IBSA at 10: South–South development assistance and the challenge to build international legitimacy in a changing global order This commentary engages with the IBSA model of South–South development assistance. It focuses on the IBSA Trust Fund to demonstrate the growing political relevance of the partnership in development assistance initiatives. This is followed by an analysis of Brazil's increasing participation in South–South development assistance in many developing countries around the world. Marco Antonio Vieira | May 2013 | Strategic Analysis
IBSA: Avoiding Being BRICked Up In his opening address at the 2011 India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) summit held in Pretoria/Tshwane, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa said the essence of the grouping was ‘Back to Basics: When Democracy and Development Work Together for a Better Life’. Elizabeth Sidiropoulos | May 2013 | Strategic Analysis
Lessons from Somdurong Chu Incident Incursions and incidents of escalation are not new to India-China relations. Importantly they have been successfully diffused by a combination of adroit diplomacy, ‘show of force’ and political statesmanship. Mandip Singh | April 26, 2013 | IDSA Comments
China’s Defence White Paper 2013: Lessons for India Struggling to deal with a rigid China on the intractable border issue, India would do well to digest the core assertions of the white paper, including the growing reach of the PLA, its professionalisation, keenness to protect overseas interests, modernisation of the nuclear arsenal, and growing role in foreign policy making. Arvind Gupta | April 25, 2013 | IDSA Comments
The Korean Imbroglio North Korea’s uranium enrichment programme has made the US jittery and is not totally confident of reopening the six-party talks. Washington needs assurances regarding North Korea’s future nuclear programmes and the key to finding a solution to the present stalemate lies with Beijing. R. S. Kalha | April 25, 2013 | IDSA Comments
LAAD Exhibition: Showcase of Brazilian Self-Reliance Like many other developing counties, Brazil also believes in self-reliance in arms manufacturing and has articulated comprehensive national defence policy with a strong support of its armed forces. There could possibly be some lessons for India. Laxman Kumar Behera | April 25, 2013 | IDSA Comments
Tunisia’s shaky transition Constant bickering between Islamist and secular leaders has resulted in deadlock over the new constitution. The Ennahda-led government has been caught between the rock and a hard place, having to deal with increased hostility of the Salafi jihadist movement while at the same being accused of being lenient by the secularists. Melissa M. Cyrill | April 22, 2013 | IDSA Comments
China’s Defense White Paper: An Assessment The latest White Paper differs from previous documents in notable ways. It has little to offer by way of greater transparency related to numbers and policies. The document suggests a more confident China positioning for greater activism in global affairs. Rukmani Gupta | April 22, 2013 | IDSA Comments
Religious Tensions in Sri Lanka A series of anti-Muslim campaigns particularly after the end of the Eelam War is giving an impression that the Sri Lankan Muslims are becoming the next scapegoats of majoritarianism. Gulbin Sultana | April 22, 2013 | IDSA Comments
China-Russia Relations: Bonding but Can it Endure? This issue brief looks at the growing China-Russia relationship in the backdrop of a volatile North East Asia and the US ‘rebalancing’ to Asia –Pacific. While China-Russia relations have not always been cordial, this time it’s a win-win for both-at least for the present. Mandip Singh | April 18, 2013 | Issue Brief
