India’s Options as China-Taiwan Tensions Rise
Dear Reader,
Hope you are doing well. In this edition of Takshashila Dispatch, we bring to you our latest work from the last week, including a brief on China-Taiwan tensions, a discussion on India's health report card, comments on Delhi’s Excise Policy and much more. Additionally, applications for GCPP are closing this week; make sure that you apply soon.
India’s Options as China-Taiwan Raise the Stakes
The tensions between China and Taiwan have only increased ever since the U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi paid a visit to Taiwan earlier this month. Taiwan has countered China by announcing its own military drills in the region last week. In a Takshashila Issue Brief, we draw from our past work to analyse India’s options and opportunities amidst the ongoing tussle. We broadly cover two aspects:
What should India’s strategic response be in the case of (a) continuation of status quo between China and Taiwan; (b) Taiwan declaring independence; and (c) China invading Taiwan; and
How India and Taiwan can benefit from stronger economic partnership by means of (a) accelerating a free trade agreement and (b) collaboration on semiconductors.
India Should Call China’s Bluff on Air Power
China’s extensive buildup of its air power capabilities in the Tibetan plateau is a major area of concern and might overcome the edge that the Indian Air Force enjoyed earlier. In his weekly column for The Print, Lt. Gen. Prakash Menon writes on how China is playing a mind game and what India's counter should be:
China’s growing air power in Tibet is an ideal military tool to build an image of strength that can be utilised for continuous psychological dominance with minimum risk of provoking adverse reaction. Moreover, fighter aircraft in particular are the most photogenic in terms of conveying strength and projecting the image of power. It is ideal for intimidation and has been used extensively by China against Taiwan.
Further:
The challenge for India is to call China’s bluff in the Himalayas while speeding up growth of its maritime capabilities. China’s growing confrontation in other areas provide openings to speed up capability-building. Sporadic military pressure by China in the North is the operational design. Air and land violations must be responded to by counter-violations or quid pro quo because that is the language China understands best. Avoiding overreaction is also an Indian imperative, but it is easier said than done and calls for greater politico-military interaction. Unfortunately, such interactions continue to be lacking in continuity and depth.
India@75: India’s Health Report Card
An Indian born today is expected to live a longer and healthier life compared to an Indian born on August 16, 1947. This is India’s success story. In a column for News18, Dr. Harshit Kukreja and Mahek Nankhani, take us through various indicators of public health - life expectancy, infant mortality, tuberculosis, water, sanitation & hygiene, fertility, primary healthcare centres, immunisation, number of doctors and health workers - to showcase the steady but sustained steps India has taken towards achieving health security for its population.
End of Happy Hours: Delhi’s Excise Policy
Delhi government has been in the news lately over its excise policy and allegations of wrongdoing by concerned public servants. In Last Tuesday’s episode of All Things Policy, our daily podcast, Pranay Kotasthane, Ritul Gaur and Harshit Kukreja discussed the excise policy from an economic standpoint. They charted how the policy underwent liberalisation last year only for it to be rolled-back, while alcohol revenue remains indispensable for Delhi’s state finances.
GCPP Applications Close this Week
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.
That’s all from us and see you next week. Take care!