Category Archives: Outreach Publications
Jirga and gender violence
Rising Kashmir, August 15, 2017
D. Suba Chandran is Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
They may be historical and even cultural. But do they create a situation for sections of our society and make them an easy target? The specific question in this context is – do the jirga system perpetuate violence against the women? If so, then should we still consider it as a part of historical evolution of our society, and try to justify through culture? Or is it time, that we look beyond the traditional explanations, and call a spade a spade?
Doklam, Demochok and DBO
Rising Kashmir, August 07, 2017
D. Suba Chandran is Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Though there have been warning at the official levels from China, and the Chinese media issuing threats, India has not officially responded. Nor has it backed down at the border. How will China respond to India’s tough military and political posture? Will it stop with just issuing threats? Will it intensify its military posture in Doklam? Or, will it look beyond and explore poking India at other places along the India-China border?
What Trump’s Afghanistan Policy Means for India
The Diplomat, July 15, 2017
Sourina Bej is a research consultant at the Institute of Strategic and Security Studies Program, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.
Beyond the friendly diktats and signature hugs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Unites States on June 25 and 26 had some overlooked signals on the future of Afghanistan policy. With the United States still mulling over its new direction, India has much to consider when it comes to President Donald Trump’s Af-Pak policy. Is India ready for deep security engagement in Afghanistan? Will this be required as Trump’s Af-Pak policy is unveiled?
To read the complete article click here
To Use or Not to Use: India and the Military Uses of Space
IAPS Dialogue, University of Nottingham, July 13, 2017
S. Chandrashekhar is Visiting Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The Indian Space Programme spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has largely focused on civilian uses of space technology. The major thrust areas are satellite communications, remote sensing, weather and navigation services. More recently ISRO has ventured into the realms of inter planetary probes with high profile missions to the Moon and Mars. As a consequence there is growing international recognition of India’s emergence as a space power.
To read the complete article click here
Doha to Astana: insulate and integrate
Daily Times, June 15, 2017
D. Suba Chandran is Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Two diverging developments in South Asian’s western neighbourhoods — Gulf and Central Asia, calls for two different approaches especially by India and Pakistan. While South Asia should try to insulate itself from the ongoing crisis in the Gulf, we should try to integrate further with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and pursue it as an Indo-Pak opportunity.
JIT: What next for Nawaz Sharif?
Rising Kashmir, June 20, 2017
D. Suba Chandran is Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Last week, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appeared in front of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), constituted as a part of the Supreme Court’s verdict on Panama scandal. The Court had asked the JIT to finalise its report in two months, and the latter has been interviewing individuals, including the immediate family members of Sharif. But this process has become a controversy, with the JIT accusing institutions for tampering with information and the Sharif family blaming the JIT of harassment and politicization. With the process becoming politicized now, what will happen when JIT submits its report? What next for Nawaz Sharif?
Qatar’s Isolation
The Hindu, June 15, 2017
Nasima Khatoon is a research intern at National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The recent diplomatic rift between Qatar and other Arab states — like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE and Egypt — has again highlighted the geopolitical significance of the region beyond the oil factor. It emerged as a result of an allegation that the small gas-rich country supports and funds terror through its support of Iran and Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni Islamist political group outlawed by both Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The Qatar Gulf
Rising Kashmir, June 13, 2017
D. Suba Chandran is Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and UAE broke up their diplomatic ties with Qatar last week, with Egypt, Libya and Yemen following. Oman and Kuwait (part of the Gulf Cooperation Council-GCC) have stayed neutral until today. How genuine are those allegations against Qatar? What are the intentions behind the actions against Doha? And what are the likely fallouts of this new crisis in Gulf?
“Afghans’ Kabul Problem,” Rising Kashmir,
Rising Kashmir, June 06, 2017
D. Suba Chandran is Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Just few days after the horrific terror attack with a truck bomb (end May) in the heart of the city, Kabul witnessed further attacks on a subsequent funeral meeting. While the latest attack on a funeral claimed more than 15 victims, the truck bomb earlier claimed more than 90. While terror attacks within Afghanistan have increased during the recent months, and can be explained through the Taliban summer surge, how to explain Kabul being the primary target?
ISRO – Building Bridges Over Troubled Waters
Diplomatist, Vol.5, Issue No.4, April 2017, pp. 23-25
S. Chandrashekhar is Visiting Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The recent launch of 104 satellites on a single PSLV rocket has evoked widespread admiration and captured the imagination of people across the world. This record breaking feat that follows successful missions to the Moon and Mars has catapulted Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from a follower country in the space business into the mainstream of world space powers. The architect that made all this possible – the jewel in India’s space crown – is without doubt the indigenously developed and indigenously manufactured Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) launcher. At this moment of triumph and justifiable elation, it is worth taking a step back to reflect on the origins and motivation that led to its development and the turbulent history behind its success.
To read the complete article click here
