IDR Blog
BIMSTEC: Many potentials, but Slow Realization
The issue of terrorism dominated the proceedings of the recently concluded Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Outreach Summit in Goa. India in its bids to diplomatically isolate Pakistan in the wake of fidayen attack in Uri sought the cooperation of the BIMSTEC members to fight the menace of...
China’s Dam Building Spree in Tibet: Strategic Implications and India’s Options
Recent reports have pointed to China blocking the Xiabuqu tributary of the Yarlung Zangpo River (Tibetan name for Brahmaputra) for a dam project. The 195-km long Xiabuqu originates at Bainang and joins the Brahmaputra at Xigaze, close to Sikkim. The construction of the dam as part of the Lalho hydroelectric project at Xigaze reportedly began in...
Evolving from Restraint to Dissuasion and Deterrence
Liberal democracies, organized on the basis of social contract between the citizens and the state are increasingly facing terrorist attacks globally. As this new kind of undeclared war is unleashed on citizens of democratic states, their national security sectors are obliged to develop appropriate military response. Consequently, policies have...
Enhanced Role of Japanese SDF in UN Peacekeeping Operations
On 8 October 2016, the Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada visited South Sudan to assess the prevailing security situation for the deployment of Self Defence Forces (SDF) which would be assigned an enhanced role of protecting UN personnel, civilians and other peacekeepers. This enhanced role will be a major change from the current SDF role...
Kashmir is Indian. Is Tibet really Chinese?
Comrades in the Middle Kingdom must learn from their history and be prepared. New Delhi can be ‘neutral’ but also side with the Tibetans, especially if Beijing continues to side with Pakistan’s terrorist activities In April 2015, President Xi Jinping paid his first State visit to Pakistan. The friendship between the two nations was...