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Command and Ctrl: India’s Place in the Lethal Autonomous Weapons Regime
Defence and Security May 25, 2016

Command and Ctrl: India’s Place in the Lethal Autonomous Weapons Regime

Technological advancement in artificial intelligence has created a situation where the deployment of Lethal Autonomous Weapons has become practically, if not legally, possible within a few years. As the international community struggles to arrive at a definition of ‘autonomous weapons’, the need to regulate their use has become paramount. ...

Taking Stock of India’s ‘Act East Policy’
Indian Foreign Policy May 23, 2016

Taking Stock of India’s ‘Act East Policy’

In the past two years, India has been working not only to Look to its eastern neighbours but to Act with them, too. Indeed, the government's 'Act East Policy' has taken positive steps towards building closer relationships with India's partners. But how different has the ...

India’s Membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group
Nuclear Security May 17, 2016

India’s Membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group

India seeks to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group with the objective of playing a more proactive role in the nuclear non-proliferation realm. Political issues remain, however, particularly with regard to its status outside the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. This brings to fore ...

Turkey, Syria, and the Islamic State
International Affairs Mar 18, 2016

Turkey, Syria, and the Islamic State

The Syrian crisis has become a test case for Turkey's foreign and domestic policy. Determined to find a balance between its global expectations and regional objectives, Turkey aimed towards the downfall of the Assad regime, relying on its strength in the Arab streets and support ...

Water Infrastructure and Connectivity: Growth and SDGs in Asia
Sustainable Development | Water Mar 04, 2016

Water Infrastructure and Connectivity: Growth and SDGs in Asia

This paper examines current water management ideologies and practices and the impact they create on strategies for pan-Asian connectivity. It suggests that 'business-as-usual' management principles and the harnessing of transboundary rivers tend to undermine efforts at achieving economic and ecological sustainability goals, as well as ...

Understanding the downturn in India’s exports
Indian Economy | Economics and Finance Feb 16, 2016

Understanding the downturn in India’s exports

India is currently facing a massive exports slowdown, one of its worst in recent years. Exports slumped for the 13th consecutive month in December 2015 by 15 percent and major exported goods from India have shown negative growth. Half the story relates to external forces: ...

India's Smart Cities Mission: An Assessment
Urbanisation in India | Urbanisation Dec 28, 2015

India's Smart Cities Mission: An Assessment

In June 2015 the Modi government launched the Smart Cities Mission, a major urban development initiative designed to improve living conditions and achieve higher economic growth in 100 cities across the country. The Mission offers the State and city governments yet another opportunity to think ...

The Chagos Archipelago: A Theatre of Opportunity and Challenge in the Indian Ocean
International Affairs Dec 17, 2015

The Chagos Archipelago: A Theatre of Opportunity and Challenge in the Indian Ocean

Located at the centre of the Indian Ocean, the Chagos Archipelago is a group of 55 tiny islands that, since 1965, has been administered by the United Kingdom as a British Indian Ocean Territory. Its biggest island, Diego Garcia, is host to a highly important ...

Mukherjee’s Middle East Visit: Setting a New Template?
International Affairs | Indian Foreign Policy Dec 04, 2015

Mukherjee’s Middle East Visit: Setting a New Template?

President Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Jordan, Palestine and Israel in October was different for its content and long-term implications. A careful analysis of his statements and speeches in Amman, Ramallah and Jerusalem indicates a new Indian template for its engagement with the Middle East. While ...