Monograph - MP-IDSA

Iran’s ‘Pivot’ to Asia: Quest for Survival and Regional Cooperation

This monograph attempts to analyse Iran's Look East strategy, which became the macro framework of Iran's foreign policy after the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018 and more effectively under President Ebrahim Raisi. It delves into various geopolitical and economic drivers of Iran's pursuit of long-term partnerships with China and Russia. It seeks to understand how Iran's regional policy is responding to the new geopolitical dynamics in Central Asia and the Caucasus following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Azerbaijan's victory in the second Nagorno-Karabakh war. It also examines the problems and prospects in India-Iran ties, especially in the context of Iran's Look East strategy.

Taliban’s Amnesty: An Assessment

The Taliban's unwritten and ambiguous 'general amnesty' neither implies Tpolitical integration nor national reconciliation. It's about total control, and about who gets to stay and who gets to come back, and on what terms. In the absence of any credible political opposition, and with more and more Afghans being deported or forced to return to the country, including the exiled members of the previous regime, the Taliban's Contact Commission will remain in business in the foreseeable future. However, reports of violation of 'general amnesty' by the Taliban members, particularly in the case of mid and low ranking former military personnel, have exposed the limitations to the implementation of the amnesty decree across the country.

The Unending Conflict: Dilemmas of Dealing with Sectarianism in Kurram

The monograph focusses on the unending sectarian conflict in the Kurram district in Pakistan. It traces the history of Kurram, the origin Tof the Turi Shias and chronicles major incidents of sectarian conflicts in the district. It argues that sectarian violence in Kurram, Pakistan, between Shias and Sunnis is deeply rooted in historical animosities, exacerbated by the state’s Sunni-Islamist orientation and external influences like the Afghan Jihad and Saudi-Iran rivalry.

India’s Coastal Security Construct – A Holistic Security Perspective

This monograph explores the Coastal Security Construct in a holistic manner. India's economic growth and sustainable development is intrinsically linked to seas and oceans around it. It's leaning on Blue Economy is thus natural. In the maritime domain, development, governance and security are mutually inclusive. Thus, India's maritime surveillance and governance capabilities will decide its future economic growth.

Evolving Military Roles in Cyberspace: A Five Nation Perspective

This monograph explores the varying approaches of the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Israel towards military engagements in cyberspace, detailing their initial strategies, underlying expectations, and the resultant outcomes. By examining these diverse national strategies, the study provides insightful analysis into the evolving perspectives and practices regarding military involvement in cyberspace across different states.

Afghans in Need: Positing India’s Continued Engagement With Afghanistan

With the leaders of the Taliban regime making a concerted effort to reach out to India, and India making it clear that it will remain committed to the people of Afghanistan, the ground appears to have been laid for engagement based on a working understanding on mutual “non-interference” and “non-threat”. However, the challenge lies in building trust between the two sides.

Military – Civil Technology Fusion (MCTF) For Making India Atmanirbhar Global Drone Hub@2030

This monograph examines civil and military drone policies, organisational structures, technology development initiatives, ecosystems, strengths, challenges, and proposes a way forward. It recommends formulating a civil drone atmanirbharta policy, designating nodal ministry of drone technology, creating organisational structures for civil drone R&D, launching civil drone technology development initiatives and instituting course corrections in defence UAV development programs.

Influence Operations: The Sharp Power of Non-Kinetic Subversion

nfluence Operations refers to the use of non-military means of Ipsychological, informational and political influence and subversion to undermine the security and governance of a targeted country. Revolutionised by 21st century Information Communication Technology (ICT), Influence Operations (or simply IOs) have today developed into a highly insidious, cost-effective and often non-attributable forms of hybrid warfare.

Indian and Chinese Approaches to United Nations Peacekeeping in Africa

This monograph delves into Indian and Chinese approaches to UN peacekeeping in Africa, offering insights into how these rising powers interact with African nations. It analyzes their motivations and guiding principles in peacekeeping on the continent, comparing their approaches and highlighting differences in scope and impact.

Discerning India’s Kashmir Strategy: Approach, Challenges and Outcomes

The annulment of Article 370 on 5 August 2019 is considered a watershed in the seven-decade long history of India's approach towards Kashmir. The rescinding of a separate special status and, subsequently, the endorsement by the Supreme Court verdict on 11 December 2023 marked the culmination of India's long haul project to constitutionally absorb the former princely State of Jammu and Kashmir.