Search: For - policies

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Southeast Asian space programmes: Capabilities, challenges and collaborations
Mar 07, 2019

Southeast Asian space programmes: Capabilities, challenges and collaborations

Space technology has manifold applications in areas as wide-reaching as disaster management, resource management, meteorology, governance, and military and security. Southeast Asian countries, recognising the importance of space technologies, have made investments quite early on. While some of these countries already have established institutions and programmes, others are in the earliest stages of structuring their own. This report tracks the sp

Steady, but Evolving: An Overview of Russia’s Migrant Labour Market
Apr 29, 2024

Steady, but Evolving: An Overview of Russia’s Migrant Labour Market

Russia has long depended on migrant labour. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and a devaluing Ruble have impacted migrants economically. These developments, coupled with institutional hurdles and rising xenophobia in Russia, have pushed migrant labourers to seek alternate employment destinations. Notably, workers from countries such as Kazakhstan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine are swaying away from Russia, even as

Strengthening the Online Education Ecosystem in India
Nov 18, 2020

Strengthening the Online Education Ecosystem in India

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the formal schooling system in India, as it has across the globe, causing massive pressure on the online education sector. This paper analyses the state of digitalised education in India. It outlines current government guidelines on digital-mode schooling, and uses the case of Maharashtra’s five-year-old efforts at digitalising government schools to gauge preparedness for implementing the guidelines. It highl

Stress in Indo-US engagement?
Jul 31, 2019

Stress in Indo-US engagement?

With ever-expanding engagement, India and the United States develop their foreign policies, distinguishing priorities from irritants

Success of ‘Saubhagya’ scheme would depend on how it addresses gender
Apr 12, 2019

Success of ‘Saubhagya’ scheme would depend on how it addresses gender

Recent policies and programmes such as the draft National Energy Policy (NEP), 2017 and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana have attempted to fill the critical gender gap by recognising the linkages of women to energy access.

Taliban’s Return Threatens Past Gains for Aghanistan’s Women and Girls
Feb 22, 2022

Taliban’s Return Threatens Past Gains for Aghanistan’s Women and Girls

In the midst of the chaotic withdrawal of the US-led forces from Afghanistan, the Taliban swept back to power in Kabul on 15 August 2021. Since then, the Taliban have repeatedly attempted to project a more moderate brand of governance. However, the Taliban leaders have yet to enunciate clear policies on issues such as women’s and girls’ access to education, employment, and political participation. Early indications nonetheless suggest that th

Technology and Climate Change: Innovation and Partnerships for Transformational Change
Sep 13, 2023

Technology and Climate Change: Innovation and Partnerships for Transformational Change

The world is facing a climate-change challenge that requires nothing short of atechnological revolution to address. Yet the current patterns of technology development anddiffusions are not transformative enough; nor are they happening at a pace, rapid enough.Actions at multiple levels engaging different actors are needed to reduce emissions whilemeeting the developmental needs of the global south. This paper summarises the mostinnovative ideas s

Terrorism in South Asia: US-India Perspectives
Jul 20, 2010

Terrorism in South Asia: US-India Perspectives

Because of the tacit and overt alliance between the constituents of policymaking institutions and the violent non-state actors in Pakistan, it is imperative to review the current strategies and policies to evolve a more comprehensive set of actions.

Terrorist Resources, Proclivity for Attacks, and an Effective Counterterrorism Framework
Dec 12, 2022

Terrorist Resources, Proclivity for Attacks, and an Effective Counterterrorism Framework

This paper proposes a counter-terrorism (CT) framework in terms of three types of CT policies—i.e., offensive, defensive, and confidence-building measures (CBMs)— targeted at a terror outfit that is either resource-constrained or resource-abundant. It argues that defensive measures are a ubiquitous element of CT, as these can prove effective irrespective of whether the targeted terrorist group is resource-abundant or resource-constrained. On

Text, Context' Mismatch: UGC Vice-Chairman
Apr 19, 2005

Text, Context' Mismatch: UGC Vice-Chairman

Inaugurating a workshop on 'Role of Universities in Public Policy-Making', hosted by Observer Research Foundation (ORF), New Delhi, University Grants Commission Vice-Chairman Prof V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, on April 19, 2005, urged Vice-Chancellors and educationists to recreate linkages between universities and Government, research organizations, administrators and society, in order to render universities more relevant and help in enacting effecti

The Africa Climate Action Performance Report
Aug 12, 2022

The Africa Climate Action Performance Report

Although Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions are low, its contribution to climate change mitigation is critical to global climate action. This report evaluates Africa’s climate policy through the lens of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities,’ an asymmetrical allocation of responsibility for climate action, determined by differences in countries’ contributions to historical emissions and their current capabilities to fight climate c

The battle for States' rights in India
Feb 24, 2012

The battle for States' rights in India

Though it will be difficult for the Central Government and the States to agree upon certain foreign policy issues, they should work together on issues of national importance-such as terrorism and foreign policy-in order to enact policies that benefit its citizens.

The diaspora and India’s growth story
Aug 20, 2023

The diaspora and India’s growth story

This brief sketches the growing interest of the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the Indian diaspora. Over the last three years, the prime minister has repeatedly called attention to the role that the diaspora will play in India’s development process and in the promotion of its foreign policy goals. The brief gives an overview of the policies that the present government has rolled out and examines the benefits from, and pitf

The Dragon in the Maghreb: Assessing the BRI in North Africa
Sep 05, 2024

The Dragon in the Maghreb: Assessing the BRI in North Africa

The Maghreb, often considered part of the Arab world, straddles the Euro-Mediterranean region, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula—a location that has given it a distinct history, political landscape, economy, and development trajectory. It is also emerging as an arena for great-power contestations, and is rich in natural resources critical for green transition. Historically dominated by former colonial powers, the countries in the re

The Enduring Problem of Illegal Constructions in India’s Cities
Jul 20, 2021

The Enduring Problem of Illegal Constructions in India’s Cities

India’s rising urbanisation in recent years has triggered unbridled construction activities to meet the needs of the growing populations in these cities. Not all of these constructions abide by existing laws, however, leading to adverse consequences on governance systems, the environment, people’s health, transportation services, and overall citizen well-being. In extreme cases, illegal constructions have resulted in loss of lives and propert

The enduring relevance of India-Russia relations
May 25, 2017

The enduring relevance of India-Russia relations

The impact of Indo-Russian relations on the domestic and foreign policies of India from the 1960s is difficult to underestimate. The USSR was instrumental in helping independent India industrialise, develop its scientific potential, and defend its territorial integrity. The Indo-Russian relationship developed a level of trust between two independent countries that was unprecedented in international affairs. The collapse of the USSR negatively aff

The Future of Care Work Post-COVID-19
Sep 08, 2021

The Future of Care Work Post-COVID-19

Care work, both paid and unpaid, is at the heart of most economies. The care sector comprises formal healthcare, childcare services, early childhood education, disability and long-term care, and eldercare. Two-thirds of care workers globally are women, and women and girls perform more than three-quarters of all unpaid care work. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the vulnerability of care workers and deepened the gender gap. This paper a

The G20 Digital Economy Agenda for India
Sep 13, 2022

The G20 Digital Economy Agenda for India

The role of digitalisation in the global economy has become increasingly crucial as the dependency on digital technologies has surged amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishing a digital economy involves utilising digitisation as the key factor of production in a broad range of economic activities. The G20 has recognised the importance of maximising benefits and minimising challenges from the development of the digital economy. Over the years, it h

The Geoeconomics of Climate Finance
Nov 22, 2021

The Geoeconomics of Climate Finance

The global climate finance architecture tends to restrain emerging economies from mobilising and accessing global private commercial capital for energy transition. This brief explores the different global financial regulations that influence climate capital flows between countries, and argues that institutions must enhance their role in facilitating the optimal allocation of capital. It evaluates the role of Multilateral Development Banks from a

The Greening Imperative: How Indian States Are Promoting Sustainable Industry
May 25, 2021

The Greening Imperative: How Indian States Are Promoting Sustainable Industry

With natural resources being exploited beyond scope of regeneration, excessive pollutants accumulating in the biosphere, and ecosystems and biodiversity undergoing life-threatening degradation, industrial policies that steer investment towards a greener economy have become an imperative. This paper examines the green component of the industrial policies of 14 Indian states which have been found to be responsible for more than 80 percent o

The importance of being Vladimir Putin
Oct 08, 2013

The importance of being Vladimir Putin

Right now, everyone around Putin is singing paeans to his sagacity. It is his ability to cut through the chaff, determine his priorities and then craft his policies fully cognizant of Russia's current limitations that will see him emerge as a universally acclaimed statesman. Authoritarian he may be, but there is no reason to doubt that he is up to this task.

The Kashmir that India Lost: An Analysis of India’s Post-1980s Policy on Gilgit Baltistan
Apr 25, 2022

The Kashmir that India Lost: An Analysis of India’s Post-1980s Policy on Gilgit Baltistan

This paper dissects the history and politics of Gilgit-Baltistan, a part of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), from the 1980s to the present day. It analyses the policies implemented by Pakistani leaders in the region and how successive political parties have attempted to justify Pakistan’s administrative control of it while disregarding any democratic, secular or moral principles in the ruling of its supposed subjects. The pap

The Narcoterrorism Challenge to India’s National Security
Jul 29, 2024

The Narcoterrorism Challenge to India’s National Security

Narcoterrorism—or the trafficking of illicit drugs by terrorist and insurgent groups—has long threatened India’s national security. Security agencies are attempting to address this challenge, which involves various groups like Khalistani terrorist organisations, Kashmir’s separatist militants, and insurgent groups in the Northeast; their efforts have achieved mixed results. This brief examines recent trends in drug trafficking and narcote

The nuances of India’s de-hyphenated policy
Feb 06, 2018

The nuances of India’s de-hyphenated policy

New Delhi’s policies towards Israel and Palestine are shifting from mere symbolism towards one driven by substantial outcomes

The Pathway to Affordable Housing in Urban India: A Case Study of Mumbai
Apr 25, 2023

The Pathway to Affordable Housing in Urban India: A Case Study of Mumbai

The affordable housing challenge plagues cities across India. Although city administrations have framed various strategies to tackle the issue, weak implementation, flawed policies, and an inherent lack of capacity to find longterm solutions have allowed slums to proliferate as an alternative. This paper examines the affordable housing issue in Greater Mumbai. Since affordability is not absolute but relative to the development stage and income di

The reign of the Non-proliferation Ayatollahs - 2
Mar 24, 2004

The reign of the Non-proliferation Ayatollahs - 2

The first part of this effort documented the various acts of omission and commission by the non-proliferation ayatollahs that led to the 1998 nuclear weapons testing of India, followed by Pakistan. However, the stark reality of the consequences of the dubious policies adopted by the NPAs towards Pakistani and Chinese proliferation came to light recently in the exposé of the Pakistan¿s ¿nuclear father¿ Dr.A.Q.Khan and his nuclear smuggling rin

The tyranny of technology: Time to change old systems to align with new realities
Dec 10, 2015

The tyranny of technology: Time to change old systems to align with new realities

In order to achieve the SDGs, it is time to re-evaluate the global patents regime. India and other developing countries need to explore policies and practices for creating a culture and system that encourages innovation.

The US Presidential Election: Implications for East Asia
May 11, 2023

The US Presidential Election: Implications for East Asia

As the American presidential election draws closer, both candidates-Barack Obama and Mitt Romney-are well aware that domestic issues would be the major factors determining the poll results. Policies, related to immigration, taxation,...

Time to focus on exports
Apr 09, 2013

Time to focus on exports

While the domestic economic situation needs various corrective steps to bring back an increase in private investment, the external situation needs to be addressed with right export-boosting policies. Raising export growth seems to be the only alternative.

Towards Universal Access to Clean Cooking Fuels and Technologies: The Role of Policy, National Incomes, and Social Behaviour
Aug 14, 2023

Towards Universal Access to Clean Cooking Fuels and Technologies: The Role of Policy, National Incomes, and Social Behaviour

Goal seven of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) commits the international community to providing access to clean cooking fuels and technologies to all by 2030. Progress has been slow, however, and in about 40 of the UN’s 189 member countries for which data is available, more that 80 percent of the populations continue to lack such access. Using case studies, this brief analyses the role of a country’s policies, i

U.S.-India Cooperation in Counterterrorism: Redefining Convergence Amidst Challenges
Oct 07, 2024

U.S.-India Cooperation in Counterterrorism: Redefining Convergence Amidst Challenges

India and the United States (US) are realigning their respective foreign policies to prioritise stronger ties in counterterrorism cooperation. However, challenges arise from differing national security perspectives, particularly regarding regional threats posed by entities like Pakistan and Afghanistan. Following massive terrorist attacks, this collaboration has intensified, encompassing various activities that include intelligence sharing and jo

Ukraine stand-off a lose-lose situation
Jan 28, 2022

Ukraine stand-off a lose-lose situation

Regime change policies are the staple of Anglo-American interventions in various parts of the world, including Ukraine.

Understanding disease and shaping public health policy in a time of pandemic
May 23, 2023

Understanding disease and shaping public health policy in a time of pandemic

A pandemic of the viral disease COVID-19 has reached millions of people around the world with significant rates of mortality. With no specific treatments or vaccines in the immediate horizon, limiting contact with infected persons, the use of masks, and hand hygiene offer the only mitigation for now. This has led most countries to adopt severe isolation measures, which have in turn caused disruption of economic activity and increased unemployment

Understanding the Impact of GSP Withdrawal on India’s Top Exports to the US
Aug 12, 2020

Understanding the Impact of GSP Withdrawal on India’s Top Exports to the US

This brief analyses the impacts of the withdrawal of the United States’ Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme on India’s exports, domestic production and employment.[1]  Until 5 June 2019, when the GSP withdrawal came into effect, India was the largest beneficiary of the GSP of which it had been part since 1974. A decline in exports to the US was anticipated as items under zero-tariff rate were subjected to a higher rate after wi

Unlocking Sustainable Finance to Promote Green Transition: India’s Priorities for its G20 Presidency in 2023
Aug 04, 2022

Unlocking Sustainable Finance to Promote Green Transition: India’s Priorities for its G20 Presidency in 2023

Sustainable finance emerged as a key issue to tackle climate change at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference and is spurring a global transition to net zero. A peculiar feature of the race to net zero is that it cannot be achieved unless all countries can meet their targets, and any positive step towards it will benefit all countries. The drive to achieve carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions needs to be targeted through a range of

Urban India’s Parking Woes: An Overview
Mar 14, 2024

Urban India’s Parking Woes: An Overview

Vehicular congestion and insufficient parking facilities are significant emerging challenges for India’s mega and metropolitan cities, severely impairing mobility. Although curtailed by constitutional mandates, many Indian cities are seeking to resolve the issue through parking policies, focusing on regulations, pricing as a management tool, new technologies, and off-street parking provisions. This brief assesses the parking policies of Ahmedab

Urban Rental Housing in India: Towards ‘Housing For All’
Dec 08, 2020

Urban Rental Housing in India: Towards ‘Housing For All’

Indian cities have long struggled with the challenge of inadequate housing amidst rapid urbanisation and worsening urban poverty. Government policies have failed to fill the gap, focused as they are on ownership housing alone and neglecting rental housing. The 2015 draft National Urban Rental Housing Policy and 2019 draft Model Tenancy Act aim to rectify this situation. For these policies to be successful, however—and for India to realise its g

US Policy options in Pakistan
Oct 13, 2011

US Policy options in Pakistan

Pakistan will face severe consequences if they do not change their policies in dealing with terror networks, said Dr. Lisa Curtis during a talk on "US Policy Options in Pakistan" on October 13, 2011 at Observer Research Foundation.

Vajpayee's foreign policy may be his most enduring legacy
Aug 20, 2018

Vajpayee's foreign policy may be his most enduring legacy

From testing nuclear weapons to pursuing peace with Pakistan and China, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was clear-headed about his about his security and foreign policies from the outset.

Virtual Digital Assets Regulation in G20 Countries: Finding Common Ground for the Development of a Global Governance Framework
Apr 28, 2023

Virtual Digital Assets Regulation in G20 Countries: Finding Common Ground for the Development of a Global Governance Framework

Statements made by public officials in certain G20 member states as well commentaries by financial analysts suggest that emerging market economies stand on a different footing from developed counterparts in their regulation of virtual digital assets. They attribute these differences to the distinct institutional, demographic, and economic vulnerabilities of developing countries. This paper examines this notion by presenting a quantitative

What ails India’s public transport systems? The case of Mumbai
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 municipal public transport service for years: after the cross-subsidies from the electric supply division of BEST to its public transport ar

What lies ahead for Pakistan
Apr 03, 2013

What lies ahead for Pakistan

In the coming Pakistan elections, the PPP cannot be written off because it has substantial pockets of support across various provinces. But it deserves some sympathy. Asif Zardari has not had an easy time with the media which had deemed him corrupt from day one or the judiciary and the military which have foiled all his efforts to come up with bold policies.

What Trump's cabinet picks tell us about his administration
Dec 03, 2016

What Trump's cabinet picks tell us about his administration

Cabinet and sub-cabinet picks are no doubt important in understanding the direction of the new administration's policies. However, equally important is the need to understand who has been chosen and why.

Who is going to be the next King in Saudi Arabia?
Sep 11, 2013

Who is going to be the next King in Saudi Arabia?

Royal succession is considered to be the 'prickliest' problem facing the Saudi kingdom. It can bring about a fundamental change in Saudi politics and can have an overarching impact on Saudi society and its national and foreign policies.

Why US needs a more measured approach to the nuclear question
Apr 08, 2013

Why US needs a more measured approach to the nuclear question

The deepening crisis in the Korean Peninsula and the stalled nuclear talks with Iran together are a powerful reminder to the US that its non-proliferation policies are not working in Asia. Both Bush's muscular approaches and Obama's coercive diplomacy have failed.

With China as backdrop, New Delhi’s Moscow watch
Sep 22, 2020

With China as backdrop, New Delhi’s Moscow watch

The evolving global order makes it difficult for them to pursue fully convergent policies; a long-term view is essential

Xi-Putin bonhomie fails Western policy towards Russia
Jun 16, 2015

Xi-Putin bonhomie fails Western policy towards Russia

The Western policy of isolating Russia has only served to push Russia deeper into Chinese arms. Russia and China are planning to increase their engagement in Central Asia and will coordinate their policies in the former Soviet territories in Eurasia.

Xi’s China, China’s Xi: Current Political and Social Challenges
Dec 11, 2020

Xi’s China, China’s Xi: Current Political and Social Challenges

In recent years, China, under President Xi Jinping, has seen substantial growth and sought a greater leadership role in world affairs. New equations have emerged domestically as well. As Xi fortifies his hold over the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the country, repressive policies in Tibet and Xinjiang and excessive curbs on academic freedom can pose potential political threats. At the same time, issues like ecological degradation and widening

Xi’s Permanent Struggle
Oct 15, 2024

Xi’s Permanent Struggle

Ideology can hardly cover the imperial mindset of China at 75

अमृत महोत्सव: वो 10 नीतियाँ, जिनकी वजह से निर्माण हो रहा है एक चिरस्थायी भारतवर्ष का!
Sep 07, 2022

अमृत महोत्सव: वो 10 नीतियाँ, जिनकी वजह से निर्माण हो रहा है एक चिरस्थायी भारतवर्ष का!

यह केवल पुराने भारत का उत्सव नहीं है, बल्कि वर्तमान और भविष्य के आकांक्षापूर्ण और महत्वाकांक्षी भारत का उत्सव है. इसी संदर्भ में यह सारांश ऐसी 10 नीतियों की चर्चा करता है, जो �