Institute for Defence Studies & Analyses: IDSA Update

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	IDSA Updates
IDSA OCCASIONAL PAPERS
India and Bhutan: The Strategic Imperative P. Stobdan Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemed aware about the nuances that underpin India’s cultural and political obligations in Asia. By making Bhutan as his first visit abroad followed by a visit to Nepal, he has effectively invoked the deeper imperatives to revitalize India’s national interests. The subject of Indo-Bhutan relationship remained enigmatic until the critics cried shrilly over the 2013 crisis that had put the ties under major strain. Bhutan’s drift seemed startling and with China stepping up its contacts, the impact was palpable on the ground – creating a string of political electrons.
BACKGROUNDER
2014 General Elections in Kashmir Valley: Incidents of Violence and its Impact Deepshikha Hooda The background study looks at incidence of violence in the Kashmir Valley during the 2014 parliamentary elections and the correlation of violence to voter turnout. This study also lists out various actors responsible for violence and the trends in voting patterns from different regions of the Valley. A primer on the Indian Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 G. Balachandran During PM Modi’s visit to US, one of the topics that is likely to be high on the agenda will be the still incomplete US-India nuclear cooperation by way of sales of nuclear reactors to India because of the Indian Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
IDSA COMMENT
Border Standoff: Understanding Chinese Motives Rumel Dahiya The response from the Indian side during the recent border incident was much more robust. However, it is important to examine the likely motives that drive the Chinese to raise the ante before the high-level visits to India. Saudis join war against Islamic State; many sceptical Sandhya Jain The participation by the Saudi royal family in the US-led bombing of Daesh positions in Syria indicates Riyadh’s implacable opposition to the mercenary group. Iran, however, has dismissed the air strikes as a “psychological operation”, not a military one. New Gambles in Ladakh P. Stobdan It all appears that the Indian army this time got clear orders to hold the ground and undo what the previous UPA government did – dismantled huts, bunkers and observation posts in exchange of PLA moving back from the Indian territory. India and China: Ready to Meet Halfway Mukul Sanwal Can the two leaders go further and recognize the regional strategic interests of each other in the Pacific and the Indian Oceans? What about full support for India’s membership of the Security with the two countries working together in that forum? Xi’s visit and the boundary issues R. S. Kalha In the Chinese mind the settlement of the border issue with India cannot be divorced from regional, political and larger strategic issues. China has used the threat of intrusions across the LAC, as a part of its coercive diplomacy and it is too valuable an asset to give up. PLA Asserts as Modi-Xi Jinping Talk Gurmeet Kanwal The military gap between Indian and China is growing steadily as the PLA is upgrading the military infrastructure in Tibet to enable rapid deployment. China will stall resolution of the territorial dispute till it is in a much stronger position.
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NEWS DIGEST
Insight Southeast Asia: Volume 3 Number 4, July-August 2014 Insight Southeast Asia is the bimonthly newsletter of the Southeast Asia & Oceania Centre, IDSA. It comprises special sections such as Country Profile, Commentary, Book Review, Photo-Essay and News Track. News Track includes important and referenced news summary pertaining to the eleven Southeast Asian countries and Oceania (including New Zealand and Australia) South Asia Trends: August 2014 South Asia Trends is a monthly newsletter on South Asian affairs. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide a panoramic view of important events that shape and impact the politics of the subcontinent. The effort would be to inform our readers of the domestic, regional and international repercussions of the political debates and diplomatic engagements that take place in South Asia. Pakistan News Digest: August 2014 The digest seeks to keep its focus on all round strategic developments taking place in Pakistan on a monthly basis. It culls out information and analyses from the Pakistani media— both English and vernacular— and provides a ready reference material for the wider strategic community.
JOBS
Director General, IDSA The Institute is now seeking to appoint a new Director General. The DG is charged with the academic and administrative leadership of the Institute. The successful candidate will be an individual of outstanding intellectual caliber, rich policy experience and administrative competence. He/She will be expected to develop the Institute as a centre of excellence and as a highly influential voice in relevant public debates. Last date November 7, 2014.   Assistant Director (Admin) Last date November 5, 2014.
ASK AN EXPERT
The Ask an Expert feature is aimed at promoting awareness and discussion on contemporary security issues. Visitors are welcome to pose short and precise questions, which will be answered by experts. Sarabjeet Singh asked: What should be India’s strategy in the backdrop of domestic politics impinging on bilateral ties with Sri Lanka Debasis Dash asked: How Russia views the developing Indo-US relationship? Avinash Roy asked: Why did India lag behind other South-East Asian countries in terms of level of economic development after 1990s reforms?
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
FELLOWS SEMINAR - Developments in Af-Pak Region and the Future of Military-Mullah Nexus in Pakistan Speaker: Smruti S. Pattanaik October 10, 2014 | 1030 to 1300 hrs   FELLOWS SEMINAR - The Second Artillery: Land Nuclear Forces and Deployment Speaker: M. S. Prathibha October 17, 2014 | 1030 to 1300 hrs   Talk by Balbir Singh Sihag on "Kautilya and National Security" October 20, 2014 | 1500h to 1630 hrs   8th SOUTH ASIA DIALOGUE on "The Role of Media in Promoting Regional Understanding in South Asia" October 28-29, 2014
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