Editorial: Balancing Role of India in West Asia Crisis
The present war of Israel against Hamas, Hezbollah began on 7th October 2023, when Hamas–led terrorist groups launched an attack that breached Gaza–Israel barrier, attacking Israeli civilian communities and military bases. During this attack 1,139 Israeli and foreign nationals were killed and 251 were taken hostage and kidnapped into Gaza. In retaliation Israel invaded Gaza on 27th October 2023 and to date, their military campaign has killed over 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza. Exchange of strikes between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have been occurring along Israel–Lebanon border and in Syria and Israeli-occupied Golan Heights since 8th October 2023. It is currently largest escalation of Hezbollah–Israel conflict to have occurred since 2006 Lebanon War. Significant escalation in this conflict occurred in September 2024 with Hezbollah being targeted by Israeli air-strikes and targeted assassinations of Hezbollah commanders. More than 1,000 people have been killed in last two weeks of September in Lebanon and more continue to die as Israel keeps up its assault. It is very clear to any geo-political observer that Israel will not stop till it runs out of money or military munitions, or both. Israel is fighting for its very existence as a country and a negotiated peace with terrorists is not on their agenda. The Israeli Prime Minister has been very clear in his recent address to the United Nations. Only complete surrender of Hamas (and possibly Hezbollah) will bring this conflict to an end, and there might be a fractured peace. Read More
Drones Add a Whole New Dimension to Warfare: Lesson from The War in Gaza?
The evolving landscape of warfare has been dramatically reshaped by technological advancements, with drones at the forefront of this transformation. The recent conflict in Gaza has once again highlighted the important role of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in contemporary warfare, underscoring both their strategic advantages and the complex ethical and operational challenges they present. Today, drones are redefining the dynamics of urban warfare and is being employed both by state and non-state actors offering valuable lessons on their impact. Understanding these lessons is crucial for developing future military strategies, ethical frameworks and technological innovations in the realm of unmanned warfare. Read More
Iran: recalibration and impact in the 21st century
In 1979, Iran grabbed headlines the world over for the Islamic Revolution and the ouster of Shah Reza Pahlavi, the last and controversial monarch. It was accompanied by a wave of anti-West sentiment, ultra-conservative and fervent anti-America demonstrations. (Afary, 2019) Over the next few years, as the feeling consolidated in the now-Islamic Republic of Iran, the nation, once the pride of the Asian world, was now globally shunned. In 2022, the nation grabbed headlines due to the custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested and tortured by the Iranian morality police, the ‘Gasht-e-Ershad’ for improperly donning the hijab. (Reuters, 2024) Read More
Discovering the Vibrant Connections between Northeast India and Japan
The relationship between Northeast India and Japan is a manifold and evolving partnership with significant cultural, economic, and strategic magnitudes. This research paper aims to delve into these aspects, shedding light on the chronological context, contemporary developments, and impending prospects of this two-pronged relationship. The paper is structured as follows: an introduction outlining the importance of Northeast India and Japan's relations and the objectives of the study; a historic context particularizing past interactions, cultural interactions, and strategic coalitions; sections on contemporary cultural relations, economic collaborations, and strategic partnerships; and a conclusion summarizing key outcomes and providing commendations. Read More
Challenging The Choppy Waters - Securing India’s Trade and Geopolitical Interest Against China
The post-Soviet world order has leaned towards multipolarity after being unipolar in favour of the United States during the initial years. This changed nature of geopolitical dynamics allowed various states to carve a niche for themselves at the global level. While Russia and Israel along with the United States maintained their supremacy over arms and ammunition, South Asian countries like Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan made a significant impact on the electronics manufacturing industry. Despite this, none of these countries could challenge the ‘superpower’ status of the United States which held the potent weapon of being a global leader in defence, technology, and trade alike. Read More
Understanding the Changing Balance of Power Dynamics Due to Brahmos Export
India delivered the Brahmos missiles to the Philippines on 19 April 2024. This delivery comes two years after India signed a 375$ million contracts with the Philippines government for the delivery of 3 Brahmos missile systems (coastal variants) to defend its territorial sovereignty, especially against the Chinese aggression in the West Philippines sea. Since the Philippines will be the first operator in the ASEAN region to operate these state-of-the-art missile systems, it is now important to understand and estimate the implications of this export to protect Philippines territorial integrity against Chinese aggression. The Brahmos missiles which have been delivered to the Philippines are of the anti-ship variant.1 Therefore, this article will try to estimate the change in balance of power in ASEAN region due to this development and also to understand the associated deterrence capability. Read More
The Impact of US-Iran Relations on the Development of Chabahar port: India’s Diplomatic Balancing Act
The Chabahar Port, located on Iran's southeastern coast, represents a critical strategic asset for India. There is a geopolitical, economic, and strategic significance of Chabahar Port to India, considering its implications for regional connectivity, trade diversification. On the other side there is also a US factor in the development of Chabahar port. This research article examines how the fluctuating relations between the United States and Iran have impacted the development of Chabahar port and India’s diplomatic efforts to navigate these complexities while advancing its strategic interests. Read More
Virtual Currencies, Crypto-laundering, Governance and Regulation – A Consultative Study Report for Indian Regulatory Adoption
Blockchain technology, the foundation of cryptocurrencies, presents significant regulatory challenges due to issues such as data privacy, jurisdictional uncertainty, and anonymity. The financial system's integrity is threatened by the use of NFTs for money laundering, mixed services exploitation, and privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. Authorities are enforcing stronger KYC and AML guidelines to combat cryptocurrency laundering. The dynamic nature of cryptocurrencies calls for a balance between security and innovation. This study examines potential and regulatory concerns surrounding blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies like NFTs, ICOs, and STOs, emphasizing the need for strong AML regulations to preserve global financial integrity. Collaboration between regulators and law enforcement agencies is crucial for effective detection and prevention of misuse while maintaining legal usage and technical innovation. The paper emphasizes the importance of regulatory experimentation, consortium formations, and the creation of a regulatory framework with progressive, fit-for-purpose, and agile adaptations. It also reviews the global standing on crypto regulations and explores collaborations for governance, sandbox approaches for regulatory adoption, and progressive implementation. Read More
