International Relations and Diplomacy
Defining China’s Intelligentized Warfare and Role of Artificial Intelligence

China feels that U.S. is its main adversary ... China is trying to match U.S. technological capabilities with its own strength in AI as a leap frog technology and a new concept of war ... But there will be lot of problems in implementing this concept of Intelligentization Warfare to reality. However, President Xi Jinping has thrown the gauntlet, and it is up to the U.S. the other adversaries and the rest of the world to follow this concept keenly.

Prospects of Developing Regional Value Chain in South Asia

This discussion paper attempts to examine two major questions, first, if RVC can be developed in South Asia, and, second, is the South Asian region ready for this development? We are premising our arguments on the marginal rise in trade volume over the last decade, coinciding with the removal of a number of tariff and para-tariff barriers particularly by India, and the recent focus on developing a multi modal transportation infrastructure in the region as well as measures to facilitate trade and logistics being undertaken by India and the neighborhood.

Does the World Need Chinese Hegemony?

In 2004, Premier Wen Jiabao said that China’s rise “will not come at the cost of any other country, will not stand in the way of any other country, nor pose a threat to any other country”. The broad Pacific Ocean is vast enough to embrace both China and the United States”, said Chinese President Xi Jinping while meeting US Secretary of State John Kerry in Beijing in May 2015.

Battleground Idlib: Russia and Turkey’s Interests amidst the COVID-19 crisis

The civil war in Syria similar to the continuing conflicts in Yemen and Libya has its roots in the 2011 Arab spring protests. The protracted conflict between President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces and a fragmented opposition has been diffused by Russia and Iran and the ruling regime has succeeded to reclaim majority of territories. The north-western governorate of Idlib is one of the last rebel-held regions and the Syrian government is pursuing its efforts to reclaim control since late 2016.

India at Crossroads - Part I

Covid-19 was a predictable and avoidable event, if the world had been more transparent and accountable, and less greedy and ambitious. It is important to analyse fast-evolving international developments, thoughts and trends to grasp the choices and imperatives ahead. What India needs to do, both internally and externally, may be assisted by examining extreme scenarios of a post-Covid world and a net-assessment covering variables such as geopolitical compulsions, examining ‘Pax-Sinica’ and its economic and security implications, and trends affecting globalisation and multilateralism.

Preparing for A Post-Corona World

The Novel Coronavirus has not only taken over the year 2020, it will have ramifications for decades to come. Changes to societal norms and developmental priorities, and de-globalisation forces gaining momentum are just some of the expected uncertainties on the anvil. This paper explores a myriad of effects and issues related to this history-changing moment in our times.

VIF Roundtable on India-Central Asia Relations | Summary of Discussions

India-Central Asia relations gained momentum in the recent past with Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the five Central Asian Republics in 2015 and India’s permanent membership to Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2017. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Central Asia, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Agreements were signed. The high-level exchange of visits between India and Central Asia has raised their bilateral relation profile. India is also contributing to the annual SCO Summits by suggesting a number of concrete ideas.

Interests and Contests of Houthi and Al-Hirak Movements in Yemen crisis

… there is apparently a tacit understanding between the UAE and Saudi Arabia over the STC-Hadi government conflict … the recent attempts in September 2019 to bring STC and the Hadi government to the negotiating table reflect Saudi attempts to reach reconciliation to re-group the anti-Houthi coalition ... the stalemated nature of the conflict between the Arab coalition and the Houthis has prompted Saudi Arabia to gradually reconcile its interests vis-a-vis the Houthi Movement …

India-Africa Partnership - An Assessment

… There is a lot of goodwill for India in Africa. African countries appreciate its non-intrusive policies and look towards it for lead and initiative. However, India’s approach has been request-based and not initiative-based... Basically, a cohesive policy and strategic vision for its partnership with Africa is needed ... India must develop a strategic foreign policy and make it initiative-based ...

India’s Defence Cooperation with South East Asian Countries: Need for Proactive and Substantive Action

… with the global and regional dynamics remaining in a state of flux it should be India’s effort to build on the existing defence and security relationships .. as also strive to enhance such an engagement with other members of ASEAN whose interests are more inclined towards China or elsewhere... most of these nations see India as somewhat of a benign balancer in the South East Asian region …

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