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A Green Bank for Global South Climate Finance
Indian Economy | Economics and Finance Dec 07, 2023

A Green Bank for Global South Climate Finance

A private sector-oriented Global Green Bank is required to overcome the market gaps that prevent Global North capital from flowing to the best decarbonisation investment opportunities among Global South enterprises. The Global Green Bank should operate as a world-class investment firm, capable of developing innovative ...

China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the Energy Sector: Progress, Direction, and Trends
International Affairs Dec 05, 2023

China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the Energy Sector: Progress, Direction, and Trends

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is central to the country’s ambitious policy reorientation. The energy sector accounts for nearly 40 percent of all investments under the BRI, with significant geostrategic and geoeconomic implications. In recent years, China has adopted a “greening the BRI” strategy, ...

Towards an Inclusive National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene
Healthcare | GENDER ISSUES Nov 29, 2023

Towards an Inclusive National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene

In April 2023, the Supreme Court of India advocated for the government to establish a "uniform national policy" on menstrual health and hygiene (MHH), spotlighting the need for comprehensive measures on a significant public health issue. This brief traces India's path to promoting MHH, highlighting ...

Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Advantage China in Central Asia
International Affairs | China Foreign Policy | China Military Nov 23, 2023

Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Advantage China in Central Asia

The Central Asian Republics (CARs) have, in recent years, implemented multifaceted foreign policies to achieve strategic autonomy and limit China’s influence and Russia's traditional sway. But domestic uprisings in the CARs, the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan, and now the Russia-Ukraine conflict have given China new ...

Policy Recommendations for Achieving India’s Defence-Export Ambitions
International Affairs | Defence and Security Nov 23, 2023

Policy Recommendations for Achieving India’s Defence-Export Ambitions

This brief assesses the recent trends in India’s defence exports and analyses the institutional and policy frameworks that have enabled a change in the country’s approach towards defence exports, resulting in an upward trajectory. It offers specific policy recommendations to allow India to pursue its ...

Treading a Pragmatic Path: Russia in Afghanistan After August 2021
International Affairs | Neighbourhood | Terrorism Nov 09, 2023

Treading a Pragmatic Path: Russia in Afghanistan After August 2021

After the United States and its allies left Afghanistan in 2021, analysts expected Russia to fill the vacuum caused by the withdrawal. As far as Moscow itself is concerned, it would like to establish full diplomatic ties with the Taliban regime while it urges Western ...

China’s Response to ‘De-risking’ Strategy of the West
International Affairs | Economics and Finance Nov 07, 2023

China’s Response to ‘De-risking’ Strategy of the West

The annual parliamentary sittings of China’s National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference—usually held at the same time—are important political events, with speeches of leaders at the meetings reflecting the country’s policy trajectory. During the last sessions of both in March 2023, ...

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Recommendations for Inclusion in the Digital India Act
Privacy & Data Protection | Internet Governance | Law and Justice | Cyber and Technology Oct 30, 2023

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Recommendations for Inclusion in the Digital India Act

The new Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) is market-friendly but is lacking in attention to privacy requirements for sensitive personal data. This report highlights three types of sensitive personal data—i.e., biometric, financial, and health—and emphasises the need for transparent consent mechanisms that will safeguard ...

Strengthening India’s Global Influence through a Sound Public Diplomacy Policy
International Affairs Oct 23, 2023

Strengthening India’s Global Influence through a Sound Public Diplomacy Policy

This brief tackles the crucial role of public diplomacy in enhancing India's global influence. It argues that India should exert effort to communicate its rich cultural heritage and economic growth story to foreign audiences, and recommends a roadmap that involves linking public diplomacy to national ...

Russia’s Low-Risk, High-Reward Strategy for its Return to Africa
International Affairs Oct 12, 2023

Russia’s Low-Risk, High-Reward Strategy for its Return to Africa

Africa has become essential to Russia’s geostrategic posture as Moscow seeks to overcome the backlash to its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, in the face of isolation and a contracting economy, Russia has realised that cultivating an entry point in Africa through conventional ...