US & Chinese Pivots and India

India today is struggling on many counts – political, economic and military. It’s ability to establish strong credibility is gravely eroded by its lack or weakening of institutions. Institutions for public policy formulation and execution that need to cut across domains/parties/personalities and weather the storms of fickle coalition dharma. Sacrificing national interests to “serve the nation” needs to structurally change in favour of strong democratic institutions, held together by a coherent strategic vision, to ensure its national interests are protected and promoted.

Battles of the Seas

Like South East Asia, South Asia, a region at logger heads with itself based or its internal fault lines, is likely to see itself engulfed in this great game between the West and the Rest – a game it not played right may undermine its economic and political future. It is here that the drama unfolding in the twin seas of South Asia – The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal needs to be carefully monitored to ensure South Asia doesn’t risk becoming pawn in geopolitical clash between the two extra regional powers.

Bangladesh’s Tahrir Moment

The Bangladesh experiment with democracy has added to this unwitting rise of fundamental Islam. Both the leading political parties are unable to win election on their own and need support of various coalition partners who are largely fundamental Islamists. The system thus provides ideal fodder for al Qaeda to spread its wings in the region.

Military Modernisation in India : An Approach

The strategic imperative to sustain, prepare and transform for the future are the strategic ways, ends and means to build a balanced military for the 21st Century – an affordable versatile mix of tailor-able and networked organisations operating for current commitments and to hedge against unexpected contingencies at a tempo that is predictable and sustainable.

Pakistan on a Genocide Watch?

After the sordid experiences of the genocide leading upto dismemberment of East Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh, Pakistan is keen on balkanising again. It needs to be stopped!

Tributes to Lt Navdeep Singh, Ashok Chakra

South Asian Idea has carried a trilogy or articles and a tribute by Maj Gen Raj Mehta, AVSM, VSM (retired), paid to this valiant son of India  who sacrificed everything and brought laurels to the nation. On 7th April 2012, the nation unveiled a bust of the martyr and named the main block of College of [...]

India’s Military Modernisation – Change for the Better

Because of technology gap with major arms manufacturers the process of indigenisation would be slow. In the interim a mix would have to be resorted to while pressing the pedal for modernising the Indian Defence Industry. Indeginisation in the meanwhile would remain a joint responsibility of the public and private sectors – something that would require both to change and adapt on the run. Foreign participation though not a panacea would have to be resorted to during this period. Finally the aim should be to make India export ready in this critical sector.

How to Become A Strategic Analyst Like Yours Sachly

South Asian Idea couldn’t help reproduce this brilliant piece which makes reading reams of paper on South Asian Strategies redundant.  By Major Bearls Oph Wisdom - The Major Bearls Blog I am pleased to see a new generation of Pakistani analysts: The twenty-somethings whose western education makes them credible in Pakistan and whose Pakistani heritage and once-a-year [...]

India’s Sri Lanka Vote: A Diplomatic Harakiri

The larger lesson for India is to develop consensus amongst various members of the coalition on issues relating to maintaining and managing a vibrant foreign policy, especially when it comes to its immediate smaller neighbours. Putting the interests of the coalition ahead of the country is unacceptable.

Is South Asia Losing the Plot?

South Asia is traditionally defined as the region ensconced between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The eight countries that comprise the geographical area were British colonies and still largely behave as one. The poverty, corruption, lack of governance, social and regional apartheid still drive the political discourse of the region. The fact that the countries of the region have the worst possible relations with each other accentuates the lack of trust leading to animosity and all round despair.

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