How are States Discussing Space Threats?
Dear Reader,
We hope you are doing well. It’s been a busy week for all of us at Takshashila. In this week’s edition, we cover two new research publications. The first one discusses the negotiations over space threats at the OEWG; the second, recommends measures to improve nutritional outcomes in Karnataka. In addition, applications are now open for the September 2022 GCPP cohort.
OEWG Negotiations on Space Threats
Space may be the final frontier, but it is increasingly becoming a crowded and more dangerous place. Consequently, the UN’s Open-ended Working Group on reducing space threats held its first meeting in Geneva in May. In a new research document, Pranav R. Satyanath details the positions adopted by States at the OEWG.
There are four main areas of contention:
Defining space weapons and space threats: Potential space weapons can have both civilian and military utility, and different states perceive threats from such capabilities differently.
Defining responsible behaviours: Such behaviours must be defined clearly, while breaches must be attributed and assessed based on objective criteria.
Interpreting international law: States differ on whether international humanitarian law (IHL), Law of Armed Conflict (LoAC) apply in outer space.
Separating space security from space sustainability: Some states have argued that space security must not be conflated with space debris mitigation.
The document argues that the OEWG discussions “reflected international divisions, pitting Western states against Russia and China. Western states have placed greater emphasis on non legally-binding measures and responsible behaviour, while China in particular, has sought legally-binding treaties and remains sceptical about the characterisation of ‘responsible behaviour’.”
Improving Nutritional Outcomes in Karnataka
In a new discussion document, Harshit Kukreja & Shambhavi Naik discuss Karnataka’s nutrition landscape and recommend key policy changes. They assess that in the past decade, there has been little improvement in nutrition related health indicators in the state.
The percentage of children with stunting has remained largely the same (NFHS 4 :36, NFHS 5:35) and so has the percentage of children with wasting (NFHS 4 :35, NFHS 5:33). Infant Mortality shows no significant improvement. (NFHS 4: 28 per 1000 live births to NFHS 5: 25 per 1000 live birth). The under-five mortality is estimated to be 30 deaths before the five years of age per 1,000 live births (NFHS 5), a slight reduction since NFHS 4 (32 deaths per 1,000 live births).
After analysing the existing nutrition indicators along with government interventions, they recommend the following:
First, there is a need to improve data collection and measure the impact of schemes.
Second, a reduction in reliance on the overworked Anganwadi Workforce is advised.
Third, they also recommend adding and modifying interventions based on current evidence.
How China Sees the World
Contested histories are at the heart of the Communist Party of China’s claims of political legitimacy and quest for national rejuvenation. This was among the key themes of a conversation on Saturday, July 9, as Takshashila hosted Ambassador Shyam Saran for a riveting, closed-door discussion on his new book, How China Sees India and the World.
India’s Interests in a Divided World
The past few days have witnessed two important multilateral summit meetings. NATO countries met in Madrid resulted in the publication of a new Strategic Concept. For the first time, this document classified China’s “ambitions and coercive policies” as a challenge to NATO’s interests, security and values. Analysing the trend of deepening US-China contestation, in his column in ThePrint, Lt. General Prakash Menon argues that:
India “inhabits both sides of the global political divide, which is evidenced by India’s proximity to the West versus its presence in the China-dominated Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS and RIC. Structurally, India’s strategic balance is now weighted towards the West and its economic balance is weighted towards China. The incongruence reflects India’s belief that international politics must be based on multipolar world order.”
He further writes:
“In a recent article in Foreign Affairs, Shivshankar Menon, India’s former National Security Adviser, explains the case for non-alignment in the contemporary international system that is failing or absent, and when it seems to be each country for itself. He draws a parallel with the divided world at the start of the Cold War, which was characterised by local balances of power shifting rapidly in Asia. The turn to non-alignment, which he describes as somewhat natural, could gather more adherents. The opportunity for India to energise its non-alignment platform may have emerged. India’s ongoing territorial dispute in the Himalayas would, however, complicate any move towards embracing non-alignment.”
Role of Ideology in Xi Jinping’s Policies
What role does ideology play in the policies of Communist states? How useful is studying and thinking about ideology to understand the actions of China’s leader Xi Jinping?
In the July 8 episode of All Things Policy, Manoj Kewalramani spoke to to Joseph Torigian, Asst. Professor at the School of International Service at the American University in Washington DC, about his new paper Xi Jinping and Ideology.
Run The Marathon to Transform India (And Your Career)
Applications for the September 2022 Graduate Certificate in Public Policy (GCPP) cohort are open. 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 GCPP is available in three streams: Defence and Foreign Affairs (DFA), Technology & Policy (TP) & Advanced Public Policy (APP).
The DFA stream will teach you how to analyse current international affairs by providing a solid foundation in international relations, strategic studies and economic analysis.
The TP stream is for those who wish to understand the political economy of technology. Participants will be equipped to navigate the rapidly evolving technology ecosystem to capitalise on the opportunities while managing the risks.
The APP stream will equip you with a tool kit to help you make better sense of the economy and governance structures. It provides you with frameworks to understand the interplay between politics and the economy and ways to navigate through them.
The next cohort of GCPP begins on September 3rd. Apply by July 23rd to avail of Early Bird scholarships.
That’s it from us this week. We hope you stay safe.