Assessing Arguments Against Closer India-US Ties
Dear Reader,
Welcome to Takshashila Dispatch.
In this edition we cover our work on the India-U.S. relationship, India’s diaspora evacuation strategy, policy advisory on certain demand for grants in the Union Budget for 2023-24, the ongoing case of civilian killings in Nagaland by Army personnel, China’s two front perception vis-a-vis Taiwan and India, how (not) to regulate and more!
Assessing Arguments Against Closer India-US Ties
In Takshashila’s latest discussion document, Yusuf T. Unjhawala analyses various arguments against closer ties between India and the U.S., offered from both military and political perspectives, that are frequently seen in Indian commentaries across various platforms.
Admittedly, India still has a long way to go in terms of economic development, which is its primary goal and the driving force behind its foreign policy. In that context, India’s partnership with the U.S. is critical. The paper argues that, because geopolitical factors favour India, there is a strategic opportunity.
Also, listen to an episode of All Things Policy where Yusuf speaks with Sachin Kalbag on closer India-U.S. ties and why it raises much scepticism among the commentariat:
The Sudan Situation & India’s Diaspora Evacuation Strategy
The ongoing conflict between rival military factions in Sudan is escalating day by day and countries, including India, are looking to evacuate their nationals from the conflict-affected areas. The developments in Sudan underscore the importance of not only addressing the immediate concerns of the Indian diaspora in Sudan but also the broader issue of developing a consistent and long-term strategy that can be employed in similar situations in the future.
Based on our past research into the issue, the latest Takshashila Issue Brief offers perspectives into the risks faced by the large Indian diaspora of 32 million nationals, the air and sea evacuation capacities of the Indian state and recommendations on boosting India’s evacuation capacity.
We propose the creation of an Overseas Crisis Management Group, establishing Overseas Coordination Points in friendly countries around diaspora-intense regions, including emergency clauses in licenses of commercial airlines and shipping companies to use assets for evacuation efforts, and standing agreements between Indian embassies and missions abroad with logistics operators and more.
Policy Advisory on Demand For Grants
We recently submitted comments to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests, and Climate Change on the Demand for Grants in Budget 2023-24. The document analyses the overall budgetary trends across the concerned ministries and departments. It also has specific comments on the Departments of Space, Biotechnology, Science & Technology, Scientific and Industrial Research, and Atomic Energy.
On the Nagaland Killings
In his weekly column for ThePrint, Lt. Gen. Prakash Menon writes on the refusal by the Ministry of Defence to accord sanction of the prosecution to Army officers accused in the killing of civilians in Nagaland, a case of mistaken identity and the police investigation into the incident:
In all probability, the DMA’s denial of sanction was based on the circumstances that sent the troops on a mission that fell victim to a distorted perception caused by uncertainty, danger and fear. The forces at play in the minds of the leaders and the troops can best be understood by persons who have been part of similar ambushes during counter-insurgency operations. Reaching the conclusion the SIT arrived at was possible only by misreading/ignoring the psychological condition of the troops at the time of the firing.
Unless they came to believe that these troops of Special Forces who represent the best of the best in the Army are unprofessional and cold-blooded killers. Even if they do not harbour such beliefs, the SIT in all probability was acting as a handmaiden of the government of Nagaland that politically has no choice but be seen as taking action supportive of the public outcry against killing of innocent people. It is because of such reasons that the troops are provided protection under AFSPA, as long as they acted in good faith.
Taiwan Stirs Chinese Nationalism In A Way India Does Not
Has China shown greater strategic imagination and flexibility in leveraging its two-front threat perception than India?
Amit Kumar, research analyst at the Takshashila appeared on a chat on Borderline Xi!, a special series on StratNews Global, with Surya Gangadharan and Suyash Desai. He argued that China has successfully manipulated India's concerns about the Pak-Beijing axis to mitigate its own two-front concerns, namely India and Taiwan.
What is Regulation and How Not to Regulate
Regulation is an intrinsic part of what the government does. But what exactly is regulation? What does it mean? Is the government the most competent to regulate? In this episode of last Friday’s All Things Policy, Saurabh Todi and Anupam Manur discuss all these questions!
Anupam also penned down his thoughts about regulation in his blog:
Nature Feature | On Leaving Academia for Industry
Shambhavi Naik, head of research at Takshashila was recently quoted by Nature in a feature on moving from academia to the industry and associated challenges:
Often, people inside academia are not as well placed as those outside to offer advice to those looking to leave. Cancer biologist Shambhavi Naik knew she wanted to move into the field of public policy, but such a move was uncommon in India, where she is based, and she struggled to find people to advise her. “Some of my mentors told me that if I really wanted to impact science policy in India, then I should stay in academia,” she remembers. “It was almost as if I was betraying academia by leaving, so people advised me against going into industry.”
Network for Advanced Study of China (NASC) Fellowship
Announced last week, the NASC Fellowship aims to create high-quality scholarship and knowledge of the People’s Republic of China by nurturing new generations of analysts in academia, think tanks, media and industry.
The applications are now open for prospective fellows looking to undertake research in one or more of the following areas: inner-party politics & governance, economy, defence, geopolitics, environment, education, technology, society, and urbanisation.
Selected applicants will be invited to join the fellowship, and assigned mentors and projects. A cash prize of ₹1 lakh will be awarded to the five best papers determined by the jury. The duration of the fellowship is one year.
GCPP Applications Close on April 30th
The GCPP is offered over 12 weeks and is the ideal introductory course to public policy and governance for working professionals. It will help you master the fundamentals of economics, policy evaluation, ethical reasoning, effective communication and public persuasion.
The next cohort of GCPP begins on May 6, 2023.
That’s all from us this week. Take care!