National Security

ISSN: 2581-9658

e-ISSN: 2581-9658 (o)

Subject: Political Science & International Affairs

Periodicity: Quarterly

Month(s) of Publication: Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec.

Current Volume: 5 (2022)

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National Security is a policy-oriented quarterly journal of the Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi. It focuses on the principal issues and trends in India’s increasingly complex national and international security environment. The journal carries holistic analysis and informed debates on all aspects of security and has emerged as an important forum for top thinkers, policy experts, and academics from India and abroad. It also aims to meet the needs of an international readership that is increasingly interested in India’s security policies as its role in world affairs grows. Recent issues of the journal have covered a wide variety of vital themes: India’s two-front security challenge, the Indo-Pacific and Quad, developments in China and India-China relations, Pakistan, nuclear doctrine, BIMSTEC, the status of Tibet, defence policy, terrorism, the scientific revolution and security, and nationalism.

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Volume 5 (2022) Issue 3 , (July-2022 to September-2022)

July-September

Contents

Editor’s Note
The Ukraine War and a World in Crisis
Sujit Dutta

Essays
The Russia-Ukraine Conflict and India’s Foreign Policy
Arvind Gupta

Russia-Ukraine, India-Pakistan: Two Existential Conflicts in Eurasia
Andrey Kortunov

Articles
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Security in the Indo-Pacific
Tomiko Ichikawa

Russian Military Campaign in Ukraine: Prognosis and Impact
Rakesh Sharma

Southeast Asia and the Ukraine Crisis
Vinod Anand

Africa Watch
Ukraine Crisis and its Impact on Africa
Samir Bhattacharya

Book Review
Securing India’s North-East
PK Khup Hangzo

About the Issue
This special issue of National Security carries a set of excellent essays and articles on the global impact of the Russo-Ukraine conflict. Arvind Gupta, Director of the VIF, explains India's official stance and the factors that have determined it. Andrey Kortunov, the Head of the Russian International Affairs Council, finds similarities in the Russia-Ukraine relationship with India's troubled relations with Pakistan. Tomiko Ichikawa, Director General of the Japan Institute of International Affairs, is extremely critical of Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, for its violation of international law, and the sovereignty of an independent nation-state – the Ukraine. She fears that China would be emboldened to act in a similar manner in the Indo-Pacific.

In his analysis of the war, Lt. Gen. Rakesh Sharma states that the “war was on the horizon” since the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, and the training and strengthening of the Ukrainian forces by the NATO that followed. He argues that the conflict underlines that conventional wars are here to stay, and can start off with limited notice. It is a warning to India to be prepared for such actions by its two hostile neighbours. Strategic analyst Vinod Anand writes that the contestation between Russia and the Western alliance in Ukraine and the ongoing US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific have impacted Southeast Asia, and the region is deeply concerned. In the Africa Watch series, Samir Bhattacharya explores the impact on Africa and opines that the war and the sanctions on Russia have seriously affected food, energy, fertilizer and defence supplies to Africa that was already struggling to overcome the effects of the pandemic on health and the economy. He warns that the sanctions are hurting Africa while western finance for development are being diverted to deal with the fall out of the Ukraine crisis.

The issue concludes with PK Hangzo's review of a recent book on the changes underway in India's north-east and how they are being viewed and understood by the academics in the region.

Editor’s Note
The Ukraine War and a World in Crisis by Sujit Dutta

Essays
The Russia-Ukraine Conflict and India’s Foreign Policy by Arvind Gupta

Page: 271-277

Russia-Ukraine, India-Pakistan: Two Existential Conflicts in Eurasia
by Andrey Kortunov

Page: 278-289

Articles
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Security in the Indo-Pacific by Tomiko Ichikawa

Page: 290-304

Abstract: This article analyses the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the international multilateral security structure and the response of Japan and “like-minded” nation-states. It argues that Russia’s action violates the most fundamental principles of international law and that the world has entered a new era in which the post-Cold War security assumptions no longer hold. Even the foundation of the United Nations-based security architecture is threatened. The invasion and its severe impact on the rules-based order will have major implications for the security in the Indo-Pacific where China poses a similar challenge. It calls upon the US and the Quad partners to step up their collaboration to enhance the stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. In light of the limitations of the Security Council (as demonstrated by the Russian veto), it stresses that India and Japan should strengthen their cooperation on the Security Council reform. It argues that India, the world’s largest democracy, needs to take a firm position against the aggression and play a significant role in promoting a rules-based order that respects other nation-states’ territorial integrity and sovereignty.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/NS.2022.05.03.1

Russian Military Campaign in Ukraine: Prognosis and Impact by Rakesh Sharma

Page: 305-323

Abstract: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has raised many issues regarding war aims, strategy, military operations and the far reaching consequences. Russian policymakers and political hierarchy must have determined that this war is worth fighting for, with all its costs, consequences and ramifications. Since the 2014 annexation of Crimea, war was on the horizon. For the past eight years Ukraine with NATO military support and training, was preparing for it. The concentration of Russian Forces over months prior to the war was also clearly discernible. The invasion underscores that conventional wars are here to stay, and can commence with limited preparations or notice. It has lessons for India which has faced for the past two years large Chinese forces prepared to invade across its northern borders, and a hostile Pakistan allied with China. The nature of warfare is undergoing dramatic transformation. The Indian armed forces should build combat capabilities, train for and prepare for the current threats and an uncertain future in total consonance with the larger political goals, on whose shoulders must ride the current military doctrine and future military strategy.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/NS.2022.05.03.2

Southeast Asia and the Ukraine Crisis
by Vinod Anand

Page: 324-336

Abstract: It might seem that Southeast Asia is largely unaffected by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, however, this article opines that it cannot be said that the countries of the region remain isolated from its political and economic implications. The article argues that the impact of the strategic contestation between Russia and the US-led Western alliance in Ukraine and the ongoing US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, are being felt in the existing strategic dynamics in Southeast Asia as in other regions. With China supporting Russia on the Ukraine issue, some of the ASEAN states have become even more concerned about a plausible attempt by Beijing to consolidate its territorial expansion in the South China Sea or invade Taiwan. The regional states are also concerned about the rising costs of the conflict to their trade, tourism and oil dependent economies. The article analyses the varied responses of the regional states to the conflict with Singapore and Myanmar as the two extremes. Most of the other states have taken a middle position of neither supporting nor openly criticising Russia, and have called for a cessation and peaceful resolution of the conflict.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/NS.2022.05.03.3

Africa Watch
Ukraine Crisis and its Impact on Africa
by Samir Bhattacharya

Page: 337-351

Abstract: While the conflict in Ukraine rages and threatens to morph into a wider global war, Africa remains a divided house. Most African countries seem to be wary of taking any partisan position on the Ukraine crisis and are reacting in keeping with their national interests. Nevertheless, the post-pandemic, and the post - Ukraine war world situation would be turbulent for Africa. Public health and the economy in Africa were already suffering from the negative impacts of the pandemic. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has given rise to fresh challenges that can further stifle the growth and development of the continent. The Russia - Ukraine war has four interrelated dimensions with profound implications for Africa: food, energy, finance and defence. As the deteriorating humanitarian crisis unfolds in Africa, the Western response to the African suffering only exposes its neglect. Instead of supporting Africa to overcome the catastrophic consequences of the pandemic, the food shortage and inflation caused by sanctions, their focus seems to be to counter Russian influence in Africa. The African reaction to the West’s appeal to condemn Russia underlines that sanctions and paternalism are inadequate policies to convince African leaders to change their positions on Russia

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/NS.2022.05.03.4

Book Review
Securing India’s North-East by PK Khup Hangzo

Page: 352-358

Volume 5 (2022)

Volume 5 (2022) Issue 2 , (April-2022 to June-2022)

Contents:

Editor’s Note
Sustaining Development in the Times of Climate Warming
Sujit Dutta

Essays
The Peril of Crossing Planetary Boundaries
Arvind Gupta

Pathways to Peace and Prosperity through Food Security
Bishow Parajuli

Articles
Protection of Environment and Promotion of Development: The Hindu Wisdom of Sustainable Development
T. V. Muralivallabhan

Glasgow Commitments: Implications for India
Nitya Nanda

India’s Energy Transition: The Case for Hydropower
PK Khup Hangzo

Ending India’s Water Stress: The Road Ahead
Heena Samant

Africa Watch
Political Crisis in Mali: Uneasy Present, Uncertain Future
Samir Bhattacharya

Report
Climate Security in the Bay of Bengal
Garima Maheshwari

Book Review
Whither the Arab World?
Hirak J. Das

Page:

About the Issue:
The current Issue of National Security surveys the challenges posed by climate change and the need to create an alternative sustainable development pathway for India. The Issue begins with an essay by Dr. Arvind Gupta which notes the limited achievements of the Glasgow COP-26 summit even as the world faces the threat of crossing 'planetary boundaries' in the climate domain. Shri. Bishow Parajuli, Country Director of the World Food Programme, in his essay explains the lethal impact of the trinity of climate change, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and internal conflicts in aggravating hunger and food insecurity across the developing world.

Dr. T. V. Muralivallabhan explores India's ancient wisdom on sustainable development and environmental protection. He argues that Indian philosophical and cultural heritage can enable the country to lead the global efforts for sustainable development. Prof. Nitya Nanda assesses India's climate targets announced at Paris and Glasgow. He argues that while the country is well placed to achieve the targets set in Paris, the road to attaining the higher Glasgow targets for 2030 is likely to be full of challenges.

In his article, PK Khup Hangzo makes a strong case for India to enhance its hydropower production to meet the non-fossil fuel challenge. He also makes the point that hydropower projects can help augment India's national security, especially in the border-States such as Arunachal Pradesh. Heena Samant delves into India's water stress concerns and remedial actions being taken. The scholar emphasises the need for greater public awareness and preparedness regarding water conservation and use.

In the Africa Watch segment, scholar Samir Bhattacharya draws attention to the ongoing civil conflict in the West African state of Mali, while Hirak J. Das reviews an important new book on the political developments in the Arab world. This Issue also carries a report by Dr. Garima Maheshwari on a new study on climate security in the Bay of Bengal.

Page:

Editor’s Note
Sustaining Development in the Times of Climate Warming
by Sujit Dutta

Page:

Essays
The Peril of Crossing Planetary Boundaries
by Arvind Gupta

Page: 125-132

Pathways to Peace and Prosperity through Food Security
by Bishow Parajuli

Page: 133-145

Protection of Environment and Promotion of Development: The Hindu Wisdom of Sustainable Development by T. V. Muralivallabhan

Page: 146-180

Abstract: The Classical and Neo-classical mechanistic economic development models believed in the unlimited supply of natural resources and unlimited economic growth. The practice of these models since the 18 th century has resulted in severe depletion of resources and the degradation of society and the environment. Sustainable development has become the new global slogan for solving the above problems. Protection of the environment while promoting development is the crux of Sustainable Development. It is inclusive of the satisfaction of the needs of the present as well as the future generations. Scientific research, technological innovations, government policies and economic programmes are being adopted to achieve sustainable development at the national and international levels. But the success rate is limited. Scientists are now thinking of a paradigm shift by incorporating religious, cultural, and spiritual traditions and values. India has a rich tradition in environmental protection and development, thanks to her holistic vision and integrated approach realized through the Advaitha principle of Vedanta Philosophy. She could be the torchbearer in the global efforts to achieve sustainable development.

Glasgow Commitments: Implications for India by Nitya Nanda

Page: 181-197

Abstract: India made ambitious commitments on climate mitigation in its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2015 and upgraded it further at the Glasgow summit in 2021. Additionally, it made a commitment to achieve a net-zero emission level by 2070. While some of the NDC commitments may be difficult to realise, particularly due to the current economic situation, it is difficult to comment on the feasibility of the net-zero emission by 2070 as the basis for such a commitment is not known, and it is a long-time horizon, making any prediction difficult. For India, living up to its commitment will not only be determined by its own internal factors and challenges but also by how other major countries perform on their mitigation commitments. Similarly, the implications of the Glasgow summit will not be determined by its own commitments, but the commitments made by others and their follow-up actions.

India’s Energy Transition: The Case for Hydropower by PK Khup Hangzo

Page: 198-214

Abstract: In India, solar and wind have emerged as key components of the country’s strategy for a clean energy future. Although hydropower has historically been the main source of clean and renewable energy in the country, it currently lags solar and wind in terms of deployment. Nonetheless, hydropower has a critical role in hastening India’s clean energy transition and climate change mitigation efforts. Hydropower’s ability to integrate large shares of variable and intermittent renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, in the country’s electricity system is increasingly important as their penetrations increase. Hydropower installations also provide crucial services like water supply, irrigation, flood protection, and drought mitigation, navigation, tourism, and recreation. Beyond ths, it also serves strategic purposes. By alleviating the socio-economic conditions of border villages and communities in the India-Tibetan border regions such as Arunachal Pradesh, hydropower projects can help India consolidate its administration in the remote border regions, and strengthen its security and defence preparedness. However, such projects are inherently challenging and can have adverse environmental and social impacts. But these can be mitigated by adopting new social and environmental safeguards and more robust and cost-effective technological solutions.

Ending India’s Water Stress: The Road Ahead by Heena Samant

Page: 215-231

Abstract: India is facing water distress in both quality and quantity. This is expected to worsen if urgent all-round remedial measures being taken prove to be inadequate. Water shortages, pollution, overuse and significant wastage, low to no water pricing, floods in monsoon when water is abundant, among others, characterise the prevailing situation in parts of the country. Several factors, such as exponential population growth, rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, antiquated infrastructure, and inadequate water governance, can be credited for this plight. There are major reforms and changes underway that raise hopes for a more secure future. The Government has made ‘water governance’ one of the main priorities in its policies and decisions, and significant advances in overcoming water related challenges are being made. Despite these measures, a crisis could still be inevitable due to the challenges posed by climate change. India needs to make its people conscious of the finite nature of water and the utmost need to avoid waste and overuse. They need to learn to nurture, conserve, reuse, and recycle this invaluable resource of nature.

Africa Watch
Political Crisis in Mali: Uneasy Present, Uncertain Future
by Samir Bhattacharya

Page: 232-257

Abstract: The security situation in the West African state of Mali started to deteriorate in 2011 when the separatist group MNLA and Islamists took control of the country’s north and imposed Shariah. Since 2013, France has been the principal security provider against Islamist militants, though US, EU and ECOWAS have also been supporting the Malian national forces. The civilian regime, however, faced growing internal opposition and popular protests, and this led to two back-to back coups by the military in the past two years. Immediately after the second coup in 2021, France decided to pull out its troops from Mali. While many scholars hold climate change responsible for the increasing conflicts in the region, there is little evidence to prove this. Instead, the problem is rooted in the weakness of the State to govern, exercise sovereignty over the entire territory, and provide adequate security to the people. This has led to dependence on external powers. With a heterogeneous mix of Islamists, separatists and ethnic militias fighting both the civilian and military regimes, Mali has become a tinderbox and can explode at any time. Unless France and the international community recalibrate their relationship with Mali, we could witness a repeat of an Afghanistan-like collapse.

Report
Climate Security in the Bay of Bengal by Garima Maheshwari

Page: 258-262

Book Review
Whither the Arab World? by Hirak J. Das

Page: 263-270

Volume 5 (2022) Issue 1 , (January-2022 to March-2022)

Contents

Editor’s Note

Assessing India’s Geopolitical Threats
Sujit Dutta

Essays

Pakistan’s National Security Policy : Much Ado About Nothing
Satish Chandra

A Troubled China and Asia’s Growing Anxiety
Sujit Dutta

The China Dream: Divergence of Direction and Destination
Gautam Banerjee

Contours of Escalation in India-China Security Environment
Rakesh Sharma

Understanding the Actions of the PLA Air Force and Regional
Reactions in East Asia
Naval Jagota

Emerging Tensions in the Chinese Economy
Prerna Gandhi

Article
Sinicisation and the Threat of Cultural Genocide in Tibet
Sarada Subhash

Africa Watch
The Geopolitics of Ethiopian Civil War and India’s Task
Samir Bhattacharya

Book Review
China in the Indian Ocean
Gunjan Singh

Page:

About The Issue
This current issue of National Security examines the grave security environment around India, especially those flowing from China's unbridled quest for dominance and expansionism. It begins with an essay by India's Former High Commissioner to Pakistan, Satish Chandra, wherein he critically examines Pakistan's recently released National Security Policy. He calls the 'Policy' a failed attempt at image-building since no changes are indicated in its hostile approach towards India, its support for terror groups, or in the dominance of the military in its policy making. Prof. Sujit Dutta, Editor of National Security, in his essay draws attention to the destabilizing impact of the extreme nationalist, belligerent, and expansionist strategic posture of China even as the regime faces multiple domestic challenges and steps up political repression to secure itself. Lt. Gen. Gautam Banerjee analyses the divergence between 'direction and destination' in President Xi Jinping's pursuit of the China Dream, and how this has undermined the progress, security, and stability in Asia.
In his perceptive analysis of the significance of the Chinese aggression in Ladakh, Lt. Gen. Rakesh Sharma explores the strategic context of China's expansionist tendencies and the need for India to build all round capacities to foil the 21 century warfare of the PLA. Analyst Naval Jagota, in his essay on the PLA Air Force, assesses its budgets, roles, holdings, and real-world behaviour in the context of East Asia to anticipate its likely actions in a conflict. Scholar Prerna Gandhi analyzes the many tensions in the post pandemic Chinese economy that could increasingly strain its capacities unless addressed. In her sensitive article, scholar Sarada Subhash argues that China's systematic Sinicisation poses the threat of 'cultural genocide' in Tibet, and the need for international awareness and action.
In a new segment called 'Africa Watch' , scholar Samir Bhattacharya writes on the ongoing civil war in one of the continent's most important countries, Ethiopia, and its significance for the region and India.

Page:

Editor’s Note

Assessing India’s Geopolitical Threats
by Sujit Dutta

Page:

Essays
Pakistan’s National Security Policy : Much Ado About Nothing by Satish Chandra

Page: 1-8

A Troubled China and Asia’s Growing Anxiety by Sujit Dutta

Page: 9-18

The China Dream: Divergence of Direction and Destination by Gautam Banerjee

Page: 19-31

Contours of Escalation in India-China Security Environment by Rakesh Sharma

Page: 32-45

Understanding the Actions of the PLA Air Force and Regional 46-54
Reactions in East Asia
by Naval Jagota

Page: 46-54

Emerging Tensions in the Chinese Economy by Prerna Gandhi

Page: 55-68

Article
Sinicisation and the Threat of Cultural Genocide in Tibet
by Sarada Subhash

Page: 69-101

Abstract: The Tibetan people and their distinct national identity have been under constant threat since the invasion and occupation of Tibet by China in 1950-51. To understand the extent and magnitude of atrocities against the non-violent Tibetans by China one needs to grasp China’s state policies/programmes that drive the state-led efforts to erase Tibetan national identity. This article argues that Chinese policies of ‘stability-maintenance’, ‘social management’, ‘political re-education programme’, with Sinicisation at their core, are attempts by the CPC to tighten its domestic security and stability in the country in general and its alienated and restive periphery, in particular. Even the so-called development narrative in the Tibetan region is but a pretext by Xi Jinping’s regime to systematically monitor and control any discontent that may arise amongst the Tibetans against the Chinese state. Xi’s Tibetan ‘development plans’ can also be perceived as a Chinese strategy to buy support with the aim to curb disaffection and ensure social stability.

Africa Watch
The Geopolitics of Ethiopian Civil War and India’s Task
by Samir Bhattacharya

Page: 102-120

Abstract: With the civil war in Ethiopia showing no signs of a closure even after a year, the Ethiopian Government has declared a state of emergency, reflecting the rapid escalation of a metastasizing war. If the Ethiopian belligerents fail to end the war immediately, it will tear the country apart and further destabilize the already volatile Horn of Africa region. While the principal cause of war appears to be the ethnicisation of Ethiopian politics, the genesis of the war can be traced to geopolitics. The construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile has created a catch-22 situation where Egypt and Ethiopia are stuck even after multiple rounds of discussions. With the fate of Ethiopia—one of India’s closest partners in Africa -- hanging in a precarious balance, New Delhi needs to press for concerted efforts by the world community to end the ongoing massacre and destruction of the state.

Book Review
China in the Indian Ocean
by Gunjan singh

Page: 121-124

Volume 3 (2020)

Volume 3 (2020) Issue 4 , (October-2020 to December-2020)

Oct-Dec

Essays
The Politicisation of WHO by Arvind Gupta

Page: 396-402

Building a Sustainable Ecology - Housing and Architecture in Mumbai by Samarth Das

Page: 403-411

Reforms in Agriculture: Promise and Challenges by Atul Sarma and Shyam Sunder

Page: 412-418

Articles
Responding to COVID 19: India’s trade restrictions and the World Trade Organization by Varad Choudhary, Rudraksh Lakra and Ayan Gupta

Page: 419-438

Influence Operations by China by DN Mathur

Page: 439-456

Perilous Deterrent: Pandemic and the Consequent Re-evaluation of India’s National Security by Souradeep Sen

Page: 457-481

Book Reviews
The Bangladesh Story - Travails and Triumphs by Pratim Ranjan Bose

Page: 482-486

Trump, Xi and the Making of the New Cold War by Prerna Gandhi

Page: 487-491

Volume 3 (2020) Issue 3 , (July-2020 to September-2020)

Essay
Nursing the economy back to health, post-Covid by V. Anantha Nageswaran

Page: 281-289

Articles
World Order in the Post Covid 19: Modi and Kennedy parallel challenges by Umberto Sulpasso

Page: 290-314

Design Intervention to Augment Non-Traditional Security by Mihir Bholey

Page: 315-333

Indian and Russian Engagement in Eurasia: New Areas of Cooperation by NIRMALA JOSHI

Page: 334-343

How Turkey uses Libya to achieve its foreign policy objectives by Dr Yatharth Kachiar

Page: 344-367

Wilayat-e-Internet: Islamic State Cyber Caliphate by Anurag Sharma

Page: 368-391

Book Review
China and the South China Sea Imbroglio by Teshu Singh

Page: 392-395

Volume 3 (2020) Issue 2 , (April-2020 to June-2020)

Apr-Jun

Essays
Challenges to the Nuclear order by Arvind Gupta

Page: 152-159

Pakistan Once Again - With Terror, Lies and Bomb by Sheel Kant Sharma

Page: 160-168

Colloquiumes
Indian Nuclear Posture and National Security by Balraj Nagal

Page: 169-184

Voices of Change in Indian Nuclear Doctrine –an Analysis
by V K Saxena

Page: 185-197

Articles
On the Unravelling of Global Nuclear Order by R.Rajaraman

Page: 198-212

Changing Nature of Deterrence: The Challenge of Asymmetric Threats by Rajaram Nagappa & N Ramamoorthy

Page: 213-231

Global Nuclear Developments 2017-2020: Implications for India’s Nuclear Policy by Manpreet Sethi

Page: 232-245

Pakistan’s Nuclear and Missile Capabilities: Implications for India by Dr Shalini Chawla

Page: 246-265

Book Reviews
A Rare Insight into India’s Nuclear Programme by Sheel Kant Sharma

Page: 266-271

South Asia in the Second Nuclear Age by Jaideep Chanda

Page: 272-276

Tackling Deterrence Uncertainty in South Asia. by Souradeep Sen

Page: 277-280

Volume 3 (2020) Issue 1 , (January-2020 to March-2020)

Jan-Mar

Essays
BIMSTEC as a regional organization: Déjà vu or new beginning? by Shambhu Ram Simkhada

Page: 1-11

BIMSTEC and its Future: Connecting South and Southeast Asia
by Tariq Karim

Page: 12-17

BIMSTEC and S & T Cooperation: A Long Way Ahead
by Kapil Patil

Page: 18-26

Submarines Gain Precedence in Bay of Bengal Naval Order of Battle
by Vijay Sakhuja

Page: 27-33

Articles
Regional Connectivity and India's BIMSTEC Policy by Constantino Xavier & Riya Sinha

Page: 34-51

Bangladesh beyond Borders: Its Trans-Regional Experience in BIMSTEC by Niloy Ranjan Biswas

Page: 52-76

Sri Lanka and BIMSTEC: Past, Present and Prospects for the Future by Bhagya Senaratne

Page: 77-90

A New BIMSTEC? : Reforms, Possibilities and Complexities by Angshuman Choudhury

Page: 91-118

Report
VIF-BIMSTEC Security Dialogue by SreeradhaDatta

Page: 119-124

Book Discussion
The Borderlands and Borders of the Indian Subcontinent by Dilip K Chakrabarti, Abanti Bhattacharya , K. Warikoo

Page: 125-144

Book Reviews
Exploring new avenues of regionalism in South Asia
by Alakh Ranjan

Page: 145-148

Conflicting Identities: Travails of Regionalism in Asia by Anurag Sharma

Page: 149-151

Volume 2 (2019)

Volume 2 (2019) Issue 3 , (July-2019 to September-2019)

Jul-Sep

Essays
Regional and Sub-Regional Constructs within the Indo-Pacific by Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa

Page: 297-302

Essay
An Australian view of the Indo Pacific – three big problems and one way forward by Michael Shoebridge

Page: 303-314

Essaay
Unpacking the Trump Administration’s New Indo-Pacific Strategy by Jeff M Smith

Page: 315-319

Articles
China’s Multilateral Gambit in South Asia by ASOKE KUMAR MUKERJI

Page: 320-331

The Geo-political Underpinnings of the "Open and Free Indo-Pacific" Concept by Baladas Ghoshal

Page: 332-353

Importance of East Africa in Indo-Pacific by NEHA SINHA

Page: 354-365

Geopolitics of the South Pacific and Opportunities for India by Maitrayee Shilpa Kishore

Page: 366-386

Book Reviews
The Indo-Pacific in India’s imagination by Amruta Karambelkar

Page: 387-391

India and Asia’s Changing Balance of Power by Manish

Page: 392-395

Indo-Pacific – Diverse Perspectives by Udayan Das

Page: 396-399

Volume 2 (2019) Issue 2 , (April-2019 to June-2019)

Apr-Jun

Essays
Domestic Knowledge Product: Enhancing Wealth, Welfare and National Security by Umberto Sulpasso

Page: 146-152

Disruptive Technologies and India’s Military Modernisation by J P Singh

Page: 153-164

Rising Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security by Durga Prakash Devarakonda

Page: 165-169

Aarticles
Strengthening Food Security through Technologies by Suhas P Wani, Mukund D Patil & Dhirendra Singh

Page: 170-190

Decision Intelligence for the Indian Agriculture Sector by Roger Moser

Page: 191-204

Higher Education Ecosystem’s Preparedness for IR 4.0: An Indian Perspective by K. K. Aggarwal & Avinash C. Sharma

Page: 205-229

Analyzing Predictions about The Future of Manufacturing and Technology and Their Extension to India... by Alimah Rehan

Page: 230-246

India's Need for Strategic Minerals by AJEY LELE

Page: 247-263

Blockchain as the funding foundation for Indian MSME Sector by Pallav Kumar Singh

Page: 264-284

Book Reviews
Technological Revolution and the Emerging Military Environment by Anand V.

Page: 285-288

Humanity in the Age of Data by Prerna Gandhi

Page: 289-292

Future of War by Anurag Sharma

Page: 293-296

Volume 2 (2019) Issue 1 , (January-2019 to March-2019)

Jan-Mar

Essays
India in an Age of Uncertainty and Instability by Satish Chandra

Page: 1-10

Towards a Rule Based Order in the Indo-Pacific by Arvind Gupta

Page: 11-18

Assessing India’s Nuclear Doctrine by Amit Sharma

Page: 19-26

Supreme Court ruling on Gilgit Baltistan: A legacy of unfulfilled promises by Prateek Joshi

Page: 27-34

Articles
Tibet was Never Part of China Before 1950: Examples of Authoritative pre-1949 Chinese Documents that Prove It by Hon-Shiang LAU

Page: 35-72

China’s Policies of Exploitation in Mekong River Region by Vinod Anand

Page: 73-92

Anti-Terror Laws in India: An Appraisal by Ramanand Garge

Page: 93-114

Mitigating the threat in space: Chinese military space capability and India’s response by Rahul Krishna & Aradhya Shandilya

Page: 115-136

Book Reviews
Coping with the Nuclear Shadow by Arvind Gupta

Page: 137-142

The Sardar’s Legacy by Shantanu Chakrabarti

Page: 143-145

Volume 1 (2018)

Volume 1 (2018) Issue 2 , (August-2018 to December-2018)

2018

Colloquium
U.S.- China Rivalry - Global Impact by P K Basu & Pinaki Bhattacharya

Page: 175-191

Essays
Understanding China's foreign policy in Xi Jinping’s “New Era” by Arvind Gupta

Page: 192-198

Can India and China have a Mutually Beneficial Relationship? by Anil Wadhwa

Page: 199-211

China’s Growing Presence in the Indian Ocean ~ India’s Options by Satish Soni

Page: 212-223

Articles
China's Role in the United Nations: Utilitarianism Overshadows Universal Values by ASOKE MUKHERJI

Page: 224-239

PLA Reforms under Xi and their Security Implications by S L Narasimhan

Page: 240-262

China’s Green Innovation Strategy under Xi Jinping by Avinash Godbole

Page: 263-284

China’s `Mass Incidents’: Declining Numbers or Hidden Data? by Gunjan singh

Page: 285-308

Book Reviews
Comprehensive Work on Security by Satish Chandra

Page: 309-313

Cracking the ‘Fortune Cookie’ of Chinese Power by Rana Divyank Chaudhary

Page: 314-319

Musharraf and the Price of Kargil by Prateek Joshi

Page: 320-325

Documents
Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts and Unite as one in Looking to the Future,1978

Page: 326-342

Remarks Made During an Inspection Tour of Shanghai, 1991

Page: 343-345

Volume 1 (2018) Issue 1 , (January-2018 to August-2018)

Jan-Aug

Colloquium
Two-Front War: What Does it Imply? by N C Vij, R K Dhowan, K K Nohwar & Krishan Varma

Page: 1-20

Essay
Securing the Nation: The Indispensability of Institutional Synergy
by Arvind Gupta

Page: 21-32

Articles
Ruling from the Shadows: The Political Predominance of the Military in Pakistan by Tilak Devasher

Page: 33-54

CPEC at Three: Mapping Progress, Stakeholders and Sustainability by Prateek Joshi

Page: 55-83

Transition in the Middle East: Transition to What? by James M. Dorsey

Page: 84-108

"Quad” from the Japanese Perspective by Yasushi Tomiyama

Page: 109-123

Looking Further East: India’s Engagement with the Pacific Island States by Asha Sundaramurthy

Page: 124-145

Book Reviews
My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir by Jagmohan, Allied Publishers, 1991 by Satish Chandra

Page: 146-150

The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace by A. S. Dulat, Aditya Sinha & Asad Durrani, Harper Collins, 2018 by C D Sahay & Prateek Joshi

Page: 151-155

India’s National Security: Annual Review 2016-17, Edited by Satish Kumar, Routledge, 2018 by Arvind Gupta

Page: 156-158

India, China, and the World: A Connected History by Tansen Sen, Oxford University Press, 2018 by Gunjan singh

Page: 159-162

Documents
Statement to Parliament on Nuclear Tests in Pokhran:Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 27/05/1998

Page: 163-166

“Evolution of India’s Nuclear Policy” Paper laid in Parliament by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 27/05/1998

Page: 167-174

Volume 4 (2021)

Volume 4 (2021) Issue 4 , (October-2021 to December-2021)

Oct-Dec. 2021

CONTENTS

Editor’s Note
The Gathering Storm
Sujit Dutta

Essays
Afghanistan: The Taliban Takeover and its Strategic Fallout
Gautam Mukhopadhaya

Utopia and Desire: Biden’s Retreat from Afghanistan
Umberto Sulpasso

What Does the Chinaman Think?
Gautam Banerjee

Technology Ecosystem & National Security
B.M. Suri

Articles
Terror Financing in Kashmir
Abhinav Pandya

Reality of Democracy in India: Contesting False Western Narrative
A. Surya Prakash

The Great Western Social Churn: India Caught in the Crossshairs
Abhijit Iyer-Mitra

Intelligence and Big Tech
Devsena Mishra

Policy Brief
Roadmap for India’s Dominance in Global Shipbuilding
Bhaskar Sengupta and Shantanu Bose

Book Reviews
Indus Basin Uninterrupted
Satish Chandra

Educational Reforms in Saudi Arabia
Hirak J. Das

Page:

About The Issue
This issue of National Security explores critical themes in India's emerging security environment by some of India's leading experts. Former Ambassador in Kabul, Gautam Mukhopadhaya in his lead essay discusses the strategic implications of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and warns that a period of conflict both within the country and in the wider region is likely. Offering a different perspective, Umberto Sulpasso argues that the rapid US withdrawal from Afghanistan as a necessary strategy-- reminiscent of the Roman empire's withdrawal from the East-- that frees the US from a war bereft of idealism and therefore unwinnable. Joe Biden can now focus on other urgent domestic and global strategic tasks.

Abhinav Pandya's study focuses on the financing of terror operations in J&K, while Gautam Banerjee warns that Communist China's declared objective of capturing large tracts along India's Northern and Eastern border states poses a serious threat to India. B.M. Suri emphasises that India's security challenges shall continue to demand development of indigenous high technologies and manufacturing based on them.

A. Surya Prakash and Abhijit Iyer-Mitra undertake fact-based critiques of the Western liberal-left campaign against the Modi government and expose the deep intellectual problems and ideological biases that characterise it. Similarly, Devsena Mishra's critique of global Big-Tech's operations points to their roots in the intelligence and defence department's funding of Silicon Valley Start-ups whose commercial success is based on information gathering, thereby posing a threat to India's national security.

A highlight of this issue is a major policy brief by two former senior naval officers, Bhaskar Sengupta and Shantanu Bose, that outlines a strategy to build a world class shipbuilding industry in India to advance its vital industrial, commercial, and military aims. Equally noteworthy is a long review essay by Former Deputy National Security Advisor, Ambassador Satish Chandra on the making of the Indus Water Treaty and its implications for India.

Page:

Editor’s Note
The Gathering Storm

Dark clouds that have been gathering on the Indian security horizon since China’s unprovoked aggression in Ladakh last year, have deepened in the past months with the armed overthrow of the elected, internationally recognised Afghan government. The Taliban -- which ironically, seized power with the connivance of the war-weary US, and was actively backed by America’s nemesis China and Russia -- is a conglomerate of the most conservative, Islamic extremists, with many that are sitting in the new cabinet internationally designated as terrorists. The leading powers responsible for maintaining global law, order and security, handed over power and the fate of the hapless Afghan citizens, especially the women and the minorities, to this illegitimate and repressive force. The withdrawal plan was scripted at Doha by the Trump Administration and received the stamp of approval by the liberal Biden Administration in February this year. The US was desperate to leave the country that had trapped it in a long insurgency. It had very good domestic and international reasons to do so. American withdrawal was desirable even for the Afghan people who needed to shape their own fate and end the two-decade long civil war. But the US withdrew its forces with little thought for a post-withdrawal transition plan or the immediate politico-security consequences of a sudden and chaotic departure for the Afghan people and neighbouring countries such as India.

The Afghan Crisis
The security challenges for India and the region have as a result grown manyfold with the entire Pakistan-Afghanistan belt opened-up for jehadi and Islamabad-backed terror operations. The spurt in terrorist attacks on civilians and minorities in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan based and trained Islamic terrorists in recent days, and the appeal of religious extremism among some sections in the State are testament to what is portended. The politico-ideological extremism of a victorious Taliban feeds into the conservative Sunni Islamists and terrorist groups everywhere, breathing fresh life into the Haqqani network, Al Qaida, ISIS and such other kindred armed extremist groups. It raises hopes in them that it is possible to succeed if a secure haven is available. For the Taliban, the Haqqani network, the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Hizbul Mujahideen, the Al Qaida and a host of other outfits, the principal benefactor has been Pakistan, which enjoys the backing of China and its diplomatic cover.

The US has always been inordinately indulgent towards its one-time close military ally despite knowing that the Taliban and its partners had a safe sanctuary in Pakistan. In fact, the Taliban had been nurtured, armed and protected by it. It is not a secret that Pakistan has been waging a covert hybrid war against Afghanistan and India, and undermining the US war effort, by using the armed extremist groups. Yet, astonishingly, it continued to receive US largesse and diplomatic silence ... silence because America needed to secure the overt ‘cooperation’ of Islamabad for providing access to American supplies for its forces in land-locked Afghanistan.

India’s former Ambassador in Kabul, - Gautam Mukhopadhaya, in his incisive overview of the strategic implications of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan for the region -- carried in this issue of the journal -- foresees a period of conflict and power struggle within the regime, and a robust return of international terrorism. He holds American soft policy towards Pakistan’s hybrid war spanning over two decades as a major reason for the debacle in Kabul. Scholar Umberto Sulpasso, on the contrary, perceives the gains in his commentary. He argues that Joe Biden’s rapid withdrawal, notwithstanding the immediate problems, is a winning strategic move that releases the US from a war bereft of idealism or ‘utopia’ and therefore unwinnable. In a related study, analyst Abhinav Pandya, based on several years of fieldwork, explores terror financing in Jammu and Kashmir—bulk of it coming through Pakistan to the Islamic extremists and separatists in India’s unfortunate border State.

If peace, security and stability are to be achieved and a regional and humanitarian crisis contained, Afghanistan would need an inclusive government, with the representation of all major segments of its society and politics, constitutional safeguards for the equal rights of women and minorities, and a break on all ties with terror and extremism. India is working for such an outcome in close consultations with the United States and its other Quad partners, Russia and the Central Asian states, and multilaterally at the UN, G-20, SCO, etc. It has simultaneously backed urgent humanitarian aid to reach the Afghan people. The Afghan crisis will clearly continue to fester and engage India and the world in the months ahead.

The China Threat
While the Afghan developments pose a serious threat to the security and stability of the region, and both complicate and serve as a strategic wild card, they do not detract from the wider strategic challenge flowing from the ongoing shift in the global balance of power. The rise of an expansionist and aggressive China is posing a growing threat to India and the leading Indo-Pacific democracies --the US, Japan and Australia, as also Taiwan. Its aggressive behaviour also challenges a rule-based global order that most nations desire. The Indian Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar--articulating the rising concern about the continued military build-up and provocations across the Line of Actual Control by the PLA and its refusal to either abide by the existing military and diplomatic agreements with India or peacefully resolve disputes—recently described China as ‘a clear and present danger.’ In the East, across the Taiwan Straits, East and South China Seas, China’s military actions are similarly spreading insecurity and creating grave global uncertainty. As Gen. Gautam Banerjee in his essay on China’s current strategic thinking argues, the Chinese Communist regime’s formally declared objective of capturing large tracts along India’s Northern and North-Eastern borders poses a serious threat to the very spirit of India and Indian nationhood.

China’s hostile military build-up and aggressive stance necessitates concerted and unified global opposition and deterrence. The Quad summit in Washington DC in September was a significant milestone in enhancing the strategic cooperation among the four Indo-Pacific powers to deal with 21st century challenges. They need to find appropriate ways to deal with this rising security threat—as China initiated conflicts loom over Taiwan, the Indo-Tibetan border, the Senkaku and the South China Sea.

The weakened Western alliance led by the United States is clearly not in a position to thwart the twin challenges emerging from China’s aggressive imperial advances and the fresh lease of life to Islamic extremism, on its own. Moreover, a shared perspective on the nature of threats, a unified strategy, and an agreement on burden sharing are missing. After 30 years of futile and haemorrhaging wars – in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria -- there is war weariness among the American people. It needs major strategic partners, especially in the world’s new strategic pivot -- the Indo-Pacific, to secure the liberal international order and ultimately itself. American hopes for a stable Indo-Pacific significantly rest on the support of its principal allies and strategic partners in the region—Japan, Australia and India. India’s rapid growth, expanding consumer markets, technological advancement and rising military power are crucial for crafting a new global balance of power that would sustain a rules-based cooperative world order as well as thwart China’s hegemonic ambitions. India too needs to deepen its strategic partnerships with the US, Japan, France, Australia—among others, to effectively deal with the rising security challenges posed by China, Pakistan and Islamic extremism. For the first time since Independence the interests of India and the US appear to have coalesced.

The Left-Liberal ‘Spoiler’ Network
Yet even as the strategic communities clearly see the need for building a strong Indo-US partnership as the bedrock of a global democratic alliance with the Quad as its central pillar, a segment of the Western liberal-left forces has made it its mission to undertake a sustained political campaign against the strong, popular and reformist Modi government in India. This is reflected in the negative coverage of India by the leading legacy media, reports of think tanks, human rights and media freedom reports, and writings by a network of Western academics. The latest is a superficial and inaccurate World Hunger Report. All these reports are based on inadequate information, poor understanding, absence of proper field studies and pronounced ideological prejudice. Their synchronised global campaign to show India and its majority Hindu population in an extremely negative light is being undertaken in parallel with anti-Modi groups in India, as well as anti-India forces sympathetic to Islamic extremism, Pakistan and China. Together they feed on each other’s prejudices and propaganda to mount a hostile and persistent political campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India. While the complex interplay between Indian democracy, nationalism and Hindu cultural assertion under the Modi government can be studied and debated, it is essential that the media and academia undertake an objective assessment of developments in the world’s second largest country. India is undergoing huge multi-dimensional socioeconomic- technological transformations that have enormous global strategic implications. This is a story they have, unfortunately, largely missed. Ironically, the Western liberals engaged in the vilification of the Indian government undermine the very strategic partnership that the US, Australia, UK, France and Europe are trying to forge with the world’s largest democracy to safeguard the liberal world order from China and Islamic extremist forces!

Leading experts on the media and on Indian democracy, A. Surya Prakash and Abhijit Iyer-Mitra in their searing critique of the Western liberal-left campaign against the Indian Government, expose the deep intellectual rot, socio-political disruptions and ideological biases that followed the decline of Enlightenment in the West. They highlight the ideological stance of the left-liberals in the West and the many prejudices and even falsehoods on which their campaign is based. Their work is complemented by Devsena Mishra’s critique of US Big-Tech’s global operations. She points to their roots in the intelligence and defence department’s funding of Silicon Valley Start-ups that continue to shape their information gathering. The unbridled and unregulated ‘freedom’ claimed by these giant private tech companies to pursue their commercial interest and their invisible ties to the security establishment of their home countries, she argues, seriously undermines India’s national security and must be addressed.

Exploring Diverse Themes
On the maritime and industrial domain, former naval officers Bhaskar Sengupta and Shantanu Bose contribute a valuable new policy brief laying out the roadmap for India to become a leading global Shipbuilding power—naval and commercial—leveraging its noteworthy naval shipbuilding capabilities. B.M. Suri, in his essay, underlines that India’s national security challenges will continue to place critical demands on indigenous high technologies and manufacturing based on them.

Finally, in a detailed review of an excellent new book on the making of the Indus Water Treaty, former Deputy National Security Advisor, Ambassador Satish Chandra analyses the historical, political, diplomatic and international factors that led to the World Bank mediated Agreement between India and Pakistan on the sharing of the Punjab rivers, despite being deeply flawed and against India’s interests. The segment ends with a review by scholar Hirak Das of a new study on Saudi Arabia’s educational reforms

This issue of National Security lays out the multiple challenges that are gathering on the Indian security front and the need for India to craft appropriate and urgent strategic responses to secure itself.
Prof. Sujit Dutta
Editor, National Security
by Sujit Dutta

Page:

Essays
Afghanistan: The Taliban Takeover and its Strategic Fallout
by Gautam Mukhopadhaya

Page: 345-357

Utopia and Desire: Biden’s Retreat from Afghanistan
by Umberto Sulpasso

Page: 358-362

What Does the Chinaman Think? by Gautam Banerjee

Page: 363-373

Technology Ecosystem & National Security by B.M. Suri

Page: 374-381

Terror Financing in Kashmir by Abhinav Pandya

Page: 382-399

Abstract: This paper is an analysis of terror financing in Jammu and Kashmir based on the author’s research and fieldwork in the past five years in this sensitive border State. To sustain and fund its proxy war in Kashmir valley, over the last three decades, Pakistan has created a complex, multi-layered and networked terror financing system with distinct characteristics not obtained in the other conflict theatres. The novel features of raising money include illegal funds raised from allocating medical, engineering, and other higher education seats in Pakistan and other countries, Haj tours and travels, LoC cross-border trade, and Jamaat-i-Islami funding networks. Separatist and extremist entities, including the officers and politicians with dubious loyalties and the separatist media, also raise money through local State government sources. Terror funding is utilized for various ends like running terrorist organizations, extremist religious entities, separatist media, stone-pelting, funding Hurriyat and mainstream political parties, and funding social media and intellectual narratives. India’s counter-terror financing efforts received a fillip with the formation of National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2009. Over the last five years, NIA has launched a massive crackdown on terror funding which has given a significant blow to Pakistan’s three-decade-old investment.

Reality of Democracy in India: Contesting False Western Narrative by A. Surya Prakash

Page: 400-426

Abstract: India’s constitutional values and democratic traditions have come under severe and concerted attack from various Western institutions, including research organisations, think-tanks, NGOs, and government established commissions, especially since early 2020. Among them are Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Freedom House, and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). After an in-depth analysis of these reports, the question that arises is on what basis have they arrived at such assessments? Are the authors of these reports apprised of the Indian Constitution, and have they done adequate research on its working? Also pertinent are queries such as: have they looked at the elements which are non-negotiable for a country to be categorised as a ‘democracy’, and have these researchers compared the Indian Constitution and its working with the constitutions of other nation-states which they place above India? This article seeks to answer these questions.

The Great Western Social Churn: India Caught in the Crossshairs by Abhijit Iyer-Mitra

Page: 427-440

Abstract: India is in the crosshairs of literally every liberal publication of the western world. Its democracy is described as eroding and it is generally portrayed as slowly but inexorably moving towards fascism. This is despite the fact that press criticism of the government has never been sharper or more vocal, and that the head of state and head of government come from two historically underprivileged castes - a Dalit and an Other Backward Caste (OBC). This is also despite the fact that this government has done more to protect women’s rights, spent more money on religious minority scholarships and afforded more welfare schemes bringing basic amenities like electricity and toilets to every Indian. While it is easy to see this as a conspiracy, it is much easier explained by sociological and political trends in the West. India needs to understand and counter these socio-political trends rather than simply feel sorry about conspiracies .

Intelligence and Big Tech by Devsena Mishra

Page: 441-451

Policy Brief
Roadmap for India’s Dominance in Global Shipbuilding by Bhaskar Sengupta and Shantanu Bose

Page: 452-477

Abstract: India has demonstrated her prowess in cutting edge technology, be it pharma, information technology or automobile industry. So why has the maritime industry and shipbuilding -- which has the potential to be the highest employment creator industry -- fallen by the wayside? While merchant shipbuilding in the country has been moribund, our Naval shipbuilding has come of age with the delivery of “State of the Art” Stealth Frigates and Corvettes and the maiden sailing of the Aircraft Carrier recently. It is not widely known that of the three services that comprise India’s Armed Forces, the Navy is at the forefront of indigenising its equipment/requirements. While the Naval shipbuilding ecosystem is not bereft of challenges, it provides a perspective to the issues plaguing the larger maritime construct of the country. A composite national approach that encompasses intellectual property creation, large production runs(scale), standardisation, and a strong Make in India thrust are the building blocks of a robust shipbuilding ecosystem which will ultimately take India to global dominance in shipbuilding.

Book Reviews
Indus Basin Uninterrupted
by Satish Chandra

Page: 478-493

Educational Reforms in Saudi Arabia by Hirak J. Das

Page: 494-499

Volume 4 (2021) Issue 3 , (July-2021 to September-2021)

July-September

Articles
Belt and Road at the Cross-Roads: Imperial Ambitions and Blowback by Sujit Dutta

Page: 193-228

Abstract: China’s plan to construct the continental Economic Belt across Eurasia and a Maritime Silk Road that extends through the Pacific and the Indian Oceans under the Belt and Road Initiative (the BRI), has over the past eight years expanded to nearly 70 countries. Under the plan China has been engaged in providing large loans for connecting and integrating these countries with China’s economy through cross-border roads, railways, ports, digital networks and spacebased satellite communications. It is the clearest expression of China’s grand strategy to create a China-centric Eurasian and Indo-Pacific order, with a new set of governance norms, institutions, technical standards, and politico-economic architecture. The plan also entails the internationalisation of the Renminbi and sustains China dominated global supply chains. The BRI is aimed to advance China’s economic, political and security interests. It is paving the way for the PLA to extend its regional and global presence to protect growing Chinese interests and assets abroad. It has the potential to expand China’s strategic space on land and the seas far beyond its borders. The plan, however, is facing growing criticism and opposition for its lack of transparency, imposing unsustainable debt burdens on fragile economies, and replicating a neo-colonial strategy. While Chinese loans are proposed to meet infrastructural needs in the developing world, a series of Chinese dependencies are being created with wide strategic ramifications.

Periphery, Vulnerability and the Belt and Road Initiative by Abanti Bhattacharya

Page: 229-254

Abstract: This study explores the link between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its periphery policy and thereby demonstrates the salience of periphery in Chinese foreign policy. Contextualising the BRI in a periphery policy enables us to not only understand the rationale for China’s gigantic intercontinental connectivity network but to also explain why Chinese foreign policy is emblematic of boundary reinforcing ends and territorial fetishism. In fact, China’s periphery policy is rooted in vulnerability both historically as well as in the modern times. This vulnerability has shaped its current response under Xi Jinping in terms of BRI. And therefore, the BRI is intended to address the issue of insecurity and help China establish its global preponderance. This makes China inherently aggressive and belligerent.

China Pakistan Economic Corridor: Domestic Trajectory and Contested Geopolitics by Prateek Joshi

Page: 255-276

Abstract: The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) completes six years in 2021. This article analyses its physical progress, the changes in the civil-military ties and the emerging structural impact on Pakistan’s various economic sectors. Besides the continuing opacity in the project details, it is also observed that Pakistan’s power, telecom and connectivity infrastructure commands greater control than ever before from the Chinese corporations. With Pakistan occupying a greater centrality in regional geopolitics, the article also contextualizes CPEC in the tight ropewalk Islamabad traverses between Beijing and Washington in its attempts to balance Chinese inroads with its dependence on the IMF’s bailouts.

Bangladesh and Belt Road Initiative: Unfolding Possibilities by Sreeradha Datta

Page: 277-295

Abstract: Bangladesh has maintained close relations with China over the past four decades. The bilateral cooperation with China straddles a wide spectrum of activities, including a series of infrastructure projects. Thus, when China decided to map out its One Belt and Road network of transport corridors it would have counted on Bangladesh to join the network. Given China’s growing interest in the region its invitation to the South Asian states to join its BRI project was inevitable, and Bangladesh’s positive response was a continual of the ongoing trends. Beyond creating large scale infrastructures for transport and energy sectors, BRI also provides opportunities for further engagements with governments, private sector and civil society entities as well as think tanks and academia. However, despite excitement about the MOUs signed during President Xi’s visit to Dhaka in 2016, the number of projects that have been initiated or under consideration presently are not too many.

The China Myanmar Economic Corridor: A Reality Check by Jaideep Chanda

Page: 296-332

Abstract: This paper traces the evolution of the proposed China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) and identifies the deliverables as gleaned from the BRI Fora. It gleans information on the components and scope of the CMEC from newspaper reports, documents signed, and statements made, especially during Xi Jinping’s January 2020 visit to Myanmar and other open sources. The paper looks at the status of the Myanmar-China Oil and Gas Pipelines, which predate the BRI but has now got subsumed into it. The paper dwells on the Chinese concept of ‘guanxi’ and the reciprocal Myanmar concept of ‘ah nar de’ to understand how China seeks to obligate Myanmar into providing access to the Bay of Bengal. It argues that the Chinese strategy in Myanmar has changed post the Myitsone project debacle and that China has re-packaged the BRI to make it more acceptable. Lastly, it proposes a three-pronged strategy for India to become a preferred partner in Myanmar’s journey towards development, thereby securing its own flank.

Book Reviews
A Sensitive Account of the Brave Gurkhas by Arvind Gupta

Page: 333-338

Preparing for the 21st Century Battles
by P. K. Chakravorty

Page: 339-343

Volume 4 (2021) Issue 2 , (April-2021 to June-2021)

Apr-Jun

Essays
The Contours of Biden’s Foreign-Policy
by Arvind Gupta

Page: 103-109

Re-energising Indo-US Defence Technology Cooperation
by S. Guruprasad

Page: 110-113

The Wrinkle in US-India Strategic Alignment by Walter Lohman

Page: 114-117

India and the Biden Administration
by Kanwal Sibal

Page: 118-125

Articles
An Agenda For India-US Relations in a Biden Presidency by ARUN K. SINGH

Page: 126-138

Abstract: The Biden administration has prioritized dealing with the pandemic, reviving the US economy, addressing systemic racism in US society, and responding to the challenge of climate change. To reduce the influence of the Trump constituency within, and that of China globally, it has also reiterated support for consolidating democratic norms and institutions and declared “America is back” in its international engagements and striving for leadership. Building on the bipartisan support for India in the US since 2000, and Biden’s own personal efforts in the past, the focus of the new US administration suggests a potentially active agenda for consolidating the relationship over the next four years: on climate, Indo- Pacific, Quad, trade, investment, defence cooperation, and addressing global challenges including that of terrorism. Both would need to manage inevitable differences on Russia, and possibly on Iran and Afghanistan/ Pakistan.

Prospects of India-US Defence Cooperation by Anil Ahuja

Page: 139-153

Abstract: In the years since Biden was last in office the geopolitical focus has transitioned from Euro-Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific. The US approach over the years has been to support India’s emergence as a strong pillar of regional stability. For India, the US is a major security partner, relied upon for capability development. Mutual convergence now transcends across political divide in both countries. The positive trajectory of defence and security relations however cannot be taken for granted. Some serious questions confront both sides: whether the defence and security component will be kept reasonably insulated from other contentious bilateral issues. How would the India-US-Russia relationship be balanced? How would India balance the imperatives of defence along disputed land borders with the vision of its role in the Indian Ocean? How transactional would the Indo-US relationship be? The paper suggests nuanced consideration of issues of divergence. The trend of India-US relations remains positive. It requires a review and reinvestment rather than any major reset- which however is imperative..

Biden Administration and the Indo-Pacific Axis
by K.P. Vijayalakshmi

Page: 154-168

Abstract: More than ten years since the “Indo-Pacific” was added to the geopolitical lexicon, the region has continued to receive elevated global attention while also witnessing a transformed relationship between the US and India. The Trump administration reconstructed US strategy in the Indian Ocean region, broadening both its scope and concept, and positioned the Quad countries and especially India at the centre of its plans. The change in US leadership has raised questions about continued American commitment. Biden administration, however, has positively signalled not only towards building and maintaining the momentum vis-à-vis the Indo Pacific but also coordinating closely with its regional allies/ key partners like India. This paper analyses the evolution of the US’ Indo Pacific Strategy, its approach towards China as it moved from an ‘engage but hedge’ to ‘compete, counter and confront’ policy and the possible motivations of US engagement towards a strategic alignment that will consolidate momentum on an Indo-Pacific Axis.

The United States And India: A Digital Partnership in Need of a Strategy by Arjun Kang Joseph & Rudra Chaudhuri

Page: 169-182

Abstract: India-US relations have transformed in the last two decades. The defence and strategic partnership remains the silver-lining in an equation increasingly shaped by the rise and bellicosity of China. Yet, there is another aspect of this relationship that has been largely neglected: the need to bridge growing divergences in each countries’ approach to the digital economy. This paper outlines these divergences and suggests ways forward. It makes the case that the differences, at the tactical level, requires an investment at the strategic level to make the best of the future of digital ties. In particular, the paper lays down the reasoning to invest in what might be called the Next Steps in Technological Partnerships, just like India and the United States invested in the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership more than a decade ago. The latter had a telling impact on the growth of India-US defence ties. There is no reason why the former cannot have the same effect as far as digital ties are concerned.

Book Review
Combating China’s Political Warfare: An American Analysis by Satish Chandra

Page: 183-191

Volume 4 (2021) Issue 1 , (January-2021 to March-2021)

Jan-Mar

Essays
Rescuing the Nation from History: Implications of Indian Historiography for National Security by Arpita Mitra

Page: 1-14

The Early Concept of Bharatavarsha by Rupendra Kumar Chattopadhyay & Arkaprava Sarkar

Page: 15-22

Reimagining Multilateralism : The Ethos and Philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam by Arvind Gupta

Page: 23-28

Articles
Nationalism in the Study of Ancient Indian History by Dilip K. Chakrabarti

Page: 29-50

How the Ancient Indian Vīṇā Travelled to Other Asian Countries: A Reconstruction though Scriptures, Sculptures, Paintings and Living Traditions by Piyal Bhattacharya and Shreetama Chowdhury

Page: 51-72

Potential of Geospatial Technologies as a Cognitive and Spatio-visual tool for Mapping the Past by M B Rajani & Shalini Dixit

Page: 73-92

Book Reviews
Kautilya’s Arthashastra: Fusion of the Philosophical and the Strategic
by Kajari Kamal

Page: 93-96

Comparing India and China, but not without Western biases
by Abanti Bhattacharya

Page: 97-102

SUBJECT

National Security

Editor-In-Chief

Editor

Editorial Committee

International Advisory Board

Volume 5 (2022) Issue 3 , (July-2022 to September-2022)

Volume 5 (2022)

Volume 5 (2022) Issue 2 , (April-2022 to June-2022)

Volume 5 (2022) Issue 1 , (January-2022 to March-2022)

Volume 3 (2020)

Volume 3 (2020) Issue 4 , (October-2020 to December-2020)

Volume 3 (2020) Issue 3 , (July-2020 to September-2020)

Volume 3 (2020) Issue 2 , (April-2020 to June-2020)

Volume 3 (2020) Issue 1 , (January-2020 to March-2020)

Volume 2 (2019)

Volume 2 (2019) Issue 3 , (July-2019 to September-2019)

Volume 2 (2019) Issue 2 , (April-2019 to June-2019)

Volume 2 (2019) Issue 1 , (January-2019 to March-2019)

Volume 1 (2018)

Volume 1 (2018) Issue 2 , (August-2018 to December-2018)

Volume 1 (2018) Issue 1 , (January-2018 to August-2018)

Volume 4 (2021)

Volume 4 (2021) Issue 4 , (October-2021 to December-2021)

Volume 4 (2021) Issue 3 , (July-2021 to September-2021)

Volume 4 (2021) Issue 2 , (April-2021 to June-2021)

Volume 4 (2021) Issue 1 , (January-2021 to March-2021)

Introduction

Topics

Subject Covered

Instructions to Authors

Submit Your Article

Frequency