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Deteriorating Japan-South Korea ties threaten trade and diplomacy
Aug 01, 2019

Deteriorating Japan-South Korea ties threaten trade and diplomacy

The rising animosity has a great potential to affect the ability of the two nations to counter regional threats.

Deterrence, Trade, and Vulnerability: Re-imagining America’s Port-Led Architecture in the Trump Era
Sep 17, 2025

Deterrence, Trade, and Vulnerability: Re-imagining America’s Port-Led Architecture in the Trump Era

This paper explores the status and the need for the United States (US) to have a port-led strategy in place. Further, it argues that a strong port-led strategy straddling economic concerns with security imperatives on the back of its vast coastline and unmatched global network of overseas bases for the US could strongly support its Indo-Pacific strategy. A close examination of existing port-focused strategies by the US, particularly its Navy, and

Developed countries can ignore macro-economic reality but India can't
Oct 29, 2020

Developed countries can ignore macro-economic reality but India can't

Hard work on inflation means there is monetary space in this crisis; but years of mismanagement means there is no fiscal firepower

Developing an Effective Anti-Drone System for India’s Armed Forces
May 23, 2023

Developing an Effective Anti-Drone System for India’s Armed Forces

The use of drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), both for military and civilian purposes, has increased in India in the past decade. At the same time, counter-drone systems are also being developed to address the threats posed by UAVs. How effective are these counter-drone mechanisms? This brief explores this question, and offers suggestions for India to reduce the growing threat from drones. Any evaluation of the efficacy of anti-drone syst

Dhir Jhingran

Dr. Dhir Jhingran is the Founder, Managing Trustee and Executive Director of Language and Learning Foundation (LLF), a non-profit working closely with the national and state governments to support systemic reform in primary education at scale.

A former officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Dr. Jhingran took voluntary retirement after three decades of service to work in education full-time. While serving in the government, Dhir played an instrumental role in policy-making within the Ministry of Education at the national level. He has also served as the Senior Advisor to UNICEF India, Advisor to the Ministry of Education in Nepal, Asia Regional Director and Chief Program Officer with Room to Read.

His contributions extend to the development and implementation of early-grade reading initiatives in various countries across Asia and Africa, as well as the establishment of the first language-based multilingual education programs in several Indian states. Notably, his work focuses on conceptualizing and executing large-scale programs to bring about transformative and sustained improvements in the quality of school education.

As a member of the National Steering Committee for the development of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), he actively participates in shaping the educational landscape of India. Dr. Dhir Jhingran has authored three empirically-researched books on primary education, and has contributed his expertise to numerous books and journals. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics and a PhD in Education.  He also conducts an education module at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie for IAS officers at different stages in their careers.

Did Abe-Singh joint statement live up to expectations?
Feb 03, 2014

Did Abe-Singh joint statement live up to expectations?

There is a strong feeling that the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and India has not led to the full utilisation of the potential that exists for larger trade and investment. Further efforts should therefore be undertaken to realise those ends.

Did Lavrov’s India trip reset India-Russia ties?
Apr 09, 2021

Did Lavrov’s India trip reset India-Russia ties?

Despite public display of affection, all is not well in the India-Russia relationship.

DIFFERING STANDARDS - The US must not wink at a Sino-Pak nuclear deal
Aug 11, 2010

DIFFERING STANDARDS - The US must not wink at a Sino-Pak nuclear deal

China's decision to sell two additional nuclear power reactors to Pakistan has dimensions that need to be better understood. China is persisting with its internationally destabilizing proliferation activity.

Digital Futures: Leveraging G20 for UK-India Cooperation
Aug 04, 2022

Digital Futures: Leveraging G20 for UK-India Cooperation

India will assume the presidency of the G20 in 2023. One of the key policy challenges for India and other member states is how to regulate the global digital economy. Once a fringe policy issue, the global digital economy is now central to the G20 agenda, with significant implications for individuals, corporations, and governments. Bilateral cooperation within the G20 system can provide additional resources and capability to any presidency, which

Diplomacy and Image-Building: India Rides on its Soft Power
May 24, 2023

Diplomacy and Image-Building: India Rides on its Soft Power

India has projected its soft power for centuries, long before the concept was even defined by political analysts. In the past decade, the country wielded its soft power in a more systematic way in the practice of diplomacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in power since 2014, is becoming known for his passionate use of India’s soft-power assets through both an effective media management strategy and an intelligent use of social media. This Brief

Does India stand to gain from Israel-UAE agreement – and how?
Aug 17, 2020

Does India stand to gain from Israel-UAE agreement – and how?

India welcomed the agreement & full normalisation of Israel-UAE ties, while endorsing the ‘two-state solution’.

Doklam 'dis-engagement' may have been mutual, but it is India that has come out on top
Aug 31, 2017

Doklam 'dis-engagement' may have been mutual, but it is India that has come out on top

The outcome of the months-long stand-off at Doklam is likely thanks to India’s enormous tactical advantage in the region.

Domestic Violence and Women’s Health in India: Insights from NFHS-4
Jan 21, 2022

Domestic Violence and Women’s Health in India: Insights from NFHS-4

Across the globe, more than 730 million women report ever having experienced some form of gender-based violence; those in low- and lower-middle-income countries are disproportionately affected. In the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has only increased the incidence of violence suffered by women in the hands of their intimate partners, owing to heightened stresses of loss of livelihood, disruption of social and protective networks, a

Donald Trump’s foreign policy hara-kiri
May 10, 2018

Donald Trump’s foreign policy hara-kiri

The US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal makes it an untrustworthy partner in any subsequent negotiations. The era of American leadership in the non-proliferation order is over

Double-talk on development?
Dec 14, 2011

Double-talk on development?

Controversies over the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala and Koodamkulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu, development issues regarding Sangur and Nandigram in West Bengal have exposed the political double talk on the excuse of people's concerns.

DU-ORF summer workshop on contemporary challenges and the making of public policies
May 17, 2010

DU-ORF summer workshop on contemporary challenges and the making of public policies

Observer Research Foundation in collaboration with the Delhi University conducted the third summer workshop for undergraduate students of Delhi University from 17 May to 2 June. The theme of this year's workshop was "Contemporary Challenges and the Making of Public Policies".

Dual-pronged approach to flood relief
Jul 25, 2019

Dual-pronged approach to flood relief

A comprehensive strategy that includes a mix of crisis response and impact mitigation, while also taking into account urban and rural planning, livelihood issues and health perspective, is needed to mitigate the Northeastern State’s agony.

E-commerce and the digital economy: How the G20 can help Africa overcome its digital divide
Jun 21, 2017

E-commerce and the digital economy: How the G20 can help Africa overcome its digital divide

Africa is facing a digital divide. Access to the internet and related digital services is low, and in most countries, the supporting regulatory framework is not in place; nor are the necessary data and logistics infrastructure. At the same time, there are various examples of e-commerce success stories across the continent; and the wide use of mobile phone technology has created many new opportunities for African entrepreneurs and consumers alike.

East Meets East: An Assessment of the Proposed Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor
Dec 07, 2020

East Meets East: An Assessment of the Proposed Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor

In 2019, India and Russia announced their intent to connect the ports in their respective cities, Chennai and Vladivostok. One year on, the project remains only on paper. This paper explores the economic and strategic viability of this proposed maritime connectivity corridor. While not purporting to be a feasibility study, this analysis seeks to examine the potential benefits and pitfalls of the proposed link and its place in the Indo-Russia stra

Economic Policy forum - Resources Policy: Energy and Environment
Jul 08, 2013

Economic Policy forum - Resources Policy: Energy and Environment

After a successful launch in January this year in Berlin, the Economic Policy Forum, a new alliance of think tanks from emerging economies and selected developed economies, met at a conference on 'Resources Policy: Energy and Environment.' The meeting also facilitated an initial conversation on 'The Prospects for Regional Integration.'