Category: Articles

Articles

Beijing, Islamabad’s Upper-Atmospheric Friendship

Aditi MalhotraLeave a comment

In light of China and Pakistan’s all-weather friendship, regional analysts have written extensively about their military cooperation. However, South Asia watchers have devoted considerably less attention to their space association. This is despite the fact that as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, Beijing and Islamabad recently agreed to prioritize space collaboration. Pakistan’s… Continue reading Beijing, Islamabad’s Upper-Atmospheric Friendship

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Afghanistan: Obama’s Mixed Bag Legacy

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President Obama’s Afghan policy has been decidedly mixed. Upon coming to power in 2009, he had vowed to “finish the job” in Afghanistan— after almost eight years, the job isn’t done. As he prepares to exit the Oval office in a few months, the country remains in a precarious situation. However, during his presidency, the… Continue reading Afghanistan: Obama’s Mixed Bag Legacy

Articles

NTI Index 2016: The View from India

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The 2016 Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) Security Index was released this week. A media frenzy and heated debates in many countries followed the report’s release in both 2012 and 2014. The same appears to be true this year, particularly in South Asia, where debates over nuclear security remain contentious. Despite India’s improved performance, the report… Continue reading NTI Index 2016: The View from India

Articles

Managing the Menace of Killer Robots

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November 2015 witnessed a multilateral discussion at the United Nations (UN) on the issue of autonomous killer robots, unmanned weapon systems that can independently select and engage targets without any humans in the loop. Several countries held extensive discussions in Geneva on the ramifications of this self-operating weapon system and deliberated over the proposal of… Continue reading Managing the Menace of Killer Robots

Articles

Iran Nuclear Deal and India – Economic Opportunities and Threats

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On July 14, after marathon negotiations, the world finally welcomed the nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the six world powers. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is set to tear down the walls of almost a decade old sanctions on Iran, in a graded manner. Although there were multiple voices expressing… Continue reading Iran Nuclear Deal and India – Economic Opportunities and Threats

Articles

CPEC and China’s Western Development Strategy

Aditi MalhotraLeave a comment

Since April this year, news portals have been replete with developments regarding the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The CPEC project, which was originally proposed by China in May 2013 and inaugurated in August 2013, has once again come into the limelight. This is largely due to the recent signing of an agreement to commence work… Continue reading CPEC and China’s Western Development Strategy

Articles

P5 Plus 1 – Iran Nuclear Deal: What It Means for India

Aditi MalhotraLeave a comment

Lausanne witnessed a historic moment on April 2, when Iran and the P5 + 1 (United States, Russia, China, France, Britain, and Germany) announced the interim agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme. The agreement is currently in progress and the final deal is scheduled to be signed on June 30 (fingers crossed). If the agreement… Continue reading P5 Plus 1 – Iran Nuclear Deal: What It Means for India

Articles

Obama’s India Visit: Opportunities & Challenges

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President Obama’s visit to India marks a crucial event, with hope of instilling a sense of dynamism in India-US relations. Interestingly, Barack Obama would be the first serving American President to ever attend India’s Republic Day celebrations and also the first to visit India twice. Beyond the high symbolism that dominates the visit, there are… Continue reading Obama’s India Visit: Opportunities & Challenges

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India’s Nuclear Deterrent: A desire for Immunity

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“While Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent is for security, India’s is for status.” As soon as I read these words, I wondered if the terms ‘security’ and ‘status’ are mutually exclusive when understanding South Asia’s nuclear deterrent. Also, if ‘security’ is the right term to use for the Indian context. Scholars, including my co-blogger Amina Afzal at… Continue reading India’s Nuclear Deterrent: A desire for Immunity

Articles

Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons Programme: India’s Anxieties

Aditi MalhotraLeave a comment

Nuclear weapons programmes remain a crucial strategic element when looking at India-Pakistan relations and its idiosyncrasies. Given this background, India tends to possess some fears regarding Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme. It is natural to assume that Pakistan may have certain fears regarding India’s programme. The following section presents an Indian viewpoint and points out some… Continue reading Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons Programme: India’s Anxieties