Critical Defence Technologies – The DRDO Perspective DRDO has been the torchbearer of the defence research and development in the country. It has been responsible for identifying critical technologies, working out modalities for technology development and identifying partners for technology acquisition. The author argues that the government along with several other stakeholders such as the Services and the industry need to play an important role in the technology development and production. It is emphasised on successful research and development which requires steady funding and incentives for scientific talent. Nabanita R. Krishnan July 2009 Journal of Defence Studies
An Editorial and Its (Mal) Contents An editorial in the New York Times on July 18, 2009 ahead of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to India - ‘Secretary Clinton goes to India’, has generated a lot of interest. S. Samuel C. Rajiv July 25, 2009 IDSA Comments
Why Uighurs did not get support from West Asia? The recent clashes that occurred between the Uighur Muslims and the Han Chinese workers in a toy factory and the subsequent spread of violence throughout the Xinjiang Uighur region have elicited strong responses from around the world. The clashes led to the death of over 184 people and left hundreds injured. The issue has also drawn world attention for the way it has been handled by the Chinese government. Prasanta Kumar Pradhan July 24, 2009 IDSA Comments
Jakarta Blasts and Jemaah Islamiyah Indonesian police confirmed on July 19 that the twin blasts at the Ritz Carlton and Marriott Hotels in Jakarta two days earlier, which left nine people dead (including two suicide bombers) and more than 50 injured, was the handiwork of Jemaah Islamiyah. This shows that terrorism and terror networks are still existent in Indonesia, a nascent democratic country with the largest Muslim population in the world. These blasts are meant to create panic and show that the nebulous terror groups like Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) are trying to come out of their oblivion. Pankaj K Jha July 23, 2009 IDSA Comments
The Strategic Aspect of Migration from China’s North-East to Russia’s Far East In a conference on socio-economic development in Kamchatka Kray in 2008, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that if Russia does not step up the level of activity of its work in the Russian Far East (RFE), it may risk losing territory. The tone of his remarks was ‘unprecedented’ and reminiscent of former President Vladimir Putin’s even more direct and straightforward warning, who observed in 2000 that “if the authorities failed to develop the region, even the indigenous Russian population will mainly be speaking Japanese, Korean and Chinese in a few decades.” Prashant Kumar Singh July 23, 2009 IDSA Comments
Overview of National Implementation Measures for Use of Microorganisms – BTWC Concerns It is well recognized that modern technologies have dual use applications both for peaceful purposes as well as hostile use. Modern biology and bio-technology offer novel ways of manipulating basic… Continue reading Overview of National Implementation Measures for Use of Microorganisms – BTWC Concerns B. M. Gandhi July-September 2009 CBW Magazine
European Union Policy on CBRN security: A Primer The European Commission (EC) adopted on June 24 a policy package on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) security. With the sole aim to strengthen the protection of European Union… Continue reading European Union Policy on CBRN security: A Primer Alok Rashmi Mukhopadhyay July-September 2009 CBW Magazine
Making U.S-India 3.0 Work The photo-ops with CEOs and students notwithstanding, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s much anticipated visit to India did not reach anywhere near the euphoria that marked the visit of her husband President Clinton to India in 2000. Her interactions also seemed to lack the genuine bonhomie between two friends that was seen during the visit of President Bush in 2006. Cherian Samuel July 21, 2009 IDSA Comments
Deconstructing the Joint Statement Diplomatic and political naivety, coupled with enormous pressure from a clueless America helplessly flailing its superpower muscle in the Af-Pak region, and of course that old disease that all Indian Prime Ministers’ suffer from – a sense of manifest destiny to normalise relations with Pakistan – have led to a Joint Statement by the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers in Sharm-el-Sheikh which is full of concessions, compromises and climb-downs by India. Sushant Sareen July 20, 2009 IDSA Comments
Tackling or Trailing the Taliban : An Assessment Due to the long and porous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the situation in the region could worsen with Taliban groups from both sides joining hands to fight the US and Pakistani forces Harinder Singh July 20, 2009 Issue Brief
