The Future as Foretold by Xi Jinping
Dear Reader,
Hope you are doing well. In this edition of the Takshashila Dispatch, we bring to you our latest work on the rise and rise of Xi Jinping, the ongoing semiconductor supremacy battle between the US & China, the Indian Army’s self-reliance goals, GMO bans and food insecurity, and Southern Asia’s nuclear dynamics.
The Future as Foretold by Xi Jinping
The 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China which concluded last month has cemented the authority of Chinese President Xi Jinping. In an opinion for The Times of India, Manoj Kewalramani writes on what we can expect going forward:
Xi’s unparalleled authority: First, the confirmation of the long-expected third term for Xi Jinping as CCP general secretary has underscored his unparalleled authority within the party-state system. Personnel appointments starting with the changes in the Politburo and its standing committee to the appointments to the Discipline Inspection Commission also underline the extent of Xi’s authority.
Semiconductor Supremacy: US vs. China
Pranay Kotasthane and Abhiram Manchi write an opinion for the Hindustan Times on the significance of the US’s export control measures on semiconductors vis-a-vis China:
The geopolitical impact of the new controls is perhaps the most significant. The US and China’s semiconductor ecosystems might recover, but this move is a critical juncture in technology geopolitics. The US has made it unequivocally clear that it is willing to actively constrain China’s progress in critical technologies, even if it means hurting its own companies and allies. It is clear that hard decoupling — at least in a few high-tech sectors — is the most likely outcome. It is a sign that critical technologies will be seen through a “national security first” lens, even if they have mass commercial applications. Countries such as India would have preferred a world where flows of capital, labour, goods and services remain largely independent of geopolitical concerns. But that world order is past us. A common understanding — if not complete alignment — on geopolitics might become a precondition for deepening technology engagement.
Measuring the Indian Army’s Self-Reliance Goals
While attaining Atmanirbharta in defence procurement is desirable, India cannot produce all military systems and equipment required for its Army today. In his column for The Print, Lt. Gen. Prakash Menon writes on why import bans are the wrong way to go about the achieving self-dependence:
If the arc of India’s short and mid-term military challenges demands that equipment availability must be of a high order, then certainly it is not the time to rely on promoting self-reliance through bans. It is, therefore, no wonder that the 2020 Chinese aggression in Eastern Ladakh witnessed a flurry of purchases on an emergency basis. And this has been happening over the years. The major effect of the ban list is that several critical assets are not being put through the acquisition process, even when the user requires it, as they figure on the list. This is certainly avoidable. It is apparent that the ambitious goals of Atmanirbharta are forcing us to attempt to accomplish what, in essence, is an impossible task.
GMO Bans Deserve Reconsideration
Last month, given the unprecedented droughts in Africa, Kenya lifted a decade-long ban on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) as a source of food and feed. In an opinion for The Quint, Shambahvi Naik argues that GMO crops are climate-friendly and countries, including India, must consider allowing them:
It is important that India shifts its position to allow more research and development on GM crops in India. Firstly, given climate change and the increasing food and nutritional demand from an economically improving Indian population, maintaining nutritional security with our current food production may become impossible. Further, if India does not create its own GM crops, we may have to depend on imported seeds or crops to cater to our domestic needs. The creation of crops takes years and in an extreme situation, like the one that plagues Kenya currently, developing this expertise or making drastic changes to farming practices will be difficult. India needs to prepare for such an eventuality and hence, invest in developing expertise in GM technologies.
Southern Asia’s Nuclear Dynamics
China, India, and Pakistan are modernising their nuclear arsenals and tweaking their nuclear postures. In last Thursday’s episode of All Things Policy, Pranav Satyanath hosts Dr. Ashley J Tellis, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to discuss the impact of modernisation by the three countries and the future of nuclear trajectory in Southern Asia.
Takshashila Conducted a Workshop on Complexity, Society & Public Policy
The Takshashila Institution conducted a workshop on Complexity, Society & Public Policy on October 28th & 29th at Nandi, Karnataka. The workshop was attended by experts from the fields of physics, biology, mathematics, economics, and public policy. The participants included Suri Venkatachalam, Arjun Jayadev, Gautam Menon, Shashi Thutupalli, Neelima Gupte, Sitabhra Sinha, Sarika Jana, Chitra Pattabhiraman, Nitin Pai, Sachin Kalbag and others.
Applications for PGP Programme are Now Open
The Post-Graduate Programme in Public Policy (PGP Programme) is a 48-week multi-disciplinary, specialised programme, designed for students who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the theoretical and empirical approaches to public policy.
The PGP Programme is suitable for working professionals who are in the public policy space or are looking to explore a career in public policy while pursuing current occupations. Prior work experience of 2 years is a desirable criterion for admission. The PGP programme will equip students with the necessary skills of policymaking, analysis, persuasion, and communication in their desired career choice.
The last date for early bird applications is December 20, 2022!
That’s all from us in this edition. Take care.