Simran Walia

An annual high-level QUAD-ASEAN Forum could provide a structured platform for ensuring sustained cooperation and policy coordination.

• Simran Walia |
• September 15, 2026 |
• IDSA Comments

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Simran Walia’s article ‘Exercise Veer Guardian 2026: Building Capability and Interoperability’ has been published in Japan Forward on 08 Spetember 2026. Japanese fighter aircraft will operate from an Indian air base for the first time, marking a new step in India-Japan defense cooperation, says Ms Walia. Read Complete Article [+] Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India

Manila is deepening its defence and security cooperation with like-minded countries such as India, Japan and Australia.

• Simran Walia |
• August 31, 2026 |
• Issue Brief

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Simran Walia’s article ‘India and Japan’s Emerging Shipbuilding Partnership’ has been published in ‘The Diplomat’ on 23 July 2026.

The future of India-Japan security cooperation lies in shipyards – and maybe with the Mogami-class frigate, writes Ms Walia.

Read Complete Article [+]

Prime Minister Modi’s visits to Australia and New Zealand from 8 to 11 July 2026 mark a significant milestone in India’s engagement with the southern Indo-Pacific.

• Simran Walia |
• July 16, 2026 |
• Issue Brief

Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Simran Walia’s article ‘Japan’s AI Pivot: Navigating Labour Scarcity in an Ageing Society’ has been published by Observer Research Foundation on 23 June 2026. Facing an ageing population and labour shortages, Japan has made AI and automation central to its economic survival — testing how far technology can replace people, and exposing where human judgement and care still cannot be replaced, says Ms Walia. Read Complete Article [+] Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

The 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea in favour of the Philippines continues to shape maritime governance and strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific.

• Simran Walia |
• June 23, 2026 |
• IDSA Comments

The New Delhi Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting reinforced the framework's practical mechanisms for shaping the Indo-Pacific's political and economic architecture.

• Simran Walia |
• June 01, 2026 |
• IDSA Comments

Research Analyst Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Simran Walia’s article ‘Marcos Visit Signals Deeper Japan-Philippines Strategic Ties’ has been published in Japan Forward on 27 May 2026. President Marcos Jr.'s four-day Japan visit is expected to deepen security and economic cooperation amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific, writes Ms Walia. Read Complete Article [+] Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

The defence relations between the United States and the Philippines dates to 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT), and has evolved over the years into a modern, mature, comprehensive security partnership. Against the backdrop of growing tensions in the South China Sea, and China’s continuous force posture in region, Washington and Manila agreed to sign the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in November 2024.1 This is a landmark negotiation as it provides the essential legal framework needed for the transfer of classified intelligence and data on advanced weapon systems, thereby materialising the vision of real-time data-sharing, crisis response and deterrence operations. GSOMIA further complements existing bilateral agreements including the Visiting Forces Agreement 1998, and the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement 2014, thus strengthens interoperability, and completely inducts the Philippines into the US-led regional security architecture.

• Khyati Singh, Simran Walia |
• January-March 2026 |
• Journal of Defence Studies