VIF Papers
Combating Financing of Terror: An Indian Perspective

Introduction The Indian state possesses a unique characteristic of a mix of peace and conflict trajectories that greatly impact its policy and execution. This is true also of its policies on and responses to the most potent threat it faces in the form of externally sponsored terrorism spreading in through its porous borders and internal terror largely on account of weak governance. Click here to read full Paper

Understanding the Chinese One-Belt-One-Road

A glance at the history of the last few centuries, since at least the seventeenth, indicates that the opening decades of all centuries are times of upheaval. New forces frequently emerge, new ideologies, or technologies. These take time to play themselves out. Without being deterministic about such historical cycles, it seems hard to escape the conclusion that we are witnessing one more turn, and that it will be a while before stability will return.​

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and its South Asian Connection: An Indian Perspective

A Brief Background to the Evolution of ISIS: Today, one of the most serious threats that have engulfed a large portion of the Middle East is the emergence of the Sunni Muslim extremist group, infamously known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), or Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). After capturing a sizeable territory in Iraq and Syria, the group changed its name to Islamic State (IS).

The Communist Party-Army Equation in China

Preamble In republican scheme of matters, warfare is the ultimate political recourse that is to be prosecuted to seek conditions for advantageous settlement of external disputes. Conversely, in communist theology, military force is but an integral component of external as well as domestic political articulation, more of the latter in fact, for it to remain committed as the guarantor of the regime’s autarkic endeavours. Click here to read full Paper

International Terrorism Post 9/11: Emerging Trends and Global Response

Introduction September 11, 2001 was a watershed in the manner in which the world acknowledged and responded to terrorism. The monstrosity of the multiple attacks which killed nearly 3,000 people in one planned strike brought universal condemnation for terror acts and the community of nations got together to formulate a collective response, in what came to be known as the ‘Global War on Terrorism’ (GWOT).

Nehru Era’s Defence and Security Policies and Their Legacy

Introduction During the nationalist movement and struggle for independence, there was little attention paid to articulation of India’s defence and security policies by the Indian National Congress (INC). Allusions to concepts and precepts of defence of an independent India were entirely absent from INC party resolutions and documents or for that matter in the speeches of the political leadership. Click here to read full Paper

Nuclear Energy in India’s Energy Security Matrix: An Appraisal

Abstract Energy is essential for the economic growth of a nation. India, which is in the lower half of the countries as far as the energy consumption per capita is concerned, needs to leap frog from its present position to upper half, commensurate with its growing economic stature, by adopting an approach, where all available sources need to be optimally used in a coordinated manner, to bridge the demand supply gap.

Strategic Trends in Asia-Pacific and its Implications for India

Introduction Events that are taking place in Asia-Pacific are a sub set of what is happening in Asia in particular and at the global level in general. While there has been an on-going shift of economic power to Asia, it is also quite apparent that most of the conflict spots of the world are in Asia. Rapid rise of People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its fast tracked militarisation has created not only its own geostrategic dynamics in the Asia-Pacific but also has caused reverberations at the global level.

The Role of Myanmar’s Military in Democratic Transition and Implications for India

Myanmar military’s ethos can be traced back to the country’s national struggle for freedom with its founding fathers being of socialist persuasion rather than professional soldiers (Burma Independence Army; founded by a group of nationalists known as Thirty Comrades). Click here to read full Paper

Durand Line: History, Legality & Future

1. Introduction It was in the late 1880s, that the Amir of Afghanistan, Abdur Rahman, started demanding a clear defined border with India. The British too wanted to make a clear buffer state, free from its sphere of influence Click here to read full Paper

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