QUAD Courtesy: Business Standard
19 June 2025

Reappraising QUAD post Pahalgam

There are partners and there are partners. India, a QUAD member, was attacked by terrorists from Pakistan in April. In a subsequent bilateral conflict the next month, Pakistan received strong political backing and military equipment from its strategic partner China. Despite agreements on countering terrorism and checking China, none of the QUAD countries came to India’s aid.

IMEC map with source Courtesy: Gateway House
11 June 2025

IMEC: more than just a corridor

The proposed IMEC corridor connecting India to Europe through the Gulf can be transformative, helping to reduce risks to the global movement of goods and data. It’s early days yet, and there are gaps to be filled in terms of missing infrastructure and overcoming a diplomatic rift.

India Today (1) Courtesy: India Today
26 May 2025

India’s evolving defence doctrine

The Pahalgam attack has changed India’s strategic calculus. With Operation Sindoor, the country is moving towards a more assertive posture, consolidating its strategy around an evolving doctrine of Proactive Deterrence underpinned by Calibrated Coercive Capability. A strategic practitioner’s viewpoint is below.

Website articles  (17) Courtesy: Nayanima Basu
19 May 2025

India’s three-pronged war strategy

Operation Sindoor has established a “new normal” in India-Pakistan relations. It has also given the world a glimpse into the Narendra Modi government’s future strategy in countering terrorism supported by the Pakistani Army and ISI, and how New Delhi will manage the Kashmir dispute.

Website articles  (4) Courtesy: Agence France-Presse
8 May 2025

Pakistan’s clash of ideology and identity

The on-going India-Pakistan tensions have obscured the grave issues Pakistan is facing on its western frontier with Afghanistan. The resurgence of Pashtun nationalism, the long-running Baloch insurgency and the growing resentment over Punjabi dominance is challenging Pakistan’s identity and ideology as protector of Islam. The Taliban under the Emir in Kandahar holds far greater moral authority than any general in Rawalpindi.

Pahalgam-attack-1024x679 Courtesy: Khyber News
24 April 2025

Post Pahalgam, India’s choices

The horrific attack on April 22 on tourists in Kashmir has exposed its stark and violent reality. Kashmir remains tumultuous even after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Before confronting Pakistan, India must first address its internal challenges and deliver on its election promises to achieve enduring progress.

APTOPIX Russia Ukraine War Courtesy: AP
13 March 2025

Riyadh and the new halls of mediation

Saudi Arabia has been the new centre for mediation between warring states and their sponsors. It reflects the shifting dynamics in an increasingly multipolar world and the redefinition of power structures. This role has extended to other Gulf states, which have strategically positioned themselves as neutral players, leveraging their strong relations with the great powers, and adopted culturally sensitive to consensus-building.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes President of the European Union Ursula von der Leyen upon her arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.  Evan Vucci/Pool via REUTERS Courtesy: Atlantic Council
13 March 2025

The EU reaches out to India

The recent visit of the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and the EU College of Commissioners to India, is a testament to its view of India as a key voice in the Global South and a stabilising force amidst a rapidly changing global dynamic. However, a strong push is required to elevate their transactional relationship into something more meaningful for both parties.

Quad meeting Courtesy: X
13 February 2025

Where is the Quad heading in 2025?

The first plurilateral meeting attended by new U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was the Quad, a day after assuming office. The meeting reinforced the commitment to the Indo-Pacific but with the change in government, the Quad's trajectory in 2025 remains a question. Part of the answer lies in its past interactions, while the rest depends on how the U.S. and India will approach China.

X PRABOWO Courtesy: X (@rashtrapatibhvn)
30 January 2025

Decisive moment in India-Indonesia ties

India hosted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on a four-day state visit and as chief guest for its 76th Republic Day. The bilateral is now going beyond civilisational commonalities. Tourism, trade and connectivity are central themes, as is defence and maritime security cooperation with India. A robust India-Indonesia partnership can help both nations achieve shared goals in the Indo-Pacific.