Search: For - allies

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Why Doklam and Bhutan matter: India can’t be seen to abandon its allies
Jul 03, 2017

Why Doklam and Bhutan matter: India can’t be seen to abandon its allies

One of the key Chinese objectives in initiating the Doklam standoff seems to be testing India’s resolve to stand by Bhutan. Leaving Bhutan to its devices at this juncture cannot be good for India’s elusive pursuit of regional primacy.

A Guarantee Of Continuity
Jun 24, 2024

A Guarantee Of Continuity

Modi’s re-election assures India’s allies that Delhi will play a leading role in shaping the new world order

A Kautilyan View of India’s Non-Zero-Sum Game in the Neighbourhood
Aug 11, 2023

A Kautilyan View of India’s Non-Zero-Sum Game in the Neighbourhood

This brief seeks to apply ancient Indian strategic thought to the country’s approach towards its immediate neighbourhood. Employing a Kautilyan perspective on India’s allies within the broader framework of foreign policy end goals, it proposes a non-zero-sum view towards four of its neighbours: Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. The brief classifies these neighbours based on the attitudes they exhibit and presents a nuanced approach tow

Afghanistan: Foreign fighters complicate peace prospects
Aug 06, 2020

Afghanistan: Foreign fighters complicate peace prospects

The presence of foreign fighters in Afghanistan presents a serious challenge in securing counterterrorism gains of the past, while ensuring that the Taliban delivers on the promise of ensuring non-use of Afghan soil to plan attacks against the US or its allies.  

Assessing the Efficacy of the West’s Autonomous Cyber-Sanctions Regime and its Relevance for India
Sep 09, 2022

Assessing the Efficacy of the West’s Autonomous Cyber-Sanctions Regime and its Relevance for India

Cyber-sanctions have emerged as a preferred tool for Western governments to deter cyberattacks emanating from their adversaries’ territories. As they implement such sanctions, however, these states face various challenges one of which is the difficulty in attribution. Moreover, the sanctions have only partially curbed the malicious cyber activities. Yet, the regime continues to expand, and many allies of the United States are emulating its prac

Britain should shed its China obsession to seize the moment in the Indo-Pacific
Aug 05, 2020

Britain should shed its China obsession to seize the moment in the Indo-Pacific

Post-Brexit Britain needs to move away from its China-centric policy and step up trade engagements in the region, which offers potential for win-win economic gains. London should also look to join its allies, including the US, India, Australia in the support of regional security to manage the risks posed by Beijing

Can Obama overcome Domestic Opposition to the TPP?
Jun 06, 2015

Can Obama overcome Domestic Opposition to the TPP?

In an ironic situation, President Obama finds his own party, the Democrats, his key opponents while, the Republicans, his greatest allies as he pushes for the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement.

China's rise is a worry for 'flat-footed' US
Apr 01, 2015

China's rise is a worry for 'flat-footed' US

The decision of key American allies like the UK, Germany, France, South Korea and Australia to join the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Development Bank (AIIB) marks another step forward in the shaping of a Chinese-led Asian economic and, possibly, security order.

Deciphering the world: International Relations and history in India
Aug 21, 2023

Deciphering the world: International Relations and history in India

The disciplines of International Relations (IR) and History could be natural allies as both have much to gain from engaging with each other. A historically informed IR could provide a deeper understanding of the motivations of world politics, while ‘international history’ could offer a much needed comparative perspective to the manner in which history is approached. Focusing on what students of IR can learn about and from the study of history

Defending democracy is a job for the world, not the west
Mar 02, 2021

Defending democracy is a job for the world, not the west

U.S. President Joe Biden should recognize that countries elsewhere need to be key allies in the fight.

Delhi-Paris tango offers a third way in diplomacy
Feb 01, 2024

Delhi-Paris tango offers a third way in diplomacy

As dependable allies, the India-France partnership is a force for global good in a volatile world engulfed in multiple crises

Europe’s security challenge
Feb 20, 2024

Europe’s security challenge

Even if Donald Trump does not win the presidency, it is unlikely that enthusiasm for supporting Ukraine would be high in the US’s political ranks

Facing China threat, Vietnam seeks American balance
Jun 05, 2013

Facing China threat, Vietnam seeks American balance

Vietnam's self-assured pursuit of a complex balance of power strategy could be a model for other medium powers in Asia who are deeply concerned about the rise of China, want Washington to balance Beijing, but are reluctant to become formal military allies of the United States.

From 2001 to 2021, the return of the age of strategic rivalry
Sep 15, 2021

From 2001 to 2021, the return of the age of strategic rivalry

The Taliban, ably helped by Pakistan, the US’s frontline ally in its global war on terror, has badly dented the notion of US invincibility. Despite President Joe Biden’s efforts in recent months to reassure allies that “America is back”, there is a wariness about both US commitment and its competence.

From Down South With...
Mar 07, 2004

From Down South With...

If there is one thing on which all the ¿Dravidian parties¿ of Tamil Nadu stand united today, it is their criticism of the Union budget, presented by fellow Tamil leader Palaniappan Chidambaram. In doing so the DMK, the PMK and the MDMK, allies of the Congress at the Centre, have restricted their criticism to the proposed tax on the daily withdrawal of money from one¿s own bank account.

How far will India go to fulfil Quad goals, with China watching?
Mar 15, 2021

How far will India go to fulfil Quad goals, with China watching?

The Quad statement is tantamount to the declaration of the New Cold War between the US and its allies and China.

India must adjust to the rise of China
Nov 25, 2014

India must adjust to the rise of China

India's best course is the one that Prime Minister Modi is setting. This seeks to position India as a "swing state". On one hand, India has joined the New Development Bank, the AIIB and resisted American-led efforts to condemn Russia over Ukraine. On the other, it is actively wooing the US and its allies, Japan and Australia, in the Asia Pacific region.

India's Foreign Policy: Favouring the US?
Oct 05, 2005

India's Foreign Policy: Favouring the US?

The defining moment in India's international relations did not occur when Delhi voted with the US and its allies on Iran on the IAEA board. The real watershed in India's foreign policy occurred in May 1998,

India-US relations under Trump: Guarding against transactionalism by pivoting to the US legislature
Oct 18, 2018

India-US relations under Trump: Guarding against transactionalism by pivoting to the US legislature

The dynamics of the India-US relationship under the Trump administration bear significantly on the two countries’ security partnership. This relationship, however, is being challenged by President Donald Trump’s increasingly apparent transactional worldview. As witnessed in the case of the United States’ relations with its allies and partners across Europe and Asia, Trump has often linked US defence commitments and partner nations’ securi

India’s Place in the New US Indo-Pacific Strategy
Feb 24, 2022

India’s Place in the New US Indo-Pacific Strategy

New Delhi finds a prominent place in the strategy’s focus on Washington’s network of allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific.

Iran bargain brings global benefits, but some out in cold
Feb 26, 2014

Iran bargain brings global benefits, but some out in cold

Opening up to Iran would give the US some leverage over Tehran, while also ensuring that its current allies in West Asia do not take it for granted. Meanwhile, once Iranian oil flows into the market, oil and gas will get cheaper, and US companies will get more opportunities to invest in Iran.

Islamic State Wilayat Khorasan: Phony Caliphate or bona fide province?
Nov 30, 2020

Islamic State Wilayat Khorasan: Phony Caliphate or bona fide province?

While there is raging debate about whether the Taliban and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) are foes or operational allies, there is little doubt that ISKP continues to pose a threat to the ongoing peace process, and the Afghan security.

Knowing India's nuclear credentials
Jul 24, 2014

Knowing India's nuclear credentials

Through concerted attack on India from the usual suspects in recent days, India is first being made the whipping boy for the failure of the American non-proliferation lobby in their own country. Then it has to accept blame for the complex relations the U.S. shares with Pakistan and China that is driving these Asian allies to increase their arsenals. Can we get real, please?

Maldives: 'Political Islam' here to stay?
Dec 27, 2011

Maldives: 'Political Islam' here to stay?

Maldivians, particularly the security authorities in the country, may have heaved a sigh of relief after the competing rallies by the NGOs and the political Opposition on the one hand, and the ruling MDP on the other, went off peacefully on Friday last.

National sovereignty and international law
Dec 08, 2020

National sovereignty and international law

You would say that Trudeau was ‘playing politics’ and that his remarks are really addressed to the Sikh community of Canada. So what’s the problem? After all, did not our Prime Minister undertake major political rallies in the US? In the Houston ‘Howdy Modi’ rally last year, US President Donald Trump himself participated, uncharacteristically playing second fiddle, all because he, like all democratic politicians, likes votes.

New balance of powers
Jul 17, 2015

New balance of powers

The Iran nuclear deal could mark a strategic realignment between the US and its traditional Sunni allies in the region. The Arab countries have been vocal in criticising Washington's policies in Egypt, Syria and Iraq, which they say have given an upper hand to "Iranian allies".

New Delhi and Islamabad: In search of new friends?
Nov 20, 2012

New Delhi and Islamabad: In search of new friends?

Like Moscow and New Delhi, Riyadh and Islamabad are old allies. There are numerous issues which will ensure that closeness between New Delhi and Riyadh will not cause bilateral ties to spiral downward. If Riyadh gives up on Islamabad, the latter will move closer to Tehran, something the Saudis want to avoid.

Obama's Asia pivot
Apr 25, 2014

Obama's Asia pivot

Barack Obama's strategic problem now is to reassure east Asian allies of the strength of American commitment to them without provoking an unwanted conflict between the US and China.

Obama's Middle East policy a boon for China?
Nov 13, 2013

Obama's Middle East policy a boon for China?

As US President Obama reshapes America's relationships in the Middle East, new equations are likely to emerge within the region and more Space will be created for China to win over the old allies of the US.

PM Modi spells out his vision
Sep 30, 2014

PM Modi spells out his vision

Given the ground realities - where China's power exceeds ours by orders of magnitude - we need allies. That is where relationships with the US, Japan, ASEAN and Australia come in.

Principle of 'closest partners'
Oct 01, 2013

Principle of 'closest partners'

The US has placed India in the category of 'closest partners' for defence cooperation. The official spin was that New Delhi would now be on the same footing as the closest allies of the US such as Britain. That may be the endpoint that New Delhi and Washington have decided upon, but it is far from the current reality. Both sides would need to do an enormous amount of work to attain that goal.

Reassessing the US Pivot to Asia
Aug 26, 2013

Reassessing the US Pivot to Asia

The US pivot or rebalancing is an attempt of reassurance to its friends and allies in the context of the emerging dynamics in the Asia Pacific region. While China is a major factor in the US pivot strategy, it is only a part of the story.

Redefining multi-stakeholderism for internet
Nov 15, 2014

Redefining multi-stakeholderism for internet

Democratic multi-stakeholderism has the potential to mitigate the genuine concerns of sovereign nations in terms of protection of their cyber resources and infrastructure - not only from anonymous hackers and non-state actors, but also from the overarching surveillance mounted by the US and its allies.

Rekindle Indo-Iran ties
Jan 21, 2014

Rekindle Indo-Iran ties

India and Iran are, in their own way, natural allies, a fact underscored by the increasing anti-Shia nature of Pakistan. We need them more than they need us and so we must begin the process getting Teheran off its great sulk against us.

Responding to China’s rise: Japan and India as champions for the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific
Aug 24, 2017

Responding to China’s rise: Japan and India as champions for the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific region is experiencing profound geo-strategic re-alignments. Post-war norms are being challenged by a rising China that is unconstrained by the established legal, economic and diplomatic order. These changes come at a time of growing uncertainty over US commitments to both its regional allies and a liberal international trade regime. In the absence of American leadership, the only formidable and practical alternative is the emerg

Risk or Reward? – The Impact of Private Security Contractors and Militias in Afghanistan
Aug 17, 2013

Risk or Reward? – The Impact of Private Security Contractors and Militias in Afghanistan

To supplement the still lagging Afghan and ISAF security capabilities, alternative structures have been used or created, especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas. Two important groups among these are private security contractors (PSCs) and 'community defence' organisations or local militias. This paper assesses the impact of these entities on Afghan stability. Beginning March 19, 2003, the United States invaded Iraq, drawing both material an

Scripting a Third Way: The Importance of EU-India Partnership
Aug 14, 2023

Scripting a Third Way: The Importance of EU-India Partnership

The European Union (EU) and India should be “natural allies”. Faced with an authoritarian advance on their borders and globally, “the world’s largest democracies” should be collaborating more closely than ever today. But the tango that the EU and India have been dancing is a rather clumsy one. This brief delves into the causes for the limitations of the partnership and identifies critical miscalculations that have been made on both side

Securing its Interests: Explaining South Korea’s Slow Pivot to China
Mar 06, 2023

Securing its Interests: Explaining South Korea’s Slow Pivot to China

East Asia has become an increasingly volatile region amid China’s posturing and territorial claims on land and in the sea. The US pivot to Asia, meant to contain China, is based on a slew of strategic partnerships with its regional allies and partners, such as South Korea. The US-South Korea relationship is an important pillar in checking China’s rise, but in recent years, Seoul appears to be gravitating towards Beijing. This brief se

South Asia South Asia Weekly 46
Nov 16, 2008

South Asia South Asia Weekly 46

The Taliban has renewed its activities in Peshawar. The Taliban militants and its allies have carried out a series of kidnappings and attacks on foreign nationals in the area recently to establish its presence, and taunt the Pakistan Army engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the nearby Bajaur and Mohmand.

Sri Lanka: Tamil separatists putting India on notice again?
Jun 09, 2015

Sri Lanka: Tamil separatists putting India on notice again?

With Tamil Nadu Assembly elections due by May next year and an anti-Jaya political realignment likely on cards, the Sri Lankan Tamil 'separatists' appear to be trying to drive a wedge between political parties in Tamil Nadu. The purpose seems to be to try and embarrass prospective allies of the DMK.

Strengthening Global Rule-Making: India’s Inclusion in the UN Security Council
Oct 12, 2021

Strengthening Global Rule-Making: India’s Inclusion in the UN Security Council

India’s August 2021 presidency of the United Nations Security Council allowed New Delhi to exhibit clout, creativity, and diplomacy, as it pushed for its inclusion in the Council permanently. Such a push reignites the “responsible stakeholder” debate in Washington and other Western capitals, particularly to gauge India’s rise against the interests of the US and its allies. This brief argues that the West needs to reassess India in a renew

The Global Security Initiative: China Buttresses its Defence Diplomacy
Jun 18, 2024

The Global Security Initiative: China Buttresses its Defence Diplomacy

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has historically been a key instrument of state power in modern China, from the time founder Mao Zedong famously said that power flows “from the barrel of a gun.” Today, in the era of Xi Jinping, China is strengthening its defence diplomacy through Xi’s so-called Global Security Initiative (GSI) that envisions a growing role for the Party-state’s arms like the PLA and the Ministry of Public Security. T

The problem in Af-Pak is Pak
Dec 14, 2009

The problem in Af-Pak is Pak

The real American dilemma is to find allies in Islamabad who reduce and not multiply anti Americanism

Treading a Pragmatic Path: Russia in Afghanistan After August 2021
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 countries to take accountability and fulfil their responsibilities towards the Afghan people. Indeed, Russia’s desire for security and regional hegemony compels it to selectively e

Turkmenistan: A Central Asian State without Religious Extremism
Sep 30, 2004

Turkmenistan: A Central Asian State without Religious Extremism

Central Asia is the next favoured destination of radical Islamists and terrorist groups. Several terrorist networks are said to be already active in the region and recent suicide bombings in Uzbekistan in the cities of Tashkent and Bukhara, in March and July, 2004 suggest that al-Qaeda and its allies are looking for safer havens in the wake of the increasing pressure on their networks in the Middle-East and South East Asia from the security force

Understanding China’s message to our country
Jun 04, 2020

Understanding China’s message to our country

After Doklam, China seems to want to ‘expose’ once again how India’s Quad allies are concerned only about the shared waters of the Indo-Pacific

Understanding the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party
Sep 21, 2018

Understanding the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party

In the last five years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has undergone a massive transformation and is today the country’s most formidable political force. The party won the 2014 general election with a convincing majority under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who assumed power in May 2014. It is in power in 20 states, either on its own or with its allies. This rise can be attributed to various factors, including the party leader

US Engagement in the Indo-Pacific: An Assessment of the Trump Era
Oct 28, 2020

US Engagement in the Indo-Pacific: An Assessment of the Trump Era

There is no dearth in analyses that sound the alarm on the current United States (US) administration’s policy in the Indo-Pacific. This paper conducts an evaluation of the US’ engagement in the region, and finds it to be contrary to alarmist predictions. President Donald Trump’s administration has reaffirmed commitments towards traditional allies, built on the predecessor president’s courtship of nascent partners, and encouraged partners

US on Arunachal
Dec 21, 2012

US on Arunachal

The real challenge for US policy comes in East Asia, where China's growing power is testing American alliances. America's allies that feel bullied by China have no option but to rely on US power.