Rajesh Soami Archives - National Maritime Foundation

180615-N-ZL062-0077 PHILIPPINE SEA (June 15, 2018) The Indian navy Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate INS Kamorta (F49) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Akizuki-class destroyer JS Fuyuzuki (DD 118) are underway in formation during exercise Malabar 2018. Malabar 2018 is the 22nd rendition of the exercise and the first time is has been hosted off the coast of Guam. Malabar is designed to advance military-to-military coordination in a multinational environment between the U.S., Japan and Indian maritime forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sarah Myers/Released)

The Indian navy Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate INS Kamorta (F49) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Akizuki-class destroyer JS Fuyuzuki (DD 118) underway in formation during exercise Malabar 2018. Malabar is designed to advance military-to-military coordination in a multinational environment between the U.S., Japanese, Indian and now Australian maritime forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sarah Myers/Released)

INDIAN INVITATION TO AUSTRALIA TRANSFORMS MALABAR INTO A QUADRILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE

In a much awaited development, an official press release from the Government of India, on 19 October 2020,[1] has confirmed that Australia will take part in this year’s edition of the MALABAR series of naval exercises, which is scheduled to…

US WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN - INDIA MUST BRACE FOR IMPACT

In yet another policy flip-flop that has become emblematic of the Trump Administration, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has said that he received a directive from the President, Donald Trump, to reduce troops in Afghanistan before November…

THE AMERICAN SANCTIONS ON IRAN AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA: PART 3

Iran has threatened to close down the Strait of Hormuz. This is in response to the US decision to end waivers for eight major oil importing countries for buying oil from Iran, starting from 01 May 2019. Similar threats have emanated…

THE AMERICAN SANCTIONS ON IRAN AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA:PART 2

The decision of the US government to end waivers to eight countries for import of Iranian oil will come into effect on 01 May, 2019. Although some of these countries may well defy the unilateral American sanctions, most, including India are…

THE AMERICAN SANCTIONS ON IRAN AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA:PART 1

The decision of the Trump administration to end waivers for the import of Iranian oil to India has ended the almost 12 year-long diplomatic tightrope that India has been walking since sanctions were first imposed on Iran through…

KENYA, ANOTHER CHINESE TAKEOVER IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION?

The spectre of the takeover of another strategically located port by China in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is looming large these days. In Kenya, a leaked report from the Auditor-General's office states that the terms of a loan taken by Nairobi…

INDIA AGAIN FAILS TO CONDEMN TERRORISM IN UN:A RELAPSE INTO AN OLD DISEASE

In an imprudent move, India abstained from a United Nations resolution brought to the General Assembly by United States of America on 6th December. The harmless resolution condemned Hamas for firing rockets into Israel which endangered the lives…

SHOULD INDIA BAIL OUT A DEBT-RIDDEN MALDIVES?

Maldives has borrowed heavily from China in the last five years putting it at serious risk of debt distress. Now Male has sought support from India to tide over its financial problems. The Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid along with…

AN OPENING FOR INDIA IN THE MALDIVES

The results of the Maldivian elections, held on 23rd September, have surprised many, particularly in India. The authoritarian tendencies of President Yameen and news emanating from Male thus far had suggested that the Maldivian strongman may…

TRUMP'S TRADE WAR: A NEW THREAT TO THE 'QUAD'

The spillover of India’s determination to counter US trade threats could endanger nascent security dialogues in the Indo-Pacific. The idea of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad, as it is often called, was mooted by Japanese premier…

COMCASA – WIND-VANE OF INDIAN FOREIGN POLICY?!

The United States has been prodding India to sign the communications, compatibility and security agreement, better known as COMCASA, for more than a decade. COMCASA is a version of CISMOA (Communication interoperability and Security memorandum…