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The Islamic State in India’s Kerala: A primer
Terrorism | Internal Security Oct 15, 2019

The Islamic State in India’s Kerala: A primer

With a Muslim population of over 200 million, the third largest in the world next only to Indonesia and Pakistan, India was thought of by analysts to be fertile ground for the recruitment of foreign fighters for the Islamic State (IS). The country, however, has ...

Maritime terrorism in Asia: An assessment
Neighbourhood | Defence and Security | Terrorism | Maritime Security Oct 14, 2019

Maritime terrorism in Asia: An assessment

This paper evaluates the possibility of an increase in maritime terrorist violence in Asia, based on a recounting and analysis of some of the most recent past incidents in these waters. It argues that the vulnerability of high seas shipping to criminal acts of violence ...

An eco-hydrological perspective to monsoon high flows in the Ganga-Padma system: Imperatives for flood management
Water | Climate Change Sep 30, 2019

An eco-hydrological perspective to monsoon high flows in the Ganga-Padma system: Imperatives for flood management

The paper provides an understanding of high flows in a river system by explaining the hydro-meteorological, hydro-geomorphological, ecological and socio-economic dimensions of monsoon-related high-flows in the Ganga-Padma river system straddling India and Bangladesh. The aim is to inform the existing flood management approach in India, ...

Making affordable cities a reality in India
Developing and Emerging Economies | Urbanisation in India Sep 24, 2019

Making affordable cities a reality in India

The high costs of living in cities the world over make it difficult for the poor to live a life of quality and dignity. Yet, the poor in rural regions, as in the case in India, often resort to migrating out of their villages to ...

Human capital formation through public education: How fares India?
Sustainable Development | Education Sep 17, 2019

Human capital formation through public education: How fares India?

Public education is a tool for human capital formation. In India, even as private institutions provide an option, a majority of students attend public schooling; yet, private-school students continue to outperform their public-school counterparts. Using parameters associated with Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals ...

What ails India’s public transport systems? The case of Mumbai
Transportation Sep 13, 2019

What ails India’s public transport systems? The case of Mumbai

In January 2019 employees of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) in Mumbai held an eight-day strike to demand, among others, higher wages. The strike affected nearly three million daily commuters in India’s financial capital. It also highlighted the crises that have crippled Mumbai’s ...

The Indian startup ecosystem: Drivers, challenges and pillars of support
Indian Economy Sep 12, 2019

The Indian startup ecosystem: Drivers, challenges and pillars of support

In recent years, startups have been receiving increased attention in many parts of the world. In India, the number of startups has increased fast and more support has become available in all dimensions. This paper analyses the current state of the Indian startup ecosystem and ...

The WTO dispute settlement system: An analysis of India’s experience and current reform proposals
International Affairs | Indian Foreign Policy | Multilateralism Sep 02, 2019

The WTO dispute settlement system: An analysis of India’s experience and current reform proposals

Established in 1995, the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Dispute Settlement System (DSS) is used to resolve trade-related disputes between WTO member states. It has received over 500 complaints since its inception, and utilises both political negotiation and adjudication for dispute resolution. Today the DSS faces ...

Emerging dynamics of conflict and cooperation in a post-hegemonic age: A Kautilyan perspective on BRICS
International Affairs | Indian Foreign Policy | Great Power Dynamics Aug 21, 2019

Emerging dynamics of conflict and cooperation in a post-hegemonic age: A Kautilyan perspective on BRICS

This paper theorises international relations using the perspective of an Indian classic, Kautilya’s Arthashastra, and employs such interpretation to conceptualise BRICS (or the association of emerging economies, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.) As a litmus test for the analytical viability of the Kautilyan ...

Making India’s coastal infrastructure climate-resilient: Challenges and opportunities
Sustainable Development | Climate Change Aug 12, 2019

Making India’s coastal infrastructure climate-resilient: Challenges and opportunities

In recent years, India’s coastal regions have become more vulnerable to multiple risks related to climate change. Intense and more frequent cyclones such as the recent Fani, Gaja and Hudhud as well as severe floods have caused massive devastation to the country’s coastal states. While ...

Contributors

Soumya Bhowmick

Soumya Bhowmick

Soumya Bhowmick is a Fellow and Lead, World Economies and Sustainability at the Centre for New Economic Diplomacy (CNED) at Observer Research Foundation (ORF). He is pursuing his PhD and holds a double master’s degree in economics from Jadavpur University, ...

Read More + Sreeparna Banerjee

Sreeparna Banerjee

Sreeparna Banerjee is an Associate Fellow in the Strategic Studies Programme. Her work focuses on the geopolitical and strategic affairs concerning two Southeast Asian countries, namely Myanmar and Thailand. Her primary focus is on the Rohingya issue within the Bay of ...

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