Policy Beyond Borders

The recent political unrest in Bangladesh and the subsequent resignation of Sheikh Hasina have raised concerns about the political future of the country as well as the international implications. The unrest, sparked by discontent over a government job quota system, had led to a nationwide curfew and internet shutdowns. But this crisis extends beyond the borders of Bangladesh, influencing its trade relations and geopolitical stance, particularly with neighbouring India and China. Bangladesh, a significant player in South Asian trade, is now navigating a delicate path. Its ties with India, a major trading partner, could be strained as instability hampers economic activities and disrupts supply chains. Meanwhile, China, which has been increasing its influence in the region through infrastructure investments and trade agreements, may see this as an opportunity to further its strategic interests, which is a major concern for India. Join us as we analyse these developments, their impact on regional dynamics, and the potential ripple effects on global trade.  Speaker: Dr. D Dhanuraj, CPPR Moderator: Maalavika A, Research Associate, CPPR Discussion Points How is the current situation going to affect India's neighbourhood relations and its Neighbourhood First Policy?  What would India’s stance be if Bangladesh develops closer relations with China?  How is Indo-Bangladesh trade going to be affected due to the recent developments?  Will the recent events cause a shift in global apparel production and if so, will India have the opportunity and the resources to fill the void left by Bangladesh? 

This episode of 'Policy Beyond Borders' with Ambassador Venu Rajamani analyses India’s Foreign Policy approach in PM Modi’s consecutive third term. It explores the geopolitical significance and challenges India faces due to its relations with neighboring countries, West Asia, and major global powers.  Speaker: Amb Venu Rajamony, Advisor, CPPRModerator: Neelima A, Research Associate, CPPR Key discussion points:  1. India places significant importance on maintaining good relations with its neighboring countries, recognizing that the proximity and potential influence of these nations can directly impact India's interests. The "Neighbourhood First" policy is crucial for India's regional stability and security.  2. India's "Look West" policy focuses on maintaining strong ties with West Asian countries, which are historically significant, culturally connected, and crucial for India's energy needs. The Indian diaspora, especially in the Gulf, plays a vital role in these relations. 3. India aims to maintain friendly relations with major global powers, including recent engagements with Russia. However, China's influence and activities in the region are a concern for India.

This episode of Policy Beyond Borders with Dr Shelly Johny , explores the geostrategic significance and challenges for India with respect to the recent historic agreement between India and Iran for developing and operating the Chabahar port, granting India full management of the Shahid Beheshti Port for 10 years.

This episode of Policy Beyond Borders with Dr Md Mudassar Quamar uncovers the ambitions driving Qatar's National development Vision 2030, the potential for collaboration with India, and the balancing act amidst China's influence. Key Takeaways  1. Qatar's National Vision 2030 aims for an advanced society with sustainable development and a high standard of living. Its focus areas include human, economic, social, and environmental development. Despite challenges like structural issues, geopolitical factors, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar has experienced high economic growth, particularly in sports, gas production, and exports. The execution of its vision through different national development strategies reflects both opportunities and challenges.  2. In light of this, India and Qatar have immense opportunities to strengthen ties in diverse areas such as food, energy (including renewables), climate change, education, and cultural exchange, creating immense potential for cooperation and mutual growth.  3. China poses a challenge for India's engagement with Qatar due to Qatar's alignment with the Belt and Road Initiative and its substantial trade with China, especially in LNG supply. China’s significant investments in sectors like healthcare and technology may outpace India's efforts. However, India's increasing diplomatic and economic engagement could pave the way for stronger cooperation, leveraging its large Indian expatriate population in Qatar.  4. India takes a balanced approach when engaging with Middle Eastern countries, carefully managing its relations with Qatar and other Gulf nations. India and Qatar's relationship is based on bilateral ties, independent of other regional influences. Projects like the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor highlight Qatar's strategic positioning within the region. Better economic integration can influence geopolitics, reducing tensions and fostering stability through improved connectivity  and trade relations.

This episode of Policy Beyond Borders with Dr Meena Singh Roy endeavours to unravel the multifaceted dimensions of India-UAE economic relations, exploring pivotal agreements like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the recently signed Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)  and prospects poised to shape the trajectory of regional and global commerce. Speaker: Dr Meena Singh Roy Senior  Fellow, Head Eurasia and West Asia Centre, Tillotoma Foundation and Former Fellow & Head West Asia and Eurasia Centre, MP-IDSA.  Moderator: Neelima A Associate Research, CPPR Key Takeaways India and the UAE enjoy a distinctive partnership, characterized by a strategic comprehensive alliance. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) serves as a significant catalyst for enhancing bilateral relations, as evidenced by the notable surge in bilateral trade figures from 72.9 billion in 2021-22 to 84.8 billion in 2022-23, representing a 16 percent increase. The formal establishment of the UAE-India CEPA council marks another milestone in fostering bilateral trade and economic development cooperation. Noteworthy is the remarkable growth in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with the UAE ranking as the highest contributor to FDI in India across various sectors, including telecommunications, infrastructure, and energy. An exemplar of this burgeoning partnership is Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala's first direct private equity investment in India, acquiring a 3.75% stake in Manipal, India's second-largest hospital chain, valued at ₹40,000 crore. This underscores the depth of collaboration and private sector interest in advancing relations between the two nations, transcending governmental involvement. The Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) is poised to augment the economic partnership between India and the UAE, providing a robust legal framework conducive to bilateral investment activities. Sustaining the momentum of cooperation between India and the UAE is imperative, with due recognition accorded to the pivotal role of the private sector. The healthcare sector, in particular, holds immense potential for collaboration between the two nations, presenting promising avenues for further exploration and partnership.

In this podcast we will be analysing Bangladesh's foreign policy with key global players including United States, the United Kingdom, China, Russia and India during Sheikh Hasina's latest term, emphasizing both continuity and future possibilities. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina retains her title as the world’s longest-serving female head of government after her party swept more than half of the parliament seats in the recently concluded 12th General election in Bangladesh. A series of events happened in Bangladesh prior to the voting, including allegations of elections not being free and fair, the arrest of a number of opposition activists, and the main opposition BNP boycotting the elections. The international community, including major powers like the US, China, Russia and even India, had their own say in the violence witnessed in Bangladesh prior to the election.  We further explore the immediate Foreign Policy priorities of Bangladesh, the elements of continuity in India-Bangladesh relations and the challenges for the Awami League in its new term.

In this episode, we explore the foreign policy perspective of Maldives' newly elected President, Mr. Mohammed Muizzu, with India. Additionally, we engage in a discussion on the potential collaborative opportunities that can be harnessed between India and Maldives. Speaker: Dr Gulbin Sultana, Associate Fellow, South Asia Centre, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) Moderator: Neelima A, Associate Research, CPPR Key Takeaways: Mr Mohammed Muizzu, the new president of Maldives, is set to diverge from the foreign policy strategies employed by his predecessors - specifically, Mr Abdulla Yameen, who was pro-China, and Mr Ibrahim Mohammed Solih, who exhibited a closer affiliation with India. Muizzu aims to pursue a more balanced foreign policy approach that involves engagement with both India and China. Importantly, this shift will not disrupt the ongoing collaboration in the defense and security sectors. Following the election, Mr Muizzu articulated his stance by asserting that he does not align himself exclusively with either China or India. Instead, he emphasized his pro-Maldivian position, indicating his commitment to engaging with other nations to advance the well-being and development of the Maldives. India should continue to invest in high-impact community projects in Maldives. These projects will directly benefit people and will prevent the misinformation spreading among the community as seen in the case of the removal of Indian Military troops from Maldives. India has the potential to make significant contributions to the Maldives, particularly in the tourism sector. This was evident in the post-COVID period when Indian tourists played a crucial role in revitalizing the Maldivian tourism industry. Moreover, there is potential for collaboration between India and the Maldives across various sectors such as agriculture, education with a focus on skill enhancement, space technology, and more. It is crucial, however, that the impetus for such collaboration comes from the Maldivian side, with specific demands and requirements driving the mutually beneficial engagement. India needs to speed up project completion, not just in the Maldives but in other countries too, to build trust and support from local communities. It's important to work more efficiently and finish projects quickly for a positive impact. ---------------------------- In our previous episode Maldivelection 2023 and its geopolitical implications, we had a pre-election discussion with Mr. Mimrah Abdul Gafoor, a political analyst from the Maldives. If you haven't listened to it yet, do check it out! https://www.cppr.in/podcasts/ep-3-policy-beyond-borders-maldivelection-23-geopolitical-implications

In the latest episode of ‘Policy Beyond Borders’, Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia discusses the recent ethnic upheaval in Myanmar against the Military Junta and its broader implications on India - Myanmar Ties. KEY TAKEAWAYS The recent attacks intensified on October 28, 2023, in Myanmar, Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia highlights the crucial roles of the military, political parties, and ethnic armed groups. The defeat of the military doesn't signify political party triumph but empowers ethnic armed organisations, potentially leading to the disintegration of Myanmar. As the agendas of the ethnic rebels diverge from the democratic forces, it impacts the stability of Myanmar as a nation-state. Aung San Suu Kyi remains the singular national figure in Myanmar, and the absence of a comparable figure within political parties means that, under pressure, the military may seek a political settlement through her release.  The speaker underscores the robust Myanmar-China ties, citing their strategic nature in military collaboration and economic engagement. India can re-establish its relations with Myanmar only through dialogues. The hindrance to economic growth between India and Myanmar, particularly in engineering, stems from Myanmar's domestic instability, deterring investors and complicating economic dynamics for India. If India needs to re-establish its relations with Myanmar achieving peace is crucial which requires India's comprehensive "government plus" approach. This entails active involvement from businesses, universities, think tanks, and women in collaborative efforts to build and sustain peace and security in the country. SPEAKER Amb Rajiv Bhatia,  former Ambassador to Myanmar and Mexico and former High Commissioner to Kenya, South Africa and Lesotho. At present, he is a Distinguished Fellow in Foreign Policy Studies Programme at Gateway House. MODERATORNeelima A, Associate, Research, CPPR 

In the latest episode of ‘Policy Beyond Borders,’ Michael Kugelman from the South Asia Institute, Wilson Centre, Washington,  discusses the emerging tenets of security and defence cooperation between India and the US in the context of the Fifth India-US 2+2 Dialogue and New Delhi's role in global conflicts.  Key Discussion Points: 1. What are the priorities set by the US and Indian leaderships for the India-US security partnership in the face of current geopolitical realities?2. What are the expectations placed on New Delhi by Washington with regard to its involvement in global conflicts and the preservation of regional stability? How do they navigate the stark contrast that exists in reality?  3. What are the key challenges for defence partnerships between two countries, especially in export controls and in technology sharing?4. How can India and the US enhance their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and what are the priorities the countries should set to maintain a peaceful Indo-pacific ?  About the Speaker Michael Kugelman, the Director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, is a leading specialist on Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan and their relations with the United States. The editor or co-editor of 11 books, he has written for The New York Times, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, and other publications, covering topics ranging from U.S. policy in Afghanistan to terrorism to water, energy, and food security in the region.

In this episode of Policy Beyond Borders, we explore the repercussions of the recent Hamas attack on Israel and the broader West Asian region. We examine the possible consequences of the conflict on the energy market and the ongoing peace talks. Additionally, we contemplate how India might navigate the complexities of managing its relationship with Israel and Palestine while maintaining a delicate balance. Moderator: Neelima A, Associate Research, CPPR Speaker: Dr Shelly Johny,  Senior Fellow (West Asian & Security Studies), CPPR Key Takeaways: Israel shifted from offensive to defensive capabilities, investing in security barriers and the Iron Dome. This shift may have provided an opportunity for Hamas to launch an offensive strike. Recent normalization agreements between Saudi Arabia and Iran, facilitated by China, and Saudi Arabia and Israel, mediated by the US, could face short-term disruptions. If Iran's support for Hamas is confirmed, it might further complicate relationships among West Asian nations and potentially reshape the regional geopolitical dynamics. The nations might impose sanctions on Iran if Iran's involvement is confirmed. These sanctions could have far-reaching consequences, particularly affecting Iran's oil exports and consequently impacting the global energy market. Saudi Arabia may need to reevaluate its policy of cutting down oil production. Instead, it might need to consider increasing its oil production to compensate for any potential disruptions in the energy market caused by the crisis. India should involve in direct negotiation between Israel and Palestine. However, there are challenges associated with the feasibility of such talks in the near future, potentially complicating India's efforts to navigate the situation diplomatically. The traditional two-state solution has lost its practicality and effectiveness in the context of the current political and social complexities. This necessitates exploring alternative approaches to achieve a sustainable resolution. A potential solution is to form of a single-nation model, where both Israel and Palestine would have equal rights within the state. This approach could potentially offer a more inclusive and equitable framework for resolving the conflict. There are challenges posed by the deep-seated divisions and polarisations within both Israel and Palestine. These internal rifts create significant obstacles to effective negotiations and hinder the prospects of reaching a mutually acceptable solution.

In this podcast episode, we explore the geopolitical and geoeconomic convergences between India and Australia in the Indo-Pacific region. As the Indo-Pacific becomes a crucial hotspot in international politics, both countries have recognized the economic and strategic significance of the region, leading to the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership.The Indo-Pacific region is a growing priority for India and Australia as emphasised in their respective national strategies due to the growing economic and geopolitical relevance of the region. Economically, Indo-Pacific is significant for trade connectivity, Blue Economy, and market segmentation between the two countries and strategically, the rising role of middle powers, minilateral participation with small islands, and maritime security of the region. The dynamic changes in the Indo-Pacific region such as Chinese strategic posture in the region, debt trap politics, disruptive trade routes, dominion in critical minerals and threatening maritime and economic cooperation in the region triggered the Australia-India Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (AIIPOIP) to embark on a comprehensive strategic partnership on June 4, 2020, at the Virtual Summit between the Prime Ministers of India and Australia. It focused on the unrestrained, independent and secured flow of trade, air and maritime activities in the Indo-Pacific region. In spite of that, the Chinese militarization of small islands in the Indo-Pacific, destabilisation of economies through One Belt One Road, and String of Pearls initiatives questions the economic and geopolitical safety of the Indo-Pacific region. Though both countries engage in common security frameworks such as QUAD, there is less evidence of voicing regional issues. Moreover, the comprehensive strategic partnership is devoid of plans to oppose China which dilutes the safety of the Indo-Pacific region. However, there is a scope with growing opportunities for a comprehensive strategic partnership in the aspects of the manufacture of defence technology through self-reliant schemes, the launch of the Chennai-Perth Economic Corridor can boost the trade of critical earth minerals to reduce economic dependence on China, strengthening the relationship between the countries to counterfeit the potential risks in geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamism in the Indo-Pacific. With this background, the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Kochi as part of its AIIPOIP Taskforce activities conducted a dialogue on the topic “India-Australia in the Indo-Pacific: Examining the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” to delve into the crucial geopolitical and geoeconomic convergences between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific region. KEY DISCUSSION POINTS The suggested key points for discussion are given below: What are the geopolitical and geoeconomic convergent aspects of India and Australia in the Indo-Pacific region? How does the comprehensive strategic partnership ensure the regional security of the Indo-Pacific region? How does the recent shift of Australian strategic posture impact the relations with India in the Indo-Pacific? What is the trajectory of the relations between India and Australia in the Indo-Pacific region with respect to Chinese dominion activities? How will the Quad-AUKUS axis impact the India-Australia strategic partnership?

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Prof. Harsh V Pant as we dissect the G20 2023 Summit and New Delhi's Role in the Emerging Global Order. Discover how Delhi's remarkable leadership is propelling India into the forefront of Global Leadership while championing the cause of the Global South. We delve into India's diplomatic victory of consensus-building amidst geopolitical turbulence, its inclusive diplomacy, its pivotal role in addressing climate financing and global debt challenges, and what lies ahead for the Brazilian presidency in the G20. Don't miss this insightful episode on the future of global governance About the Guest Speaker: Harsh V. Pant [Professor of International Relations, King's College London and Vice President - Studies and Foreign Policy at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi]

In the third episode of 'Policy Beyond Borders,' Mimrah Abdul Gafoor, Maldivian Political Analyst and Neelima A, Research Associate at CPPR, delve into the analysis of the 2023 Presidential Election of Maldives which has gone into a runoff on 30th September 2023 and has great geopolitical implications in International Relations. When the world is busy discussing G20 and its outcomes, here we bring to you this important issue in which India’s stake cannot be missed.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the 15th BRICS Summit convened in Johannesburg, South Africa, carrying substantial expectations. In this episode of Policy Beyond Borders, Dr N R Bhanumurthy, Vice Chancellor of B R Ambedkar School of Economics University, shares his insights on the outcomes and implications of this significant summit, exploring the expansion of BRICS, their response to supply chain disruptions, the path towards de-dollarisation, and the role of the New Development Bank (NDB).

Over 76 years of independence, India has displayed a dynamic foreign policy while preserving strategic autonomy. How can we conceptualise the Contemporary Resurgence of the Non-Alignment Principle? How has the economic diplomacy of India evolved over the decades? What are the current challenges that India is facing in its foreign policy? What are the current priorities of India's foreign policy? What might define the characteristics of the 8th decade of India's foreign policy? To learn about the existing challenges, priorities and future of India’s Foreign Policy, dive into the first episode of Policy Beyond Borders podcast, in which Neelima A, Research Associate at CPPR, is in conversation with Amb T P Sreenivasan, Former Ambassador and Advisor to CPPR.