In one of its first engagements with a close ally of its Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision, the newly-inaugurated administration of US President Joe Biden, reaffirmed to Prime Minister Suga its commitment to provide ‘extended’ deterrence to Japan, especially against regional security threats arising from China and North Korea.
The two parts over which this article has been penned seek to analyse the manner in which the intersection of two extraordinary events — the COVID-19 pandemic and the oil-price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia — produced a sequence of outcomes that significantly impacted India’s crude-oil vulnerability and the mitigating measures that the country […]
This article seeks to highlight the glaring gap between the planned activities within SAGARMALA and the long-term climate-change-induced threats facing coastal regions in India. It first discusses some of the more prominent impacts of climate change on India’s coastal infrastructure and highlights the likelihood of their continuing to amplify and accelerate in the near-term future. […]
The SAGARMALA Project and Predicted Energy-Requirements Launched in 2015, the SAGARMALA Project (SP) is a contemporary, mega undertaking of the Government of India (GoI) that is aimed at ‘port-led’ comprehensive and holistic development of the country as a whole. Its stated vision is to “reduce logistics cost[s] for both domestic and EXIM cargo with minimal […]
The discovery of a Xiang Yang Hong research-ship in the Eastern Indian Ocean, off Sumatra, is yet another instance of China’s interest to enhance the capabilities of its submarine fleet through data-gathering. Coming less than six months after a similar incident near Sri Lankan waters, the dual purposes of such activities merits attention considering the […]
Since 2019, the Gulf of Guinea has experienced an unprecedented rise in the number of multiple crew kidnappings. The rise in kidnapping incidents further away from shorelines demonstrates the increasing capabilities of pirates in the Gulf of Guinea. Spiralling freight rates, in the midst of the pandemic, may be exacerbated by violence on the high […]
Keio University established India Japan Laboratory (IJL) to enhance education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship potentials between India and Japan, especially targeting students and professionals and business sectors and in both countries. The laboratory aims to undertake cutting edge bilateral / multilateral research on different topics, and to enhance higher education collaboration and partnership, and facilitate […]
Despite lower carbon emissions due to the economic slowdown imposed by COVID-19 restriction, 2020 had the joint highest global temperatures on record. Data released by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) indicated that higher temperatures resulted in extensive wildfires and lower levels of Arctic sea ice. This data highlights the need for sweeping […]
The National Maritime Foundation signs MoU with the Rashtriya Raksha University to promote the goals and objectives of national and internal maritime security through joint research projects, training and various academic & extension activities. Rashtriya Raksha University (hereinafter RRU), is a statutory University established by the Government of India under the Rashtriya Raksha University Act, […]
The successful conclusion of the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) between China and the EU, two of the top three economic power centres in the world, may not be viewed positively by Washington. The agreement offers unprecedented access for European goods to the Chinese market, which may undermine US efforts to undermine perceived economic imbalances […]
China’s demand for additional guarantees before sanctioning a US$6 billion loan to Pakistan for an infrastructure project suggests that all may not be well between the “all-weather” allies. In other news, India and Vietnam adopted a “Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People” to guide the future development of India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Discussions between […]
The graduation of France from dialogue partner to full member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), while Russia and Saudi Arabia struggle to attain dialogue partner status, is indicative of the IOR geopolitics. Iran’s withdrawal of its reservations against France becoming a member has been viewed in the backdrop of Iran seeking support from […]