Emerging Contours of India–US Fossil Fuel Trade The value of India’s oil and gas trade with the United States rapidly increased in size over the last two to three years. Efforts by New Delhi to build better bilateral relations with Washington helped to energise the fossil fuel trade. India, as a consumer, can expect to buy oil and gas at reasonable prices in the mid-term, ensured not least by competition among suppliers. However, India’s import of coal from the US suppliers is projected to decline due to recent decision of the Indian Government to become self-sufficient in coal. Sujata Ashwarya | July 2020 | Strategic Analysis
Xunzi’s and Kautilya’s Thoughts on Inter-state Politics Xunzi and The Kautilya Arthasastra are full of rich philosophical thoughts on inter-state relations. This article undertakes a comparison between them in terms of their methods of writing, views on the nature of inter-state systems and arguments about a state’s comprehensive power. This article finds that the leadership’s determination and emphasis on morality are two important shared mentalities between Xunzi and Kautilya. Both attribute the rise and fall of a state mainly to state leadership rather than material factors or the political system. Yan Xuetong | July 2020 | Strategic Analysis
Pakistan’s CPEC Obsession: Boon or Bane? While the ruling elite including army in Pakistan considers CPEC a boon, many analysts view it as a Chinese game-plan to turn Pakistan into a permanent colony, a rentier-cum-client state. Yaqoob-ul-Hassan | June 30, 2020 | IDSA Comments
Time to Leverage the Strategic Potential of Andaman & Nicobar Islands A focused development plan for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which provide India with a commanding geostrategic presence in the Bay of Bengal and access to South and Southeast Asia, could greatly enhance the country’s geopolitical leverage in the Indian Ocean Region. Amb. Sujan R. Chinoy | June 26, 2020 | Policy Brief
Dichotomies in Pakistan’s Approach Towards Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Pakistan has not allowed a genuine democratic system of governance to emerge in PoK, as it interferes with its pursuit of absolute control over the occupied territories. Priyanka Singh | June 26, 2020 | Issue Brief
Deciphering Russia’s New Nuclear Strategy Russia’s new nuclear strategy is both a tactical and a strategic document. It leaves the door open for adversaries to recalibrate their strategies while giving Russia the scope to manoeuvre the ongoing turbulence in its ties with the US Rajorshi Roy | June 23, 2020 | IDSA Comments
It is Advantage Turkey in Libya Under President Erdo?an, Ankara has become more ambitious and is using every opportunity to intervene in regional politics. Md. Muddassir Quamar | June 22, 2020 | IDSA Comments
Expediting Negotiation in Defence Contracts Finetuning negotiation protocols and limiting the scope of negotiations could result in rapid conclusion of negotiations and contract finalisation. Amit Cowshish | June 19, 2020 | IDSA Comments
Chinese Glimmer to Pakistan’s Dam Distress China's decision to fund the controversial Diamer-Bhasha Dam in Gilgit Baltistan could be part of its strategic pursuits in the region to further deepen its engagement in India’s neighbourhood. Priyanka Singh | June 18, 2020 | Issue Brief
Pashtun Tahafuz Movement Compounds Pakistan’s Worries The Pakistan state has clearly failed to suppress the voice of the Pashtuns in the face of their indomitable courage to fight for their rights, and as they say, within the confines of the Pakistan Constitution. Zainab Akhter | June 18, 2020 | IDSA Comments
