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
Moneycontrol | Canada's inclusion of India as cyberadversary is a deliberate political move; here’s why
By Lokendra Sharma
A perusal of Canada’s ‘National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025-2026’ report against the backdrop of the current India-Canada relations indicates that India’s inclusion as a cyberadversary is a deliberate last-minute political decision
By Lokendra Sharma
Read the full article here.
Deccan Herald | A Strategic Thrust To Space Beyond Borders
By Ashwin Prasad
As space activities grow beyond the traditional state-led programs, policy is beginning to catch up. On October 17, the US government eased space-related export controls to expand its commercial sector's reach. However, trade liberalisation in the space sector should evolve beyond allowing hardware sales. International cooperation between the US and its allies can distribute the space technology supply chains beyond national borders across trusted geographies. When spread across globally, technology development will reduce costs, enable specialisation, facilitate innovation, increase production rates and promote geopolitical stability on Earth and beyond.
By Ashwin Prasad
Read the full article here.
Resonant News | China’s Advanced firing range and probable SIGINT facilities near in Shigatse (Tibet Autonomous Region)
By Y Nithiyanandam
This report finds that a sophisticated PLA firing range near Shigatse is being used for high-altitude target practice and weapon calibration. Secondly, it finds evidence of probable SIGINT systems that can listen to a range of signals, including military and submarine communications, from vast distances.
By Y Nithiyanandam
Read the full article here.
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
Read the full article here.
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
Read the full article here.
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
Read the full article here.
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
Read the full article here.
The Hindu | Sustainability science for FMCGs
By Shambhavi Naik
FMCGs should be a priority target sector for ANRF, the new public-private partnership initiative, and the BioE3 policy of the government
By Shambhavi Naik
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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
Read the full article here.
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
Read the full article here.
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
Read the full article here.
The Hindu | The shifting sands within global supply chains
By Lokendra Sharma and Pranay Kotasthane
Proposed U.S. rules on Chinese connected car tech and Israel’s pager attacks indicate the changing focus of global supply chains — from resilience to security
By Lokendra Sharma and Pranay Kotasthane
Read the full article here.
Money Control | Rupee internationalisation is no cakewalk
By Anisree Suresh
India and Myanmar are working on a local currency trade settlement mechanism. Despite the bilateral trade being a negligible share of India’s overall trade, the challenges in creating a smooth settlement process here are a pointer to the larger issues which need to be addressed if the Rupee is to be used to settle trades with larger partners
By Anisree Suresh
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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
Read the full article here.
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
Read the full article here.
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.
The Diplomat | India’s West Asia Quandary
By Adya Madhavan
Other governments that enjoy friendly ties with Israel have not hesitated to criticize it. What explains India’s reluctance?
By Adya Madhavan
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The Print | Why US is the ideal partner in India’s manufacturing dream—and what the two nations must do
By Sarthak Pradhan
India must leverage its state capacity to implement policies that support businesses while avoiding coercive actions that create chilling effects on companies and investments.
By Sarthak Pradhan
Read the full article here.
The Print | India’s manufacturing sector is stagnant. Relying on PLI not enough, policies need a relook
By Sarthak Pradhan
India’s high tariff rates, which have been increasing since 2014, are almost double than those of Vietnam and China.
By Sarthak Pradhan
Read the full article here.