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
The Diplomat | New Regulations Seek to Address Chinese Military Veterans’ Concerns
By Anushka Saxena
China’s military veterans have organized a long line of protests against low pensions and corruption. Will the latest changes finally assuage their complaints?
By Anushka Saxena
Read the full article here.
Hindustan Times | How India must respond to the crisis in Bangladesh
By Yusuf Unjhawala
The geopolitical implications of this crisis go beyond immediate bilateral concerns. Bangladesh’s strategic position and its ties with China add significant complexity to the situation
By Yusuf Unjhawala
Read the full article here.
Deccan Herald | India’s future course with Bangladesh
By Yusuf Unjhawala
The BNP and Jamaat have historically been anti-India and pro-China. If they come to power, Bangladesh’s tilt towards China could become more pronounced.
By Yusuf Unjhawala
Read the full article here.
Nikkei Asia | India is well placed to become the 'next China' and drive global growth
By Amit Kumar
Nation faces opportunities and challenges in becoming an economic powerhouse
Read the full article here.
Geospatial World | Developing an Effective Space Strategy for India’s Defence
By Y Nithiyanandam
In an exclusive interview with Dr. Nithiyanandam, Head of the Takshashila Institution’s Geospatial Program discusses India’s unique approach to military space development and the increasing importance of Geospatial in defence.
By Y Nithiyanandam
Read the full article here.
Watch the full interview here
Outlook | India's Electric Vehicle Imports: German Cars with Chinese Characteristics
By Rakshith Shetty
While India has seen a surge in EV imports, mainly from Germany, a closer look reveals a concerning trend - a significant portion of these imports may inadvertently increase India's dependence on China
Read the full article here.
Firstpost | As AI arms race heats up, India’s role will be crucial
By Arindam Goswami
While India may not be competing directly in Graphics Processing Unit manufacturing, its software-centric approach to AI development could redefine the parameters of technological leadership in the artificial intelligence era.
As countries seek to diversify their tech partnerships beyond the US-China axis, India's growing AI capabilities and neutral stance could make it an attractive collaborator.
By Arindam Goswami
Read the full article here.
The New Indian Express | India's assurances and Bhutan's challenges: A delicate balance in the Himalayan kingdom
By Y Nithiyanandam
India's assurance that financial support for Bhutan's crucial initiatives will continue without interruption serves as a testament to the strong ties between the two countries.
Read the full article here.
The Diplomat | China’s Show of Force With Belarus Amid NATO Concerns
By Anushka Saxena
As NATO sharpens its focus on China, Beijing is tightening its own military ties to Belarus.
Read the full article here.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute | Chinese soldiers gear up for winter warfare
By Anushka Saxena
China is putting great effort into developing its soldiers’ ability to operate in high-altitude and cold environments, increasing its military capacity relative to India. Skills as simple as shovelling snow have become part of combat training exercises. Equipment, facilities and procedures are being improved in what appears to be a highly systematic approach to mitigating the challenges of moving and fighting in the Himalayas and adjacent areas.
Read the full article here.
Mint | Five steps for India’s new government to get its data act together
By Narayan Ramachandran
Reform India’s statistical system. We need a data glasnost, a population census, closer tracking of the labour market, an effort to fix bugs in GDP estimation, and separate statistical tools employed by states. The story of our economic emergence must be free of distortions.
Read the full article here.
Observer Research Foundation | Higher Defence Organisation Reforms in India
By Anushka Saxena
The concept of ‘revolution in military affairs’ (RMA)a incorporates the integrated capabilities of the armed forces to create a unified fighting force. In India, these efforts have resulted in Higher Defence Organisation (HDO) reforms in the past decade, notably in the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) post, envisioning Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs), and incorporating ‘jointness’ efforts in the overall Indian military doctrine. With India’s national security interests being threatened by the highly integrated Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), India’s HDO reforms are a step in the right direction. However, these reforms are not without challenges.
Read the full article here.
Mint | Here are basic principles for an effective national security set-up in India
By Nitin Pai
In an age where the complexity of the national security ecosystem has grown by orders of magnitude compared to 2008, the national security advisor’s role needs clarity, but it’s crucial that the NSA appointee has the prime minister’s confidence.
Read the full article here.
The Diplomat | From Russian Ladas to Chinese BYDs: Central Asia’s Changing Priorities
By Rakshith Shetty
Beijing is steadily drawing the region into its orbit and away from Russia’s traditional sphere of influence.
Read the full article here.
The Print | PM Modi’s absence from the SCO summit weakens India’s power as a swing state
By Lt General Prakash Menon
Even as it keeps India tied up in the Himalayas, China is focused on the Indo-Pacific. Swing state diplomacy is India’s counter to this game plan.
Read the full article here.
The New Indian Express | New Telecom Act risks normalising dangerous culture of unaccountable state intrusion
By Satya S Sahu
Any law student can attest to the principle that definitional uncertainty goes against the core tenets of good legislative drafting, which call for clear and targeted provisions.
Read the full article here.
The Indian Express | Why normalcy in India-China ties is likely to stay elusive
By Manoj Kewalramani
Complete disengagement and de-escalation in Eastern Ladakh can provide a starting point for steps to be taken in other domains. Achieving this requires sustained and often frustrating dialogue at multiple levels to devise a roadmap of action
Read the full article here.
Firstpost | Putin’s North Korea visit making China uneasy
By Manoj Kewalramani and Aadit Pareek
Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang has sent a signal to Beijing that Moscow has other allies too.
Read the full article here.
NDTV | Is India Ready To Go All-EV By 2034? Absolutely Not
By Arindam Goswami
A few days ago, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari made a startling announcement: the Union Government plans to eliminate petrol and diesel vehicles by 2034, replacing them primarily with electric vehicles (EVs). This bold move, touted as a step toward reducing carbon emissions and achieving climate goals, could lead India into a crisis of epic proportions if not meticulously planned and executed. The hidden carbon footprint of EVs, the inadequacy of our renewable energy infrastructure, the strain on our power grid and the economic and geopolitical ramifications, all paint a grim picture of a policy that could backfire disastrously.
By Arindam Goswami
Read the full article here.
The Times of India | Shake hands for the House
By Saurabh Todi & Shrikrishna Upadhyaya
LS has started with fireworks. But this Parliament is tasked with greenlighting major changes like delimitation. Treasury & opposition will have to talk, do backroom negotiations & arrive at workable solutions.
Read the full article here.