9789810933043 Courtesy: Research Asia
2 June 2016

Recounting India-Indonesia

"India's Relations with Indonesia" recounts Indonesia's complex relationship with India, while also tracing the country's struggle with its colonial powers and the policies they adopted.

Regular_strength_enteric_coated_aspirin_tablets Courtesy: Wikipedia
2 June 2016

Please-all IPR policy pleases none

India's new intellectual property rights (IPR) policy attempts to address concerns of developed countries regarding India's patent regime, while also protecting public interest, especially that of generic drug producers. However, through this effort of a balancing act, India might have landed up pleasing neither the USTR or U.S. business and disappointing many in India's domestic industry and civil society.

2c33 Courtesy: ISRO
2 June 2016

Prospects and necessities from RLV-TD

The Indian Space Programme has a mandate to focus on its launch- and earth-oriented capabilities. In the past decade, it has attempted some non-conventional experimental projects under the labels “‘low-cost” and “technology demonstrator”. However the effect of these experimental space projects on India’s techno-economic growth will be realised only if the central government gives the project greater status and funding.

modiobama Courtesy: Wikipedia
29 May 2016

Modi in the U.S.: a changed landscape

Prime Minister Modi’s skills will be tested on his upcoming visit to the United States. The challenge comes in light of recent anti-India sentiments voiced at a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. With Modi set to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress, this is an opportunity to address all concerns, be it on policy or polity.

mj16_cover_small Courtesy: Foreign Affairs
29 May 2016

The Age of Transparency

The push for ubiquitous surveillance may, oddly enough, result in greater transparency of state practices as the gaps between rhetoric and reality become more visible.

_89083411_89083410 Courtesy: BBC
26 May 2016

International credibility in a domestic crisis

At present, South Africa finds itself charting political and economic policy uncertainties. This is not to suggest that the domestic political crisis will see different trajectories unfolding with regard to its BRICS/IBSA engagements, or on a broader foreign policy path, but it will have repercussions at the international level, in terms of investor confidence, credit ratings, and currency volatility. Pretoria will face constant pressure to be seen as a credible actor, especially when it comes to its African identity.

modi RCEP Courtesy: MEA / Flickr
26 May 2016

India’s five-cornered trade strategy

Five rather unfavourable trends define India’s trade performance over the past two years; these trends also provide useful pointers as to where India’s future trade strategy can go over the next three years as it deals with a global economic slowdown, the rise of megatrade agreements and a pivot to a more intensive trade relation with the U.S.