GDP numbers-First time, how reliable? (R Vaidyanathan, Vivekananda International Foundation)

India’s economic growth for the financial year 2016 has been estimated at 7.6 per cent as compared with the revised estimate of 7.2 per cent in the previous year, aided mostly by growth in the manufacturing sector. However, the GDP growth for the third quarter of this financial year slowed to a four-quarter low at 7.3 per cent. In the second quarter, it had grown by 7.7 per cent.

http://www.vifindia.org/article/2016/february/27/gdp-numbers-first-time-how-reliable

Round table Conference on Energy Security on 14-15 May, 2015 - Summary of Recommendations (Vivekananda International Foundation)

http://www.vifindia.org/article/2016/february/26/round-table-conference-on-energy-security-on-14-15-may

Defence Budget 2016-17: Needed more Funds and Timely Spending (Brig Gurmeet Kanwal, Vivekananda International Foundation)

At the end of the third quarter of Financial Year (FY) 2015-16, 40 per cent (Rs 37,000 crore out of Rs 93,675 crore) of the capital budget of the armed forces remained unspent. As it will not be possible to spend all of the remaining funds in the January-March 2016 quarter, approximately Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 crore (15 to 20 per cent) may be returned unspent. During the previous FY 2014-15, 22 per cent of the Rs 80,545 crore amount that was initially provided for the capital budget had remained unspent. (The capital budget is utilised for the replacement of obsolete weapons and equipment and modernisation, while the revenue budget is meant for pay and allowances, ammunition, rations, transportation and maintenance etc.)

http://www.vifindia.org/article/2016/february/25/defence-budget-2016-17-needed-more-funds-and-timely-spending

Breakout Moment for Iran (Mayank Anand Purohit, Vivekananda International Foundation)

The Iran Nuclear Deal or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was implemented on 16th January 2016 after Iran completed its obligations for securing suspension of nuclear related sanctions imposed on it. This ends the economic and political isolation of Iran and marks the beginning of a new phase in Iran’s engagement with the world. Economic sanctions have caused significant damage to Iranian economy and curtailed its options to pursue its strategic objectives. Iran is now striving to make up for the lost opportunities and its leadership is wasting no time in deepening existing relationships and building new ones. With significant hydrocarbon reserves and its strategic location, Iran cannot be ignored. Most major nations have started to re-engage with Iran and ink deals. China, expectedly, has stolen a march over others.

http://www.vifindia.org/article/2016/february/23/breakout-moment-for-iran

Re-asserting ‘Neighbourhood First’- External Affairs Minister’s Sri Lanka Visit (Anushree Ghisad, Vivekananda International Foundation)

Keeping up with the momentum of 2015 which was a historic year in terms of high level bilateral visits, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj paid a successful visit to Sri Lanka on February 5 and 6, 2016, right at the beginning on New Year. She attended the 9th Session of The Joint Commission Meeting, during which a range of issues were discussed. EAM carried out a comprehensive review of India’s relations with Lanka in the course of her high level meetings, covering major aspects of our bilateral relation.

http://www.vifindia.org/article/2016/february/22/re-asserting-neighbourhood-first-external-affairs-ministers-sri-lanka-visit

Pak-Bangladesh Diplomatic Spat: Tip of the Iceberg (Tilak Devasher, Vivekananda International Foundation)

Recent months have seen Pakistan and Bangladesh expelling each other’s diplomats and ‘summoning’ each other’s envoys to lodge ‘strong’ protests. The expulsions and ‘summoning’ are just the tip of the iceberg, reflective of a deeper malaise that has bedevilled the relations between the two countries.

http://www.vifindia.org/article/2016/february/22/pak-bangladesh-diplomatic-spat-tip-of-the-iceberg

Indian Army: State of War Readiness – A Contemporary Perspective (Brig (retd) Rahul Bhonsle, Vivekananda International Foundation)

There has been much focus on capital procurements regarding artillery guns, fighter aircraft and submarines for fighting wars in the future. These are no doubt essential to ensure that the nation is ready to face a future challenge given the uncertain security environment in the neighbourhood and programme of rapid modernization of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). At the same time given the constant threat of proxy war waged by Pakistan, the Pathankot terrorist attack being a grim reminder, there is as much need to ensure readiness to fight wars today as in the future. A series of exposures in the media in 2012-13 revealed a high state of hollowness in the Indian armed forces and more particularly in the Army. The state of ammunition, in particular, was considered critical while the level of holdings indicated to be adequate for fighting a ten days war. The Ministry of Defence has reported in the parliament that appropriate measures have been undertaken to redress this shortcoming. Indian Army’s challenge of preparedness thus envisages being ready for battle today while preparing to deter a war tomorrow. Provision of budgeting for both these contingencies is a sine qua nan. In the light of the above, some issues which need to be examined include the current state of ammunition, availability of funds for procurement and raising of the mountain strike corps.

http://www.vifindia.org/article/2016/february/22/indian-army-state-of-war-readiness-a-contemporary-perspective

Steadfast in Siachen (Sushant Sareen, Vivekananda International Foundation)

After every tragedy in Siachen, it is almost laughably predictable to see a spate of articles and programs advocating a settlement (largely on Pakistani terms), if not an outright withdrawal, from the area. Most of these write-ups start with a palpably insincere tribute to the Indian soldiers who serve and often lose their life or limb on the icy heights of the highest and coldest battlefield in the world. Once the lip-service to the soldiers has been paid, the entire thrust of the argument is on why serving on the glacier is a pointless waste of resources and is strategically senseless. Ergo, we should settle the Siachen issue so that the precious lives of soldiers can be saved. Invariably, most of the academics, journalists, activists writing such drivel are very active on track-II circuits, many of them funded by the Pakistanis and some Western donors, even governments, whose line is then plugged to influence Indian public opinion.

http://www.vifindia.org/article/2016/february/22/steadfast-in-siachen

Trends in Chinese Military Modernization: Implications and Responses (Vivekananda International Foundation)

The Chinese White Paper on defence of 2015 and the papers issued earlier have been emphasizing that their “national defense policy is defensive in nature... and will never seek hegemony or expansion.” Yet, countries that have been at the receiving end of China’s assertive policies in South China or East China Sea would tend to think otherwise.

http://www.vifindia.org/occasionalpaper/2016/february/19/trends-in-chinese-military-modernization-implications-and-responses