‘Stans’ in India’s Foreign Policy Basket
Despite a strained relationship with the neighboring ‘Stan’ (Persian for "land, place or "country") i.e. Pakistan for the last few years, India has been gradually bringing other ‘Stans’ into its foreign policy fold. Kosh Kelingiz ! (Welcome!).
Cyclone Fani: Act of God in Anthropocene?
Natural disasters such as cyclones, their frequency and pace, must be directly linked to climate change.
Indian Aerospace Industrial Might: Excellence or Muddle Through?
Indian aerospace industrial capabilities have thus far been dominated by a giant conglomerate – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) – that have evolved through decades. HAL’s predecessor Walchand Hirachand Industries Limited was a privately owned aircraft manufacturing entity engaged primarily in repair and overhauling of British and Allied air assets, before being taken over by the government in the 1940s.
‘Urban and Peri-Urban Sustainability’ Agenda in Election Manifestos
Environment has never been a popular subject for India’s major political parties during general elections. Even in the post-1972 UN Conference on Human and Environment period or post-1992 Earth Summit scenario when environment emerged as a strong international and national issue, seldom has environment found an appropriate space in party manifestos in India. At the outset, environment as an issue in the election campaign is still considered a matter of concern for upper strata of societies only.
Why China refuses to label JeM’s Masood Azhar as a global terrorist
China's latest position on Masood Azhar, the dreaded terrorist leader who heads Pakistan based Jaish-e- Muhammad (JeM) has angered Indians, to say the least.
Politicization of the Military and 2019 General Elections
Three primary reasons propel this unease calm: a) cross-border firing or shelling along the border with search and combings by the Indian security forces within J&K continue, which can lead to unpleasant situation, if ill-managed by either state; b) although planned strikes – air, land or naval – from either side seem to have taken a break (it may be noted that both sides appear to have their main and contingency plans ready and are in high alert), another misadventure from non-state terror groups cannot be ruled out leading to bigger employment of military assets and resources fo
Maoism Revisited: A Brief Sketch of Communist Party of Nepal
In response to a series of bomb blasts and kidnapping of a member of legislative assembly in Bajhang district recently, the Nepal government on March 12, 2019, proscribed the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) by branding the same as a criminal group. The ban was imposed just 16 days before the second investment summit, scheduled for March 29-30 by sending a message to the domestic and external investors that Nepal is safe for investment.
Pulwama Aftermath: Analyzing India’s pre-emptive military operations in Pakistan
Carefully planned multiple strikes on Balakot (and other targets), reasonably deep into the Pakistani territory (about 60 miles from the border of Pakistan Administered Kashmir-PAK) by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to weed out assembled terrorists in the biggest terror training camp in a ‘non-military, pre-emptive intelligence-led operation’, in the wee hours of 26th February 2019, has stunned Pakistan and propelled euphoric Indian sentiments further.
Examining The Threat of Biochemical Attack During Kumbh 2019
In recent years, there appears to be increased interest in chemical and biological weapons (CBW) as a means for hostile state and non-state actors to improve their capabilities in carrying out proxy wars. Credible reports have indicated that the jihadi group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), has acquired chemical weapons and is using them for war theatres in the Middle East. (The UNSC Press Release, November 7, 2017). This situation is very grave and a big threat to humanity across the globe.