Commentary
Find our newspaper columns, blogs, and other commentary pieces in this section. Our research focuses on Advanced Biology, High-Tech Geopolitics, Strategic Studies, Indo-Pacific Studies & Economic Policy
Indian Express | The colonial era of AI is here — India must chart its own course
By Arindam Goswami
The Paris AI Action Summit, with its impressive array of declarations and initiatives, could not mask a deeper geopolitical reality: We have entered the colonial era of artificial intelligence, where corporate sovereignty increasingly trumps national sovereignty, and global governance and ethics have been put on the backburner while still being paid lip service. The final declaration by the real power players— the US and the UK — speaks volumes. They are the tech giants who have effectively colonised the digital frontier.
By Arindam Goswami
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Firstpost | Creative insecurity: What India can learn from Chinese DeepSeek saga
By Arindam Goswami and Shobhankita Reddy
DeepSeek benefitted from a supportive structural Chinese research and development ecosystem that existed for several decades. Also, Xi Jinping’s vision for a ‘Chinese Dream’ and national rejuvenation is rooted in technological supremacy
By Arindam Goswami and Shobhankita Reddy
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Hindustan Times | Power shifts in China’s defence establishment
By Anushka Saxena
Xi’s anti-corruption campaign aims to consolidate power and ensure loyalty within the PLA but has inadvertently exposed factional divides.
By Anushka Saxena
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StratNews Global | China’s R&D Engine: Technology Diffusion Seamlessly Across Sectors
By Arindam Goswami
China's giant strides in developing cutting-edge technologies and ensuring these are disseminated where they are needed, is a tribute to the scientific eco-system they have evolved.
Massive investment, a deliberate alignment of, and removal of barriers between military and civilian research, and a clear commitment to becoming the global leader in critical technologies are vital characteristics of China’s S&T ecosystem.
It is a whole-system approach, which also focuses on building the requisite skill infrastructure, and recognises the capacity of General Purpose Technologies (GPTs) to increase economic productivity, and thereby, military prowess, by the process of diffusion into pervasive use in a wide range of activities and sectors.
By Arindam Goswami
Read the full article here.
ThinkChina | Is India warming up to Chinese investment?
By Amit Kumar
China’s investments in India, historically underwhelming, have dropped further with India’s fears of China’s “opportunistic takeovers”, says Indian researcher Amit Kumar. But a more favourable Indian public discourse towards Chinese investments and the potential for win-win benefits could turn things around.
By Amit Kumar
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The Times of India | One story, two endings, two countries
By Anushka Saxena
With the India-China patrolling agreement in eastern Ladakh holding up so far – both sides are carrying out verification patrols – following Modi and Xi’s meeting on the sidelines of Brics summit in Kazan, the optimistic developments along LAC are dominating the airwaves. But as welcome as such an agreement may be, it isn’t the complete reality of the India-China relationship. There is, in fact, a more systemic rift still visible in bilateral ties – one that has perhaps gone unnoticed in the wake of the patrolling agreement.
By Anushka Saxena
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The Hindu | Zeroing in on methane diplomacy, at COP29
By Rakshith Shetty
The Baku meet is an opportunity for India to fast-track its efforts in reducing methane emissions
By Rakshith Shetty
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Life of Soldiers | ‘Integration’ in the PLA Western Theater Command: Practices and Patterns
By Anushka Saxena
Since wide-sweeping reforms of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) began in 2015, efforts of the country’s defence apparatus are oriented towards creating an “integrated” force capable of fighting and winning “high intensity, short duration, localised wars.” Integration has been focal to prepare for achieving the intended goal, and has manifested itself in both doctrine and real-time combat preparedness exercises. In the Western Theater Command of the PLA, which has a primary operation direction towards India, requirements to make integration a reality are reflected, too.
By Anushka Saxena
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Deccan Herald | The carbon costs of the Israel-Gaza war
By Rakshith Shetty
As the war in Gaza continues to unfold, most of the attention is rightly focused on the immense human suffering and loss of life. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire, with thousands dead, millions displaced, and infrastructure decimated. However, one aspect of this war that is often overlooked is the environmental impact, specifically the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the military operations.
By Rakshith Shetty
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The Diplomat | BRICS Summit Was a Vote of Support for Global Governance Reform, Not for Russia
By Vanshika Saraf
Ideological politics is not on the agenda for these states, but economics, climate, and food security are.
By Vanshika Saraf
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The Quint | A Partner in Taiwan
By Anushka Saxena
India welcomed a third representative office from Taiwan in Mumbai despite China’s efforts to undermine the latter.
By Anushka Saxena
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Money Control | Germany is India’s gateway to tighter European integration
By Vanshika Saraf
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and PM Modi will today co-chair the 7th Intergovernmental Consultations. India’s largest trade partner in Europe is upbeat about cooperation with India in the backdrop of its goal of reducing economic dependence on China. An institutional framework to enhance cooperation built over two decades offers an ideal platform to take ties to the next level.
By Vanshika Saraf
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Money Control | India-China equation reset is at a new normal, not the old one
By Manoj Kewalramani
Power asymmetry between the two countries and the likelihood of just a limited easing in the trade relationship make going back to pre-2020 phase impossible. Moreover, there’s no evidence of a dialogue yet on next step towards de-escalation. Keep your fingers crossed and expectations contained
By Manoj Kewalramani
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Deccan Herald | India’s waning interest in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
By Amit Kumar and Vanshika Saraf
China's military exercises highlight regional tensions as Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te asserts sovereignty. His recent remarks signal a policy shift, encouraging potential cooperation with Beijing, despite ongoing tensions. Lai’s statements challenge China’s role as a peace broker in global conflicts.
By Amit Kumar and Vanshika Saraf
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Money Control | China-Taiwan Tensions: A shift in cross-Strait policy language
By Anushka Saxena
China's military exercises highlight regional tensions as Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te asserts sovereignty. His recent remarks signal a policy shift, encouraging potential cooperation with Beijing, despite ongoing tensions. Lai’s statements challenge China’s role as a peace broker in global conflicts.
By Anushka Saxena
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The Indian Express | India-China border agreement: Five reasons to be cautiously optimistic
By Manoj Kewalramani
The announcement is just the first step in a long process of normalisation of the situation along the boundary areas. For starters, the agreement needs to be implemented on the ground, with patrolling becoming normalised
By Manoj Kewalramani
Read the full article here.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute | What we can tell from China’s ICBM test
By Anushka Saxena
China’s decision to test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean on 25 September was unusual—but not very unusual, because the country has similarly tested shorter-range ballistic missiles over a variety of geographies.
By Anushka Saxena
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The Diplomat | Beijing’s Potential Retaliation Looms as EU Approves Chinese EV Tariffs
By Rakshith Shetty
China will attempt to punish the states that held firm on the tariffs, while sparing those that switched positions.
By Rakshith Shetty
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The Print | India should steer clear of an ‘Asian NATO’. Its strategic flexibility is at stake
By Yusuf T. Unjhawala
Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba’s proposal for an Asian NATO stems from his belief that the absence of a collective defence alliance could lead to wars. It’s a step too far for India.
By Yusuf T. Unjhawala
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Nikkei Asia | China isn't ready to shift to a consumption-driven economy
By Amit Kumar
Investment-led export-oriented approach has acquired further salience under Xi
By Amit Kumar
Read the full article here.