SPS Briefs

De-radicalization in Algeria: A success story

By Aniket Bhavthankar
June 2016

The process of national reconciliation in Algeria signifies that Bouteflika’s attempt to combine both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ approaches in countering radicalism and terrorism has emerged as the best approach in the long run. In dealing with terrorism and radicalism, the ‘hard’ approach is defined as measures that are employed by the state that focus on the function and role of the security apparatus (primarily the Algerian army and elite forces) and their use of force, which includes, among other things, tactical raids, arrests, infiltration and killings. The ‘soft’ approach, on the other hand, is seen as the function, role and activities of the non-security state apparatus (such as the ministry of education, as well as non-state actors – such as civil society, and zawiyyas), which do not resort to force.

Kashmir: A quagmire of political uncertainty

By Sarwar Kashani
March 2016

Although the political parleys are on, it is the lives of the ordinary denizens of the state of Jammu and Kashmir that is getting affected in the process. Given how the state has been exposed to violent volatility in the past, those in power will have to act fast before the act of radicalism starts to take an uglier turn in this ‘paradise on earth’, writes Sarwar Kashani.

Countering radical ideologies in South Asia: Relevance of (Moroccan/Tunisian) Maliki School of Islam

By Ambassador Ishrat Aziz
November 2015​

The threat posed by the Islamic State /IS (also known as Islamic State of Iraq and Syria/ISIS or Da’esh) looms large, particularly for countries that have sizeable Sunni Muslim population within their boundaries. This is definitely true for the South Asian countries that are home to a vast mass of Muslim populace but, which as a region, has also been known for its vulnerability to radical ideologies and related extremism. A major approach to countering the threat posed by the hard-line Islamic political ideology of the IS involves highlighting the fact that the ideology propagated by it has strayed far from the initial and more moderate strand of Islam.

Kashmir: Insurgency and Politics

By Sarwar Kashani
November 2015

Militancy in Kashmir – a dangerous mix of politics and religious fundamentalism – is now almost three decades old (27 years to be exact). In the last nearly three decades, some 75,000 people have been killed in this visually stunning and strategically positioned Himalayan territory that abounds with natural beauty and sits on a powder keg of a possible nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan with China also claiming stakes, lately though, writes Sarwar Kashani.

Crafting Indian Foreign Policy: Assessing PM Modi’s One Year in Office

May 2015

The next few years would see a convergence of domestic and foreign policy, which strategic experts have long been seeking. Modi’s agenda is clear: he has already commenced preparations for a second term. He is known to be tough, even ruthless and intolerant of those who do not follow the rules as he enunciates them. He has the mandate. But, more importantly, the people of India are impatient for change. Indeed, this impatience is considerable both in terms of speed and scale. If PM Modi has the vision and the ability to bring about this monumental and long-delayed change, his place in history will be assured. But that depends on how he negotiates the country’s disruptive politics and controls the seriously irresponsible statements that several of his party members have often aired, particularly with regard to India’s plural and secular tradition.

Cricket – A bridge between t he Diaspora in the Caribbean and India

By Aniket Bhavthankar
May 2015

Elections in Jammu and Kashmir: Past, present and future

By Sarwar Kashani
November 2014

The unpredictability of the outcome of the polls, marred by separatist boycott calls in the past, has increased with the federally ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) taking unprecedented interest in the elections of India’s only-Muslim majority state, divided between India and Pakistan by a ceasefire line called Line of Control – a de-facto boundary between the two nuclear-powered warring neighbours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 100 days: An assessment

September 2014

Overall, the sense one gets is that it is too early to criticise Modi but the optimism is slowly giving way to murmurs of discontent. It will be the economy and not politics which will prick the balloon. The acid test will come in the next three months when the festival season begins and people begin to feel the pinch of rising prices and runaway inflation. Modi did talk of these two subjects and had promised to contain them within days of getting elected.

India’s Momentous Election: What Now?

July 2014

The outcome of the 2014 general election can have momentous consequences for India. For the first time, it has enabled a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization, viz. the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to come to power in New Delhi. Now, however, the BJP has not only won a majority of its own, but both its friends and foes have been reduced to political insignificance.

Pakistan: Facing the spectre of Lebanonisation

By Alok Bansal
July 2014​

India’s elections 2014
​March 2014​
It’s been called the world’s biggest democratic carnival, the world’s largest management exercise or, simply, as a leading newspaper put it, the power of one. These elections, to elect the 16th Lok Sabha, the House of the People, or the lower house of the Indian Parliament, could well shape the destiny of India – for better or for worse.

Report on India-China Cooperation and Chinese business in India
India’s economic rise is taking place in an interdependent world marked by the competition for markets, capital and resources. The geo-economics of growth in an interdependent world requires India to build both interdependent relations with other countries, as well as the capability to defend its interests.

Delhi – An Urban Security Review
Delhi is a safe city on the whole for a foreign visitor. It is not ‘dangerous’ and crime is largely confined to socioeconomically depressed areas as well as lonely spots – as is the case in most metropolitan cities that have such demographic characteristics.

Kashmir

By Sarwar Kashani
June 2014

Although the political parleys are on, it is the lives of the ordinary denizens of the state of Jammu and Kashmir that is getting affected in the process. Given how the state has been exposed to violent volatility in the past, those in power will have to act fast before the act of radicalism starts to take an uglier turn in this ‘paradise on earth’, writes Sarwar Kashani.

Overview of the Indian Nuclear Scenario 2012

By C. Uday Bhaskar

In 2012, the extended and inter-linked domain of Indian nuclear science and technology, strategic capabilities and nuclear diplomacy entered an interesting phase. A series of important developments took place apropos the strategic programme as well as for the civil nuclear energy programme, writes C.Uday Bhaskar.

Jihad terrorism and its impact on India
India has a complex internal security challenge that comprises the externally supported jihadi terror – often referred to as state sponsored terrorism.The need to objectively comprehend the contours of this challenge is imperative so that an appropriate consensual, collective response could be initiated.

India’s state elections: Implications for national politics

​December 2013​

An interesting feature of the general election is that nothing much is known about the views of either Modi or Rahul. For the 725 million Indian electorate, therefore, it will be a shot in the dark.