India and the Nuclear High Road: Nuclear Cooperation Agreements with Japan and Australia Apart from the United States, India's nuclear cooperation agreements with Japan and Australia have been the most contentious domestically within those countries. The 'slow embrace' of India's civil nuclear credentials by Japan — given the four years for negotiations to begin (after the December 2006 Joint Statement which talked about discussions regarding such an agreement with India) in addition to the six years it took for negotiations to bear fruit — took place despite the strategic context of increasingly closer economic, political, and security ties. S. Samuel C. Rajiv | 2019 | Monograph
Military Logistics Agreements: Wind in the Sails for Indian Navy Availability of logistics support facilities with partner countries will further enhance the ability of the Indian Navy to maintain appropriate ‘presence’ for extended periods in the wider Indo-Pacific. Roby Thomas | November 26, 2019 | IDSA Comments
Protocol for Contract Administration and Post-Contract Management There is a need to evolve a protocol for contract administration and post-contract management of all capital and revenue contracts awarded by various departments of the defence ministry and the armed forces. Amit Cowshish | November 25, 2019 | IDSA Comments
Defining the Charter of Chief of Defence Staff Having decided to create the post of CDS, the next logical step for the government is to define its charter of duties and responsibilities. The government needs to examine not just the CDS’s role as a single-point military advisor, but also his role in other matters that are equally important in driving critical defence reforms. Laxman Kumar Behera | November 21, 2019 | IDSA Comments
Combating Terrorism: Evolving Asian Perspectives Publisher: Pentagon Press This anthology of essays traverses a wide range of issues exploring the inconsistencies in the global war on terror, and brings together diverse perspectives from eminent academia, practitioners, technologists and civil society from Asia. It takes the conversation beyond the academic realm by delving into first person accounts from authors who are living and fighting terrorism in the heart of conflict zones in the region. ISBN: 978-93-86618-81-8, Price: ?.1245/- E-copy available Shruti Pandalai | | Book
Baghdadi’s Elimination: ISIS Down but Not Out The ISIS may be down but not out as it is in the process of regrouping. A large number of their cadres are known to have survived. Any relaxation of pressure will give ISIS room for manoeuvre and ability to garner support of local allies. G.G. Dwivedi | November 13, 2019 | IDSA Comments
Significance of SDGs and India’s Evolving Global Role India has demonstrated a bold commitment to multilateralism. On all three parameters – ideational, diplomatic and institutional – India’s role is a continuation of a long lineage. As for the implementation of SDGs, India is trying to ensure that its impressive growth trickles down to the last man standing through proactive state interventions. Arpita Anant | November 08, 2019 | IDSA Comments
ISIS Crisis: Unknown ‘Caliph’ of an Absent Caliphate The possibility of total decimation of ISIS gives the world an opportunity to take the fight against global terror to several localised jihadist groups operating across the world, before they forge new cross-continental alliances and give rise to a larger terror conglomerate. Adil Rasheed | November 05, 2019 | IDSA Comments
Xi’s Nepal Visit Reveals a Grander Chinese Himalayan Approach President Xi’s Kathmandu visit sets a new parameter for the China-Nepal ties, moving away from the traditional interstate relations based on simple bilateral modes of engagement. Beijing seems to be orchestrating a Himalayan approach in its relations with Kathmandu – revealing a grander Chinese policy in making. Jagannath P. Panda , Mrittika Guha Sarkar | November 04, 2019 | IDSA Comments
Saudi Drone Attacks: A Preliminary Military Evaluation The September 14 strikes targeting Saudi oil refineries demonstrated an exceptional level of mission accomplishment that is possible with drones today. In the coming times, drones are likely to get an increasing share in augmenting the decisive role of air power. Atul Pant | November 01, 2019 | IDSA Comments