India and the United Kingdom share a long-standing relationship rooted in historical connections, cultural ties, democratic values, and growing economic cooperation. Over the years, this relationship has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership driven by shared interests in trade, technology, security, climate action, education, and innovation.
Policy UpdateKavin Adithya C.B. Background The paradigm shift towards sustainable energy sources and electric mobility has significantly increased the significance of several natural resources. Hydrocarbons, in particular oil and natural gas, were at the centre of geopolitical confrontations during the…
India has undergone a significant change especially in the defence sector over the past few years mainly due to important indigenous manufacturing schemes like the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and the Make In India initiative. The main objective of such initiatives is to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment and raw materials while at the same time, strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities and India’s most priced foreign policy principle, Strategic Autonomy.Defence-grade steel is a strategic resource as it is essential for manufacturing critical military platforms such as warships, submarines, armoured vehicles, and missiles.
The India-Philippines Brahmos Missile Agreement is known to be one of the major landmark developments in India’s development as a credible Defence exporter and strategic security partner in South-East Asia. The agreement, being signed in 2022 through a contract worth approximately 375 million dollars, marked India’s first ever export of the BrahMOS missile cruise system. The implementation phase gained momentum during 2024-2026 with the successful delivery of missile batteries, deployment support, operator training and sustained bilateral defence cooperation. The agreement also further reflects India’s broader objective of combining defence manufacturing capabilities with foreign policy to strengthen strategic partnerships under the Act East Policy and the vision of the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
Policy UpdateNinchen Tamang Background The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and its successor, the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) form the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) policy framework for acquiring defence equipment and developing military capabilities. Over time, this framework has evolved from…
Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa, aka Mohammed Al Julani, is trying to navigate a difficult regional dynamic, especially in the Levant, as the conflict continues to escalate on several fronts, from Lebanon to Gaza to Israel to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Iran. Through smart diplomacy, Al Sharaa was not only able to divest himself of his past credentials but also endeared himself to President Donald Trump, who lifted the $10 million bounty on his head.
With the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) losing much of its diplomatic momentum, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been gradually reclaiming its centrality in the Indo-Pacific.