IDR Blog
Mission Shakti: What Next?
In a remarkable technological feat and a clear demonstration of national resolve, India conducted Mission Shakti, an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test, on March 27, 2019 by successfully engaging an orbiting target satellite at an altitude of nearly 300 km. In the process, it emerged as the fourth member of the exclusive club of space powers...
Tirupathi Factor: Unbreakable Symbol of Sri Lankan politician’s spiritual dependence of India
Man’s association with faith is the most inexplicable thing in the world which gives no clues of comprehending its very nature. Even the most powerful men in world history were known to be shaky and crumbled before the creed they ardently believed. In the annals of Roman history we find emperors like Hadrian who was extremely obsessed with...
Afghanistan’s Future Cannot be secured by sidelining India
US Special Envoy on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad skipping India as he cavorts across other regional capitals from Islamabad to Amman to broker a peace settlement with Taliban raises crucial questions whether it is the US deliberate policy to side-line India from Afghan peace process or is it the personal proclivity of Khalilzad reported to be...
Will India end up as a spectator in Afghanistan?
In a recent Bollywood movie ‘Kesari’, which commemorates the Battle of Saragarhi, fought on September 12, 1897 between the British Indian Army and Afghan tribesmen, the protagonist, a soldier in the Sikh battalion, puts India’s unwitting role in the global context of the “Great Game”. The British Indian Empire representing the Queen,...
A Roadmap to address Indo-US Trade Irritants
Since the US announcement of its withdrawal of benefits to India under Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) on March 4, 2019, it is speculated that the Indo-US trade relations may plunge into a downward spiral. Mark Linscott, Former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asian Affairs and Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council...