An Indian Perspective on United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) AFRICOM is a new institution representing the new manner of US engagement. This is different from the EU model of engagement and comes at a time when India and China are seen as important partners of Africa. This paper is written to provide an insight into AFRICOM from an Indian perspective of Africa. This differs from the EU view and also from Africa's own response. US policy towards Africa consists of African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) + AFRICOM; whereas AGOA is better understood, AFRICOM is not. This paper proposes to fill some of the gaps in its understanding. Gurjit Singh | May 2010 | Strategic Analysis
India’s Diplomatic Infrastructure and Software: Challenges for the 21st Century Kishan S. Rana | May 2010 | Strategic Analysis
Obama’s Policy towards East Asia President Barack Obama's foreign policy orientation towards East Asia seems to be characterised by continuity rather than change, and is not so very different from that of his predecessors. With Japan and South Korea, Obama is trying to revitalise bilateral alliances. With China, he continues on his predecessor's policy of greater engagement, though he has offered some concessions during his visit to Beijing in November 2009. However, North Korea remains a real and huge challenge for Obama to test his engagement in East Asia. Pranamita Baruah , Rajaram Panda , Shamshad A. Khan | May 2010 | Strategic Analysis
Constitutional Impasse in Gilgit-Baltistan (Jammu and Kashmir): The Fallout The legal status of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is part of Jammu and Kashmir that is under Pakistani occupation, has remained undefined in successive Pakistani constitutions. Pakistan governs the region with ad hoc presidential ordinances, resulting in transitory political arrangements. It was Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto who first introduced the so-called Northern Areas Governance Order of 1994, after shelving the draconian and inhumane Frontier Crimes Regulation, with which Pakistan ruled the region like a colony. Senge H. Sering | May 2010 | Strategic Analysis
India–Bhutan Relations: From Developmental Cooperation to Strategic Partnership The India–Bhutan relationship is perhaps the only bilateral engagement in South Asia, yielding high dividends to both parties. While Bhutan all through the years has appreciated India for its economic assistance, India, for its part, has been sensitive to Bhutan's developmental needs. The relationship has helped Bhutan shape a unique developmental trajectory based on gross national happiness. Bhutan's economy has grown substantially in recent years. However, the development cooperation between the two countries can be effectively divided into three significant waves. Medha Bisht | May 2010 | Strategic Analysis
India and Bangladesh: The Road Towards Common Peace and Prosperity After a hiatus, relations between India and Bangladesh are back on track again. This period was ushered in with the Awami League government assuming power in Dhaka after the culmination of the much delayed ninth Jatiya Sangsad elections. The bilateral relations received a further boost with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's four-day visit to India on January 10, 2010. It was breakthrough visit for a number of reasons. Sreeradha Datta | May 2010 | Strategic Analysis
Issues and Prospects of the NPT Review Conference 2010 It is unlikely that the Revcon will be able to agree on a credible roadmap for nuclear disarmament although there may be some marginal progress on some issues. Arvind Gupta | April 30, 2010 | IDSA Comments
Impending Crisis in Nepal With Prachanda’s announcement that the Maoists intend to launch an indefinite nationwide general strike, a major crisis seems to be brewing in Nepal. Nihar R. Nayak | April 29, 2010 | IDSA Comments
The ICC’s Role in Sudan: Peace versus Justice In order for ICC jurisdiction to truly have a sway it needs to be credible as a deterrence mechanism, and it should keep track of the political strategies used by various actors to resist a tribunal. Mayank Bubna | April 28, 2010 | Issue Brief
Hughes, Christopher W., Japan’s Remilitarization Crippled by US drafted pacifist Constitution and growing pressure from the pacifist lobby within the country, Japan adopted a pacifist security policy during the Cold War period and various governments adopted policies such as ban on arms export and related technology, 1% GDP cap on defence spending, three non-nuclear principles and non- use of space for defence purposes. Shamshad A. Khan | April 2010 | Journal of Defence Studies
