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India Finds the Going Tough in Afghanistan

By Siddharth Srivastava 21 Oct 2009 | World Politics Review NEW DELHI -- India has long seen a reconstruction role for itself in Afghanistan, despite its lack of direct military involvement in the country. Its interests there are obvious: A strong Kabul ensures that jihadi forces in Pakistan do not use Afghanistan as a backyard assembly line for militants who can then be turned against India. But New Delhi is not finding its Afghan sojourn easy.

India Looks for Bigger Sri Lanka Role

By Siddharth Srivastava 24 Sep 2009 | World Politics Review NEW DELHI -- With the Tamil insurgency decimated in the northern provinces of Sri Lanka, India is now seeking greater involvement in the welfare of the Tamils in the island country. New Delhi is looking to supply electricity, and resettle displaced Tamils. And this month, Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi emphasized that India will do everything in its power to protect the rights of the Tamil population.

India Struggles to Keep Navy Afloat

By Siddharth Srivastava 01 Sep 2009 | World Politics Review NEW DELHI -- India's defense procurement and modernization processes are infamously slow, and mired in red tape, corruption, and lack of long-term strategic planning. One prominent result has been the country's unsuccessful quest to either procure aircraft carriers internationally or build them at home. The delays have forced India to refit its sole aircraft carrier, despite earlier plans to junk it.

India Maintains Goal of China Deterrent

By Siddharth Srivastava 08 Jul 2009 | World Politics Review NEW DELHI -- While India's immediate military aim is to build a potent strike force against Pakistan, it also harbors long-term plans to field a credible deterrent against China. This reflects the fact that although military efforts to counter Pakistan, such as the deployment along India's western frontiers, are usually given precedence, the perceived threat from China remains very much on the radar.

India's Defense Modernization Highlights Naval Designs

By Siddharth Srivastava 23 Jun 2009 | World Politics Review NEW DELHI -- Most of the attention given to India's big defense modernization program, valued at more than $50 billion, has focused onthe $11-billion fighter jet contract that New Delhi is looking to sign.However, concerned by the threat from the seas, especially in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks in November, India has been looking tobuild its naval strength as well.

U.S.-India Relations Strained under Obama

By Siddharth Srivastava 16 Jun 2009 | World Politics Review NEW DELHI -- U.S.-India relations have experienced a period of strain under the presidency of Barack Obama, with India increasingly unhappy about how the new administration is shaping its policy in the South Asian region. Of concern for New Delhi is the gathering impression that some of the closeness in relations enjoyed under the Bush administration is dissipating under Obama.

India Election Results a Mature Verdict

By Siddharth Srivastava 20 May 2009 | World Politics Review NEW DELHI -- The unexpected landslide victory of the Congress Party in India's general elections has given the incoming government a mandate to deliver on its promises. The election results make it clear that the people of India are looking for a focused national policy that promotes development and provides for stable government. With expectations so high, Congress cannot afford to be complacent.

India's New Arms Have Pakistan in Focus

By Siddharth Srivastava 20 Apr 2009 | World Politics Review NEW DELHI -- A shift in India's strategic defense thinking has become increasingly apparent over the last few months. Before the Mumbai attacks in November, India's military infrastructure was predominantly oriented to building against a long-term threat from China. Post-11/26, however, there is every sign that India's defense preparedness is more focused on the immediate threat from Pakistan.

India's Army Ill-Equipped Despite Plans

By Siddharth Srivastava 16 Feb 2009 | World Politics Review NEW DELHI -- In the wake of last November's Mumbai terror strikes, which revealed weaknesses in India's homeland defense capacity, India's inability to fight a full-fledged war is now being increasingly exposed. Years of neglect, corruption and red tape, and problems with New Delhi's defense modernization program, mean that improvements might be further off than anticipated.

Nuclear Deal Done, India Gives IPI Pipeline a Second Look

By Siddharth Srivastava 05 Nov 2008 | World Politics Review NEW DELHI -- The Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline has been under consideration for years. But despite both India's and Pakistan's desperate need for energy sources, progress on the project has been hampered so far by strategic calculations, mutual suspicions and disagreements on pricing and tariffs. Indications, however, are that the Iran-Pakistan stretch of the pipeline may take off soon. And with the U.S.-India nuclear agreement now concluded, India might be giving it more serious consideration, too.