who oppose argue that higher FDI is not required and, more importantly, it will not be in national interest, not the least because it will stymie the process of indigenization. This calls for a dispassionate analysis. Amit Cowshish | June 26, 2014 | IDSA Comments
Revisiting India’s Nuclear Doctrine In principle there is nothing wrong in revisiting the doctrine but such revisions/reviews must be based on sound and valid reasons. The proponents of the doctrinal review argue that India’s existing doctrine is ill-suited to deter Pakistan from using tactical nuclear weapons against India. G. Balachandran , Kapil Patil | June 20, 2014 | IDSA Comments
China’s Second Coast: Implications for Northeast India Myanmar’s 2,276 km long coastline in the Bay of Bengal has the potential to provide the ‘second coast’ to China to reach the Indian Ocean and achieve strategic presence in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Especially transportation logistics to the ‘second coast’ from landlocked south west Chinese provinces like Yunnan have both economic and strategic benefits Namrata Goswami | June 19, 2014 | IDSA Comments
India-Sri Lanka Fishermen Problem: Some Solutions New Delhi should work out an arrangement with the Rajapakse government wherein the rights of both the countries’ fishermen are protected within the respective territorial jurisdiction. If this is not done, the welfare of the Sri Lankan Tamils, which different governments of India have endeavoured to promote as part of a decided long-term policy, will be compromised. Gautam Sen | June 18, 2014 | IDSA Comments
