Subplots Of the Ukraine Crisis
Dear Reader,
We hope you and your loved ones are well. In this edition, we collate our work on the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, present the findings from the first India’s Global Outlook Survey, reflect on the future of space stations, and invite you to our latest #BookLounge event.
Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine
We have been following the Ukraine crisis closely over the last few weeks. This has resulted in articles and research notes on various aspects of the crisis, including its effect on India and China.
China & The Ukraine Crisis
In the days leading up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Chinese officials described the US as “the culprit of current tensions surrounding Ukraine”, ostensibly siding with Moscow.
In a new research note, Megha Pardhi and Manoj Kewalramani analyse China’s narrative during the crisis and provide a cost-benefit analysis of the conflict from a Chinese interests perspective. They argue that Russian aggression in Ukraine not only damages China’s bilateral relationship with Ukraine but also impinges on its key foreign policy goals and propositions.
For detailed analysis of how Russia's invasion of Ukraine affects China's interests, read the full document.
India & The Ukraine Crisis
We explore the effect of the Ukraine crisis on India, in a detailed note on Takshashila Unredacted. It explores the effects of the sanctions imposed by the US and its allies on Russia and how these will affect the trade between Russia and India.
The note also analyses whether India should recognise Russia’s territorial gains. You can read it here.
India’s Education Policy & The Ukraine Crisis
Russia and Ukraine are popular destinations for aspiring medical students from India. Multiple news reports claim that there are nearly 20,000 of them in Ukraine alone. This has created much concern in India.
In his newsletter, Anticipating the Unintended, Pranay Kotasthane writes how poor policies have resulted in Indian students choosing to go abroad to get a medical education and what can be done to change this. You can read it here.
How Indians View the World
We are pleased to announce the publication of the findings of the first India’s Global Outlook Survey. It is an initiative to understand how, the country’s strategic affairs community, policymakers & ordinary citizens view India’s role in the world.
The survey was conducted through online polling in English between August and October 2021. It consisted of 26 questions, some of which required the participants to rank choices in order of priority.
Some key findings are:
1) A majority of respondents believe that a slowing economy is India’s primary strategic challenge.
2) India’s continuing border crisis with China and the threat of a two-front war strongly resonates in the respondents’ views on security.
3) When it comes to US-China relations, most respondents believe that India needs to work much more closely with middle powers to manage the fallout of the increasing competition between Washington and Beijing.
4) Despite this, a majority of respondents also argue for deeper Quad cooperation, desiring for the group to be institutionalised with a permanent secretariat.
The Future Of Space Stations
The International Space Station (ISS) is a multinational effort led by the US and Russia. It came into existence on 20 November 1998. However, despite its impressive record, the ISS is now ageing, and is unlikely to remain in operation beyond 2030.
The future of humanity’s continuous presence in space will depend on a new generation of space stations. The next decade is likely to witness the launch and operation of multiple space stations by both states and commercial entities.
While some of these stations may fail technologically or commercially, the development of space stations could help develop, validate, and mature technologies required to maintain a continuous human presence in space.
This presents promises and challenges for India. India will remain far behind the US, Russia, and China in these efforts even if it meets its deadlines for human spaceflight in 2023 and launches an experimental space station in 2030.
In a research note, Aditya Ramanathan and Aditya Pareek argue that instead of pursuing these capabilities independently, India must actively seek out collaborations with other countries and commercial entities. India must also encourage its own commercial enterprises to participate in the low earth orbit economy.
We Need To Talk About The Blocking Of Apps
Last week, reports suggested that the Union Government had issued orders to block an additional 54 apps from China, making it the fifth time such action was taken since June 2020.
On the Feb 22nd episode of All Things Policy, Prateek Waghre and Sapni GK joined Rohan Seth to unpack the app bans, related developments surrounding the use of emergency powers under the 2021 IT Rules, and the need for a higher burden of proof on the Union Government to demonstrate their claims.
20 Million Jobs A year: A Dire Need
India creates less than two million jobs a year. The finance minister mentioned creating 60 lakh jobs over 5 years in this year’s budget. While this is a start, it is woefully inadequate in a country that needs 20 million jobs a year.
In our latest video, Sridhar Krishna explains what needs to be done.
#BookLounge: The Art Of Bitfulness
We are pleased to invite you to a #BookLounge webinar featuring The Art of Bitfulness. The authors, Nandan Nilekani and Tanuj Bhojwani will be in conversation with Nitin Pai.
About The Book
In this short, practical book, Nandan Nilekani and Tanuj Bhojwani describe a framework to tune out the overwhelming noise of the internet. They empower you with tools to take back your time, attention and privacy from those who want to capture and sell it. They reveal their own personal systems, and how they stay on top of a constant flow of information.
Date & Time
Thursday, March 10 at 5 PM IST
What We Have Been Reading
This week’s book is A People’s Constitution: The Everyday Life of Law in the Indian Republic. Recommending it, Atish Padhy says:
Many of us believe that the Indian constitution was framed and imposed on the country by a constituent assembly that was not elected on a universal franchise. In addition, it is also believed to be inspired by western ideas too much to be called authentically “Indian”. In A People’s Constitution, Rohit De challenges these notions by showing through meticulous research, that common Indian citizens, often from marginilised and minority communities, used the Indian constitution to claim their rights against an interventionist state.
De does this by choosing four contentious issues: Prohibition of Alcohol, Commodity and Price Controls, Prohibition of cow slaughter, and Prostitution. These were issues that were central to the transformative vision of Nehruvian India, which in trying to create a modern, postcolonial nation with a planned economy often infringed upon the rights of many. The book highlights the various strategies adopted by petitioners in these cases and how the small and seemingly inconsequential victories they gained against the state, often resulted in intrusive state policies being undermined.
A People’s Constitution is impressive in its ambition. Despite this, it remains accessible and witty. At a time when India’s judiciary is under much scrutiny and questions of “constitutional morality” are hotly debated, A People’s Constitution is an important read.
That’s it from us this week. Take care and stay safe.