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Rajesh Soami

Rajesh Soami

Associate Fellow

Areas of Research

  1. Indian Foreign and Security Policy
  2. Security Challenges in the Indo-Pacific Region
  3. Geopolitics and Conflict Studies

Experience

Rajesh has an M.Phil from School of International Relations in Jawaharlal Nehru University. He regularly writes short pieces for Indian media and policy oriented analytical commentaries for think-tanks. Rajesh has worked as a Research Associate at the Centre for Development and Peace Studies in Guwahati. He has also completed an internship from Catholic de Louvain University in Belgium. He speaks English, Hindi and German. He also knows basic Russian and Bengali.

Education

M.Phil – Jawaharlal Nehru University

M.A.    – Indira Gandhi National Open University

B.A.     – Jawaharlal Nehru University

Presentations

All Publications

NMF Web PublicationsOther Publications
https://maritimeindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/VAdm-Pradeep-Chauhan-Rajesh-Soami-Enhancing-Australia-India-Ties-through-Maritime-Trade-.pdf
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ENHANCING INDIA-AUSTRALIA TIES THROUGH MARITIME TRADE

Author: This article launches the NMF’s advocacy for closer India-Australia economic and strategic ties and argues that the synchronisation of bilateral maritime trade may hold the key to future growth in the relationship between these two critical Indo-Pacific powers and members of the QUAD.  With the India-Australia bilateral Strategic Partnership (concluded in 2009) having been elevated […]
HOW ‘NON-ALIGNED’ SHOULD INDIA BE?
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HOW ‘NON-ALIGNED’ SHOULD INDIA BE?

Author: Introduction The last three decades have transformed global geopolitics.  While the 1990s saw the dissolution of the USSR and the decline of Russia thereafter, the first two decades of the new millennium have led to the rise of China.  The rapid economic transition during this period has provided Beijing the capacity to become a genuine […]
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)
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INDIAN INVITATION TO AUSTRALIA TRANSFORMS MALABAR INTO A QUADRILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE

Author: 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 be held in November of this year.  Correspondingly, in a high-visibility joint media-release, by Australia’s […]
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US WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN – INDIA MUST BRACE FOR IMPACT

Author: 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 2020.  That is the month and year in which the United States will go to its presidential […]
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THE AMERICAN SANCTIONS ON IRAN AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA: PART 3

Author: 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  from  Teheran  in  the  past.    However,  the continuing  US  efforts  to  strangulate  the  Iranian […]
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THE AMERICAN SANCTIONS ON IRAN AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA:PART 2

Author: 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 likely to comply.   This will reduce  India’s  Iranian  oil  imports  substantially,  squeezing  the  money […]
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THE AMERICAN SANCTIONS ON IRAN AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA:PART 1

Author: 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  UN  resolution  1737,  in  December 2006.   The ‘on again off again’ nature of the sanctions had provided […]
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KENYA, ANOTHER CHINESE TAKEOVER IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION?

Author: 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 from China’s EXIM Bank make the port a collateral in case of a […]
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INDIA AGAIN FAILS TO CONDEMN TERRORISM IN UN:A RELAPSE INTO AN OLD DISEASE

Author: 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 of civilians. It called for the cessation of provocative and violent activities by all militant groups including […]
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SHOULD INDIA BAIL OUT A DEBT-RIDDEN MALDIVES?

Author: 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 the Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer and the Minister for Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail visited […]
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AN OPENING FOR INDIA IN THE MALDIVES

Author: 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 not be willing to step down, the results of the elections notwithstanding.  It was the general perception that Yameen […]
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TRUMP’S TRADE WAR: A NEW THREAT TO THE ‘QUAD’

Author: 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 Shinzo Abe in 2007.  The officials of the four countries in Abe’s proposal – India, US, Australia and […]
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COMCASA – WIND-VANE OF INDIAN FOREIGN POLICY?!

Author: 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 Agreement) tailored specifically for India. CISMOA is considered to be one of the three foundational agreements that the United States […]
  1. 2020 (July) EU’s Operation Irini Promotes a Poor Image of the EU. Vivekanand International Foundation.
  2. 2020 (May) The Debate Over Engaging With the Taliban Is Pretentious; Lack Of Land Access Leaves India With Limited Choice.
  3. 2020 (Apr) Will Iran’s Regime Survive The Fallout Of Coronavirus And Economic Sanctions – Or Will The Islamic Revolution Wither?
  4. 2020 (Mar) Turkey Using Refugees as Leverage. Vivekananda International Foundation.
  5. 2020 (Feb) Explained: Why Russia And Turkey Are Fighting In Syria Yet Again. Swarajyamag.
  6. 2020 (Jan) Constitutional Changes in Russia, What is cooking? Vivekananda International Foundation.
  7. 2020 (Jan) Explained: How The US-Iran Crisis May Unfold, And How It Would Affect India’s Interests In The Region.
  8. 2019 (Sep) Way Forward in India-China Relations after the Amendment of Article 370. Vivekananda International Foundation.
  9. 2019 (Sep) What the US-Led Naval Buildup in the Persian Gulf Tells Us. Vivekananda International Foundation.
  10. 2019 (Aug) Solving the Huawei Conundrum, the Middle Path. Vivekananda International Foundation.
  11. 2019 (Aug) Is it Time for India to up its Game in West Asia? Vivekananda International Foundation.
  12. 2019 (Aug) Britain does a ‘Britain’ as Europe dithers like ‘Europe’. Vivekananda International Foundation.
  13. 2019 (July) Chabahar Port – A Rethink is Needed. Vivekananda International Foundation.
  14. 2019 (June) An India-US trade war now? Vivekananda International Foundation.
  15. 2019 (May) Sabotage Acts Outside the Port of Fujairah, Implications for India. Vivekananda International Foundation.
  16. Issue Brief- 2019 (March) India’s Endeavour to Reboot Shipping Industry: Rationale and Implications. National Maritime Foundation
  17. 2018 (Dec) American Betrayal of the Kurds in Syria. Lessons for India.
  18. 2018 (May) Can India build a military-industrial complex? Policy Forum.
  19. 2018 (April) Can India Leverage Trump’s Trade War? The Asia Dialogue.
  20. 2018 (March) Has Russia lost patience with India? The Diplomat.
  21. 2017 (Dec) India’s Jerusalem vote – A case of deft diplomacy by Prime Minister Modi.
  22. 2017 (July) With Imran Khan as the new ‘chosen one’ for Pakistan’s Army, Sharif’s Position was Always in Danger?
  23. 2017 (July) Behind Nawaz Sharif’s Downfall, a Familiar Foe in Pakistan.
  24. 2017 (June) The Clock is Ticking in Syria, and Peace on the Edge in West Asia.
  25. 2017 (June) Reality Check: What Indo-Iranian Civilizational Ties

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